The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College will present Axel Zwingenberger, Lila Ammons and Mr. B in a concert of Blues and Boogie piano and song on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at 8 PM in Milliken Auditorium. Tickets are $27 advance, $30 at the door and $24 for museum members plus fees. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Museum Box office at 231-995-1553 or on line at www.dennosmuseum.org, also at 1-800-836-0717or www.MyNorthTickets.com.
One of the greatest European practitioners of the art of boogie-woogie piano, Axel Zwingenberger of Germany, and the stellar blues vocalist Lila Ammons of Minneapolis; two outstanding performers who have toured together world-wide, join with Michigan’s own boogie-woogie master Mr. B of Ann Arbor for a spectacular evening of blues and boogie on the Milliken Stage, in this special duo piano concert addition to our 2013-2014 season.
Mr. B (Mark Braun) breathes new life into a nearly forgotten art form, and is regarded as a composer of music that expands on traditional blues and boogie, while incorporating elements of jazz and gospel. Receiving numerous critical reviews, Mr. B’s distinctive bluesy style has earned him a reputation as one of the best of this exciting, dynamic music.
Axel Zwingenberger has the reputation of being one of the best exponents of authentic boogie woogie piano playing today, following the “classic” greats Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis and Pete Johnson. When Axel hits the stage, he scoops from skills gained in thousands of performances all over the world as he performs “the hottest music that was ever invented for the piano” (Axel Zwingenberger).
Lila Ammons Minneapolis, dynamic vocalist Lila Ammons brings legendary roots to her stellar talents as a jazz, blues, and most recently boogie woogie artist. She is the granddaughter of the great boogie woogie pianist, Albert Ammons, and niece of tenor sax titan Gene (Jug) Ammons, ably paying tribute to this legacy while forging her own musical path.
The 2013-2014 performance season at the Dennos Museum Center is made possible with support from the Robert T and Ruth Haidt Trust, the Osterlin Performance Endowment and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, with media support from WNMC 90.7, WCMU Public Broadcasting and TV 29&8. Housing for our performers is provided by the Cambria Suites and Country Inn.
The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday’s until 8 PM and Sundays 1-5 PM. For more information on the Museum and its programs, go to www.dennosmuseum.org or call 231-995-
1055. The Dennos Museum Center is located at 1410 College Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686, at the entrance to the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.