On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the improvising duo of saxophonist Jordan VanHemert and guitarist Jocelyn Gould dropped by Blue Lake Public Radio’s studios here in the Manistee National Forest at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp to record an hour of music and talk which we call “Blue Lake In Session.” Squeezing a trip out to the studio among teaching/playing engagements at Norton Shores and West Ottawa High Schools was a boon to our listeners. This was the second time the Korean American saxophonist who teaches at Northeastern State University (Tahlequah, Oklahoma) VanHemert played in front of our microphones (his previous performance is found HERE).
Jocelyn Gould is the first great female straight ahead jazz guitarist to hit the scene since Emily Remler. Her 2021 debut recording “Elegant Traveler” won a Juno Award (Canada’s Grammy Award), and her subsequent albums “Sonic Bouquet” and “Portrait of Right Now” were nominated for Juno awards. Gould did her graduate studies in jazz at Michigan State University with guitarist Randy Napoleon.
Together they brought comfort and familiarity to performances of the great American songbook and jazz standards in this unique duo setting.
We hope you enjoy this hour in the studio as they talk about their music, upcoming recording and performing activity and what is in store for their near futures.
