SEMJA Award to Matt Michaels

SEMJA has chosen pianist and educator Matt Michaels as the recipient of the 2007 Ron Brooks Award. The award ceremony will take place at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge on Sunday, April 22, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. This award is named for the founder of SEMJA and is given to individuals who have made contributions to the Detroit jazz community as performers and educators.

Michaels recently retired as Director of Jazz Studies at Wayne State University, a program he helped start in 1979. He has worked for many years in the community as a teacher, pianist, arranger, and composer. Michaels served as musical director for the Channel 7 Morning Show for seven years and the Detroit Playboy Club for eight years. He has performed with a long number of notable musicians including Wes Montgomery, Peggy Lee, Doc Severinsen, Barbara Streisand, Carmen McRae, and Joe Williams. Locally he is mainly known as a member of the Jack Brokensha Quartet, Johnny Trudell’s band and a leader of his own trio, which has recorded several CDs, most recently Live At Kerrytown Concert House (2005).

To celebrate Michaels, SEMJA invites everyone to Baker’s from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. for food, music, and an award presentation. SEMJA will charge $10 at the door to cover the costs of food and music. Baker’s is located at 20510 Livernois, just south of Eight Mile Road. You can reach the club at 313-345-6300. Any questions about the event can also be directed to SEMJA at 734-662-8514. Former recipients of the SEMJA Award include Myron Wahls, Ed Love, Bess Bonnier, Ursula Walker, Ernie Rodgers, and Alma Smith.

photograph by Lars Bjorn

I N - T H I S - I S S U E :
1. MATT MICHAELS AWARDED ---2. RECENT RECORDINGS
3. RECENT RECORDINGS 2
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