Jazz musicians to play concerts in Sammons hall

   The Sammons Center for the Arts will present four jazz concerts this fall, each on the first Wednesday of the month.
   The Fall Sammons Jazz series will feature local and nationally known performers presenting all styles of jazz, with guidance from artistic director James Gilyard.
   The series aims to present jazz in all its forms, celebrate jazz music as an original American art form and promote and showcase local jazz artists.
   The Oct. 1 concert will be in Meadows Hall at the Sammons Center for the Arts, 3630 Harry Hines at Oak Lawn. The Wednesday performance is 7:30-10 p.m., with doors opening at 7.
   Straight-No Chaser will present straight-ahead jazz with
   The Stefen Karlsson Trio, and the second set will go to drummer Mike Drake and The Mike Drake Band. The Stefen Karlsson Trio is led by Karlsson on piano and helped by his friends Ed Soph on drums and Fred Hamilton on bass.
   The internationally known pianist Karlsson is a faculty member of the famed music program at the University of North Texas.
   The Mike Drake Band will present the straight-ahead theme with Drake, a "first call" drummer, leading his group presenting jazz classics.
   The band also includes Kent Ellingson on piano, John Adams on bass, Chris McGuire on saxes and Nancy Fisher on vocals.
   The price for each concert includes free parking, coffee, beer, soft drinks, wine and light appetizers. Seating is general admission. The price is $25; member price is $20. For tickets, call 214-520-778; all major credit cards are accepted.