DownBeat magazine honors Kerrytown Concert House as among world's top jazz venues
Exterior of Kerrytown Concert House.
DownBeat Magazine has named its 150 top jazz venues in the world for 2011, and Ann Arbor's own Kerrytown Concert House made the cut.
This listing, which appears in the magazine’s February 2011 issue, includes clubs and concert halls that present jazz throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and Japan. Others on the list include such famed establishments as Birdland and the Village Vanguard in New York. Other Michigan venues on the list are Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit and Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe in Grosse Pointe Farms.
Kerrytown Concert House, on North Fourth Avenue, has traditionally been an outlet for jazz, presenting international, national, and local artists throughout its 26-year history. KCH is known internationally for its annual jazz/experimental festival Edgefest, which celebrates its 15th year this October (Oct. 19-22).
Since the closure of the Firefly Club in 2009, KCH has increased its jazz offerings. October 2010 saw the launch of the Kerrytown Club series, a monthly series that serves up jazz and cabaret in a nightclub setting. Presented in part with the Southeastern Michigan Jazz Association, KCH offers a cash bar, while café tables often take the place of traditional seating in the front of the hall.
Kerrytown Concert House operates as a nonprofit organization. In addition to jazz, it presents classical music, cabaret, and occasional theater productions. It's also available for rental.
DownBeat is the country's leading jazz publication.
Comments
Dog Guy
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 2:58 a.m.
Wow! Meaningful recognition! Zingerman's and KCH make Ann Arbor wonderful fun--without tax money. Congratulations to all at KCH!
Tom Whitaker
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 12:34 a.m.
Congratulations to Deanna Relyea of KCH! We are proud to have her, and her husband Piotr Michalowski as our friends and neighbors. They are living the urbanist ideal--living in a well-maintained old house and working in the center of the City, walking to work, and making Ann Arbor a better place for all of us. Thank you both for all you do! Don't let the bad guys chase you away!
Bob Beckley
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 8:21 p.m.
KCH is truly a gem and if you haven't heard music in this most intimate setting I encourage you to try it out. It is the perfect spot for serious jazz listeners and Deanna and crew attract local, national and international talent. What a wonderful honor. You deserve Ann Arbor's applause.
cmama
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 8:08 p.m.
Congratulations!
kracom
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 3:23 p.m.
KCH has been wonderful in stepping up to help fill the void left by the closing of the Firefly. Congratulations and a big THANK YOU to Deanna and the KCH staff.
ann_arbor_guy
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 2:20 a.m.
congratulations KCH.....we are so lucky to have this gem right in our own back yard.