Nick Schillace has never had a chance before to play his music in the community where he also works.
That changes on Jan. 21, when Schillace performs his American finger style guitar at the S.L.U.M. City Coffee House at Seymour Lake United Methodist Church in Oxford.
Also scheduled to perform is WDET-FM program host Matt Watroba.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the church, at 3050 Sashabaw Road.
Schillace, who also teaches music in Orion, released his solo album, ‘Box Canyon,? in June of last year.
‘I’ve been playing actively for about 13 years,? he said.?(Box Canyon) is the first solo album I’ve done.?
Schillace, who has released five albums in all, said that this solo effort was easy for him to get behind.
‘For a first release, it’s been really successful,? he said. ‘I’m starting to get asked to do more concerts.?
Schillace’s concert with Watroba will feature two vastly different styles of music.
‘It will be really exciting for people,? he said.
‘It’s a real privilege to be able to play a concert with him.?
Schillace classifies his music as acoustic instrumental, which comes from ‘American Primitive,? a term associated with the late John Fahey.
‘A lot of people classify me as folk,? Schillace said, ‘but that’s not quite right.?
Schillace said there’s a folk and blues element from the 1920s, that is very strong in his music, as well as some classical and jazz influences.
‘It’s a very, very American style,? he added. ‘One of the few, true American styles.?
Based on the success of his first solo release in this vein, Schillace has narrowed his focus a bit.
He is especially excited to play in a concert venue near the area where he works, something he rarely gets a chance to do.
Schillace has been teaching from his Orion studio for about seven years.
His studio employs eight teachers in all, and gives about 200 lessons a week.
‘I do about 50 myself,? he said.
‘I really, really love teaching,? Schillace said, adding that he has nearly reached his capacity at the Orion location, and may soon expand.
‘I really like this area. There are a lot of different people doing a lot of different types of jobs,? he said.
Schillace has four multiple performance dates scheduled in Ferndale and Ann Arbor in Feb., as well as a California tour scheduled in March.
For information on his schedule, to hear MP3s, or for record information visit www.nickschillace.com.
Records are also available at his studio at 2800 Lapeer Road, and at his performances.