City of Detroit Composer Laureate to perform his first annual concert in the role at the Wright
- Patrick Prouty Trio will compose brand new music in real time with audience participation!
Detroit Composer Laureate Patrick Prouty, the first to ever hold the new position, will join his band to present Jazz: Composing in The Moment, a look at the history of jazz composition and a concert featuring music composed in real time, taking suggestions from guests on mood, groove, tempo and emotion.
Event Details:
- 6 p.m. Friday, April 25, 2025
- Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. 315 E Warren Detroit
- The trio: Phil Kelly on piano, Julian VanSlyke on drums and Patrick Prouty on bass
- Concert is free, but registration required at DetroitComposerLaureate.eventbrite.com.
About Patrick Prouty:
Patrick Prouty is a Detroit bassist and composer from Detroit, who has toured North America, Europe and Asia with Grammy nominee Bettye Lavette and blues greats Johnnie Bassett Bill Heid, Alberta Adams and Bettye LaVette, time that included 25 European and Asian tours. He also is director of orchestra and choirs at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy.
Prouty maintains an active performance schedule as a sideman and lead of "The Detroit Office of Civil Defense. His music has been featured in many TV shows and films, including: "Brooklyn 99," "Overboard," "The Today Show," "Suits," "The Good Place," "Parenthood," "Nurse Jackie," "Masterpiece Theater" and "Breaking Bad. Mayor Mike Duggan appointed Prouty to the post in September 2024 upon the recommendation of a panel of Detroit artists, musicians and scholars. He is a member of a trio of arts, culture and history that Mayor Duggan has appointed, joining Poet Laureate jessica Care moore and the City’s first Official Historian Jamon Jordan in celebrating Detroit.
Prouty became interested in music after his interest in his dad’s record collection led to piano lessons and his first performances. He attended Wayne State University. In 2023, he received a lifetime achievement award from the Michigan Music Hall of Fame.
About Detroit ACE Detroit ACE partners with organizations across the region to enhance and grow investment in the fine and performing arts, culture and history with a special focus on artistic entrepreneurship and support for Detroit’s creative workforce. Follow ACE at @detroitcityarts on Instagram and @detroitcityarts on Facebook. See five years’ worth of ACE work heyzine.com/flip-book/ae8130edcc.html.
