The annual Comerica Java & Jazz: A Coffee House Series returns to the Detroit Public Library, Clara Stanton Jones Friends Auditorium beginning March 20.

Comerica Bank and the Detroit Public Library invite the community to spend Tuesday nights listening to the comforting sounds of Detroit jazz as they host unique artists and ensembles for the next five months. The event is free.

Comerica will serve free coffee during each event.

“The Comerica Java & Jazz music series is a unique opportunity to showcase the magnificent blend of arts, music and culture present in Detroit,” says Patricia McCann, vice president and national civic affairs manager for Comerica Bank. “In addition to providing a great opportunity for local artists to demonstrate their talents, Comerica’s Java and Jazz series inspires our community to explore and embrace its rich musical and cultural history.”

The free monthly concerts take place from 6 to 8 p.m., every third Tuesday from March through July. The Detroit Public Library, Clara Stanton Jones Friends Auditorium is located at 5201 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

The complete 2018 schedule for the 18^th annual Comerica Java & Jazz music series includes:

Straight Ahead
6 p.m. Tuesday, March 20
The women of Straight Ahead are powerful and imaginative composers and arrangers in the music industry. Widely recognized for their eclectic and soulful approach to creating music, the group’s sound ranges from mainstream jazz and R&B ballads to Brazilian funk and beyond.

https://youtu.be/lD7u-IywO68

Mike Monford Trio
6 p.m. Tuesday, April 17
The Mike Monford Trio fuses hard pop, blues & hip-hop influences within African American blues & jazz traditions through innovative and vibrant avant garde performances. The trio’s unique sound and creative approach provides a very exciting musical experience.

Isis Damil
6 p.m. Tuesday, May 15
Born from two Detroit Jazz musicians, Isis Damil was destined to follow the music in her heart. Having performed with renowned musicians around the country, Damil has honed her outstanding vocal talents to include a variety of musical rhythms. Her vocal styles are a reflection of classical training with jazz, funk, soul, scat and fusion.

Al McKenzie
6 p.m. Tuesday, June 19
From touring around the world with musical groups like “The Temptations” to establishing a record label and musical institution in Detroit, Al McKenzie has contributed to the musical industry for more than half a century, and he isn’t stopping now. McKenzie will turn on the McKenzie Magic and bless guests with an evening of melodic jazz.

Joan Belgrave
6 p.m. Tuesday, July 17
Known for clean notes, vibrant melodies and vocal versatility, Joan Belgrave is a remarkable jazz singer. In addition to her trademark jazz sound, Belgrave performs blues, gospel, big band, standards, and contemporary R&B.

For more information, visit www.detroitpubliclibrary.org.

  Comerica, Comerica Bank, Detroit Public LIbrary, events at Detroit Public Library, Isis Damil, Joan Belgrave, Mike Monford Trio, Straight Ahead Jazz Group