Article Contributed by Dan Ward
Published on 2026-07-22
Desmond Jones - photos by Dan Ward
It is a wonderful evening in southwest Michigan. The rain has stayed away, and the humidity has dropped, making for a warm, dry evening. Tonight, the wonderful folks at Blooming Bus Farm have prepared a night of musical magic in the woods.
Never heard of Blooming Bus? Blooming Bus Farm might just be the worst-kept secret in the Chicagoland area. They advertise on social media and put up flyers in all the best locations but still remain undiscovered.
When you arrive on the outskirts of Niles, Michigan, a young person will be standing next to a “Fresh Flowers” banner to welcome you in. Down a tree-lined path, with umbrellas, garland and lights overhead, hides a stage so organic that it looks like it grew out of the forest itself.
Tonight, three bands will perform: Business Casual, Breakfast for Dinner and the amazing Desmond Jones.
Business Casual starts the night off on the right foot with a jazzy, funky attitude that streams from the well-trained fingers of Paul Ferrell. The band starts with its interpretation of “Kiss Me on the Neck,” jazzy, funky and just right for tonight’s gathering.
The band, made up of keyboardist Emmanuel Taylor, bassist Miki Mihailovic, Dean Catanzarite and Tyler Kanczuzewski on percussion, and vocalist Lakeisha Graham, forms a lively ensemble that easily shifts genres. Alicia Keys’ “Diary” and Ray Charles’ “Right Time” both work flawlessly.
Paul shows off his guitar credentials with “Outstanding.” He has a look of pure joy while playing, and notes glide from his instrument with deceiving ease.
Lakeisha displays her vocal talent on “Cootie Cat,” a song she penned herself. The vocals soar as the young star unleashes her larger-than-life voice. The highlight for me is an inspired version of “Superstition,” handled masterfully.
Next up, local favorites Breakfast for Dinner take the stage and launch right into the Jerry Garcia Band version of Jesse Stone’s “Don’t Let Go.” Nick Kovach plays a mean harmonica, and this selection lets him rip into the soulful blues for which he is known.
The band features Joe Kerby on guitar and keys, Matt Marnocha on guitar, Dustin Speybroeck on drums, Miki Mihailovic on bass, and Nick Kovach on harmonica and vocals.
Sugarloaf’s “Green-Eyed Lady” seems eerily at home here in the darkening woods as the band continues to shake things up. The group serves up a true classic with Sam Cooke’s “Bring It on Home to Me,” setting the stage for another genre jump.
Phish has been around long enough to qualify as classic, and one of the band’s earliest and most identifiable tunes, “Sample in a Jar,” makes its way into Breakfast for Dinner’s lineup.
Speaking with the keyboardist, I learn that the band is trying new things and writing its own tunes while looking for a definitive sound. Its version of Head East’s “Never Been Any Reason” gives everyone room to stretch out and showcase their individual musical abilities.
They follow that song with Allen Toussaint’s “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley,” à la Robert Palmer, and it is incredibly dance-worthy.
Nick sends out a special version of Supertramp’s “Take the Long Way Home.” If anyone can do justice to that harmonica riff, it is Nick, as he gleefully blows the lid off a forgotten gem that deserves more outings.
Breakfast for Dinner is a real-life working band. The members balance “real” jobs, families and a passion for performance. They turn their attention to Joe Walsh’s “A Life of Illusion” and pull it off with ease.
The band heads back across the pond for Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall,” just to show even more diversity. The set closes with The Doors’ “L.A. Woman,” another gem that deserves exposure, and if any band can pull it off, Breakfast for Dinner is the one.
Tonight’s top-billed act, Desmond Jones, hits the stage running with its own tune, “Arizona.” Funky, cool and laid-back, just like the group, the song grabs your ears and shakes your mind.
Isaac Berkowitz on guitar and vocals leads the singing, with backing vocals from John Nowak on drums and Chris Bota on guitar, blending together to tell a tale rich in imagery. Taylor Watson holds it all together on bass.
George Falk is absent tonight, but in his place is keyboardist par excellence and all-around good guy Dutcher Snedeker. As expected, he blends right in.
Desmond Jones is not the typical jam band. They play their own music, including “Why Not” and “She,” while bending and blending riffs, some planned and some spontaneous. The music ebbs and flows, but the group always seems to be having a good time, and their effortless smiles spill over into the audience.
When pulling up classic songs to cover, going to The Band for inspiration can be deceptively enticing. Isaac and John give life to “Up on Cripple Creek” while the band sorts through the intricacies that mystify lesser musicians.
Desmond Jones does not hold back when jumping into its own hard-hitting tune, “Melt,” which is drum-fueled with tight harmonies and lyrics. The song exemplifies the depth of the band’s abilities.
“Leo’s Casino,” another fan favorite, gets the extended treatment tonight. It is fun, funky and laid-back.
Next, the band invites us to get cozy in bed with “Nesbit.” The song changes right in front of you and circles back for more. Sometimes silly and often very lyrical, “Nesbit” makes the band dance onstage while encouraging fans to do the same.
The band closes the night with an unhinged cover of Phish’s “Wolfman’s Brother.” Great music by super-fun musicians.
This has been an excellent evening of music. John notes to the crowd that venues like this—local, family-owned enterprises that cater to local bands and vendors—are a dying breed.
As a hippie community, we should take note. Watch those grainy videos of Jerry and the boys playing out in a dusty field, and you get the idea. The real music is right in your backyard, at your local dive bar or even in the forest.
Get out there and discover it.
