FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- MAY 14,
2013 - MILFORD - FINGERSTYLE GUITARIST OPENS
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE WITH JAZZ, BLUES AND COUNTRY-INFLUENCED
PERFORMANCE
MILFORD — Dr. Swing, a.k.a.
Joel Palmer starts off the popular, free Friday Night Live series begins with a performance featuring the fingerstyle guitarist’s a combination of jazz, blues and country-style tunes from 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 24, in downtown Milford’s Center Street Park gazebo.
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Palmer, a Royal Oak resident, is a respected Detroit area artist who does more than 600 performances a year and welcomes the opportunity to perform in various settings.
“Each show is an adventure in entertainment,” he said.
Noted for his 30s and 40s-era swing style, Palmer also has a flair for blues and folk music. A trained vocalist, he can belt out or croon a tune while creating the sound of a small combo with his guitar. He approaches each audience with respect for their differences and interests, tailoring his performances to meet those needs with top-notch performances.
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He’s sung as long as he can remember and started to play the guitar in 1972 (it was a high school graduation gift). He studied vocal performance at Webster College in St Louis, MO. While his early influences were the popular troubadours of the 60s and 70s, he soon discovered the sounds of Leon Redbone, the country blues of Mississippi John Hurt and vintage jazz styles as well.
Palmer also spent time in Boston where he performed regularly in bars,
restaurants and coffeehouses, where he was introduced to fingerstyle guitarist,
Guy VanDuser and the songwriting and blues style of Chris Smither, who both strongly influenced his work. In 1992, he and his family moved to Ferndale, where Joel started a once a month listening room called the Acoustic Avenue Coffee House at Ferndale’s First United Methodist Church; the concerts ran for 10 years.
After years of performing solo, Palmer joined forces with a few talented musicians to form The Blue Jays. Members included Jim Nichols (harmonica/guitar) who supplied blues, Jeff Royer (alto saxophone and bass) who brought a jazz influence, and they were occasionally joined by Andrew Palmer (his son) on drums. In late 2002, The Blue Jays disbanded leaving Joel and Jeff to carry on as a duo called Wanderin Wheel, performing at venues and festivals across lower Michigan with their own original blend of folk/blues and jazz.
Palmer continued his solo performance career at various local venues and open mics around town; he was a regular at The Ark’s Open Stage and was selected as one of its “best of” as well as featured in its annual showcase.
Festival appearances include: Nor-east’r Festival, Arts, Beat & Eats, Farm Fest, Riverfolk Festival, Who’s at First Folk Festival, Ferndale Blues Festival and Blue Sunday Festival. He’s performed at Mama’s Coffee House, The Trinity House, The Ark, Acoustic Avenue Coffeehouse, Live from the Living Room, Unity Coffee House.
In addition to his busy performance schedule, Palmer teaches private guitar lessons to a small number of dedicated students.
Presented by Huron Valley Council of the Arts in conjunction with the Milford Downtown Development Authority, the event takes place rain or shine; the rain location is
Milford Presbyterian Church, 238 N. Main St. (where Main and Liberty streets intersect).
Friday Night Live Concert Series include:
- June 28’s performance of classic rock, blues and folk music by Lakeside Band
- The Spoonful Blues Band on July 26, which features a mix of classic rock and blues
- Aug. 23’s presentation of blues favorites by Out of the Blue
About Friday Night
Live: “Meet me in Milford” for
fantastic music, food and shopping. Once again, the Milford Downtown Development
Authority is sponsoring Friday Night Live, partnering with the Huron Valley
Council for the Arts to provide family friendly entertainment on the fourth
Friday each month 7-9 PM starting May 24 thru August. Learn more about your
local arts council and meet the on-site artists.
Contact Information:
Huron Valley Council for the Arts
205 W. Livingston Road, Highland, MI 48357
Contact Leah Ohmer, HVCA executive director
248-889-8660 – hvca@comcast.net –
www. huronvalleyarts.org
Copy by: Anne Seebaldt
