Jazz quartet Mind's Eye kicks off GV Arts at Noon series
The Grand Rapids-based contemporary jazz group Mind’s Eye has performed at music festivals and concerts around the world – their next stop, Grand Valley State University on Sept. 5 to kick off the Arts at Noon Series.
The four members, Steve Talaga, piano, Rob Smith, trumpet and saxophone, Keith Hall, drums and Tom Lockwood, bass, have taught jazz at several different universities and at music facilities around the world. Lockwood currently teaches jazz bass as an adjunct professor at GVSU.
Each member has played in several different music groups and jazz orchestras before forming Mind’s Eye over 10 years ago.
Talaga started playing jazz music in high school. He went on to get a teaching position at Aquinas College with the help of Bruce Early, a former professor of music at Aquinas. After his first class there, teaching opportunities just started appearing at several different schools.
“It all just kinda fell into my lap,” Talaga said.
But teaching classes at six different colleges including GVSU, left little time to play shows of his own, Talaga said. He decided to exclusively teach at Aquinas and Hope College, and started playing more gigs of his own on the side.
Teaching has held a spot in all the member’s lives.
Smith started his professional career with the Woody Herman Orchestra, touring the United States and Canada, before getting his first job teaching in Nova Scotia.
Holding part-time teaching jobs around the country, and having the opportunity to play around the world, was incredible, Smith said.
“It’s kind of like a dream. Your dreams do come true, if you stick with it,” he said.
Mind’s Eye began as a way for the members to play their original material together. Over a decade later, they have released four albums, the most recent being “Children of the Glacier.”
Talaga and Smith recommend to students that if they aspire to make music, to stay determined and dedicated.
“We are all artists,” Talaga said.
Catch Mind’s Eye free performance at noon on Sept. 5 in the Cook-DeWitt Center on GVSU’s Allendale Campus. For more information about the performance, visit the music departments website at gvsu.edu/music, or gvsu.edu/artscalandar for more Arts at Noon Series events.
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013


Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon

GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.

GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.

GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.

Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement


Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.

Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.

GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".

GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".

GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season

Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.

GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.

GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.

GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library

Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.

GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom

GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.

Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.

Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.

GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.

GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.

GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.

GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.

GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.

GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.

GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.

GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.

GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.

GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
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