Emmet Cohen Trio
2017-11-07 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen is one of his generation’s pivotal artistic figures. Downbeat praised the “nimble touch, measured stride and warm harmonic vocabulary” he employs to communicate with other musicians and audiences at what he terms “the deepest level of humanity and individuality.” Cohen plays with the command and passion of an artist fully devoted to his medium. Leader of the “Emmet Cohen Trio,” Cohen presents jazz performance lectures through the YoungArts Foundation and Lincoln Center’s “Jazz for Young People” program. He has appeared in the Monterey, Newport, North Sea, Bern, and Edinburgh jazz festivals, among others, and at many famous music venues, including Rose Hall and the Kennedy Center. Cohen has also played in legendary international nightspots, such as Birdland, the Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Jazzhaus Montmartre, and Ronnie Scott’s. He is Hammond B-3 organist-in-residence at Harlem’s Smoke jazz club. A Suzuki piano student at age three, Cohen holds jazz piano degrees from the Manhattan School of Music (M.M.) and the University of Miami (B.M.). He was finalist in both the American Pianists Association’s Cole Porter Fellowship (2015, 2011) and the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition (2011). Cohen has performed or collaborated with Jimmy Cobb, Lea DeLaria, Kurt Elling, Billy Hart, Jimmy Heath, Ali Jackson, Bill T. Jones, Brian Lynch, Christian McBride, and Herlin Riley.

Michigan Opera Theatre Studio Artists
2017-11-08 20:00

Ben Sharkey & the Woodward Horns
2017-11-09 20:00
Singer Ben Sharkey is what you might call an “old soul.” In an age when flip-flops pass muster in church, he wears tuxedos with the playful ease of a young Frank Sinatra. And while oversexualized lyrics and synthetic dance beats dominate the current top 40, Sharkey croons classic love songs infused with jazz, bossa nova, salsa and pop.

Speakeasy Sundays with Holly Hock
2017-11-12 20:30
Speakeasy Sundays is a monthly burlesque revue featuring striptease and variety entertainment from around the globe. Hosted at Cliff Bell’s, it is Detroit’s only monthly burlesque revue!
Speakeasy Sunday is proud to present…Front Row Paul’s – Burlesque Bonanza!
Sunday, Nov 12 Doors 7:30pm/Show 8:30pm
Featuring performances by:
Boo Bess
Desiree De Carlo
Gurl Haggard
Kitana Louise
Lula Lawless
Magenta Demure
Miss Holly Hock
Patsy Blue Ribbon
Shrimp Cocktail
Trini Bikini
Vagina Wolf
Vivacious Miss Audacious
Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speakeasy-sunday-presents-burlesque-bonanza-tickets-38264968551
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1890634647931922

Ghost Note
2017-11-13 20:00 - 22:30
Grammy Award winning artists Robert “Sput” Searight and Nate Werth take drums and percussion out of the shadows and into the… spotlight with their new project, Ghost-Note.
World renown for their rhythmic communication with international sensation Snarky Puppy, this dynamic duo expands their rhythmical voice into percussive melodies, through innovative grooves and captivating artistry.
Tickets are $12 in advance/$15 at door
TICKET LINK: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ghost-note-at-cliff-bells-tickets-38774757343
MORE INFO/YOUTUBE VIDEO: https://pickathon.com/artist/ghost-note/

Chris Coles Gleam
2017-11-18 21:30
In 2009 saxophonist Chris received his Bachelor Degree in Saxophone Performance from Youngstown State University. It was there that he studied with world-renowned saxophonist and educator Dr. James C. Umble, jazz saxophonist Dr. Kent Englehardt, and jazz bassist and composer Dr. David Morgan. In 2012, Chris received his Masters Degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of Akron.
Chris has performed with many local and international jazz musicians such as, Eddie Baccus Sr., Melvin Burks, Kenny Davis, Glenn Holmes, Bill Ransom, and Cecil Rucker, Grammy Award winner Slide Hampton, Ralph Lalama, and Allen Vizzutti. Coles recently was accepted to perform in Italy with the Ohio Youth Jazz Orchestra. It was here that Coles performed with Wessell Anderson, lead alto saxophonist for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
Chris also played at the North American Saxophone Alliance Regional Festival in West Virginia with the Dana Saxophone quartet, performing at the International Saxophone Symposium in Washington D.C., and premiering a commissioned work by John Hollenbeck at the Whitney Art Museum Composers Workshop. Coles also recorded this work on John Hollenbeck’s album Rainbow Jimmies released in 2009. Some of Chris’s recent accomplishments include being a participant at The Banff Workshop for Jazz and Creative music in Alberta, Canada. It was there that Chris had the distinct honor of studying with some of the great pioneers in jazz today such as Vijay Iyer, Mark Turner, Imani Izuri, Tia Fuller, Billy Hart, Ingrid Jensen, Zakir Hussain, Somi, Yosvany Terry, and Miles Okazaki to name a few. Chris is currently based out of Akron, Ohio and is on faculty at Kent State University and the Aurora School of Music.
Chris Coles‘ Gleam:

Anthony Taddeo-Drums
Kevin Martinez-Bass
Michael Orenstein-Piano
Chris Coles-Saxophones

Midtown Sounds
2017-11-19 19:00 - 22:00
Midtown Sounds is a medium-sized jazz group that focuses on reinterpreting the iconic 1950’s west coast jazz sound while also incorporating modern musical elements. In addition to west coast jazz, the group is also heavily influenced by Miles Davis’ Birth of the Cool, third-stream, and post-bop, referencing artists such as Chet Baker, Gil Evans, Tadd Dameron, Gerry Mulligan, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Comprised of current undergraduate, graduate, and alumni students from Wayne State University, this octet consists of Aleks Starostka on alto saxophone / flute, Garrett Gaina on baritone saxophone / bass clarinet, Lucas Liska on trumpet, Tom Haney on trombone, Megan Szypula on French horn / vocals, Mike Harrison on piano, Jeff Cuny on bass, and Jake Matthews on drums.
https://www.facebook.com/midtownsounds313/

Alexis Lombre
2017-11-22 20:00
A night of soul warming, genre-bending happiness to begin celebrating Thanksgiving.

Cliff Bell's is closed on Thanksgiving
2017-11-23 00:00

WSU All Bands Performance
2017-11-26 18:00 - 22:00
Wayne State University’s long history of producing world class musicians is one of the great attributes for the City of Detroit. Hosted by Professor Chris Collins, the WSU Director of Jazz Studies. All the various bands will perform on this day, followed by a student jam session.

Closed for Private Event
2017-11-29 00:00 - 23:59

Nicole New
2017-12-02 21:30
The 28 year old Detroiter is a passionate and provocative singer alluring crowds with her sensitivity and soulfulness as one of Detroit’s premier band leaders. Nicole’s eclectic style of singing, drawing from her early influences of performing Jazz, Pop, Opera and musical theatre has transformed into a sound all her own. The Nicole New Group is making a lasting impression at performance venues all over Michigan and beyond. Wowing fans with her rich tone and rhythmic phrasing, venues such as The Jazz Cafe at Music Hall, Cliff Bells, London Chop House, Steinway Jazz Cafe and most recently the Midland Symphony have become a regular stop for this energetic performer

Southeastern Music Academy Jam Sessions
2017-12-03 17:00 - 19:00
Hosted by Sean Dobbins, The 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. http://southeasternmusicacademy.org/sma-performance-opportunities-cliff-bells/

James O'Donnell CD Release Party
2017-12-03 20:00 - 23:00
Eastside Detroiter James O’Donnell was the protégé of the great trumpeter Russell Green (Jimmie Lunceford Band). The trumpet has taken him around the globe, starting in New York City then Mexico City, eventually becoming a bandleader on cruise ships which took him to the Caribbean, the Alaskan Panhandle, both the French & the Italian Riviera’s, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Greece, Turkey, through Scandinavia to Russia as well as several trips crossing the Atlantic. He often backed guest artists including Freddy Cole.
He came home to start a family and has built a name for himself around town as an original trumpet stylist as well as an engaging singer. As a family man, the holidays are always a big deal for him so putting this collection of holiday jazz together was an obvious choice. It will be available this evening at Cliff Bell’s.

WSU Warriors Jazz Recital
2017-12-05 19:00 - 20:30
Distinguished Prof Vincent Chandler will direct his WSU Warriors Jazz (Combos F2017), in a recital performance.
Vincent Chandler, a native Detroiter, has studied and performed with Donald Walden, Kenn Cox, Harold McKinney, Teddy Harris, Marcus Belgrave, Francisco Mora, Wendall Harrison, Spencer Barefield, James Carter, Regina Carter, and Rodney Whitaker. Mr. Chandler has also performed with international stars such as Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Joe Henderson, Clark Terry, Wynton Marsalis, Oliver Lake, Bobby Watson, Geri Allen, Roy Hargrove, Ravi Coltrane, JD Allen, Marcus Strickland, Walter Smith III, Robert Hurst, Jeff “Tain Watts, Russell Malone, Randy Brecker and Ambrose Akinmusire

Alexis Lombre
2017-12-05 21:00 - 23:30
Alexis is a young jazz pianist who discovered that the true essence of music is not just about what you hear but how music makes you early feel. Her musical mission is to keep the ‘Soul’ in music alive. The recent release of her debut album, Southside Sounds, does just that, as it is a soulful reflection of her upbringing on Chicago’s Southside.
Due to the WSU Jazz recital, Alexis will start at nine pm on this night. The last set many great young players sit-in with her band!

Matt LoRusso Trio
2017-12-06 20:00
Matt returns to our on-going Wednesday Jazz Guitar Series. Matt is another great MSU grad and has toured recently in the Middle East with trumpeter Anthony Stanco. He can be seen around town often in bands led by Nicole New & RJ Spangler. No cover-charge.

The Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra
2017-12-07 19:00
The Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra, started in April 1999, was initially started as a rehearsal band for Gwinnell to hear his compositions and arrangements played.
In 2009, the SGJO was chosen to be part of a big project proposed by the Detroit Jazz Festival. The artist-in-residence, bassist/composer John Clayton, was commissioned to write a suite based on Detroit jazz legends. The SGJO would play a series of summer concerts, with the finale being a performance, closing that year’s festival. The suite paired the Clayton Brothers with the SGJO in a 55 minute concerto grosso. All of the musicians performed greatly, receiving a 5 minute standing ovation.
Some of the frequent musicians involved with the Cliff Bells SGJO group are: Keith Kaminski, James Hughes, Steve Wood, Carl Cafagna, and Mark Berger on sax. Dave Jensen, Terry Kimura, Tony Buccilli, and Stefan Stolarchuk on trombone. Trumpets are Bob Jensen, Paul Finkbeiner, John Douglas, and Justin Walter. Jordan Schug plays bass and Scott Kretzer plays drums.
The most recent project has been a recording of the music of Mulgrew Miller. Arranged by myself, it puts a new spin on some of Mulgrew’s well and lesser known works as well as my original music. The record will be released in 2017.
The Oxford High School Jazz Band will open.

The Jeff Cuny Trio
2017-12-08 17:30 - 20:15
Jeff is finishing his masters in jazz studies at WSU and is a fine young string bassist. He is also the chief arranger for the band Midtown Sounds and appears around the city with Tbone Paxton and also the Gary Greenfelder Orchestra

Closed for a Private Event
2017-12-09 00:00 - 23:59

Shawn McDonald
2017-12-10 11:30 - 14:30
Come to Cliff Bell’s Sunday brunch and be entertained by singer/pianist Shawn McDonald. Shawn has toured throughout the world with top blues artists which gives him a wealth of experience as a vocalist and as a pianist, performing blues, boogie and jazz. Check it out.

Speakeasy Sundays with Holly Hock
2017-12-10 20:30
Miss Holly Hock began performing the art of burlesque in Indianapolis as a member of the troupe Crème de les Femmes. In Crème, Holly quickly set herself apart as a dancer with over-the-top glamour and a unique perspective on classic burlesque. She continued with Indy burlesque until she moved to Michigan in 2012 to further her burlesque and art career.
Since then, she has won multiple performance awards, including Performer of the Year, Master of Tassels, among others, and has been featured along side the world’s other top Burlesque performers at internationally recognized events like the Dirty Show Erotic Art Exhibition, the Burlypicks and the Michigan Burlesque Festival, among others.
Holly is the founder and headmistress of the Detroit School of Burlesque and also produces the only monthly Detroit burlesque show in an original speakeasy called Speakeasy Sundays, featuring local and national burlesque performers.
General Admission $15 / Reserved $20 / VIP $25
Doors 7:30pm / Show 8:30pm

TICKET LINK: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speakeasy-sunday-one-year-anniversary-show-tickets-39716753880
FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/732430506966993/

Kirk Lightsey wsg Joan Belgrave
2017-12-17 19:00 - 22:00
At 80 years old, this powerhouse is as vibrant and gifted as he was decades ago! Still playing and loving the music, with intricate delicacies and powerful melodic stories. His special guest on this night is his friend, Grammy considered vocalist, Joan Belgrave. This is a Don’t Miss Show!
Kirk Lightsey, A Detroit native, had piano instruction from the age of five and studied piano and clarinet through high school. After service in the Army, Lightsey worked in Detroit and California. In the 1960s as an accompanist to many legendary vocalists the likes of Betty Carter. He also worked with jazz giants such as Yusef Lateef, Pharoah Sanders, Bobby Hutcherson, Sonny Stitt, Chet Baker, and Kenny Burrell. From 1979 to 1983 he toured with Dexter Gordon and was a member of The Leaders in the late 1980s. During the 1980s he led several sessions of his own, including duets with pianist Harold Danko. In the 1980s and since he has worked with Jimmy Raney, Clifford Jordan, Marcus Belgrave, Woody Shaw, David Murray, Joe Lee Wilson, the late, great, Irish guitarist Louis Stewart, Adam Taubitz and Harold Land. He has also worked with vocalists, Gregory Porter, Roberta Gambarini, and Joan Belgrave.
He is an accomplished flautist and occasionally doubles on flute in live performances. He has been living in Paris since 2000.

Spartan Youth Jazz Program
2017-12-20 19:00 - 22:00
Spartan Youth Jazz Programs in Detroit
This program is available to students in middle and high school.
MSU Spartan Teen Jazz is a program that provides high-quality music education outside of the normal school day to youths in middle and high school. Classes focus on jazz improvisation combo playing and big band playing.

Colton Weatherston Septet
2017-12-21 20:00
Returning to Detroit from Philadelphia, the native Detroiter presents an evening of crisply swinging vocal jazz standards, chanson, and bebop swiddies, jazzman, Colton Weatherston, leads this “Detroit Family Reunion” Jazz Arkestra in a performance of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and Django Reinhart classics.
Colton Weatherston Septet featuring: Colton Weatherston, vocal/guitar Shannon Wade (string bass), Bob Mervak (piano), Nate Winn (drums), Matt Martinez (trombone), Joshua James (clarinet/saxophone), Jimmy Smith (trumpet)
photography by Cameron Davis

The Jeff Cuny Trio
2017-12-22 17:30 - 20:15, 2017-12-29 17:30 - 20:15
The Jeff Cuny Trio, 5:30 to 8:15 pm, no cover. Jeff is finishing his masters in jazz studies at WSU and is a fine young string bassist. He is also the chief arranger for the band Midtown Sounds and appears around the city with Tbone Paxton and also the Gary Greenfelder Orchestra

Oliver Nevels Trio
2017-12-26 20:00 - 23:30
Oliver is a veteran guitar player whom has recorded and/or toured with national greats like Richard “Groove” Holmes, Brother Jack McDuff & Charles Earland. He will bringa funky organ group to Cliff Bell’s that includes the great Gerard Gibbs on organ & Gene Dunlap on drums!

The Vincent A. Chandler Collective
2017-12-29 21:00
Prof. Vincent A. Chandler, WSU-Lecturer of Jazz Studies, is a native Detroiter and protege of one of the strongest era’s of the Detroit jazz scene, having studied and/or performed with local heroes such as Donald Walden, Kenn Cox, Harold McKinney, Teddy Harris, Marcus Belgrave, James Carter, Marion Hayden, Regina Carter, and Rodney Whitaker. He has also performed internationally with jazz legends such as Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Joe Henderson, Clark Terry, Wynton Marsalis, Oliver Lake, Geri Allen, Roy Hargrove, Robert Hurst, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Russell Malone, and Ambrose Akinmusire. On this night, you will hear an eclectic pallet of original compositions for a collective of some of Detroit’s finest!
Vincent Chandler – trombone, with:
John Douglas – Trumpet
Rafael Statin – Alto Saxophone
Chris Collins – Tenor Saxophone
Ian Finkelstein – Piano
Marion Hayden – Bass
Gayelynn McKinney – Drums
wsg – vocalist Kimwana Doner-Chandler

Brunch Closed This Sunday
2017-12-31 00:00 - 23:59
