MUSIC
Christopher Cheng, Saxophonists
Christopher Cheng (Troy, Michigan) is highly influenced by the great saxophonists Charlie Parker and Stan Getz. Known in the jazz world for his strong, soulful sound it is no doubt because of the musical training he has received from jazz legends such as Rodney Whitaker, Derrick Gardner (Harry Connick Jr.), Marcus Belgrave (Ray Charles) and Wess Anderson (Wynton Marsalis). He has been fortunate enough to have engaged in master class settings with some of the world’s greatest musicians such as Bob James, Nobuya Sugawa, Ellis Marsalis, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock. He has also performed at venues such as the Detroit Yacht Club, Bakers Keyboard Lounge (Detroit), Smalls Jazz Club (New York), Orchestra Hall (Detroit) and Carnegie Hall (New York). Cheng is a senior at Michigan State University pursuing dual degrees in Jazz Studies and Hospitality Business. Between 2008-2009 Cheng was the host of the award-winning show, the Jazz Spectrum on 88.9 Impact Radio. "the Chris Cheng Group is what you'd call sophisticated jazz." - Troy-Somerset Gazette August 2008.
George H. DeLancey, Bass Player
George H. DeLancey (Bass) - "A top college talent, swings hard, and most importantly is very passionate about music, just listen to a bass solo and you can see what all the hype is about in the jazz community about George DeLancey"- 88.9 the Jazz Spectrum (Impact Radio Station). Is a Jazz Studies major at Michigan State University from Cambridge, OH. He draws very similar styles to bass greats, Edgar Meyer and Rodney Whitaker. Considered by his peers to be one of the most virtuosic musicians, he has played around the country at many of the popular jazz clubs and jazz fests including those in Detroit, Columbus, New York, and Japan. George currently studies with Rodney Whitaker at Michigan State and is co-leader in the Sailors/DeLancey Jazz Orchestra.
Glenn Persello-Seefeld, Pianist
Glenn Persello-Seefeld (Piano)- Senior in the jazz studies program at Michigan State University. He has peformed with a wide variety of musicians such as Wessell Anderson, Rodney Whitaker, Diego Rivera and the late Frank Morgan. Glenn placed third in the prestigious Phillips Jazz Piano Competition in Florida. He currently studies with Rick Roe, and is a frequently called upon musician in the Midwest.
Aaron Perry, Guitarist
Aaron is not a professional musician. He plays the guitar and sings well, and has been doing this his whole life. He says, "When I chose to go into teaching I gave up the dream of the musical path, even though the bug bites from time to time. Especially since I got married and now have a 2-year old, music has taken a far back seat". Aaron mainly sings at weddings (upon request) and he has played at Crumbs Coffee House in Saginaw. He has also sung the National Anthem at places such as Oldsmobile Park, Munn Ice Arena, and the Old Tiger Stadium. Aaron probably doesn't have the traditional music resume. He thinks of himself as a family man first, a teacher second, and then somewhere down the line he says he is a musician. "I love music, I love singing and I’m very excited to be offering my acoustical guitar interpretations and folk-type music to everyone at LIKE A FINE WINE, LAP ONLY GETS BETTER WITH TIME".
MC FOR THE EVENING
Chris Holman
Chris Holman is an entrepreneur, media personality, business owner, teacher and father. He started The Greater Lansing Business Monthly magazine out of the trunk of his car in 1987 and has been promoting the mid-Michigan business community ever since. He hosts a statewide syndicated radio show called the “Michigan Business Beat,” and is in his 14th year of broadcast.
In early 2006 until March of 2010, Gov. Jennifer Granholm appointed him Michigan’s Small Business Advocate. He serves as a liaison between the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and small business owners across the state, and works closely with the Michigan Business Ombudsman’s office, works with small business associations and organizations.
A former high school teacher and coach, university instructor, and college dean; he is also involved with several other business ventures and serves on numerous community boards, a former chair of the Small Business Association of Michigan also testifying on several outreach committees on the state of small business, and serves on the National Small Business Association Board in Washington, D.C.
A graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Chris has been a Lansing-area resident for more than 35 years. He is married to Louise and has three children and two grandchildren.
Jason Colthrop
"Hey, Lugnut fans, it's time to play 'Go Nuts For Donuts!'" Hard to believe the guy who hollered that 70 times a summer is the same one you now turn to for the latest on the struggle in the Middle East. In fact, he might still be at Olds Park if it weren't for WILX taking a chance on a young man with basically no TV experience.
His dreams of becoming ESPN's next star of SportsCenter started as a sports reporter in June of 2000. Two and a half years later, that dream turned into becoming the next star of "Today" on NBC when WILX took an even bigger chance by making him the new weekday morning news anchor. In January of 2005, he was promoted once again to evening anchor of the WILX-produced newscasts at 5:30 and 10 on FOX 47.
Viewers again had to flip the channel to find Jason in March 2008, as he moved back to Channel 10 to co-anchor the 11 p.m. newscast with Adela Uchida.
Shockingly, covering a budget crisis isn't quite as exciting as covering an MSU Final Four run, but you'd never know it watching Jason. He loves the daily challenge of making local news fun to watch, which is tough considering the news isn't always heart-warming. But, Jason thinks 'informing' and 'entertaining' do not have to be enemies in a newscast. If it seems like he's having fun doing the news, that's because he is.
Before working for the Lansing Lugnuts, Jason graduated from Michigan State University and is proud to say he's a Lansing native.
So is his wife Julie, who is a history teacher at East Lansing High School and an outrageously good cook. Jason and Julie live in St. Johns and have two daughters, Leah and A.J..
Jason enjoys shopping for new furniture, putting the girls' hair in pony tails and dusting around the house. Good times.