Genre: Jazz
Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 4 PM
Celebrating Lars Bjorn: The Southeastern Michigan Jazz Association’s Ron Brooks Award Concert

Description: Kerrytown Concert House is proud to partner with the Southeastern
Michigan Jazz Association (SEMJA) to celebrate Detroit jazz historian and author, Lars
Bjorn, at this year’s Ron Brooks Award Concert. Named for SEMJA’s founder, the Ron
Brooks Award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the Detroit
jazz community as performers and educators.

For the last dozen years, Lars Bjorn has served as the president of SEMJA, supporting the
music in many ways: as a scholar, teacher, interviewer, writer, and panelist, collaborating
with the major local jazz festivals, and informally advising the Kerrytown Concert House
from the very beginnings of its jazz offerings. Bjorn has been widely celebrated, together
with his co-author Jim Gallert, for Before Motown, the pioneering widely praised first major
history of jazz in Detroit, the culmination of years of research, including numerous in-depth
musician interviews that are now archived for future use. For many years, Lars was a
sociology professor at the University of Michigan, Dearborn, teaching courses on Detroit
and its music. To mark the occasion, an outstanding lineup of area jazz musicians will take
the stage in tribute, performing the music that Bjorn has spent a lifetime championing.
Featured artists include bassist Paul Keller, pianist Adam Mosley, guitarist Ralph Tope,
drummer Jesse Kramer, and more.

Personnel/Artists: Adam Mosley, piano; Ralph Tope, guitar; Paul Keller, bassist; Jesse
Kramer, drums

Tickets
Adults: $30-40
Students/Youth: $20-30
Tickets available online at kerrytownconcerthouse.com; by phone at (734) 769-2999; and
at the door when available.

Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 7:30 PM
NYC Cabaret Artist Ari Axelrod – L’chaim: To Life. To Love. To You.

Description: Ari Axelrod returns to Kerrytown Concert House and his hometown of Ann
Arbor with L’chaim; To Life. To Love. To You., a deeply moving and joy-filled evening of
song and storytelling. This new show is a heart-stirring musical celebration of resilience,
connection, and the moments that bind us together, delivered with Ari’s signature warmth
and theatrical flair. Recognized by The Jewish Week as one of “36 To Watch,” Ari is an
acclaimed performer whose award-winning work has been seen on stages from Birdland
Jazz Club to Westport Country Playhouse. His internationally celebrated show A Place For

Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway, along with his 2022 Bistro Award–winning
theatrical artistry in song, has earned critical praise and sold-out performances around the
world. Whether you are a longtime fan or discovering him for the first time, this concert
promises an intimate, uplifting night that invites everyone to raise a glass – to life, to love,
and to one another.

Personnel/Artists: Ari Axelrod, vocals; Tyler Driskill, piano

Tickets
Adults: $35-45
Students/Youth: $25-35
Tickets available online at kerrytownconcerthouse.com; by phone at (734) 769-2999; and
at the door when available.

Genre: World
Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM
KCH Melodies & Morsels: Ireland Edition – An Evening of Ireland’s Music & Culinary Culture with Zingerman’s Deli and the Selkie Celtic Trio with special guest Noah Jacobs

Description: Experience the flavors and sounds of Ireland in an unforgettable evening at
Kerrytown Concert House! Melodies & Morsels: Ireland Edition pairs a curated tasting of
Irish food from Ann Arbor favorite Zingerman’s Deli* and complimentary beverages from
KCH’s cellar with a journey through Celtic soundscapes performed by Celtic Trio, Selkie,
with special guest Noah Jacobs. Selkie offers a journey through Celtic soundscapes—both familiar and newly imagined—with stories, laughter, and moments of quiet beauty informed by the Irish folk. Their style has evolved to blend mood-lifting traditional dance sets with
close-harmony songs sung in English, Gaelic, and French. Jim Spalink, Michele Venegas,
and Cara Lieurance, all leading multi-instrumentalists in West Michigan’s folk and Celtic
music scene, formed Selkie in 2019.

*The tasting box from Zingerman’s Deli will contain dairy and gluten. Unfortunately, due to
the specialty nature of this event, they will not be able to make accommodations for
allergens.

Personnel/Artists: Michele Venegas, voice, fiddle, banjo, guitar; Cara Lieurance, voice,
wooden flute, Irish whistles, button accordion; Jim Spalink, voice, guitar, bouzouki and
harp; Noah Jacobs, Uilleann pipes, Irish fiddle, and Irish whistle

Tickets
Adults: $40-60
Students/Youth: $30-50
Tickets available online at kerrytownconcerthouse.com; by phone at (734) 769-2999. To
ensure each person has a tasting box reserved for them, tickets must be purchased by
March 9th. Tickets for this event will not be available at the door.

Genre: Singer-Songwriter
Friday, March 13, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Singer-Songwriter Jess Merritt – Torch Songs for Today

Description: Jess Merritt brings her powerful and evocative vocal style to a collection of
torch songs and jazz favorites with a modern twist, as well as adaptations of her original
music. Known for her special blend of bluesy rock and power ballads with heartfelt lyrics,
Merritt is excited to return to her musical roots in a unique two-night engagement at KCH.

Personnel/Artists: Jess Merritt, vocals; Tim Van Riper, piano; Tommy Reifel, bass;
Jonathan Brown, drums

Tickets
Adults: $25-35
Students/Youth: $20-30
Tickets available online at kerrytownconcerthouse.com; by phone at (734) 769-2999; and
at the door when available.

Genre: Jazz
Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Ellen Rowe’s All About the Trio: The Genius of Dave Brubeck

Description: This 3rd installment of Ellen Rowe’s All About the Trio series explores
American jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck, best known for his innovative work in
jazz, particularly his pioneering use of unusual time signatures and his contributions to the
“cool jazz” movement. The trio will discuss Brubeck’s life and musical innovations,
performing both beloved and lesser-known Brubeck compositions. Audience questions
are welcome!

Personnel/Artists: Ellen Rowe, piano; Paul Keller, bass; Pete Siers, drums

Tickets
Adults: $30-40
Students/Youth: $20-30
Tickets available online at kerrytownconcerthouse.com; by phone at (734) 769-2999; and
at the door when available.

Genre: Kaleidoscope (multi-genre)
Friday, March 19, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Erik McIntyre & Grant Flick – Explorations for Violin and Guitar

Description: In this special collaboration at Kerrytown Concert House, Erik and Grant
improvise on a mix of standards and deep cuts from their shared stylistic influences (jazz,
country, blues, French musette, etc.). Their music highlights a love of spontaneity while
revealing a deep appreciation for intricacy. Through close musical dialogue, the duo
explores a wide range of moods, embracing the intimacy and transparency unique to a
two-person ensemble. Listeners are offered an unfiltered perspective on beauty,
playfulness, nostalgia, and contemplation through this improvised acoustic guitar/violin
collaboration.

Personnel/Artists: Erik McIntyre, acoustic guitar; Grant Flick, violin

Tickets
Adults: $30-40
Students/Youth: $20-30
Tickets available online at kerrytownconcerthouse.com; by phone at (734) 769-2999; and
at the door when available.

Genre: World, Jazz
Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Lisa Sung Ensemble – Listening to ‘The Vegetarian’: Music after Han
Kang

Description: Korean American jazz pianist Lisa Sung presents an original song cycle
inspired by The Vegetarian, a book by Nobel Prize-winning author Han Kang. Performed
by her ensemble in collaboration with the Nam Center for Korean Studies at the University
of Michigan, the concert explores themes from the book: silence, resistance, and
transformation through sound. Drawing from contemporary jazz and improvisation, Sung’s
compositions translate the novel’s psychological intensity and poetic restraint into an
intimate sonic experience. Audiences can expect a performance that blurs literature and
music, inviting deep listening and reflection.

Personnel/Artists: Lisa Sung, piano, curator; Eva Rosenwald, reader; Marcus Elliot Miller,
saxophone; Andrew Bishop, saxophone; Brynn Hilliker, bass; Max Welterlen, drums; Tae
Hoon Yoo (big fire), reader; Dr. Youngju Ryu, special guest lecturer

Tickets
Adults: $30-40
Students/Youth: $20-30
Tickets available online at kerrytownconcerthouse.com; by phone at (734) 769-2999; and
at the door when available.

Genre: Classical
Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Amy Porter, flute with Christopher Harding, piano – By Request

Description: Join us in Kerrytown Concert House’s salon-style setting for a captivating
concert featuring internationally acclaimed flutist Amy Porter with renowned pianist
Christopher Harding. “By Request” is a community-curated recording project led by
Professors Amy Porter (flute) and Christopher Harding (piano). After receiving over 70
online votes from students, alumni, and supporters, the repertoire was selected by the
public. The chosen works span centuries and styles, featuring composers from diverse
backgrounds and voices, including Lowell Liebermann, Mel Bonis, Andre Jolivet, and Karl Reinecke.

Personnel/Artists: Amy Porter, flute; Christopher Harding, piano

Tickets
Adults: $30-40
Students/Youth: $20-30
Tickets available online at kerrytownconcerthouse.com; by phone at (734) 769-2999; and
at the door when available.

Genre: Jazz
Friday, March 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Olivia Van Goor Sings the Music of Anita O’Day

Description: Olivia Van Goor returns to Kerrytown Concert House for her third
appearance, this time honoring one of her greatest vocal inspirations: Anita O’Day. A
self-described “song stylist,” Anita brought a bold, innovative sound to jazz that captivated
Olivia early in her career. Through iconic recordings like “Tea for Two” and “Sweet Georgia
Brown,” as well as hidden gems such as “Waiter, Make Mine Blues” and “Hershey Bar,”
Olivia will trace Anita’s remarkable journey—a story of both triumph and turbulence. Joined
by a stellar jazz trio, Olivia invites you to experience the legacy of a woman who defied the
mold of the typical “girl singer” and reshaped the sound of vocal jazz forever.

Personnel/Artists: Olivia Van Goor, vocals; Scott Gwinnell, piano; Reuben Stump, bass;
Dave Zwolinski, drums

Tickets
Adults: $30-40
Students/Youth: $20-30
Tickets available online at kerrytownconcerthouse.com; by phone at (734) 769-2999; and
at the door when available.

Genre: Classical
Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Soprano, Kimwana Doner & Pianist, John Etsell Shirley Verrett: The Voice and the Fire in the Belly

Description: Soprano Kimwana Doner brings depth and brilliance to Shirley Verrett: The
Voice and the Fire in the Belly, a moving one-woman tribute to the legendary opera star
who broke barriers on the world’s greatest stages. Described as “absolutely luminous” and
“mesmerizing to watch and thrilling to hear,” Doner channels Verrett’s strength, artistry,
and resilience through a powerful blend of song and storytelling. A rising talent with
acclaimed appearances at San Francisco Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, and Boston
Lyric Opera, Doner draws on her rich experience in roles by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, and
Strauss to illuminate Verrett’s iconic repertoire. This compelling performance celebrates
Verrett’s triumphs, struggles, and enduring legacy with passion, authenticity, and
unforgettable vocal artistry.

Personnel/Artists: Kimwana Doner, soprano; John Etsell, piano

Tickets
Adults: $30-40
Students/Youth: $20-30
Tickets available online at kerrytownconcerthouse.com; by phone at (734) 769-2999; and
at the door when available