SEMJA Turns Twenty-Five

SEMJA has been a supporter of jazz in the area for a quarter of a century, and we will celebrate this in several ways. On April 21 at the Kerrytown Concert House, we will bestow this year’s SEMJA Award to our founder, Ron Brooks (right), for his contributions as a bassist, bandleader, club owner, and community member. More...

Nancy Davis Scholarship Looking for Match

SEMJA has become a supporter of the University of Michigan Jazz Festival, which takes place on February 11, 2012. This festival invites big bands and combos from high schools all over Michigan, and some of the outstanding soloists are rewarded with scholarships. SEMJA has decided to support one such scholarship, named for deceased Board member Nancy Davis. We are looking for matching funds from an individuals or businesses up to $1,000. The scholarship would pay for attendance at a summer jazz camp for high school students. If you are willing to provide a match, please contact presdient Lars Bjorn.

NEWS: Detroit Jazz Fest Changes

Chris Collins will be the new Artistic Director of the Detroit Jazz Festival. He replaces Terri Pontremoli, whose contract was not renewed by the board of directors in late October. Pontremoli had received rave reviews from local jazz fans (including the SEMJA UPDATE) for her programming of the festival since 2007 and the reasons for her departure are not known More...

OBIT: Remembering Matt Michaels

Matt Michaels passed away November 2 at age 79 after a long struggle with cancer. He was an important figure on the Detroit jazz scene since the early 1950s when he played the legendary Bowlodrome with the likes of Wardell Gray, Frank Rosolino, the DeVito brothers, and Pepper Adams. At the ‘Drome he also backed singers (like Anita O'Day), which became one of his specialties. More...

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