Overview
"Art is about breaking new ground, where the artist strives to change the way audiences see music, visual art and literature." - Stephen Merriman "... in an absolute sense, jazz is more a certain process - a spontaneity - than a style." - Bill Evans Merrimans' Playhouse was founded by Stephen Merriman and Mary Merriman, who began their Jazz Performance Series in December of 2006. We incorporated in 2017 as a 501(c)(3). It is a place to experience intimate, live jazz, providing cutting edge sonic art that is performed genuinely and consistently at a high level. It is artist-driven, and conducive to nurturing the art of improvisation, where the artists have the freedom to present their work to an appreciative audience, in a room designed to augment the dynamics of the music. It is a true Listening Room, a Sonic Art Gallery. In addition, its outreach to the community through collaborative experiences remains a hallmark of its work to promote jazz music in the northern Indiana region.