Jazz Thursday at Sandy Point Beach House will Steve Talaga from Hope College on piano.

Located in Holland, Michigan, Hope College's faculty are world-class teachers, scholars, and artists with countless accolades.

Pianist, composer, and arranger Steve Talaga has been performing professionally for more than 40 years. He was chosen as the West Michigan Jazz Society's 2008 Jazz Musician of the Year.

Talaga is also the pianist for many other small and large jazz ensembles and is featured on recordings with several of them. He has performed with many jazz greats, including Kenny Wheeler, Terry Lynne Carrington, Wes Anderson, Marcus Printup, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Bob Berg, Adam Nussbaum, Wycliffe Gordon, Ric Margitza, Bobby Shew, Maria Schneider, Marvin Stamm, Denis DiBlazio, Jon Faddis, Claudio Roditi, Johnny Bassett, Greg Abate, Walt Weiskopf, Phil Woods, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and the Grand Rapids Symphony.