Eileen Standley: Played and promoted jazz music

By Joe Rossiter

Detroit Free Press Staff

Ensuring that the metro Detroit jazz scene remained a vibrant force throughout the community was a lifelong passion of Eileen Standley.

Mrs. Standley died of respiratory failure Saturday at Providence Park Hospital in Novi.

The Plymouth resident was 82.

"She was definitely all about the music," recalled daughter Laura Berger. "She loved the spontaneity of the music, as well as the creativity. It was her life."

For 40 years, the mother of six remained active in all facets of the genre, from promotion to education, performing and broadcasting.

Mrs. Standley was recognized as a leading influence in the development of the Clarenceville Jazz Series held in Livonia during the 1970s. Among the featured performers were jazz greats Stan Kenton, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie.

She became a founder and board member of the annual Michigan Jazz Festival, a showcase for local musicians that has been held at Schoolcraft College since 1995.

A talented musician in her own right, Mrs. Standley studied jazz piano at Wayne State University and performed occasionally at local jazz clubs.

During the 1970s and '80s, she worked as a hostess at the renowned Baker's Keyboard Lounge in Detroit and enjoyed performances and friendships with many of the great 20th-Century jazz artists.

During the same period, she was an on-air radio hostess of "The Jazz Calendar" on WDET's "Jazz Yesterday" program.

"Aside from being a fierce supporter of live jazz in Detroit, she became a constant friend and mentor to countless young musicians," Berger said. "That was probably her biggest legacy."

Mrs. Standley was born Eileen Whitehead on March 30, 1930, in Detroit. She was the oldest of five children and graduated from Farmington High School in 1948.

She worked as a secretary at Wayne State University for 25 years -- mainly in the Department of Geography and Urban Planning -- until her retirement in 1995.

In addition to Berger, survivors include daughters Lynne Standley, Kit Zrull and Lisa Soule; sons Ed and Paul; a sister, and 11 grandchildren.

A memorial jazz celebration in her honor is being planned.

Her body was cremated.

Contact Joe Rossiter: 313-222-6594 or jrossiter@freepress.com

http://www.freep.com/article/20120503/NEWS08/205030451/1001/rss01