Well, this is surely a winning combination — hot coffee and live jazz! The series is brought to you by your friends at Comerica Bank, and events will take place at the Detroit Public Library.
Returning for year 16, Comerica Bank and the Detroit Public Library have announced their 2016 Comerica Java & Jazz: A Coffee House Series lineup for this year. This music series provides metro Detroiters with nights of jazz filled entertainment free of charge every third Tuesday from now until the end of July. The series features local Detroit jazz artists who provide arts, culture and music to our Detroit community.
The first concert takes place 6 p.m., March 15 with Straight Ahead at the Detroit Public Library's Friends of the Auditorium.
Straight Ahead
Tuesday, March 15 – 6 p.m.
The women of Straight Ahead are powerful and imaginative composers and arrangers in the music industry. Widely recognized for their eclectic and soulful approach to creating music, their sound ranges comfortably from mainstream jazz, R&B ballads, to Brazilian funk.
Herbie Russ
Tuesday, April 19 – 6 p.m.
Herbie Russ is a singer/saxophonist who has created his own unique style with a sound he describes as “New Adult Contemporary.” His music takes you on a journey through a broad mix of musical genres from smooth jazz to Motown and everything in between.
Brandon Williams
Tuesday, May 17 – 6 p.m.
Brandon Williams is known as one of the premiere drummers in Detroit’s live music scene. Williams is considered a “go-to” music guy because of his versatile repertoire and ability to play numerous instruments.
Balance
Tuesday, June 21 – 6 p.m.
Balance consists of saxophonist, composer and educator Marcus Elliot and pianist and composer Michael Malis. The two musicians will work together to explore the freedom inside of musical structures through the art of improvisation.
Maurice Davis
Tuesday, July 19 – 6 p.m.
Maurice Davis doesn’t just sing and play the Blues, he loves the Blues, and that commitment comes through to his audiences and keeps them coming back. He is known for what he calls “party blues,” a blend of southern soul and old school R & B. Davis’ discography includes 10 albums since 2000, including Soulful on Sims Records out of Nashville, Tennessee, which earned a nomination as “Blues CD of the Year.”
