Tucked away in the store front of the Merriman piano repair shop, husband and wife Stephen and Mary Merriman patiently answered my Examiner questions while jazz lovers next door at the Merriman Playhouse anxiously waited for the couple to begin their weekly Monday night jazz performance series.
The Merriman Playhouse is Stephen and Mary’s second business under the umbrella of Merrimuse Enterprises. Their primary business, Merriman’s Complete Piano Service restores old pianos from landfills. Once the piano repair business became well established, a space adjacent to their business became vacant. The couple took this opportunity to house their jazz performance series.
“Jazz is a great art and music is important to our society.” Stephen said.
The foundation of the performance jazz series comprises of Mary and Stephen playing bass and drums. The two welcome musicians to join them for weekly impromptu jam sessions.
“Improvisation doesn’t mean that it’s random and thoughtless.” Stephen said. “It’s actually the antithesis.”
Stephen admits the collaboration of musicians does not always work, but the key to creating good impromptu music is respecting what each musician brings to the stage.
Once the couple began entertaining and finished one of their sessions, Mary and Stephen welcomed feedback from the audience. They also invited other musicians to join them. One gentleman answered the call bringing his bongos to the stage infusing the Playhouse with a more rhythmic beat to the sultry jazz music.
Merriman’s Monday jazz sessions bring a new sound to the Michiana area inviting all music lovers and musicians to jam with them or just sit back with a cup of coffee and enjoy the ambience.
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