Palmer Woods Music in Homes showcases the best of Detroit’s jazz, classical and world-music artists — musicians with international acclaim — in the ambiance of magnificent Palmer Woods mansions and cool homes.

Our series began with a sell-out Holiday Concert-Soirée on Saturday, Dec. 17 showcasing blues and jazz powerhouse Miche Braden, who currently stars as Bessie Smith in the Off-Broadway sensation "The Devil's Music."

The series continues with seven more outstanding concerts. Our annual Mardi Gras party was held on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, followed by a concert each month in a different stunning home.

As we enjoy spring-summer warmth, we move the concerts to tents in the gardens of wonderful homes: dance to Orquesta La Inspiracion with our Latin feast in May, and jazz and jazzy classical during two-day grand finale on June 22-23, 2012.

If you have more questions, please call Barbara or Spencer Barefield, 313-891-2514 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

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Saturday, May 19, 8 pm
Ozzie Rivera’s Orquesta La Inspiracion

SOLD OUT! Led by Puerto Rican-born congero Ozvaldo “Ozzie” Rivera with award-winning music director-pianist Bill Meyer, La Inspiracion is a 10-piece unit honoring the traditions of merengue, cumbia and Afro-Caribbean jazz. Exciting, infectious rhythms explode from their intricate percussion ensemble. Mixed with soulful Latin vocals and horns, they weave a classic Afro-Latin tapestry that makes dancing irresistible! A gourmet Latin feast served during intermission is prepared by our own Eva Garza Dewaelsche.  Read more.

Friday, June 22, 8 pm
Barefield Super String Quartet

This adventurous ensemble—featuring guitarist A. Spencer Barefield, violinist Jannina Barefield Norpoth, violist John Madison and bassist John-Paul Norpoth—straddles the boundaries of traditional and avant garde jazz, classical, world and other music idioms. The multi-talented string players will perform originals (mostly composed by 2010 Kresge Arts Fellow Barefield), as well as selections from composers such as John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Thelonius Monk, Ellington/Strayhorn, Enrique Granados, Astor Piazzolla and Manuel de Falla. Jannina has soloed with the Detroit Symphony, and has been a featured performer alongside Itzhak Perlman, Emmanuelle Boisvert, Regina Carter, Marcus Belgrave, Beyoncé and Jay-Z. John-Paul has performed under the batons of Itzhak Perlman, Kurt Mazur, Bright Sheng, Jamie Laredo, Otto Werner Mueller and others in numerous New York-area orchestras. John is the principal violist for the Michigan Opera Theatre and regular DSO sub. Read more.

Saturday, June 23, 8 pm
Ralphe Armstrong Ensemble

Bigger than life, funky, fabulous and one-of-kind master bassist, composer Ralphe Armstrong has been turning heads for decades. The son of legendary violinist Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong landed the John McLaughlin Mahavishnu Orchestra gig at age 17, beating out Jaco Pastorius. A student of Interlochen, his resume includes greats like Carlos Santana, Jean-Luc Ponty, Frank Zappa, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Kenny Burrell, Earl Klugh, Geri Allen, Aretha Franklin, the Funk Brothers, numerous musicians of Motown fame, and many more. He’s on countless recordings and toured the world extensively, most recently with saxophonist extraordinaire James Carter. He’ll be joined by Detroit greats, trumpeter Dwight Adams, Henry Gibson on keyboards, and “Straight Ahead” drummer Gayelynn McKinney. Ralphe hosts and produces a weekly live internet tv show at UDetroit Café (udetroit.com). Read more.

Outstanding music, captivating homes and luscious treats to delight your palate. Eight evenings to treasure in Detroit’s wooded oasis, Palmer Woods!

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Saturday, December 17, 7 pm

Enjoy an evening of festivities, feasting, wine, and music in one of Palmer Woods’ most majestic mansions, the Van Dusen Estate. Ms. Braden is an extraordinary Diva who’s portrayed Billie Holiday, Ma Rainey, Valaida Snow and other legends. She stars as blues giant Bessie Smith in New York’s Off-Broadway sensation “The Devil’s Music.”

“A big voice full of blues, bawdy and unapologetic… she knows when to let it soar and when to keep it at an insinuatingly low simmer.” —New York Times

Braden is a true blues & jazz powerhouse who grew up in Detroit and brings it on home with her virtuosic cohorts pianist Gerard Gibbs, bassist Jeff Pedraz and guitarist A. Spencer Barefield.

7 pm: Hors d'oeuvres, and wine tasting by Western Market
8 pm: Concert with Miche & Trio
9 pm: Reception with dinner
10 pm: Second set of concert
11 pm: Desserts, wine and party

Saturday, January 28, 8 pm
Taslimah Bey’s Mardi Gras Celebration

SOLD OUT! Delight to the music of Jelly Roll Morton, Scott Joplin and New Orleans with accomplished pianist Bey and her all-star quartet featuring trumpeter Dwight Adams (a regular in Stevie Wonder’s band), bassist Dan Jordan and percussionist Djallo Keita. Experience a slice of jazz history with Grand Marshal Larry Gabriel and a creole-style feast during intermission—jambalaya, red beans, rice, corn bread and the spirit of New Orleans will get you dancing! Read more.

Saturday, February 25, 8 pm
Black History Month Jazz Tribute
Hurst-Barefield-Riggins Trio

SOLD OUT! The works of Coltrane, Monk, Mingus, Ellington and Strayhorn—highly recognized as creators of Jazz, America’s classical music—will be interpreted by five-time Grammy Award winning bassist Robert Hurst, world-renowned guitarist A. Spencer Barefield, and premiere percussionist Karriem Riggins. Hurst is well known for his work with Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall, and a slew of other luminaries, as well as leading his own ensembles. For many years, he performed, directed, and composed for the “Jay Leno’s Tonight Show.” Barefield, a 2010 Kresge Artist Fellow, has collaborated with jazz trailblazers Richard Davis, Roscoe Mitchell, Lester Bowie, Dave Young, Oliver Lake, Reggie Workman, and many others. Riggins crosses from jazz to hip hop, having worked with many jazz greats, including Betty Carter, Oscar Peterson, Donald Byrd, Milt Jackson, Kenny Burrell, and Diana Krall, as well as The Roots, and Erykah Badu. Read more.

Saturday, March 24, 8 pm
Wisaal Ensemble 
SOLD OUT! Performing a mosaic of world music, Wisaal—an Arabic word meaning links, connections, or unity—fuses elements of Arabic musical heritage with Klezmer (Eastern European Jewish dance music), Indian, and American influences, while respecting the spirit of these traditions. Trained by masters in Lebanon, France, India and the U.S., Wisaal’s musicians create rhythmically charged global grooves on Arabic instruments—oud, percussion and bass—the Klezmer-influenced clarinet, and American-folk mandolin. Authentic, rhythmic and original, Wisaal turned it out at their recent Concert of Colors gig at Orchestra Hall. Read more.

Sunday, April 22, 7 pm
Stellar Piano Trio

SOLD OUT! Detroit Symphony Orchestra vibrant newcomer, violinist Adrienne Rönmark, joins her mom, veteran DSO cellist Debra Fayroian, and celebrated Brazilian-born pianist Maria Meirelles for an evening of Bach, Beethoven, and dazzling surprises. After 30 years with the DSO, Fayroian now lives in Northwest Michigan where she is the founding director of Chamber Music North and Northern Cello Retreat. Meirelles appears frequently with orchestras in the U.S. and Latin America and is widely known for her performances of Beethoven’s 32 Piano Sonatas. Three stars to captivate you! Read more.