HOUGHTON - For two evenings in January, McArdle Theatre will transform into a jazz club - complete with candles, tables and smoke - to accentuate the Michigan Technological University Jazz Cabaret.

The Jazz Cabaret, a two-night event, will feature small jazz combos from Michigan Tech.

The jazz groups will take the stage at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday evenings in McArdle Theatre in the Walker Building.

Every year, groups from outside the university, including the Calumet High School Jazz Experience, are invited to participate in the musical event, Mike Irish, associate professor, director of jazz studies and head of the music division of visual and performing arts at Michigan Tech said.

"It's really fun to be able to bring in groups from outside the university who will be performing on Friday night," he said.

On The Spot Blues Band will guest perform Saturday night before leaving for Memphis, Tenn. for a national competition.

"We're kind of a warmup act for them," Irish said. "That'll help give them a little more stage experience and so we're really glad we can support them."

Two jazz groups from Michigan Tech made up of students, Jaztec and Momentum, will also perform Friday and Saturday night.

"Jaztec is our oldest jazz combo and they specialize in contemporary jazz," he said. "They always put a unique and creative twist on everything they do to try to make things very personal and that's what you get with these small jazz groups."

Momentum specializes in funk music and musical similar to jazz rock, he said.

"I direct Momentum and Jaztec but my job is done by the night of the concert, so I won't be on stage," he said. "That's the whole part of encouraging them to be a self-contained unit."

The small groups are made up of horn players such as trumpets, saxophones and trombones, and the rhythm section made up of drums, guitar and keyboards.

Irish helped the groups choose the music, which ranges from jazz classics to jazz remixes not commonly heard at jazz shows.

"What you'll hear are classics from Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and songs that people will know pretty well and recognize the composers," he said.

However, the groups also like to put an interesting twist on their jazz music by using contemporary music to stretch the communication between the group and the audience.

"One group is doing a jazz version of 'Toxic' by Britney Spears," Irish said. "It sounds weird but when you hear it, you're think 'why didn't I think of that?' It's really good."

Originally a one-night event, the Jazz Cabaret has been extended over two-day period to accommodate those who are unable to attend one night or the other.

"There are some people who come back both nights, because jazz being the way it is, is different both nights," he said.

Although players from Momentum and Jaztec are participating as part of an MTU class, they often schedule local gigs.

"The groups themselves probably play twice a month outside or play private parties," Irish said.

Concessions will be available for both shows. Tickets can be purchased at the Rozsa Box Office. Admission is $10 for the general public, $5 for individual 18 years of age and younger and MTU student with a valid MTU identification card are free.

"Our area here really supports live music," he said. "In fact, I think per capita, I don't know of another area where there's this concentration of original artists and live music is doing fine here."

Stacey Ashcraft can be reached at sashcraft@mininggazette.com.