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Event
Merrimans' Playhouse Jazz Performance Series presents The Merrimans with Steve Talaga
Pianist, composer and arranger, Steve Talaga has been performing professionally for more than 30 years. He was chosen as the West Michigan Jazz Society's 2008 Jazz Musician of the Year, and has released seven compact discs under his own name: "Mirage;" "Yin-Yang;" "Basement Alchemy" (which was chosen as best release of 2000 by Lazaro Vega at WBLV-FM); "Two Worlds;" "Contemplating the Heavens" (a companion to the poetry chapbook of the same title by Linda Nemec Foster); "Heartside Sketches" (featuring a suite commissioned by MAJIC of Grand Rapids) which won the WYCE-FM "Jammie" Award for Best Jazz Album of 2010; and, most recently, "The Shapeshifter," which includes "Deadman's Hill," for which Talaga won third place in the 2011 International Songwriting Competition (jazz category). Most of his CDs are available on iTunes and at www.cdbaby.com.
Talaga is also co-leader of "Mind's Eye," a jazz quartet with four compact discs to its credit ("Angst for the Spoiler," "Seasons," "Lucky Nine," and "Children of the Glacier"). Talaga has performed with "Mind's Eye" at many venues and jazz festivals, including the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Montreux-Detroit Jazz Festival in Michigan. Music from "Seasons" has been featured on the nationally syndicated public radio program, "Jazz After Hours."
Talaga is also pianist for many other small and large jazz ensembles and is featured on recordings with several of them. He has performed with many jazz greats, including Kenny Wheeler, Terry Lynne Carrington, Wes Anderson, Marcus Printup, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Bob Berg, Adam Nussbaum, Wycliffe Gordon, Ric Margitza, Bobby Shew, Maria Schneider, Marvin Stamm, Denis DiBlazio, Jon Faddis, Claudio Roditi, Johnny Bassett, Greg Abate, Walt Weiskopf, Phil Woods, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and the Grand Rapids Symphony.
Stephen Merriman, playing professionally since 1978, has worked in a variety of musical genres from reggae to rock to jazz, in the Pacific Northwest, Canada, New York City, San Diego, and Boulder, Colorado. Some of his credits include the Boulder Jazz Improvisation Group, Chiaroscuro, and the piano and drum duo, The Great Leap, based in New York City. Since returning to South Bend, Stephen has focused solely on jazz, and has played with the jazz groups, Random Elements, Apogeebop, and currently The Merrimans.
Together with his wife Mary, Stephen is dedicated to bringing the art of jazz to the South Bend Community. They produce Merrimans' Playhouse Jazz Performance Series, bringing in touring jazz artists, as well as the Monday night open mic jazz sessions, for local jazz musicians and appreciators.
Mary Merriman began her bass career in 1982, playing with various jazz and orchestral groups in Michigan. Mary studied privately at Central Michigan University, and was a member of several jazz ensembles, including the Faculty Jazz Band. Since relocating to South Bend, she has put her energy into the art of the jazz trio. Mary has been performing in the trio setting with her husband, Stephen, since 2001. Actually, Mary began her jazz bass career performing with Steve Talaga, and is looking forward to reuniting with him for this special performance.
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LocationMerrimans' Playhouse (View)
1215 Mishawaka Ave.
South Bend, IN 46615
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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Contact
Attendees
Name Withheld
United States
Dec 04, 2013 9:43 AM |
Name Withheld
United States
Dec 04, 2013 9:43 AM |
Name Withheld
United States
Dec 03, 2013 5:16 PM |
Name Withheld
United States
Dec 03, 2013 5:16 PM |
Name Withheld
United States
Dec 03, 2013 5:16 PM |
Name Withheld
United States
Dec 03, 2013 2:12 PM |
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