By Sue Moore
The old Schoolcraft Ladies Library Association (LLA) building was really rocking in April when the group, Jazz on a String, performed for members of the association and their guests.
With Dr. Barry Ross, former concertmaster of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, on violin, and Steve Kamerling, on guitar, the duo sang and played toe tapping music that brought the house down, according to Harriett Swartz, president of the LLA.
Ross is probably the better known player in the duo, as he is Professor of Music Emeritus from Kalamazoo College and serves as assistant conductor of the Kalamazoo Symphony.
“It was fun to see him in a more informal role,” Swartz said, noting that he joked and introduced the music.
Kamerling, a researcher at Zoetis by day, performs on guitar, bass and does vocal solos by night. He has performed everything from country to jazz to classical music. The two decided to team up and have been working steadily together in concert and nightclub settings since 2011.
This gathering was co-hosted by the Schoolcraft Historical Society.
The Historical Society meets once a month on the first Wednesday, usually at the Underground Railroad building, and the LLA meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the LLA building.