Formed in 2017 under band leader Dutcher Snedeker, this group has so performed at various West Michigan venues and festivals, including GRandJazzFest 2017, West Michigan Wine and Jazz Festival 2018, and Willowsong Music Festival 2018. The group also kicked off 2019 with a performance at Founders Taproom for their Blushing Monk beer release weekend.
Blushing Monk’s debut, self-titled album, released in the August 2017, was nominated for “Best Jazz Album” and “Best Album by a New Artist” at the 2018 WYCE Jammies Awards and continues to receive airplay on WGVU, Blue Lake Public Radio, WYCE, Localspins, and Michigan Public Radio. This group loves exploring the different sounds and styles found within jazz history, from Monk to MMW, from Ellington to Kneebody, all while putting our own spin on the genre with our blending of modern swing, hip hop, and funk. In 2020, Blushing Monk release their first, full length album, “Serendipity,” that includes 3 new compositions and the remastered EP tracks in a physical/digital format. Plus, we recorded a full streamed concert with WYCE at Wealthy Theatre (archived on YouTube) to celebrate the album’s release.
If you follow the names of each player, you'll find them involved with a host of Michigan artists, universities, and studios, including Earth Radio, Normal Mode, MOODS, Pieces, and Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers.
Currently, in 2024, there are tunes in the drafting stages for the next Blushing Monk release, but there have not been any performances scheduled.
Blushing Monk Live at Founders Taproom - Grand Rapids performing for the 2019 Blushing Monk release party
Performing “Blushing Monk,” written by Olin Clark