Sorry for the short newsletter this week folks. There are just not enough hours to get all this stuff done on-time anymore. This week we host a benefit and memorial show for the late Brent Kandra. Next weekend is not presently booked so if you got a really great idea let me know, I might go for it or I may just take the weekend off. I've summarized some upcoming events below. Of course, more information to follow.

Billing themselves as "an all night rave in the house at the intersection of modern jazz and rock". This weeks host  band features the amazing Mr. De'Sean Jones of Detroit, MI. on Sax, Mr. Pat Adams of Prescott, AZ. on Trumpet,  Mr. Conrad Reeves from nearby Olmsted Falls, OH. on Guitar, Mr. Matt Adomeit hailing from Hartford, CT. on bass and the venerable Mr. Peter Manheim from the Windy City on bass.

This will be De'Sean's first performance at Mike's Barn. Bio: At a youthful 20 something De'Sean is already a critically acclaimed performer and recording artist.  Mr. Jones is from Detroit by way of Denver Colorado. Having been raised in the church he was exposed to music at an early age. At the age of thirteen he got his first taste of real jazz by listening to the sounds of Charlie Parker and John Coltrane from a 98 Encarta Encyclopedia CDrom. This musical discovery inspired him greatly, and shortly thereafter, De'Sean took up the saxophone and started his journey as a musician.

De'Sean attended and graduated from the Detroit School of Arts and participated in the Detroit Civic Jazz Orchestra for three years. Through both school and the DSO (Detroit Symphony Orchestra), he was trained in the art of being a musician. De'Sean's mentors are jazz trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, jazz bassist Rodney Whitaker, and his high school music teacher and classical clarinetist Edward Quick.

De'Sean has performed with many great musicians and bands, such as Marcus Belgrave, Chick Corea, The Christian McBride Band, KiKi Sheard, Karen Clark Sheard, Yolanda Adams, Galaxy 2 Galaxy and many more. De'Sean is currently attending Obelin College.

Our own ace photographer Charles "Buddy" Mesker kept insisting since last summer that I check out a singer named April Smith and I kept saying ok Bud, sure Bud, ok and otherwise never quite got around to it until this spring when I got an email from April saying that Bud kept after her to check out the Barn and come play a show. So she finally did and I finally did. For me, it was love at first song. One thing led to another and the schedule eventually fell into place and that's it. We found a date and we have show.

I'm pretty sure your going to like love April Smith allot. Her voice has a beautiful charm, she sings quirky and clever songs and her influences include Tom Waits. That works for me.

Mike's Barn is pleased to present the very charming and talented April Smith and The Great Picture Show coming this July 31st. for a nice pleasant summer Sunday evening. The show wil be over by 11 so you can get to work Monday on time.

You will be thanking me for years to come for this one but the credit goes to Bud. This is going to be a great show folks.

This weeks session is to feature many special guest sitting in for the evening which may include Mr. Noise, Doug Johns, Dan Wilson, Andrew Lawrence, Scott Franklin, Rob Armstrong & Ron Battle to name a few Disclaimer: Mike's Barn had nothing to do with naming our host band.