DECATUR - Michael Scherer calls it a "fresh new sound."

A product of the MacArthur High School Jazz Band and Millikin University, Scherer is releasing his first smooth jazz CD, "Exceeding Expectations," with a 6 p.m. live performance Saturday, June 27, in the Lincoln Square Theatre.

"The sound blends dynamic funk-driven melodies with soothing jazz grooves," Scherer explains. "It's a refreshing and unique sound."

There are 14 songs on the album, each written by Scherer. He is also the arranger and producer and plays piano, keyboards and trombone.

Corbin Andrick, the former ace sax player at MacArthur, joins in on five of the tunes. Conrad Lee is also heard on guitar, Millikin's Randall Reyman on trumpet, Kenneth Humble on sax and Arthur Hinton III on vocals.

Since graduating in 2006 from Millikin, Scherer has organized DreamVizion Productions as a one-stop audio production company specializing in advertising audio for radio and TV commercials, Web site audio and on-hold music services. He also creates instrumental tracks for vocalists for album projects.

Scherer has arranged music for major record labels. He scored the music for a feature film, "Slap Down," to be released next year at the Sundance Film Festival and other international festivals.

He is the director of the fine arts program through Reasonable Service in Decatur and teaches private piano and trombone lessons. His jazz Half Note Trio played in the 2008 Central Illinois Jazz Festival.

"I want to thank Jesus Christ for anointing me with the gift of music," Scherer said. He dedicates the album to his parents, Doug and Viki Scherer, who started his music lessons at the age of 5.

WHO: Michael Scherer in concert.

WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday, June 27.

WHERE: Lincoln Square Theatre.

TICKETS: $10 adults, $6 age 12 and under and $8 per person for groups of 15 or more.

CALL: 422-1711, 972-8606 or 201-7078.

TO GET THE CD: Scherer's CD will be sold for $12 at the concert. It is also available online at cdbaby.com/michaelscherer2 or www.DreamVizionProductions.com/.

bfallstrom@herald-review.com|421-7981