ACOUSTIC MUSICAL POETRY
Laz & Friends
Setting the poetic works of the Sufi masters Rumi and Hafiz to original music, Laz & Friends brings the great feeling and beauty of these poems to contemporary musical form. Laz and Friends consists of Laz Slomovits on vocals, guitar, fiddle and folk flutes, Helen Slomovits on flute, Lori Fithian on percussion, and Eric Fithian on guitar and bass. In addition to Sufi poetry, the band performs Slomovits’ musical arrangements of the poetry of Emily Dickinson as well as other ancient and contemporary poets.
Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, 12:10 pm
University Hospital Main Lobby, Floor 1
1500 E. Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

MICHIGAN FOLK MUSIC
by Neil Woodward
Michigan Troubadour Neil Woodward preserves Great Lakes folk music and culture through his performances and teaching. With his widely acknowledged skill with over a dozen instruments such as guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, concertina, dulcimer, harmonica and tin whistle, you never know what he’ll pull out next. Winner of nine Detroit Music awards, Woodward acknowledges Michigan’s backbone of light keepers, migrant workers, sailors, soldiers, teachers, mothers, fathers, lumberjacks, railroaders, farmers, hobos and auto workers in original and traditional Michigan folk songs.
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, 12:10 pm
University Hospital Main Lobby, Floor 1
1500 E. Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

TRADITIONAL JAZZ
Swinging Strings with special guest James Dapogny
Swinging Strings highlights the often overlooked contributions of string instruments (bass, guitar and violin) to jazz. With Kurt Krahnke on bass, Rod McDonald on guitar, and Paul Winder on violin and viola, this ambitious trio takes on works by some of the great jazz violinists, especially Joe Venuti and his guitarist sidekick Eddie Lang. You can also expect to hear music from the rich jazz traditions of the 1920's, 30's, and 40's, including Irving Berlin, Hoagy Carmichael, Cole Porter, Fats Waller, Walter Donaldson and Duke Ellington.  With honorary “String” James Dapogny on piano, Swinging Strings will swing even harder.
Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, 12:10 pm
University Hospital Main Lobby, Floor 1
1500 E. Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

STORYTELLING & SONG
Tiana Marquez with Lillian Freedland
An accomplished singer, writer, and storyteller, Marquez’ performances feature a variety of songs skillfully blended with her stories. She has produced and recorded five CD’s and is currently working on her sixth. Marquez’ program will consist of an eclectic blend of Gershwin, Loewe and Lerner, arias, blues, and spirituals. Her piano accompanist is Lillian F. Freedland.   
Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, 12:10 pm
University Hospital Main Lobby, Floor 1
1500 E. Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

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