SEMJA - Kerrytown Club Series Debuts

SEMJA is sponsoring a new jazz series at the Kerrytown Concert House in Ann Arbor this fall. It is the jazz component of the Concert House's Club Series, which includes changes in seating (tables will be added) and a cash bar.

The first act out of the gates will be the Paul Keller Trio which will celebrate the music of Nat "King" Cole on October 8 at 8:00 p.m. Our second act will be Marion Hayden's Detroit Legacy Ensemble at a date yet to be determined.

Paul Keller has been a mainstay on the southeastern Michigan jazz scene for over twenty years and has toured internationally as a bassist (with Diana Krall and others) and bandleader. He has fronted big bands, sextets, and smaller units and for this celebration of Nat "King" Cole he adopted Cole's classical instrumentation: piano, bass and guitar. While Cole is probably best known as a singer to general audiences, he started out as a pianist in the mid-thirties and took part in many memorable jazz recordings. His trio was formed in 1939 and had their first big hit with "Straighten Up and Fly Right" in 1943. Keller's trio includes pianist Steve Richko and guitarist Ralph Tope, and they can be heard on a recently released CD, We Like To Riff. A Toast to the Nat "King" Cole Trio (PKO Records), which will be available for sale at the concert.

To make a reservation (no credit card necessary), please call KCH at 734-769-2999 or go to their website.

SEMJA is looking for members to volunteer to help out at this new venture. Please call president Lars Bjorn at 734-668-7470 if you are interested.