Southeastern Michigan Jazz Association ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN SEMJA UPDATE is published monthly.  It is edited by Lars Björn and Piotr Michalowski with additional assistance from Barton Polot (production editor and Webmaster), Judy Alcock, Margot Campos, Lynn Hobbs, and Marcel Niemiec. Contact: update@semja.org

SEMJA Celebrates Kenny Cox on March 16

Pianist and educator Kenny Cox has been chosen as the recipient of this year's Ron Brooks Award from SEMJA. The award ceremony will take place at Baker's Keyboard Lounge on Sunday, March 16, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. SEMJA invites everyone to Baker's for food, music, and an award presentation. Music will be provided by the Kenn Cox Trio, which features Marion Hayden on bass and Bert Myrick on drums, plus guests. Jim Gallert, renowned jazz educator and broadcaster, will be the emcee for the evening.

Kenneth Cox has been active on the local scene since the late 1950s when he graduated from Cass Tech, interrupted by several years on the road with the underrated vocalist Etta Jones. In a recent conversation, Cox said that he "learned the art of accompaniment from Etta" and in turn this led to gigs with a number of other prominent vocalists such as Betty Carter, Helen Humes, Joe Williams, and Ernestine Anderson. When he got off the road with Jones in the mid-1960s he returned to Detroit and became involved with a group of musicians who eventually formed the Contemporary Jazz Quintet under his leadership. The CJQ was a visionary ensemble whose Blue Note recordings from 1968 and 1969 were re-released last year. Cox and trumpeter Charles Moore were the major writers for the group, which also included bassist (and SEMJA founder) Ron Brooks. Cox feels very strongly that Detroit has a musicians' culture that emphasizes the importance of passing on the tradition. He had many mentors in his early years and is motivated by this in his own teaching. He tells his students to above all "pursue music with an open mind and an open heart."

At present Cox is involved in a number of projects including the writing of two film scores and trips to southern California to teach at a summer arts program. He is also developing his percussion oriented octet, Kenn Cox & Drum and performing regularly with his trio once a month at Baker's.

For the Award celebration, SEMJA will charge $10 at the door to cover the costs of food and music. Baker's is located at 20510 Livernois at Eight Mile Road. You can reach the club at 313-345-6300. Any questions about the event can also be directed to SEMJA at 734-668-7470.

photograph by Clyde Stringer

I N - T H I S - I S S U E :
1. KENNY COX CELEBRATION   2. DONALD WALDEN CELBRATION
3. RECENT RECORDINGS
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