KATHY KOSINS 

Critically-acclaimed vocalist Kathy Kosins is a six-time ASCAP Award-winning songwriter, Artserve Michigan Jazz Composers Award recipient and noted jazz educator. Jazz TImes describes her as "a delightful surprise... reminiscent of Peggy Lee...worthy of Dinah Washington." She will perform with guitarist A. Spencer Barefield and bassist Paul Keller.

In the 1980s she toured and recorded internationally with Was Not Was as vocalist and vocal arranger. She honed her skills as a jazz stylist with the Orchestras of JC Heard and Nelson Riddle, and recording as a lead vocalist on the Cararre (Sony), Schoolkids, Quality Record labels, and "Vintage" (Mahogany Jazz) Record labels.

TASLIMAH BEY'S RAGTIME BAND

Pianist Taslimah Bey will lead a Mardi Gras in Detroit celebration with her all-star ensemble, which includes the great Detroit trumpeter Dwight Adams, a regular on Stevie Wonder tours.

Bey began studying classical music at age 16, but soon switched to jazz, beginning a lifelong passion for the music. She is famed for her playing in the Ragtime tradition —  music of legendary composers/pianists such as Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton and Fats Waller.

Take a journey across the seas with an amazing trio lead by Griot Kouyate and featuring the Kora, a 21-stringed African harp from Senegal, West Africa. These melodies are from the times of the Mandinka empire and have been preserved by Mady Kouyate and his family for centuries. Celebrate Black History month with African music and heritage that is soothing, sweet, fiery and uplifting.

Born in Dakar, Senegal, Kouyate is a descendent of the Kouyate family of Dialolu, oral historians and musicians of Manding traditions that have honored West Africa for centuries, through their family tradition and artistry of music and verse that records the history of West African societies.

Trumpet master, Detroit Jazz Laureate Marcus Belgrave joins Italian-born, 8-string guitarist/violinist Michéle Ramo for an evening of chamber jazz spanning rhythms from Hot Jazz, Gypsy and Latin to Bebop and beyond.

MARCUS BELGRAVE

Marcus Belgrave, Detroit’s official Jazz Laureate, winner of numerous awards and honors, and legendary master jazz trumpeter, was born in Chester, PA. He is best known for his longtime association with Ray Charles.

Bill Meyer leads the Bill Meyer Group, which has been a successful and prominent dance band in the area for more than 30 years. This ensemble of versatile musicians plays at many of the major establishments, country clubs and parties, and as well as at major jazz festivals. Meyer is also part of the acclaimed SBH Trio, house band for the Open Mic Jazz Jam at Bert's Marketplace in the Eastern Market.

 A. SPENCER BAREFIELD

On the road to medical school, guitarist A. Spencer Barefield made a detour. His passion for the guitar and jazz tore him away from the medical career he was pursuing, but there have been few regrets. 

A classical dream, violinist Gabriel Bolkosky and pianist Sarah Bob will play Beethoven sonatas and other memorable gems.

Detroit-born, Bolkosky is a sought-after performer and teacher who plays with the “overwhelming serenity of a masterwithout a hint of coldness.” 

Hailed as “sumptuous and eloquent” by the Boston Globe, Bob is an active soloist and chamber musician noted for her charismatic performances and diverse repertoire.