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Grounded in eclecticism, Gene Knific debuts at Fontana Summer Festival

Gene Knific comes by his mixed pedigree of classical and jazz influences honestly.

The son of violinist Renata Knific ( professor, Western Michigan University) and bassist Tom Knific (professor, chair of Jazz Studies, Western Michigan University), this eclectic young composer and pianist, with his trio, were invited to perform for the Fontana Summer Festival this weekend.

Gene talks to Cara Lieurance about his Kalamazoo upbringing, and the teachers who started him down his musical path. A student of the University of Miami, he's focused on composing and arranging for his trio, which includes Evan Hyde on drums and Geoff Saunders on bass.

Cara Lieurance is the local host of NPR's All Things Considered on 1021 WMUK and covers local arts & culture on Let's Hear It on 89.9 Classical WMUK weekday mornings at 10 - 11 am.
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