Mr. B at The Ark in Ann Arbor

Mark Braun, better known as Mr. B, is a living link to the early days of boogie woogie, having learned from legends like Little Brother Montgomery and Blind John Davis. He's played in concert halls, outdoors, and once even dragged a piano by swimming out to Mackinac Island. Every year he stops by The Ark around Thanksgiving with fresh surprises. This time, on November 23, Saturday at 8 p.m. in Ann Arbor, he celebrated the release of his new album, "Blues Piano Today," backed by Detroit drummer Leonard King. The collaboration and new material made for a memorable evening.