Jackie Ryan
Jackie Ryan, singer
Ellen Rowe, piano
Kurt Krahnke, bass
Bill Higgins, drums
Jackie Ryan is in-demand as a singer around the world, performing sold-out shows at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club (London), Cristofori's (Amsterdam), Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola (New York) and Yoshi's (San Francisco), among others. Known for her magnetic stage presence and her creativity as an artist and performer, Ryan has received praise from the critics: “her musicality is subtle and strong, and her range…is often startling” (The Guardian).
Susan Chastain
Susan Chastain celebrated her birthday in the company of friends and fans on Saturday, April 9. Part of the Kerrytown Club series, the hall was set up nightclub-style with cafe tables in the front of the hall. She was joined by her superb jazz colleagues Paul Keller and Phil DeGreg.
Photos by John Lilley and Piotr Michalowski
Oblivion Project
This fine group from the Detroit/Ann Arbor area performed two packed shows featuring the tango music of Astor Piazzolla.
Personnel:
Julien Labro, bandoneon/accordion
Gabe Bolkosky, violin
Derek Snyder, cello
Tad Weed, piano
John Holkeboer, bass
Alex Trajano, percussion
Marion Hayden’s Detroit Legacy Ensemble
The Detroit Legacy Ensemble had an electric night, performing to a sold-out crowd at Kerrytown Concert House on January 8, 2011. The cafe tables in the front added to the nightclub-like ambiance of the evening - a true musical moment at KCH!
Pianist Louis Nagel
Celebrated Ann Arbor pianist and U-M Professor Louis Nagel participated in a week-long residency at KCH with a series of concerts and lectures devoted to Beethoven, July 7 - 11, 2010. His programs featured music other than the 32 sonatas. Known for his wit and charm, he called this series the “ Beethoven Sonata Sonata Programs.”
Andrews Sisters Tribute
KCH celebrated America's most popular female singing group, the Andrews Sisters, with local favorites Elizabeth Major, Wendy Bloom and Monica Swartout-Bebow. They were joined by Harry Bowen (announcer), Pete Ford (bandleader/pianist), Paul Finkbeiner (trumpet), Aaron Keaster (bass) and Steve Fentriss (drums). Saturday, June 26, 2010.
Robert deMaine, cello
Named Principal Cellist of the DSO in 2002, Robert deMaine has been praised by The New York Times as “an artist who makes one hang on every note.” He has distinguished himself as one of the finest musicians of his generation, having performed to critical acclaim throughout the world, from Carnegie Hall to the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. He performed at the Concert House on Sunday, May 16, 2010.
Fred Hersch
Pianist and composer Fred Hersch has been called a "one of the small handful of brilliant musicians of his generation" by Downbeat and has earned a place among the foremost jazz artists in the world today. He returned to KCH on Thursday, May 6, 2010 for a rare solo appearance.
Jesse Blumberg and Martin Katz
Baritone Jesse Blumberg and celebrated pianist Martin Katz honored Franz Schubert with a weekend of his music. They performed his masterful song cycles “Die Schöne Müllerin” on April 16, 2010 and “Die Winterreise” on April 18 and held a masterclass of Schubert songs featuring University of Michigan piano and vocal students.
Adam Unsworth Quintet
Personnel:
Adam Unsworth, French horn
Les Thimmig, woodwinds
Cary Kocher, vibraphone
Andrew Kratzat, bass
Michael Gould, drums
Constellation Nero
An ensemble that features some of the Midwest's most heralded improvisers, Constellation Nero fearlessly blends sonic textures into a highly original, daring and dense tapestry. This ensemble features the unique pairing of two Contralto clarinets, as well as the traditional Mongolian stringed instrument, the Morin Khuur.
Personnel:
Abby Alwin, cello/Morin Khuur
Piotr Michalowski, reeds
Marco Novachkoff, reeds
Curtis Glatter, percussion
James Cornish, trumpet
A Toast to Fats Waller
Great stride pianist and baritone Alvin Waddles brought his very hot band from Detroit back to KCH. The group has captured the spirit of the music of Fats Waller, performing familiar tunes like “Ain’t Misbehavin,” “Honeysuckle Rose” and “Your Feet’s Too Big.” The group included: Alvin Waddles, piano / singer; Marion Hayden, bass; Gene Parker, tenor sax and clarinet; and Djallo Djakate Keita, drums.
Wine, Women & Song VIII
Creator /director Wendy Bloom reunited performers from the last seven years to produce the eighth annual Wine, Women and Song. Local women celebrities and stars performed classical, jazz and cabaret standards: Sue Booth, Wendy Bloom, Carolyn Burnstein, Shelley MacMillan, Jane Schoonmaker-Rodgers, Jennifer Hilbish Schuetz, Beth Major, Sylvia Pittman, Deanna Relyea, Susan Shipman and Monica Swartout-Bebow. For more photos, visit KCH's Facebook page.
Ellen Rowe Quartet
Jazz pianist Ellen Rowe celebrated the release of her group's new CD "Wishing Well" in a concert on January 15, 2010. Personnel: Ingrid Jensen, trumpet; Andrew Bishop, saxophone; Kurt Krahnke, bass; Pete Siers, percussion.
Peter Soave and Duilio Dobrin
Recognized worldwide as the foremost master of the bandoneon and concert accordion, Peter Soave has established himself as the leading soloist of his generation. He was joined on January 14, 2010 by Argentian composer/pianist Duilio Dobrin, who has conducted a number of orchestras with his Latin-inspired works.
Louis Smith Tribute Project
Trumpeter Louis Smith is one of most celebrated jazz musicians and educators in the region. A former artist on the Blue Note label, Smith has performed with the great artists of our day, including Miles Davis, Art Blakey and Dizzy Gillespie. After retiring from an international performance career, he settled in Ann Arbor where he taught for many years at the University of Michigan and in the Ann Arbor public schools.
He has influenced many young artists over his long career, setting them up for their professional music careers. Many of his former students paid tribute to him in this concert on January 3, 2010.
Personnel:
Randy Napoleon, guitar
Rick Roe, piano
Rodney Whitaker, bass
Sean Dobbins, drums
