Performances are at 7:30 pm& 9:30 pm. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
“…inspired by the grand Motor City jazz scene of the 1950s and early ’60s, these players update and extend that tradition with excellent writing, arranging, and playing for the 21st century.”
–Thom Jurek, allmusic.com
The Hughes/Smith Quintet is a powerhouse modern jazz ensemble that bridges the legendary hard-bop legacy of Detroit with a sharp, contemporary edge. Co-led by two of the Motor City’s most versatile musicians—saxophonist James Hughes and trumpeter/arranger Jimmy Smith—the band has been a defining fixture of the Midwestern jazz landscape since forming in 2012.
Acclaimed Sounds & Evolution Rooted in the driving rhythms and deep grooves of the 1970s Blue Note era, the quintet’s catalog maps over a decade of compositional evolution.
The quintet’s front line is backed by a rhythm section composed of longtime Detroit anchors:
• James Hughes (Saxophones): One of Detroit’s most original voices, Hughes is a first-call freelance saxophonist and a founding member of The Woodward Horns. He holds a Masters of Music from Wayne State University and has worked with notable artists such as Aretha Franklin, Josh Groban, and jazz legends like Jimmy Heath and Arturo Sandoval.
• Jimmy Smith (Trumpet): Among the most sought-after musicians in the Midwest, Smith is an original voice rooted in the hard-bop tradition and a founding member of The Woodward Horns. He holds a Masters degree in jazz performance from The Aaron Copland School of Music and is a first- call freelancer who has shared the stage with artists ranging from The Temptations to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
• Phil Kelly (Piano/Fender Rhodes): A soulful mainstay and longtime Detroit staple who layers the band’s tracks with vintage textures.
• Takashi Iio (Bass): Provides the warm, driving foundation; a Detroit Music Award nominee for Outstanding Jazz Instrumentalist.
• Nate Winn (Drums): Drives the ensemble with an “eternal groove” and explosive, interactive rhythm work.
Acclaimed Sounds & Evolution
Rooted in the driving rhythms and deep grooves of the 1970s Blue Note era, the quintet’s catalog maps over a decade of compositional evolution. Their studio releases have consistently earned national attention:
• From Here On Out (2013): The band’s debut studio album, establishing their signature blend of straight-ahead swing and tight horn
arrangements.
• Ever Up & Onward (2015): A breakthrough sophomore effort chosen as one of AllMusic’s “Favorite Jazz Albums” of 2015. The record yielded Detroit Music Award nominations for Outstanding Jazz Recording and Outstanding Traditional Jazz Artist/Group.
• Motion (2018): A fiery collection of all-original tunes that reached #1 on the Roots Music Report’s weekly Top 50 Jazz Album Chart. All About Jazz praised the record as a “prodigious composition” delivered with “verve by an outstanding group of musicians”.
• The Gates (2019): Recorded under the collaborative banner of the Yao/Smith/Hughes Sextet, this project blends modern concepts with classic Detroit grit. In a glowing review for JazzTimes, critic Dan Bilawsky celebrated the release as “a well-wrought affair” and “a thing of beauty”.
Performance & Community Residency
The quintet has maintained a prominent presence on both local and international stages. A cornerstone of their legacy was a four-year residency hosting the “Lotus Jam” at the Black Lotus in Clawson, which served as a vital hub for the Detroit jazz scene. The ensemble’s reach extends through regional and international performances, including featured spots at the Detroit Jazz Festival and the Michigan Jazz Festival. Additionally, they can be found swinging regularly at legendary jazz clubs like Cliff Bell’s, Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, and Motor City Wine.