Greenhills Studio Jazz plays Johnny’s Speakeasy

The chance for Greenhills Studio Jazz ensemble to play at Johnny’s Speakeasy for the third year in a row was a special treat—even for a group that knows its way around the venues in Ann Arbor.

The students in GSJ served up doses of Aretha Franklin, Chick Corea, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Cannonball Adderly, and more when the played a special Tuesday night gig  this week.

The band routinely play disparate venues such as the Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts, the Michigan Youth Jazz Ensemble, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, Hill Auditorium, and Zal Gaz Grotto. But all say the Speakeasy is different.

Johnny Williams, who runs the venue—once an actual, Prohibition-era speakeasy—retired recently from the Ann Arbor schools, and still works hard to support young musicians in town. Members of Greenhills Studio Jazz say they’re excited, honored, and grateful for the chance to enjoy playing the unique venue, located at 2923 Dexter Rd. in a residential Ann Arbor neighborhood.