This is the sixth season of 2 Stones Events’ monthly concerts with a speakeasy vibe in the lower level of Ciao Amici’s restaurant in downtown Brighton (217 W. Main), presenting a wide variety of jazz styles — fusion, gypsy, Latin, The Great American Songbook, New Orleans, funk, etc.
Sunny Wilkinson
The child of a Methodist minister, Sunny Wilkinson grew up singing in church and around the piano in four-part harmony with her family. She earned her degree in Choral Education from Arizona State University, and during that time delved into diverse styles of music. After college, Sunny spent 15 years in Los Angeles, honing her professional chops as a jazz recording artist, session singer, performer, and teacher.
In 1989, Sunny recorded her debut CD, Alegria, for Hibrite records of Japan, which was produced by Stix Hooper, the drummer for the Jazz Crusaders. Alegria featured such stellar players as John Patitucci and Ernie Watts. Swing Journal heralded its arrival on the charts at #5 in Japan.
Wilkinson’s self-titled release for Positive Music Records (1993) highlighted her love of jazz, fusion and pop, and thrust her into a nonstop touring schedule of jazz festivals, concerts and club gigs.
In 1993, Sunny moved to Okemos, Mich. to be with her new husband, Dr. Ron Newman, who was head of the Jazz Studies Area at Michigan State University. Since that time, they have been in partnership, playing music, writing tunes, and producing CDs, not to mention raising their wonderful family.
Shortly after moving to Michigan, Sunny was asked to be the head of the Woman’s Caucus for the International Association of Jazz Educators. Knowing that she needed a project to anchor her vision, she launched Sisters In Jazz, a mentoring program for young women, which was taken to an international level through IAJE.
In 1998, Sunny released her third CD, High Wire, a big band recording featuring arrangements by her husband, and a close friend from ASU days, Charlie Argersinger. Sunny’s fourth release, A Gentle Time, When Sunny Meets Tom, is a duo collaboration with the legendary LA pianist Tom Garvin. Sunny is thrilled about her new release, Into the Light, a celebration of family and her long association with her band.
Over the years, Sunny has sung with The Count Basie Band, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, Mark Murphy, Milt Hinton, Kenny Wheeler, Clark Terry, Bill Watrous, Ron Carter, Curtis Fuller, Edgar Winter, and Gene Bertoncini, among others. A busy travel schedule has her presenting clinics and performances at universities and jazz festivals, as well as jazz clubs, across the United States.
$29 TICKETS — Limited to just 100 seats per show
6 p.m. click HERE.
8:30 p.m. click HERE.
Doors open 30 minutes prior.
‘Cash-only’ (literally) bar: Please, only call the restaurant (810-227-9000) for dinner reservations upstairs before or after your show!
