TICKETS are $10 General/$5 Student.

Concerts and events made possible, in part, with support from the Wells Philanthropic Services provided by grants from the John, Anna, and Martha Jane Fields Memorial Trust Foundation, Stanley A. and Flora P. Clark Memorial Community Trust Foundation, and the Florence V. Carroll Charitable Trust, The Esther and George Jaruga Charitable Foundation, the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County's ArtsEverywhere initiative, and the Arts Project Support Grant and Arts Recovery Grant through the Indiana Arts Commission. Concert support provided by the Arts Midwest Grow, Invest, Gather (GIG) Fund grant (2022-2023 season).

Don Lerman on saxophone will be joined by pianist Billy Foster, vocalist Renee Foster, and bassist Darrel Tidaback for this performance at Merrimans' Playhouse. The Fosters are based in Gary, Indiana, with Billy Foster a renowned pianist and Renee a distinctive vocal stylist. Renee will perform such classic songs as "Them There Eyes," "Make Someone Happy," and many others.

Don Lerman - saxophone

Billy Foster - piano

Darrel Tidaback - bass

Renee Foster - vocals

Don Lerman, a native of South Bend who graduated from Riley High School, spent many years performing on sax and clarinet in big bands around the Washington, D.C., area, most notably with the Harry James Orchestra that continued after the legendary big band trumpeter’s death in 1983. His influences include Art Pepper, Lucky Thompson, Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Charlie Parker and Gerry Mulligan.

Billy Foster is a respected pianist, composer, educator and producer. Mr. Foster worked as a music educator in the Gary Community Schools for 35 years, served as jazz piano instructor at Valparaiso University for 34 years and is currently piano and Jazz History instructor at Indiana University Northwest. He has conducted many jazz lectures, clinics and educational performances and remains active as a professional musician and band- leader. He has played concerts with acclaimed jazz artists Jimmy Heath, Red Rodney , Clark Terry, Terell Stafford, Curtis Fuller, Tom Harrell, Ernie Watts, Bobby Watson, Henry Johnson and many others. Billy Foster’s work may be heard on several CDs including “For The Moment” and “Journey” recorded by the Valparaiso University Faculty Jazz Trio. “Portrait” and “Music For Jazz Vespers” are CDs recorded by the Billy Foster Trio. Mr. Foster received a B.S. from Defiance College and M.M. from Roosevelt University, with additional study at New York University and with pianist Jaki Byard.

Billy Foster acts as host of the popular radio program “The Billy Foster Jazz Zone” WGVE 88.7FM, Tues, Thurs, Fri 11:00am - 1:00pm .

Renee’ Miles-Foster began singing at an early age, influenced by the jazz music shared by her parents and by Chicago’s popular radio host “Daddy-O Daylie.” Renee soon became familiar with the wonderful musical artistry and many styles of such artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Mahalia Jackson, Johnny Hartman, Joe Williams, Billy Holiday, Edith Piaf, Rosemary Clooney and Frank Sinatra.

Her musical studies at Indiana University Northwest and Indiana University-Bloomington were followed by further work in gospel and spiritual music at Atlanta University under the direction of renowned composer Dr. Wendell Whalum. Renee’s vocal techniques were polished under the tutelage of Eva Brooks, Ralph Klapis, Earline Owens, and her cherished mentors and confidantes, Donald Thompson and Raleigh Williams.

Renee’ Miles-Foster has performed in many settings, singing jazz, gospel, spiritual and pop music throughout Chicago, the US, and abroad in Munich, Frankfurt, Germany and Switzerland. Her special mentors at the professional level include Etta Jones, Sonny Stitt, Arthur Prysock, Louie Bellson, and her husband and friend for over 50+ years, William “Billy” Foster, with whom she has performed regularly.

Charlena Taylor, educator, community advocate and columnist for the Gary Info Newspaper said of Renee’, “Renee’s talents enlighten others who soon realize that they are in the presence of a genius who is both engaging and also a beautiful visionary.”

Darrel Tidaback is a South Bend bassist with a history of directing the IUSB Jazz Ensemble and Twin Cities Jazz Orchestra. He began his college teaching career at St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas in 1990. Darrel may be heard with jazz and orchestral groups throughout the region. He has performed on more than twenty recordings including his own Time ines. Darrel holds an undergraduate degree in music from Saint Mary’s University and a Master of Music degree in string bass performance from the University of Texas, San Antonio.