Cliff Bell's

Jeff Cuny Trio
2019-09-13 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Detroit)
Jeff Cuny is a fine string bassist. He is also the chief arranger & bassist for the Planet D Nonet and appears around the city with Tbone Paxton and also the Rhythm Society Orchestra. His fellow musicians include David Dunham on guitar & David Alvarez III on drums, together they also lead the collective band Beartrap

PRIVATE EVENT
2019-09-17 00:00 - 23:59, 2019-09-26 00:00 - 23:59

Oakland University Faculty Jazz Collective
2019-09-22 17:00 - 19:00
Sean Dobbins and the jazz professors from Oakland University will present a concert.

The Ryan Bills Quartet
2019-09-22 20:00 - 22:30
The Ryan Bills Quartet is a group of Wayne State students and alumni dedicated to providing a sophisticated yet enjoyable interpretation of the swing tradition. Emphasis is placed on group communication within individual improvisation, following in the tradition set by the greats such as Lester Young, Sonny Rollins, etc. into a more modern treatment by groups led by Joshua Redman and Joe Lovano. The Quartet aims to reassert the accessibility of swing while never losing sight of the convictions that make modern jazz something to celebrate.

The Yao/Smith/Hughes Sextet
2019-09-27 00:00
The Yao Smith Hughes Sextet brings a fresh, new set of original compositions
following in the footsteps of the straight-ahead jazz tradition of Detroit.
Hard-bopping melodies, tight 3-horn arrangements, colorful voicings, driving swing feel and soulful grooves are all trademarks of
The Gates.
Trumpeter Jimmy Smith and saxophonist James Hughes of Detroit are joined by New York trombonist John Yao to form a co-led ensemble. They each are band leaders in their own right, but set all that aside to collaborate on this 2019 recording.
It was the music that brought them together.
Besides fresh and intriguing improvisers, they are formidable composers with
ample portfolios. After hearing each other on recordings, they knew that their
sounds would meld and that their compositions would blend to make a distinct and
congruent album. Subdued to passionate, cerebral to fiery, gritty to refined, the
Yao Smith Hughes Sextet brings it!

Kyle Green Trio
2019-09-29 19:00 - 22:00
Kyle Green is a Europe-based American guitarist, composer, and educator. Kyle has performed, recorded, and/or toured with musical artist from all over the world including:
Kin Organ Trio – Recording Artists, Raymond Cousins – Recording Artist (Frank Sinatra, Jaco Pastorius), Brian Donohoe – (Progger, Snarky Puppy), Andrew Neesley – (Bobby Sanabria Big Band, Jesus On The Mainline), Julia Chen – Jazz Recording Artist Kenneth Salters – Jazz Recording Artist, Jeremy Viner – (Bing & Ruth, John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, Battle trance), Nacho Labrada – Jazz Recording Artist, Brad Cheeseman – Juno-nominated Bassist & Composer, Baris Buyukyildirim – (Rolando Matias), Greg Chudzig – Jazz Recording Artist, Pablo Valotta – Jazz Recording Artist, Brendan Finnegan – Toca Percussion Artist, Danny Sher – Jazz Recording Artist, Leon Boykins– Jazz Recording Artist MacDonald Bros – UK Recording Artist, Sarah A Factor – Canadian Recording Artist, Audra Isadora – USA Recording Artist, Leonor Falcon – Jazz Recording Artist, Eva Lawitts – Recording artist (Stimmerman, Sister Helen), Sana Nagano – Jazz Recording Artist.
Kyle Received his formal music education from GVSU, a State University in Michigan, and the City University of New York. While studying, Kyle also received private tutelage from Gilad Hekselman, Julian Lage, Adam Rogers, Jack Wilkins, and Zvonimir Tot.
As an educator, Kyle is passionate about helping students achieve their musical goals. Whether prepping a student for university entrance auditions, teaching music teachers how to effectively instruct a guitar class, or showing a rock star more advanced theory, Kyle has the focus and patience to develop practice habits, with his students, that extend beyond their guitar lessons and yield the desired results. In the past, Kyle has taught for Calvin College in Michigan, New York City Guitar School, and The Midori Music Foundation in Manhattan, New York.
When not on tour, Kyle can be found playing the clubs of New York City and Portugal.

The Sam Copperman Quartet
2019-10-03 20:00
Known for his bluesy authenticity and soulful virtuosity, California born bassist Sam Copperman is a natural talent and hardworking professional. He began playing bass at 8-years-old, and started his career playing for local jazz and rock groups by the time he was 15.
In 2008 he left the coast behind for East Lansing, Michigan to study with renowned bassist Rodney Whitaker. During his time at Michigan State University, he earned his bachelor’s degree in jazz studies in 2012 and a Master’s in 2015. In 2014 he joined the legacy of jazz ambassadors touring internationally as a member of Anthony Stanco and the Crucial Elements. He currently lives and works in Detroit.

Closed for Private event
2019-10-05 00:00 - 23:59

Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra
2019-10-10 19:00
Scott is a band-leader, composer/arranger, pianist, and educator.
As a performer, Scott has played on over 20 professionally released recordings including 5 under his own name. Basement Vibes (2002), Scott Gwinnell Trio (2006), the award-winning Brush Fire (2008), Cass Corridor Story (2011- Detroit Music Factory) and Mulgrew-ology (2018- Detroit Music Factory). Scott has toured/recorded/performed with the following jazz luminaries: Joe Lovano, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Liebman, Richie Cole, Jimmy Heath, Billy Hart, Terry Gibbs, John Clayton, Steve Turre, Marcus Belgrave, and Jon Hendricks, for whom Scott was three year music director.
As a composer/arranger, Scott has written over 400 works, from solo piano, big band, symphony orchestra, to marching band. He has received awards/recognition from Downbeat Magazine, International Association of Jazz Educators, and Detroit Music Awards, who have granted him 11 awards over the past 10 years. Scott writes for his 16-piece big band, “The Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra”, and the 10 piece, “The Scott Gwinnell Dectet”. Both have held residency at Cliff Bells, one of Detroit’s famous jazz clubs.
As an educator, Scott’s credentials and reputation have led him to full and part time collegiate professorships at: University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Wayne County Community College, and Oakland University, where he presently serves as a lecturer, instructor of jazz piano, theory, arranging and director of the Oakland University Jazz Singers. Scott is also the director for Music Hall’s Jazz Vocal Education Program. He has given clinics and adjudicated at schools and festivals around the country, and holds a private studio for a select group of talented pianists, composers, and arrangers.
The Oxford high school band will open for Scott’s Jazz Orchestra.

The Mark Moultrup Quintet
2019-10-11 21:30
Mark Moultrup is a keyboardist, composer, arranger, vocalist, and educator originally from Detroit and after living in Chicago, now resides in St Petersburg, FL.
Many of his compositions are featured on his cds, and have also been heard on PRI, college stations, promo spots, children’s CD’s and national television.
Mark’s 7 CD releases have had extensive airplay on NPR and were reviewed by Jazz Times, All About Jazz, Chicago Jazz Magazine, and many others. He produces his own CDs and has written arrangements for a variety of ensembles from trio to big band, and vocal.
He teaches private lessons and has been active in schools, teaching, arranging, and music directing for musical theater.
Mark has always been a full-time working musician. Venues include work in jazz clubs, festivals, musical theater, with orchestras, in churches, studios, dance clubs, private and corporate functions, and has performed throughout the United States, and abroad
He has performed at the Detroit International Jazz Festival 11 times, including 4 appearances with his own group.
Mark has shared the stage and or recorded with a diverse array of internationally known artists from the genres of jazz, pop, funk, and musical theater.
www.markmoultrup.com
Mark’s group will feature veterans Walter White on trpt, Dave Taylor on drums, Dan Kolton and Rob Foster on sax.

Evan Mercer Trio
2019-10-12 18:00 - 21:00
Our long-standing regular early Saturday piano trio series, led by Evan, a fine player who now tours throughout the world with soul diva Bettye LaVette. Samuel Chase Harris on bass & Jake Matthews on drums, all three are graduates from WSU.

Tbone Paxton & RJ Spangler Band
2019-10-13 19:00 - 22:00
Lifelong buddy’s RJ Spangler & Tbone Paxton started working together in 1980 with a very popular band around Detroit called the Sun Messengers. They toured the east coast, Midwest and deep south for a number of years. Back then Tbone was awarded a Motor City Music Award for best trombonist. Since that time, he has also become quite an engaging vocalist. In fact, he has been nominated the last two years as best jazz vocalist at the Detroit Music Awards. The two are cornerstone members of the 9 pc Planet D Nonet, and as such, have toured to 11 states, released as many CDs and garnered 6 Detroit Music Awards. Now they have offer this stripped-down project – just four musicians, with a new CD about to drop.
Tbone and RJ have performed in New Orleans and backed singers from there on their tours up north like Johnny Adams, Earl King & Edde Bo for many years, so the music of NOLA is always prominent in their performances; from trad-jazz to R&B. The Great American Songbook: Johnny Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington & the Harlem Jive of Fats Waller as well as the proto jump/swing of Louis Jordan are also a big part of each performance. Add some gut-bucket trombone & RJ’s experience with blues, swing and world jazz on drums and you have an idea what to expect at their shows. They are favorites at festivals, art fairs, jazz clubs, brew pubs, private parties as well as libraries.
Matt LoRusso on guitar & Jeff Cuny on bass.
http://rjspangler.com/rjtbone.php

WSU Jam session
2019-10-20 18:00 - 22:00
Students from the Wayne State University Jazz Dept gather to play jazz. All welcome to join in!

Giovanni Seneca
2019-10-24 21:00
Giovanni Seneca was born in Naples in 1967. He graduated in 1988 in conservatory Rossini in Pesaro with full marks cum laude. In 1989 he moved to Paris, where he specialized in classical guitar, musical analysis and orchestration at “Ecole Normale de Musique” and at the conservatory “Ravel.” During his stay in Paris he began composing and he increased his concert activity, always characterised by the desire to deal with the different languages of music. Back to Italy he dedicated himself mainly to composition, writing and interpreting music for chamber groups and orchestras, but also for television, cinema, theatre and commercials. He has performed in the most important Italian cities, but also in Paris, Berlin, Cannes, New York, Philadelphia, Tel Aviv, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Cairo, Istanbul, Alexandria, Hammamet, Athens, Zagreb. In April 2009 he toured New Zealand with 12 concerts. He performed as soloist for the following orchestras: RAI Orchestra Sinfonica of Rome, Orchestre des Concerts Lamoreux of Paris, Orchestre Symphonique Français of Paris, Orchestre Philarmonique of Cannes in the French Riviera, Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana of Ancona.The great italian composer Ennio Morricone wrote and dedicated to Giovanni Seneca a concerto for guitar and orchestra whose world premier was performed in Paris and recorded on CD together with Orchestra Nazionale Accademia di Santa Cecilia of Rome. His compositions include also music for theatre performances with italian well known actors such as s Valeria Moriconi, Maddalena Crippa, David Riondino, Neri Marcorè, Moni Ovadia, Lunetta Savino, David Riondino.
He is the Guitar teacher in the conservatory “Gaetano Braga” in Teramo and he is also the artistic director of the Adriatico Mediterraneaneo project (www.adriaticomediterraneo.eu) that organizes events in Italy and in the mediterranean area.
website: www.giovanniseneca.it

The New Day
2019-10-26 21:30
The New Day is a collective of veteran Detroit musicians. A new project, they were formed in 2019 and is currently working on their debut recording. Stylistically they are rooted in funk, jazz fusion, rock, Latin and hip hop with a Detroit edge. The band perform a mix of original and select covers by the Brecker Bothers, Snarky Puppy and the Crusaders.
These are real Detroit music veterans whom have performed collectively with disparate acts such as Aretha Franklin, Carly Carlton, The Temptations, the Four Tops, Freda Payne, Josh Groban, Ben Folds, the DSO and the Michigan Opera Theater.

The Matt LoRusso Quartet
2019-10-27 19:00 - 22:00
Matt LoRusso has toured internationally throughout Europe, North America, and the Middle East. He has been an active member in the Anthony Stanco Quintet, Carlos Whitlow and Generation Praise, the Smith/Hughes Quintet and has played with numerous award winning groups such as Lansing based organ jazz trio, Organissimo, and early swing “little” big band, the Planet D Nonet. Matt currently plays with RJ Spangler Trio w/ John “Tbone” Paxton, the Keller Kocher Quintet, Leonard King and Oopapada, and with Detroit vocalist, Nicole New.
Now, Matthew LoRusso is teaming up with Detroit vocalist and trumpeter, Dave Vessella to bring you tunes you’ve all heard in a new package. From songs written in the ’20s or written last month, this group takes advantage of harmonic liberties and stylistic choices that will turn your favorite tunes into something new to be enjoyed by all.

Cliff Bell's closed for PRIVATE EVENT
2019-10-29 00:00 - 23:59

The Jeff Cuny Trio
2019-11-01 18:00 - 20:30
Jeff Cuny is a fine string bassist. He is also the chief arranger & bassist for the Planet D Nonet and appears around the city with Tbone Paxton and also the Rhythm Society Orchestra. His fellow musicians include David Dunham on guitar & David Alvarez III on drums.

Gustavo Cortiñas Snapshot
2019-11-01 21:30
Downbeat Magazine
“Cortiñas’ music is uplifting, robust, melodic, and gets your body moving; it’s an exciting blend of the artist’s musical influences from jazz and Latin America, including his native Mexico”
Here are three of the Ensemble’s official videos:
Dialectics of Freedom (studio)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd5_QXp_SGM
Ubermensch (live at the Jazz Showcase)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ1_CUXPzoY
Arete (live at the jazz showcase)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCNahnJXD6U
Modern Drummer Magazine
“An emerging drummer to watch. Cortiñas is a highly musical and grooving drummer, as well as a laudable composer… his music is surprisingly danceable…groove-shifter, high-energy precision soloing, framed by vivid ideas. A joyful meeting of mind and spirit.”
Chicago Jazz Magazine
“With the cohesive and captivating Esse, Cortiñas has created superb work that balances refreshingly inventive ideas with high-caliber musicianship. This exquisite and continuously gripping record is a testament to Cortiñas’ triple threat of skills as dynamic performer, agile bandleader and brilliant composer.”
All about Jazz
“A fascinating musical realization, exploration, and distillation of the works of Hegel, Aristotle, Descartes, Plato, and other brilliant minds…statements that are both studious and thought-provoking in nature…Gustavo Cortinas has worked everything out in his musical neck of the woods.”
Please visit
www.gustavocortinasmusic.com

Evan Mercer Trio
2019-11-02 18:00 - 21:30
Our long-standing early Saturday piano trio series, led by Evan, a fine player who now tours throughout the world with soul diva Bettye LaVette and the US with country-rock band Whitey Morgan. Samuel Chase Harris on bass & Jake Matthews on drums, all three are graduates from WSU.

Sunday brunch w/ Jarrod Champion
2019-11-03 11:30 - 14:30
Jarrod Champion is a self-taught pianist, vocalist, organist, songwritier and multi-instrumentalist. Born in a suburb east of Detroit, Michigan, he’s the son of two working class parents, both trained pianists.
Originally based in rock and roll, Jarrod eventually spread out into the prominent jazz, blues and traditional country/folk circuits found in and around Detroit. He has come to identify in large part with early New Orleans jazz, blues and soul music while retaining the smokey, bar-room romanticism he’s become known for.
He is and has been a member of numerous musical groups in the Detroit area and has toured both nationally and internationally in his career.
Jarrod is an active live and studio session musician and has written music for stage plays, films and video productions. He also writes and performs original music under his own name, fronts his own ensembles across many various genres, and can be found in top jazz, blues and rock establishments in and around the city of Detroit and beyond.
(new photo by Jeff Dunn)

Sean Dobbins SMA Jazz Session
2019-11-03 17:00 - 19:00
he Southeastern Music Academy has an outstanding music faculty – successful performers with strong academic credentials that perform regularly with professional groups. This is a student jam session.

The James O'Donnell Duo
2019-11-03 19:30 - 22:00
Trumpeter/vocalist James O’Donnell has been entertaining Detroit audiences for years. He has toured around the globe and lived in Mexico City. He brings plenty of swing and humor to whatever he does!
James grew up listening to Detroit trumpet great Johnny Trudell. His teachers and mentors included Carlos B. Rivera, who taught Curtis Fuller, as well as Russell Green, Marcus Belgrave, Herbie Williams, Charlie Hooks and Felton Jones. Playing with these men of the horn was very inspiring and helped in developing my own sound!! James & Detroit trumpet great Rayse Biggs recorded a tribute to Russell Green. James is known for his adaptation of trumpet mutes, ..ie the plunger, the bucket, the cup, the old tradition of growling.

Hughes/Smith Jam @ Cliff Bell’s
2019-11-06 20:00
Is a monthly residency where Hughes & Smith present a themed 1st set followed by a jam session.
The theme and rhythm players change monthly. Come out and listen to and jam with some of Detroit’s finest musicians

Speakeasy Sunday
2019-11-10 20:30
Speakeasy Sundays – Miss Holly Hock’s Birthday Extravaganza Show!
Nov 10 / Doors 7:30 & Show 8:30
Featuring performances by:
Elektra Cute
Camille Leon
Sio Bast
Darling Violet
Miss Holly Hock
Emcee: Sammy Tramp
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speakeasy-sundays-miss-holly-hocks-birthday-extravaganza-show-tickets-75596446005
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/434038697249717/

The Lovestruck Balladeers
2019-11-12 20:00
The Lovestruck Balladeers enchant audiences with their masterful performances and inspired repertoire of ragtime, jazz and beautiful songs from around the world. They might whip out a lost melody from a forgotten mandolin folio or they might play a Mexican waltz. They might push into a renegade rearrangement of a swing standard or get down with a country rag. They are the five scorpion sons of a West Virginia dance hall, a Little Italy tourist attraction and a Oaxacan birthday party. Together or on their own paths, this stellar band of traveling musicians has traversed the country and the globe, carrying traditional styles into modern times. The versatile quintet features twin fiddles, clarinet, guitars, a mandolin trio, upright bass, banjo, piano and vocal harmonies. Their repertoire is a rare repository of American and international music seldom heard beyond the walls of low-lit dance halls at the edge of the known world.
Hailing from across the United States and Canada, The Lovestruck Balladeers are: Jake Sanders, Aaron Jonah Lewis, Dennis Lichtman, Sean Cronin and Dalton Ridenhour.
https://www.lovestruckballadeers.com/

Lulu Fall Album Release
2019-11-13 20:00
LULU FALL is a singer, songwriter and actor currently based in New York. Lulu, a formally trained jazz vocalist with a musical theatre background, is one complete and unexpected package. As a product of Senegalese and Cameroonian parentage, her music reflects her global perspective by way of her American sensibilities.
Because Lulu has a background in musical theatre, she alternates between that and music. Among other shows, she was a featured ensemble member in the acclaimed hippie love-rock musical HAIR, both the first National tour and Broadway. She was also in the Broadway production of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.
Her off-broadway credits include: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, acclaimed Porn musical Pretty Filthy, Atlantic Theatre’s production of This Ain’t No Disco, NYTW’s sensational production of Hadestown, and The Public’s production of Wild Goose Dreams. Lulu portrayed the character of Brenda in Capital Repertory’s production of Smokey Joe’s Cafe in Albany.
Lulu Fall independently released her debut EP, It’s Official in 2009, both in Washington DC and London. Her title track single can be found on Spotify. Lulu also independently released a collaborative EP, Heal, with the LF+JT (Lulu Fall and James Theory) project, in 2014. Her debut collaborative album with the Kris Johnson Group, The Unpaved Road, was released in 2017. Some of Lulu’s music performances include the Winter Music Conference in Miami, FL, Blues Alleyin Washington, DC, Langnau Jazz Nights Festival in Switzerland, Jazz Re:freshed in London and Cliff Bell’s in Detroit, MI. Lulu’s latest project, Between Two Worlds, is a concept album that will be released under the Ropeadope label on November 8th, 2019.
—
www.lulufall.com
www.soundcloud.com/lulufall

Wayne State University jam Session
2019-11-17 16:00 - 18:30
A student jam session – but all are invited to participate.

WHFR Benefit
2019-11-17 19:00 - 22:00
WHFR programs ALTERNATIVE VARIETY, music little heard elsewhere on Detroit area radio stations, almost 40% of which is Classical but also featuring: Alternative/Modern Rock, Big Band, Country, Americana/Folk, Blues, Hip Hop, Jazz, Space Rock, Urban, and World music, in addition to a weekly public affairs show. All music shows highlight, as much as possible: new releases, independent labels, and local artists. Through a satellite-delivered service, we provide 60-plus hours/week of classical music from PRI (Public Radio International).
Some of Detroit’s most cutting edge musicians and composers come together to support the station that consistently supports them and their music.
Dave Hurley & Outer Nebula Trio featuring Rafael
Statin Skeeter Shelton & Ali Allen Colding Duo
Michael Malis’ Explorations Ensemble
Planetary Citizenship (O’Donnell, Spangler, Bergman, Wallace & Cuny)
This event was organized by Pat Frisco & Scott Boatright from WHFR and RJ Spangler from Cliff Bell’s
For more about WHFR: https://whfr.fm/
All proceeds go to WHFR
