The Austin Jazz Society Memorial Tribute: Passenger, James Polk

The Austin Jazz Society announces the 5th Annual Memorial Tribute Concert on Sunday, February 17th at The Elephant Room. This year the society will honor the lives of Austin jazz artists Ernie Mae Miller, Nathaniel Williams and Bill Ginn. Some of Austin's top musicians will perform a set for each honoree, followed by a late-night jam. The night will also include a performance by one of Austin's best known jazz groups of the '80s, Passenger, reuniting it's members Roscoe Beck, Mitch Watkins, Steve… Show more Meador, James Fenner and Paul Ostermayer. Dr. James Polk, also the night's emcee, will join them at the piano.

Ernie Mae Miller (1927-2010), was a self-taught blues and jazz piano/vocalist, learning by ear at a very young age. She established herself as a premiere musician from East Austin with her residency at the New Orleans Club as well as 50 years of performances at places such as the Flamingo Lounge, the Jade Room and the Commodore Perry Hotel Reserve. She was inducted into the Austin Music Memorial in 2007.

Nathaniel "Nat" Williams (1921-1997), was head of the Music Department at Huston-Tillotson University for 29 years, where he positively impacted the lives of countless students. He performed for president Lyndon Baines Johnson as well as regular appearances on the original Cactus Pryor Show. Williams was inducted into the Austin Music Memorial in 2012.

Bill Ginn (1952-2004), Grammy nominated composer/arranger, was the musical director for Leonard Cohen's 1993 tour in the United States and Canada and toured along side Passenger bandmates Mitch Watkins and Roscoe Beck. He also performed and recorded with Joe Ely. He arranged for artists such as Jennifer Warnes, Carole King, Asleep at the Wheel, Stephen Bruton, Alejandro Escovedo and many others.

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