The Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department celebrates a uniquely American art form during Jazz Fest 2026, April 22–24. This three-day event features a series of free public performances showcasing guest artists and LMC performance ensembles. All events will be held at the LMC Mendel Center on the College's Benton Harbor campus, 2755 E. Napier Ave.
The Stories We Tell: A History of Jazz in Southwest Michigan hosted by Andrew Fisher
Wednesday, April 22, 6 p.m. | LMC Mendel Center Hanson Theatre
Southwest Michigan has a jazz story most people have never heard, and Jazz Fest 2026 is its long-overdue spotlight. The Stories We Tell: A History of Jazz in Southwest Michigan is an intimate evening of live music and living history, weaving together the sounds and memories that shaped this region's extraordinary musical legacy. From the storied stages of Crystal Palace on Paw Paw Lake to the global stages of jazz's greatest era, Southwest Michigan was never just a place you passed through. It was a destination.
At the heart of the discussion is Benton Harbor's own Gene Harris, soul jazz giant, Blue Note recording artist, and one of the most influential pianists of the 20th century. His daughter, vocalist Beth Haire-Lewis, joins host and performer Andrew Fisher for a night of live jazz performances woven together with firsthand stories, rare history, and surprising discoveries. Celebrated recording artists, local legends, including LMC music department director Ed Bagatini, and iconic regional landmarks all take their rightful place in a story richer than most people know.
LMC Jazz Band with Bassist Andrew Thompson and Lago Rojo Salsa Band
Thursday, April 23, 6 p.m. | LMC Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre
The LMC Jazz Band, local salsa band Lago Rojo Salsa, and bassist Andrew Thompson will deliver a vibrant evening of Latin music filled with passion, groove, and storytelling on the Jenkins Theatre stage. From classics like “El Cuarto de Tula” by Buena Vista Social Club and “Sofrito” by Mongo Santamaría to the stylish sounds of Pink Martini, this program blends tradition with contemporary flair. Highlights include “Junio ‘73” by Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe, a Latin-inspired take on Billie Jean by Tony Succar, and a world premiere by multi-instrumentalist and composer Andrew Thompson.
Vox LMC with WMU Gold Company
Friday, April 24, 7 p.m. | LMC Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre
Vox LMC teams up with Western Michigan University's renowned Gold Company for one night of extraordinary vocal jazz. Gold Company, led by director Greg Jasperse and comprised of undergraduate and graduate students across a range of music disciplines, is known for its polished sound and electrifying performances. Alumni have gone on to perform with Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, Taylor Swift, Sting, and Liza Minnelli, as well as on stages from Broadway to Hollywood. Vox LMC blends the study of contemporary American music with hands-on experience in music technology. In collaboration with Force Tech, students gain real-world knowledge of sound production while developing the rich harmonies and sophisticated rhythms that define vocal jazz. The result is a fresh, forward-thinking ensemble that bridges performance and production.
Jazz Fest events are supported in part by funding from Howard Youth Endowment Program Grant through the Berrien Community Foundation.
About the Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department
The Visual & Performing Arts Department enables students to reach new levels of excellence through classroom instruction and public performance. Many programs, including instrumental and vocal music, theatre, and dance, are based in the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center, the only performing arts center of its kind in Southwest Michigan. Here, LMC students have opportunities to study the performing arts in a venue that attracts thousands of patrons annually. Programs including drawing, painting, and graphic design allow students to explore the possibilities in the visual arts.
Auditions are held for select ensembles that perform on the same stages as world-renowned touring acts. Students in any major also have opportunities to audition for Broadway musicals and plays and join two different vocal ensembles, string and wind ensembles, a pop-rock ensemble, and a jazz band. One of only two colleges in Michigan to carry the prestigious All-Steinway designation, LMC has a team of highly qualified faculty who bring real-world expertise to the classroom.
For more information about the Visual and Performing Arts department and performances, visit lakemichigancollege.edu/arts, email mmccaffrey@lakemichigancollege.edu, or call 269-927-8876.
Posted April 06, 2026