PHOTO BY G LENN TR IEST Something's Brewing At Zoot's I t's a lot of responsibility being the name- sake of one of Detroit's most eclectic cof- feehouses. Just ask 9-year-old Zoot. And his dad, Dan Solomon. "I spent too many nights sitting around thinking of a name," said 28-year-old Solomon about the coffeehouse he's owned, just south of Wayne State's campus, for the past four years. "It just seemed natural. The name's like a tattoo or marriage — once you've done it, you can't get rid of it. It's classic, simple." Zoot's part Doberman, part pit bull, by the way. Over time, Solomon's revamping the 1887 former private residence/dress shop/real estate office/Chinese laundry to be a homey, "grand entertainment place." "(Zoot's) used to be a crash site for touring bands," reminisces Solomon. "Courtney Love passed out in our bathtub — I'm still trying to re-create what it was like." To date, Zoot's has hardwood floors; rotat- ing works from local artists on the walls; home- baked bagels, cookies and brownies and three new vegetarian soups daily; "every type of pop- sicle imaginable," a tattoo-by-appointment- only studio in the back (Solomon is an apprentice tattoo artist); prime people-watch- ing seats on the porch and, of course, coffee — lots of coffee. Zoot's attracts a diverse crowd, young and old alike, says Solomon, who's hosted more Zoot and Dan Solomon take a quick coffee break during mom Carole Solomon and Roy Brooks' jam session. than 848 bands on his intimate stage, which performances at Adat Shalom, Temple Beth backs up to Second Avenue. Zoot's program- El, Temple Israel and private parties under ming includes Ambient Techno Night on Mon- her company name, "Music For Life." She ini- days, Wednesday Night Film Series, Thursday tiated the Sunday Be-bop, Bagels and Schoen- night vegetarian potluck dinners, readings, berg series at Zoot's. discussions and lectures. Solomon even con- "Mom was the start of it all," says Dan ducted his first seder there in 1995, complete Solomon. "She raised me in the (jazz) clubs. I with matzah ball soup and live music accom- owe it all to her." paniment by the band Shiksa Goddess. "I was the only mom who paid her kid to be Tomorrow night, however, it's all in the fam- a musician," recalls Carole Solomon. "In fact, ily when Solomon's mom, Carole, "Detroit's Be- Roy Brooks was Dan's first drum teacher when bopbachiuoso pianist," takes the stage with Dan was 10 years old ... He's probably been ex- jazz drummer and percussionist Roy Brooks posed to every piano club in the country." and bassist Don Mayberry to make a live "And here I always thought you took me be- recording. cause you didn't have a babysitter," Dan Brooks' discography is as wide-ranging as Solomon quips. his talents; he incorporates a drum kit, xylo- Not a bad outcome for the "good ol' born out- phone, steel drums, musical saw and me- law biker Jewish kid." O chanical toys. In addition to his own recordings, Brooks can be heard as the drummer on record- — Julie Yolles ings by Chet Baker, Mingus, Dollar Brand, Dexter Gordon and more. Mayberry has toured Vt Carole Solomon, Roy Brooks and Don with Lena Horne and currently flies back and Mayberry will record their live concert at forth to New York to work with the likes of Zoot's Coffee Saturday, June 29, at 9:30 p.m. Wynton Marsalis (who'll also be in town to- Tickets are $6 in advance and $10 at the morrow night to play a concert around the cor- door. 4470 Second Avenue, between Pren- ner at Orchestra Hall). tis and Canfield, in De troit, (313) 832-6621. A classical and jazz pianist, Carole Solomon teaches piano seven days a week, in between . This Week's Best Bets Adam Sandler "Saturday Night Live" alum and the man who brought us "'Me Chanukah Song" sounds off at Pine Knob. (810) 377- 0100. 96 Fri., 7:30 p.m. Joe Dumars ' Summerfest Emceed by a Detroit favorite at his Fieklhouse, the event features live entertainment, food and the Wheelchair Basketball Challenge. Mound Road and M-59, Shelby Township. Fri., 7 p.m. Miss Saigon The helicopter descends on Detroit's Masonic Temple once again with the return of the Cameron Mackintosh pro- duction. (313) 832-2232. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7:30 p.m.; Mon.-Wed., 8 p.m. Kelly-Miller . Circus Temple Israel ' s Chamber Series An old-fashioned big-top tent with all the trimmings for one day only. Southfield Civic Center, 26000 Evergreen. (810) 354-9603. The string quartet Concer- tante will perform at the free concert under the stars as part of the Schmier Chapel Chamber Series. Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield. (810) 661-5700. Sun., 2 & 4:30 p.m. Sun., 7 p.m.