Friday Night Live! Concert Series

March 14 - The William Hill Trio

William Hill, III is a pianist, arranger, composer, and bandleader in Detroit, Michigan. Hill is a Detroit School of Arts graduate currently studying at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, earning his bachelor’s degree. In Hill’s pre-college years, he was a member of the Detroit Symphony’s Civic Youth Jazz program, performing in the Creative Jazz Ensemble, the Civic Jazz Orchestra, and the Michigan State University Spartan Youth Jazz Program.

Hill has enjoyed appearances at the Detroit International Jazz Festival, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Smalls Jazz Club, Minton’s Playhouse, The Django, Esplanade-Theaters on the Bay (Singapore), Blue Note Tokyo, and many others, to name a few. Hill’s passion in life as a musician is to spread joy to everyone around the world with the music that he produces.

May 9 - Derrick Benford

Detroit native Derrick Benford grew up amid the rich tapestry of a musical family, absorbing the influences of multiple genres and the joy of appreciating melodies. Today, alongside a robust roster of academic achievements, he is blazing an innovative path, creating and playing his groove-based compositions while advocating for artists, music therapy, and music education. Benford is active in the Detroit music scene with the Derrick Benford Trio, pianist with the Gene Dunlap Band, director of music programs for a non-profit, and the Derrick Benford Collab-2024 new music release.

As a pianist and composer, Benford has showcased his talents on international stages, collaborating with renowned artists across the U.S., U.K., and Asia. His work with various musicians spanning different genres blends jazz, gospel R&B, and hip-hop. Noteworthy collaborations include Chantae Cann, Alex Isley, George Clinton (P Funk), Marcus Belgrave, Rayse Biggs, Lanar (Kern) Brantley, and Regina Belle, which underscores his versatility and ability to contribute to diverse musical landscapes.

June 13 - Straight Ahead

Out of Detroit's lively jazz scene, which has produced some of the best musicians in the world, comes the groundbreaking women's jazz ensemble Straight Ahead. A group of strong, inventive instrumentalists and vocalists, they have shown themselves to be robust and imaginative composers and arrangers. Widely recognized for their eclectic and soulful approach to creating music, the Straight Ahead sound ranges comfortably from mainstream jazz R&B ballads and avant-garde to Brazilian funk.

These Grammy-nominated Atlantic Jazz recording artists have traveled extensively in the United States, the Caribbean, and Europe, garnering rave reviews. Recent appearances include the prestigious Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Kansas City Blues and Jazz Festival. Founding members include the "Rhythm Sister" Marion Hayden (bass), Eileen Orr (piano), and Gayelynn McKinney (drums), who merges with an exciting line-up that features the dynamic Kymberli Wright (vocals).

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