The popular outdoors Jazz @ The Pond series returns for the fourth year in downtown Brighton's Mill Pond gazebo (on Main Street). Tonight: Jill Jack & The American Songbook Band.
Jill Jack’s magical connection to her audience is the result of her generous artistry. By combining her gifts as a conceptual visionary with a warm gathering of musical influences, Jill touches that secret heart of ours with her melodies and lyrics. In her hometown of Detroit, Jill needs no further explanation. She’s been lauded in equal measure to her talents: Since 1997 she’s won 38 Detroit Music Awards in every conceivable category that applies to a singer-songwriter. Much of this provincial success is due to her charming stage presence and emotive songwriting. It’s simply called connecting, and it’s the bounty of a true songwriter open to all of life: her own defeats, victories, hopes dashed, dreams fulfilled, her muse, her loneliness, her misplaced love and her romantic successes.
Jill and longtime drummer Ron Pangborn have talked about putting a project together that celebrates the music they both love - The American Songbook. Selecting some of the best musicians in Detroit, they have captured the beautiful essence of the music of an era long ago. Come celebrate with them as they will take you on their musical journey.
Ron Pangborn is a veteran member of the Detroit musical community. He has performed, toured and recorded internationally with artists such as Was(Not Was), Marshall Crenshaw, the Indigo Girls, and Matthew Sweet, in addition to work with award winning Detroit based artists Jill Jack, Thornetta Davis, Barbara Payton, and The Corktown Popes. Ron also has a parallel career as a video producer. His work has been broadcast on PBS and the Catholic Television Network of Detroit.
Canadian-born bassist John Barron has performed with numerous artists in a variety of musical genres. Performance highlights include concerts throughout the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean with Grammy nominated soul diva Bettye Lavette and throughout the U.S. with Motown legends The Contours. He has appeared on numerous recordings including CD’s by vocalist Odessa Harris and award winning Latin jazz group Tumbao Bravo. He is the founder of the progressive jazz group Trio Reenactment.
Pianist/arranger and composer Dale Grisa is a product of the Wayne State University Jazz Department and has been performing on the Detroit scene and nationally for over 20 years. He has performed with the likes of Jill Jack, Dave McMurray, Larry Nozero's Jobim Project, Alexander Zonjic and many more. He has also performed with several Broadway tours, including Jersey Boys and Mama Mia. He is also currently the music director for The Karen Newman Christmas Show.
