ENTERTAINMENT

orchestra and classical pieces
for small and large orchestras.
He shies away from the
techno-pop of MTV
"What I don't do is rock and
roll or any electronic music,"
he said. "I don't do syn-
thesizer, fancy gizmos, compu-
ter-generated (music), things
like that."
What he does do are the
classics, the easy listening and
the standards because that's
what the patrons and his
employer want. After
restaurant customers hear
him play, they'll come back
with friends. Often they'll
bring him records and music
to learn. Since starting at the
restaurant on Valentine's Day

had no other
interest than
music my entire
life.'

1988, Kosins figured he's
learned 200 new songs. His
repertoire goes back to the
World War I era.
In college, he and musician
Dan Yessian played in each
other's bands for weddings
and social affairs. Until about
10 years ago, Kosins had
played with the Detroit Sym-
phony Orchestra and with his
own group, the Martin Scot
Kosins Trio. He performed at
the Caucus Club and at
private parties and was the
music director for the Ink
Spots when the group ap-
peared in town. He also played
Sunday afternoon concerts at
Somerset Mall.
But the routine became
tiresome and he gave up club
work for composing and record
producing. The Sebastian's job
came as a fluke.
Kosins had done a radio ad
for Sebastian's owner Matt
Prentice. When Prentice took
over the restaurant, he con-
sulted with Kosins on what
type of piano to buy. Prentice
was ready to let his pianist go,
and Kosins offered to play un-
til a permanent replacement
could be found. Prentice hired
Kosins and his trio for the
Valentine's Day crowd. By the
end of the night„ Kosins had
a new job.
"I did it as a lark and I
really found that under these
cicrumstances I enjoyed it
more than I ever had," he said.
Customers who remembered
him from his Caucus Club
days Started coming to Sebas-
tian's to hear him play.
Maitre d' Joseph Talentino
is glad Kosins came aboard.
"The patrons are pleased
with him; they like his style,"
he said. "He increases the am-
biance in my dining room."
In addition to playing,

I GOING PLACES

WEEK OF
APRIL 28-MAY 4

SPECIAL EVENTS

SOUTHFIELD CIVIC
CENTER PAVILION
Multi-ethnic festival,
Sunday. admission.
354-4854.
JEWISH
COMMUNITY
CENTER
Jimrnmy Prentis Morris
Building, Oak Park,
Mother and Daughter
Health and Fitness
Seminar, ages 11 and
older, Saturday.
967-4030.
FAIRLANE MANOR
Dearborn, Fashion Show,
sponsored by Loretta
Lorion children's
apparel, Saturday.
admission benefits
William Beaumont
Children's Center.
855-3313.

.

0

0

03

Kosins' interest in music began in his childhood and was encouraged by his family.

MODERN-D
MUSIC MA

Marty Kosins has conquered the field of music through
playing, producing, composing and arranging.

HEIDI PRESS

News Editor

G

o into Sebastian's
at Somerset Mall
on a night when
Marty Kosins is
at the piano and
you'll swear you're in a time
warp. Gershwin, Porter and
Berlin melodies mix with
clinking glasses in a mood far
removed from the music of
Madonna, Whitney Houston
and "heavy metal" rock and
roll. And Kosins likes it that
way very much, thank you.
The Detroit-born Kosins has
a fondness for the "old music."
A collector of 78s and count-
less LPs, Kosins finds today's
popular music sorely lacking.
"I don't find it as melodic as

music I enjoy playing most,"
he said. "Even the Broadway
show tunes are not as melodic
as the great Broadway show
scores."
His interest in music began
as a child and was encourag-
ed by his mother, the late
Anne (Nucian) Kosins, who
would take him and sister
Laurie (Kosins) Weintrob to
shows in Detroit and Florida.
"At about age 5 he started
to pound on the piano," Mrs.
Weintrob recalled. "In
elementary school he played
electric guitar, clarinet and
saxophone. There was always
a jam session at home." An un-
cle also encouraged him, she
remembered. He'd buy Kosins
record albums instead of toys.
A self-taught musician,
Kosins gave up an opportuni-

ty to go into the family's
clothing business because "my
interest in music was greater
than my interest in fashion.
"The only thing I ever did as
a kid was listen to records;'
Kosins said. "I had no other
interest than music my entire
life."
A graduate of Mumford
High School, Kosins went to
Wayne State University,
where he earned degrees in
English, education, mass com-
munications and composition.
Kosins composes music for
all instruments, and plays
reeds, saxophone and clarinet,
in addition to piano. He has
composed music and lyrics;
radio commercials; full-length
classical works; flute and
piano duos; flute, harp and
cello trios; wind quintets for

COMEDY

COMEDY CASTLE

2593 Woodward, Berkley,
Rhonda Hansome,
Tuesday through April
29; Diane Ford, Monday
through May 6,
admission. 542-9900.

THEATER

THEATRE GUILD
OF LIVONIA
15138 Beech Daily, l'rn
Not Rappaport, today
through May 13.
admission. 538-5678.
MICHIGAN OPERA
THEATRE
6519 Second Avenue,
Detroit, The Marriage
of Figaro, Saturday,
Thursday and May 6.
admission. 874-SING.
SHAW FESTIVAL
Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Ontario, Man and
Superman, Wednesday
through Oct. 15,
admission. (416)
468-2172.
MEADOW BROOK
THEATRE
Oakland University,
Rochester.
PERFORMANCE
NETWORK
408 W. Washington,
Ann Arbor, India Song,
through Sunday,
admission. 663-0681.
BIRMINGHAM

Continued on Page 75

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

67