DR.
JACK KIMMELL is a very special friend to
the Beltline Big Band. He has been a life-long professional
musician. Jack is a published/ performed composer, arranger,
pianist, and vocalist, with a Ph.D. in Composition from
Michigan State University. He is a musical genius, as far as
the BBB is concerned. He is the former musical director of
Grand Rapids Civic Theater for Kismet, Fantastiks, Most Happy
Fella, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Grass Green Sky Blue,
Magic In the Heart Of the Universe (the latter two are both
original compositions by Kimmell, with words by Adrian Swets).
Jack has also composed music for several Civic Theater plays
including "Dracula," "Streetcar Named Desire,"
"Summer And Smoke," "The Lark," and
recently, "The Uninvited" and "Romance in D." He
also arranged the music for "The Consul."
Jack is the former musical director for the Red Barn Theater in Saugatuck and the Phoenix Theater in Phoenix, AZ. He has moved back again to Grand Rapids from Scottsdale, AZ, where he performed music with his talented wife, Mary (Stiles) Kimmell, at the famous "Boulders Resort" for 13 seasons. He has conducted his symphonic work "Cohasset Summer," performed by the Grand Rapids Symphony. Dr, Kimmell has been an instructor at Aquinas and Emeritus College and has composed many choral works, especially for Fountain Street Church.
Jack is a phenomenal pianist, especially playing jazz. Jack has written many original charts exclusively for the BBB, and has arranged many 30's and 40's classics to tailor-fit the band. Jack shares his piano talent with the BBB and can be heard in many of the songs on our "Live at Forest Hills" CD.