In 2008, the Southeast Michigan jazz community lost two prominent figures with the passings of Donald Walden and Kenn Cox. On Sunday, a special event in Detroit will pay tribute to them. The Detroit Legacy Ensemble, led by bassist Marion Hayden, performs at Cliff Bell's jazz club in honor of Walden and Cox and in celebration of the release of the live CD "Duet at Kerrytown."

A noted saxophonist, bandleader and educator, Walden formed the Detroit Jazz Orchestra repertory ensemble and held teaching positions at U-M and Oberlin College, mentoring jazz greats of today like Rodney Whitaker and Regina Carter. Pianist, composer and bandleader Cox recorded with the Contemporary Jazz Quintet for the Blue Note label in the 1960s (enjoying a new generation of fandom in light of recordings being reissued in 2007), founded the Strata cooperative, and taught at Wayne State and Michigan State, as well as the Cal State Summer Arts Program.

"Duet at Kerrytown," recorded live at Kerrytown Concert House in 1994, features Cox and Walden performing original works and the music of Thelonious Monk. The CD officially goes on sale Nov. 10 at Encore Recordings in Ann Arbor, Street Corner Music in Oak Park, and Flat, Black & Circular in E. Lansing, plus online at CDBaby.com.

Kenn Cox and Donald Walden perform Walden's composition, "Portrait Of You."

Admission to the show is $25, which includes a copy of the CD, with the proceeds benefiting scholarship funds established in memory of Cox and Walden.

"Duet at Kerrytown" CD release party: Sunday, Nov. 8 at Cliff Bell's, 2030 Park Ave., Detroit. $25. 4-7 p.m. 313-961-2543.

Chrysta Cherrie is the entertainment producer/copy editor for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at chrystacherrie@annarbor.com or 734-623-2526, and follow her on Twitter @chrystacherrie.