Tom Saunders to be honored
at Music on the Plaza, Grosse Pointe

Paul Keller and Johnny Trudell will present a special tribute to the late Tom Saunders at the Music on The Plaza concert series at 7 p.m. Thursday (July 1) at the corner of Kercheval and St. Clair in the Village.

Tom Saunders’ career as a cornetist spanned six decades and transported him from his native Grosse Pointe to performances in Europe, Asia, Japan and throughout North America. He was a life-long proponent of elevating the Swing Era’s status in the jazz pantheon, and was one of its most skilled practitioners.

As a 20-year member of Tom Saunders’ Detroit Jazz All Stars, bassist and bandleader Paul Keller is uniquely qualified to pay tribute to this late, great swing legend. Also performing on the special tribute program will be trumpeter Johnny Trudell, whose big band has electrified Detroit-area audiences for more than 40 years. Tom Saunders performed

at Music on The Plaza countless times since 1989, and his uncommon ability to captivate an audience with virtuosity and wry humor will not soon be forgotten. He passed away last February.

The Music on The Plaza concert series is presented by St. John Hospital & Medical Center and is produced by the Grosse Pointe Village Association. For more details including the series schedule and location information, call 313-886-7474 or visit the Village website.

Due to construction and relocation of a new parking lot, Maire Elementary School will not be available as a rain location. An effort will be made to stage every performance, but rained-out concerts will not be rescheduled.

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