EDITORS: A photo of Bjorn and Gallert is available electronically.

ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan Institute for Social Research (ISR), the world’s largest academic survey and research organization, presents “Jazz and Detroit: The City and Its African-American Music Heritage” on Jan. 29 from 5:15 to 8 p.m. at the Bird of Paradise Club, 312 Main St., Ann Arbor, in celebration of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

The event, which is free and open to the public, includes refreshments from Zydeco Restaurant and a performance by the George Benson Quintet, with vocals by Shahida Nurullah.

U-M-Dearborn sociologist Lars Bjorn and veteran Michigan jazz commentator Jim Gallert will open the event with a brief multi-media presentation on the contributions of Detroit artists to the development of jazz in America. Bjorn and Gallert co-authored “Before Motown: A History of Jazz in Detroit, 1920-1960,” recently published by U-M Press.

The George Benson Quintet, with George Benson on tenor saxophone, Dwight Adams on trumpet, Tad Weed on piano, Will Austin on bass, and George Davidson on drums, along with vocalist Shahida Nurullah, will perform two sets that illustrate some of the jazz styles originating in Detroit—styles that exerted a considerable influence on the Motown sounds of the Temptations, the Supremes, and the Four Tops. Bjorn and Gallert will talk with the performers, and the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions as well.

For more information about the event, contact Carolyn Dymond at the ISR, by calling (734) 764-8364 or e-mailing [email protected].

Established in 1948, the Institute for Social Research (ISR) is among the world’s oldest survey research organizations, and a world leader in the development and application of social science methodology. ISR conducts some of the most widely-cited studies in the nation, including the Survey of Consumer Attitudes, the National Election Studies, the Monitoring the Future Study, the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, the Health and Retirement Study, the Columbia County Longitudinal Study, and the National Survey of Black Americans. ISR researchers also collaborate with social scientists in more than 60 nations on the World Values Surveys and other projects, and the Institute has established formal ties with universities in Poland, China, and South Africa. Visit the ISR Web site at www.isr.umich.edu for more information.

Institute for Social ResearchZydeco RestaurantU-M-DearbornGeorge Benson[email protected]Survey of Consumer Attitudes