Locum Dr Mike Debevec is showing South Otago a slightly different side of him tonight - the musician.
Dr Debevec (59) is a GP working in the Clutha Health First medical centre, but is also a semi-professional piano player and vocalist, composing his own jazz pieces with a hint of pop.
He was approached by South Otago Theatrical Society member Irene Mosely to play in Balclutha as a fundraiser for the group.
The one-off performance will be held at the Somerville Lounge of the Balclutha War Memorial Hall from 7.30pm tonight.
Dr Debevec would show the evolution of jazz through a selection of pieces, starting with early jazz and finishing with modern jazz, a variety of his own compositions and those written by others.
He loved the way jazz music used improvisation, and said there would be a lot of that in his performance tonight.
"It's the only time it will ever be played that way - a lot of my compositions are like that," he said.
In 2002 and 2003, he recorded two CDs, producing them himself.
This is Dr Debevec's second visit to Balclutha with wife Annie from their home in the northeastern tip of Minnesota, United States.
The couple would return to the United States in a few weeks and did not rule out a return trip to South Otago.
"I like the people here," Dr Debevec said.
