The 2026 Java and Jazz concert series kicks off on Tuesday, June 16th! Running through August, don't miss performances by Straight Ahead, Marcus Elliot, and Keith Gamble.
Detroit has long been known as a great jazz town. Java and Jazz is the summer after-work concert series that showcases some of Detroit’s finest musicians. Join us at the Detroit Public Library from June through August for free concerts held in the Main Library's Clara Stanton Jones Friends Auditorium, with complimentary refreshments.
Straight Ahead
Tuesday, June 16, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Main Library, Clara Stanton Jones Friends Auditorium
Grammy-nominated Straight Ahead is a hometown group of strong, inventive female instrumentalists and vocalists. Widely recognized for their eclectic and soulful approach to creating music, the Straight Ahead sound ranges comfortably from mainstream jazz, R&B ballads, to jazzy hip-hop. Sharing the stage with a “who’s who” of the music world and five popular recordings, Straight Ahead has established itself as one of jazz’s most enduring and prolific groups.
Marcus Elliot
Tuesday, July 21, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Main Library, Clara Stanton Jones Friends Auditorium
Multifaceted saxophonist, composer, and educator, Marcus Elliot, is an integral part of the Detroit music scene. As a musician, he leads, co-leads and co-founded numerous bands, musical groups and ensembles that play throughout the area. He is the recipient of the Kresge Fellowship, and has performed and collaborated with Terence Blanchard, Karriem Riggins, Brian Eno, Shigeto and many others. Marcus is instructor of jazz saxophone at Wayne State University and is director of the Creative Arts Orchestra at University of Michigan.
Keith Gamble
Tuesday, August 18, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Main Library, Clara Stanton Jones Friends Auditorium
Keith Gamble began his music career playing clarinet in fourth grade. In high school, he added tenor saxophone and began playing professionally across Detroit. He continued his music education at Oakland University while performing locally, and later in Las Vegas. Keith maintains an active performance schedule at libraries, casinos and music festivals, as well as a member of the Detroit Jazz Factory and Baba BG & ODU Afrobeat Orchestra.