Straight Ahead

Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.

Out of Detroit’s lively jazz scene, which has produced some of the world’s greatest musicians, comes the Grammy-nominated jazz group Straight Ahead. Straight Ahead broke new ground for women in the recording industry as the first all-woman jazz band signed to a major record label Atlantic Records. A group of strong, inventive instrumentalists and vocalists, they have shown themselves to be powerful and imaginative composers and arrangers.

Featuring Alina Morr piano, Marion Hayden bass, Gayelynn McKinney drums, Ingrid Racine trumpet and Kymberli Wright vocals. Widely recognized for their eclectic and soulful approach to creating music, the Straight Ahead sound ranges comfortably from jazz to Latin music and jazzy hip-hop. Their live performances are a dynamic celebration of power and joy with a wide range of musical textures, moods and tempos.

The ensemble has shared the concert stage with a who’s who of the music world including Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett, George Duke, Ray Charles, the Yellowjackets, Dianne Reeves and Stanley Clarke. With five recordings to its credit, Straight Ahead has established itself as one of jazz’s most enduring and prolific groups. Their Atlantic Jazz recordings include Look Straight Ahead, Body and Soul and Dance of the Forest Rain, with guest appearances by Kenny Garrett, Guillerme Franco and Fareed Haque. City Cuts features takes on Stevie Wonder and the Stylistics. The latest release Still Swinging includes originals and works by Jimmy Heath and Roy Brooks. These Grammy-nominated artists have travelled extensively in the United States, the Caribbean and Europe garnering rave reviews.

Joy, Power, Love, Wisdom… Magic! This is the sound of what is to come. This is Straight Ahead!