Music in Homes 2017-2018
2017-2018 Concerts
Pre-New Year’s Eve Party! Kathy Kosins & Kamau Kenyatta Quintet
Saturday, December 30, 2017 • 8 pm
Blue Note Records President Don Was proclaims that vocalist Kathy Kosins is “one of the finest singers in the world.” An all-star ensemble accompanies her for our Holiday Concert: Grammy winning producer, pianist Kamau Kenyatta guitarist A.Spencer Barefield, bassist Dave Young and percussionist Djallo Keita.
Mardi Gras Celebration! Alvin Waddles & Fats Waller Review
Saturday, February 3, 2018 • 8 pm
Experience an evening of rich jazz history when pianist/vocalist Alvin Waddles plays the music of stride and ragtime legends Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, and other greats. Widely popular for his central roles in Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Too Hot to Handel, Waddles will tickle the ivories with his dynamic ensemble: bassist Marion Hayden, trumpeter John Douglas and percussionist Djallo Djakate.
Honoring Black History Month: A. Spencer Barefield Sextet
Saturday, February 24, 2018 • 8 pm
This homage to Black Music features extraordinary musicians of multiple generations who will perform innovative and legendary jazz from bebop to avant garde. The concert also features decades of works by guitarist A. Spencer Barefield, who leads an ensemble with saxophonists Marcus Elliot and Rafael Statin, pianist Ian Finkelstein, bassist Jeff Pedraz and drummer Sean Dobbins.
Pamela Wise World Music Sextet
Saturday, March 24, 2018 • 8 pm
Award-winning pianist/composer Pamela Wise performs music influenced with the rhythms of West Africa, the Caribbean, South America and the Middle East with clarinet/saxophone guru Wendell Harrison, soulful, jazzy vocalist Naima Shamborguer, and a smoking Afro-Cuban rhythm section with bassist Damon Warmack, percussionist Akunda Hollis and drummer Louis M. Jones.
Eason Trio
Sunday, April 29, 2018 • 7 pm
Playing in the Eason Trio is a special passion for Kresge Eminent Artist Patricia Terry-Ross, Velda Kelly and Nadine Deleury. It’s where they can expand the chamber music repertoire for their rare pairing of harp, violin and cello. Virtuosic, longtime members of the Michigan Opera Theatre and Chamber Music at the Scarab Club, each musician also plays regularly with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Orquesta La Inspiracion
Saturday, May 26, 2018 • 8 pm
Our annual Latin Jazz world music concert is always a favorite. Congero Ozzie Rivera and pianist Bill Meyer lead a large ensemble featuring a hot horn section, explosive percussions and soulful vocals with Dulce Checkler and others. Rhythms of salsa, merengue, cumbia and Afro-Caribbean jazz will have you dancin’ in the fabulous gardens of the Minoru Yamasaki-designed home in Palmer Woods.
Planet D Nonet Salute to Strayhorn
Friday, June 15, 2018 • 8 pm
PD9 pays homage to one of the jazz and swing giants of the 20th century, composer/arranger Billy Strayhorn (1915-67), who composed some of the masterpieces made famous by Duke Ellington. Led by drummer RJ Spangler and trumpeter James O’Donnell, PD9 is widely celebrated for playing swing, blues, space-age jazz and classic American songs with spirit, soul and a generous dose of spunk. They are winners of multiple Detroit Music Awards, including 2016 for Outstanding Traditional Jazz Artist/Group.
Gayelynn McKinney McKinfolk Septet
Saturday, June 16, 2018 • 8 pm
On this Father’s Day weekend,we showcase Gayelynn’s McKinFolk, an ensemble that celebrates the music and mentorship of her beloved dad, the late jazz legend Harold McKinney. Her stellar group includes longtime partner from Straight Ahead, bassist Marion Hayden, vocalist and stepmom Michelle McKinney, trumpeter Dwight Adams (a Stevie Wonder regular), trombonist Vincent Chandler, and Detroit’s younger rising stars, saxophonist Alex Colista and pianist Michael Mallis.