Jazz Pianist Alexis Lombre, JazzFest Lineup, DSO Update, Islam History

Originally posted on April 12, 2021. Updated on April 4, 2022.

This Week on One Detroit, Arts & Culture:

Chicago Jazz Pianist Alexis Lombre Finds Her Second Home in Detroit

Jazz Pianist Alexis Lombre may be a Chicago native at heart, but she quickly found a second home in Detroit’s jazz scene during her time in nearby Ann Arbor as a student at the University of Michigan. Though she’s only recently graduated, Lombre has already supplanted herself as a standout pianist alongside some of Detroit’s jazz veterans.

One Detroit’s Will Glover sits down with Alexis Lombre to talk about her musical upbringing, her newfound connection to Detroit, and her song “Come Find Me,” about an internal conversation with God. Plus, Lombre shares her advice for anyone just starting out or trying to find their way into the music industry. Lombre closes out the show with a performance.

Religious Diversity Journey | Learning About Islam

The month of April rings in the celebration of Ramadan, the holy month of prayer and fasting for Muslims across the world. As part of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metro Detroit‘s Religious Diversity Journey series, student Maria visits the Muslim Unity Center in Bloomfield Township to learn about the history of Islam and its connection to families in the community.

Dr. Dima El-Gamal, of the Muslim Unity Center‘s Interfaith Committee, takes viewers on a journey through multiple sessions to learn more about the Islamic religion’s values, practices, fundamentals, origins and contributions to society, all through the student lens. Plus, learn about the role and relationship of women to Islam.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra Announces Return to In-Person Concerts for 21-22 Season

After closing its doors and turning to virtual performance in accordance with pandemic safety regulations, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra has announced its plans to return to Orchestra Hall for in-person concerts for the 2021-2022 concert season.

One Detroit’s former Managing Editor Christy McDonald catches up with Detroit Symphony Orchestra Vice President Erik Ronmark to talk about the symphony’s decision to return to Orchestra Hall, as well as what COVID-19 safety precautions are in place, the programming visitors can expect for the 21-22 season and the diversity of music that will be showcased.

Detroit Jazz Festival Discusses Virtual Concerts, 2021 Lineup

With April comes Jazz Appreciation Month, and this April One Detroit returns to a conversation between Detroit Jazz Festival President Chris Collins and WRCJ host John Penny, who discuss the 2021 jazz festival lineup and what viewers can expect to see from those upcoming performances.

Plus, Collins talks about the festival’s ability to be nimble and quick in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how that helped the festival continue in a virtual format now and in the future.