Cliff Bell's

Valentines Day with the Dave Vessella Quartet
2019-02-14 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Detroit)
Trumpet player, vocalist, composer, and arranger, Dave Vessella’s unique sound is reminiscent of traditional New Orleans music and west coast jazz a la Chet Baker. Vessella has played at the Detroit Jazz Festival and the Panama Jazz Festival with Wayne State University and Danilo Perez, Walter White’s Big Band at the Michigan Jazz Festival, The Detroit Pistons house band and many more within Detroit, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
We will have two seating’s: 7 pm to 8:15pm & 9 pm to 10:15pm. For reservations, contact 313-961-2543.

Jeff Cuny Trio
2019-02-15 17:30 - 20:15, 2019-02-22 17:30 - 20:15 (America/Detroit)
Jeff recently completed work on his Graduate degree in jazz studies at WSU and is a fine young 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.
With David Dunham on guitar & Stuart Lyons on drums.

Closed for Private Event
2019-02-16 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Detroit)
To book your event at Cliff Bell’s, call (313) 961-2543

Speakeasy Sundays
2019-02-17 20:30 (America/Detroit)
Speakeasy Sunday
Feb 17th / Doors 7:30 & Show 8:30
$25-$35
Featuring performances by:
Danielle Colby – From American Pickers
Jeez Loueez – The Honey Badger of Burlesque
Ada Vice – Detroit’s Dainty Delight
Miss Holly Hock – Detroit’s Strawberry Vixen
Hot Tawdry – She’ll Cure What Ails you
Vivacious Miss Audacious – The Whirlwind with the Crimson Grin
Facebook Link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1968790699856168/
Ticket Link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speakeasy-sundays-february-love-lust-tickets-54627161310

Evan Mercer Trio
2019-02-23 18:00 - 20:30, 2019-03-02 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Detroit)
Evan Mercer studied at Wayne State University in the Jazz Studies Program and has played piano since he was 5 years old. Having studied under names such as Matt Michaels, Cliff Monear, and Rob Pipho, he offers a fresh perspective on old standards while writing new compositions. Currently he is touring the world with Detroit Soul Diva Bettye LaVette.
Sam Harris on bass & Jake Matthews on drums.

Sean Dobbins
2019-02-23 21:30 (America/Detroit)
Jazz drummer Sean Dobbins got his start as sought-after Detroit area jazz sideman at a young age, when he would regularly play with Blue Note artist Louis Smith. As Sean’s Career progressed, he found himself the recipient of many awards and accolades including the “Woody Herman Jazz Award”, an award for outstanding musicianship, as well as the Louis Armstrong Scholarship. Due to Sean’s great talent both as a player and an educator, he has been the focus of countless news articles and jazz radio programs.
Though still young by jazz standards, Dobbins has amassed an impressive list of playing companions. He has performed/toured/recorded with Johnny Basset, Benny Golson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Frank Morgan, Joey DeFrancesco, George Cables, James “Blood” Ulmer, Marcus Belgrave, Larry Willis, Rodney Whittaker, Claude Black, Johnny O’Neal, Paul Keller, Tad Weed, Kurt Krahnke, Jon Hendricks, David “Fathead” Newman, Donald Walden, Cyrus Chesnut, Barry Harris, David Baker, Randy Johnston, Marion Hayden, Mose Allison, and a host of other great musicians.
Sean’s sound can best be described as hard-driving, solid rhythm with refreshing melodic sensibility. Some of Sean’s influences include Art Blakey, Jeff Hamilton, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Ed Thigpen, Sonny Payne, and also Detroit area greats Gerald Cleaver and the one and only Elvin Jones. A product of the Ann Arbor Public Schools, Sean has stayed devoted to education throughout his life. Early mentor Louis Smith, an Ann Arbor Public Schools band teacher, impressed the importance of a good education upon Sean at an early age. Sean is known in his community as a band director, drum teacher and positive influence for many.
In 1999 Sean was asked to become the director of the Ann Arbor Public Schools Summer Jazz Program. This program was designed to help educate and inspire young artist as they began their quest of learning jazz. In 1998, a year before Sean’s arrival, the program was in jeopardy of being cancelled due to low enrollment. In 2000, a year after Sean took over the reigns, the enrollment more than tripled and a year later, the group was featured on WEMU, a national jazz radio program.
As a father of three, Sean knows, understands, and accepts the challenge of continuing the art from through clinics, master classes, and concerts for up and coming musicians. Sean makes it a point of incorporating educational opportunities into all of his road trips.
Sean is no stranger to local or national headlines; he frequently plays at venues such as the Firefly Club (Ann Arbor), Baker’s Keyboard Lounge (Detroit), the Music Hall Jazz Cafe (Detroit), Murphy’s Place (Toledo) and Buddy Guy’s (Chicago). His recent recordings include “Odyssey” (PKO Records), “Revealing” (Reparation Records), and “Christmas Songs for Jazz Lovers” (PKO Records), and Blue Horizons featuring Sean and his quintet, the Modern Jazz Messengers.
Look for Sean live with his new groups: “Dobbins, Krahnke and Weed”, “The Modern Jazz Messengers”, and also various local and national acts.

Sean Dobbins SMA Jazz Session
2019-02-24 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Detroit)
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.

Harlow/Formanek
2019-02-24 19:30 - 22:30 (America/Detroit)
Both hailing from the East Coast, saxophonist Peter Formanek and pianist Josh Harlow first crossed paths at Edgefest, the celebrated improvised music festival held every year at Kerrytown Concert House in Ann Arbor. Sharing myriad musical reference points – from Messiaen to Monk to Mary Halvorson – frequent duo improvisations soon followed, quickly evolving into a shared musical language fueled by attentive listening and reaction. Walking the line between energetic improvisations and melodic explorations of touch and tone, these two minds meld to find new freedom in old forms and definition in instant compositions.

CARL CAFAGNA & North Star Jazz
2019-02-28 20:00 (America/Detroit)
CARL CAFAGNA & North Star Jazz blend East Coast Sophistication with Midwestern Grit, and take listeners on a thrilling and varied instrumental music adventure. The Majestic 3-horn front line (trumpet and 2 saxophones) and breathtaking compositions and arrangements are highlights.
Band Leader Carl Cafagna, Berklee trained, runs a tight ship, which includes many of the hottest hands in Detroit, Michigan and Ohio. Scott Gwinnell, piano, James Hughes, saxophones, Jordan Schug, bass, Scott Kretzer, drums, Dr. Scott Cowan, trumpet, and Cafagna on saxes and flute. A jazz odyssey not to be missed!
*North Star Jazz was one of the very first bands to be hired at the re-opened Cliff Bell’s, in 2006, and are delighted to return!

The Jeff Cuny Trio
2019-03-01 17:30 - 20:15 (America/Detroit)

Ursula Walker & the Buddy Budson Quintet
2019-03-02 21:30 (America/Detroit)
Ursula Walker has been a mainstay of the Detroit music world for 66 years, beginning at the age of eleven on Detroit television and radio. Her outstanding talents as a unique stylist of ballads, standards, and jazz gained her national recognition among her peers, fielding many offers to tour nationally – with Stan Kenton, the Harry James Band, Count Basie, and Tony Bennett. Over the years she has performed at countless clubs, concerts, and festivals, frequently at the Detroit Jazz Festival. She has opened for many well-known performers, including Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, and Tania Maria. Ursula has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, one of which she is especially proud: the 2007 Southern Christian Leadership Conference Aretha Franklin Award for outstanding achievement in the Performing Arts. On August 5, Ursula received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 Detroit Black Music Awards, honoring her then-60-year career as a jazz vocalist in Detroit.
Buddy Budson has been playing jazz piano around the Detroit area for the past 58 years. In 1973, Buddy joined drummer Buddy Rich’s big band, toured England, Australia, and the United States, and recorded an album with the band. Soon after, Buddy toured with both guitarist Earl Klugh, and the Motown group, The Four Tops. He has also backed well-known performers including Henry Mancini, Mel Torme, Sammy Davis, Jr., Marlena Shaw, Charles McPherson, and Steve Turre. When the Fox Television Network debuted in the late ‘80’s Buddy composed and arranged the theme and transitional music for the sitcom, Duet. Ursula also sang the theme and additional music for the show. He has also done vocal and instrumental arrangements for big band and orchestra.
Ursula Walker and the Buddy Budson Quintet perform standards and jazz classics, with an emphasis on well-known jazz instrumentals with lyrics written by Ursula and Buddy. The quintet features some of Detroit’s finest jazz musicians: on trumpet, Dwight Adams; on saxophone, Marcus Elliot; on bass, Jeff Halsey; on drums, Dave Taylor.

Jarrod Champion
2019-03-03 11:30 - 14:30 UTC
“Stylized folk balladry, nocturnal narratives and closing time croons burn with the romanticism of Jeff Buckley.”
-Jeff Milo, Real Detroit Weekly
Every Sunday Brunch, piano-man Jarrod Champion plays early American music including New Orleans-style jazz, jump blues, early soul, rock and roll, swing-country and mix’s all that in with lounge versions of modern and classic rock.
http://jarrodchampion.com/

Paul Carey Trio
2019-03-03 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Detroit)
Guitarist Paul Carey is a veteran Detroit musician having toured for years with folks like Sir Mack Rice (“Mustang Sally”), Alberta Adams & Thornetta Davis. He mixes jazz and blues and creates a dynamic musical gumbo.

Hadassah Greensky
2019-03-06 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Hadassah Greensky is an Anishinaabe/Ojibwe vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and visual artist that uses collaboration, community and performance to reveal hidden female and Native American legacies in jazz to propel jazz music into the future. She attended The New School for Jazz and Oakland University for Jazz voice, studying under top professors in the country and immersing herself in jazz language and culture. Her style is rooted in Motown, soul and jazz. A very versatile musician, her music can range from swing-era hits to modern and progressive jazz and hip-hop. She currently resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Michael Hu Quintet
2019-03-07 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Michael Hu is an 18 year old tenor saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist from Metro Detroit (Rochester Hills) currently attending the University of Michigan to pursue Jazz Studies. He has studied with legendary jazz musicians all over the world including Eric Alexander, Andrew Bishop, Robert Hurst, and many others. His style is heavily influenced by Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane and involves anything from free improvisation to pocket groove.
He has recently recorded an album entitled “Loss For Words” which includes originals as well as two other tunes by great American composers which will be released soon in 2019.
Michael Hu – Tenor Saxophone
Will Wood – Tenor Saxophone
Aiden Cafferty – Bass
Louis Jones III – Drums
Peyton Miller – Vibraphone

Lucas Kadish TUNDRA
2019-03-08 21:00 (America/Detroit)
Lucas Kadish’ NYC trio deals with original music and standards in a way that you might not have heard before. Rooted heavily in blues and jazz music, they pull influence from European classical and free music.
Lucas Kadish – guitar
Nick Dunston – bass
Tim Angulo – drums

Speakeasy Sundays
2019-03-10 20:30 (America/Detroit)
Speakeasy Sunday – March 10th
Live Jazz Edition Featuring The Roustabouts
Doors 7:30 / Show 8:30
Featuring performances to live music by:
Elektra Cute
Josephine Shaker
Margot Lugosi
Kitty Hawkk
Miss Holly Hock
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/303806646945839
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speakeasy-sundays-live-jazz-edition-featuring-the-roustabouts-tickets-56248890947

James Russell Project
2019-03-13 20:00 (America/Detroit)
The James Russell Project was created by jazz flutist Mr. Russell, born and raised in Detroit. The group focuses on jazz, contemporary and soul while adding a modern feel to each style. Because of the versatility of genres, the group brings not only an older crowd who loves the classics, but a new younger crowd who wants to learn and enjoy the experience of jazz.

The Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra
2019-03-14 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Detroit)
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. With encouragement from friend/musicians and an offer of a weekly gig at the Music Menu Cafe in Detroit’s Greektown, Gwinnell and fellow musicians made a committment to present high quality big band jazz music. Even though Gwinnell’s music was the centerpiece of the then called, Music Menu Jazz Orchestra, charts by other local musicians and other contemporary charts by Thad Jones, Bob Brookmeyer, and Charles Mingus.
The most recent project has been a recording of the music of Mulgrew Miller. Arranged by Scott, it puts a new spin on some of the pianist’s well and lesser known works as well as my original music.
A student band starts the show at 7 pm, with Scott’s band coming on around 8 pm.

Oakland University Jazz
2019-03-17 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Join the OU Jazz Program for a great night of music.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1102085553275872/
https://www.facebook.com/OUSMTD/

Matt LoRusso Trio
2019-03-17 20:00 - 23:00 (America/Detroit)
Matt LoRusso has been playing guitar since 1995 when he received his first guitar for Christmas. He started taking lessons shortly after studying music theory and classical guitar repertoire. Matt placed first place during the Hyatt Regency Classical Guitar competition in 1997 and 1998 before retiring from competitive music to achieve an intrinsic journey through his instrument.
Matt has played with Rodney Whitaker, Wessell Anderson, Diego Rivera, Derrick Gardner, Bill Heid, Greg Williams, and Anthony Stanco; as well as Organissimo & Marcus Elliot. In addition to leading his own group, he is a regular in the band led by RJ Spangler & Tbone Paxton and is one their upcoming CD.

WSU Jam Session
2019-03-24 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Detroit)
Honoring a 7 year collaboration between Cliff Bells and one of the oldest Jazz Studies programs in the country, Wayne State University Jazz students run a good old-fashioned jazz jam session, which is open to the public-Hosted by Prof. Chris Collins, Valade Chair in Jazz

Pete & Will Anderson
2019-03-24 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Detroit)
“Virtuosos on clarinet and saxophone” (New York Times), identical twins Peter and Will Anderson are one of the most extraordinary musical acts performing captivating, classic jazz today. Born and raised in Washington D.C., the Andersons moved to New York City to attend The Juilliard School. They’ve performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Village Vanguard Orchestra, Wycliffe Gordon, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Paquito D’Rivera, Wynton Marsalis, and can be heard on the 2014 Grammy-winning soundtrack of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire with Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks. They’ve headlined at The Blue Note, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, New Orleans Jazz Festival, Feinstein’s 54 Below, Arizona Music Festival, The Princeton Festival, Syracuse Jazz Festival, Sarasota Jazz Festival, Hilton Head’s Jazz Corner, San Francisco’s Jazz at the Ballroom, The Louis Armstrong House Museum, and live on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion Radio. The Andersons have performed in over 40 U.S. states, throughout Brazil, Japan and six times in NYC’s famed Highlights in Jazz series, alongside Lou Donaldson, Jimmy Heath, Ken Peplowski, Steve Turre, Warren Vache, and Jimmy Cobb.
Vanity Fair magazine listed their debut album, Correspondence, featuring Kenny Barron, alongside Miles Davis in “Four New Releases to Make You Love Jazz,” and the Washington Post called their music “imaginatively unfolding in ways that consistently bring a fresh perspective to classic jazz.” Peter and Will received a 2014 Drama Desk nomination for their Off-Broadway Show, Le Jazz Hot (one of seven productions at 59E59 Theaters), and in 2018 were Bistro Award winners. Their 2014 album, Deja Vu, features “a burner that reveals the band’s cohesiveness and spirit” (JazzTimes). Last year, the Andersons raised $25,000 to establish the Joe Temperley Juilliard Student Scholarship Fund and tribute album in honor of their late great saxophone mentor. Peter and Will were regular performers with the Jazz at Lincoln Center All-Stars in After Midnight, which ran on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson theater from 2013-2014. They’ve lectured at over 100 high schools countrywide and Universities including Michigan State, Ohio State, Temple, Florida State, Xavier, Scranton, South Florida and Central Oklahoma. Peter and Will endorse D’Addario woodwind products and Selmer saxophones.

The Jason Didia Septet
2019-03-28 20:00 (America/Detroit)
The Jason Didia Septet features all original music and arrangements that are deeply set in the jazz and bebop tradition while exploring modern forms and harmonies. It is led by Jason Didia, a Detroit saxophonist/arranger/composer currently at Wayne State University, who has assembled a band of celebrated real Detroit all stars.
John Douglas (trumpet), Dominic Beirenga (sax), Jason Didia (sax), Vincent Chandler (trombone), Chuck Newsome (guitar), Sam Harris (string bass), and David Alvarez (drums).

Strictly Fine (Soul Band)
2019-03-31 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Detroit)
After years in bands under various leaders playing all over the midwest in basements, bars, festivals, and stadiums, we have joined forces to party on any stage that welcomes us. We sing, shout, and sometimes do a bad impersonation of James Brown when the soul takes us. The rhythm section grooves so tight and has a pocket so deep it’s similar to falling into a black hole with Bobby Brown telling you to get on up, so I’ve heard.
Sometimes we have coordinated outfits, possibly even matching sequined jackets (not really). We might look like we just woke up and grabbed whatever was on top of the clean laundry basket, but one thing holds true, our sock game is always strong.
We have a hard time containing ourselves and can pretty much be found having a good time wherever we are, leaving a trail of coordinated dance moves and slick horn lines in our wake. Our serious profile picture is only an indication of our dedication to our music. We definitely smile and laugh a whole lot more than the photo lets on.
We are Strictly Fine:
Dave Vessella-Trumpet/Vocals
Chris Kendall-Trombone/Vocals
Garrett Gaina-Baritone Sax/Guitar/Vocals
Mike Harrison-Keys/Guitar/Vocals
Rick Morrone-Bass/Vocals
Eric Childress II-Drums/Percussion
Sean Perlmutter-Drums/Percussion

Tigers Opening Day w/ Chris Canas!
2019-04-04 16:00 (America/Detroit)
Cliff Bells will open to the public beginning at 10a EST. We will also feature a big screen where you and your guests can watch the game!!
Chris Canas is considered by many as Detroit’s Prince Of The Blues. His band is one of Michigan’s leading bands for live music and entertainment. With their diverse mix of Blues, Funk, and Soul they are always well equipped to bring the party wherever they go. From heart-wrenching vocals, to pulse pounding rhythms, and an electric energy that fills the room and infects everyone in it. You don’t want to miss an opportunity to see Michigan’s hardest working blues band “LIVE” and in the flesh. Do your Soul a favor and feed it some hot “Bluesberry Pie” with a side order of fresh cut Funk and a tall glass of Soul!
The band will come on around 4 pm, depending on when the Tigers game ends.

Evan Mercer Trio
2019-04-06 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Detroit)
Our early Saturday piano trio series, led by Evan, a fine young pianist along with several strong young musicians that have all graduated from WSU. Evan now tours throughout the world with soul diva Bettye LaVette.

Evan on piano, Samuel Chase Harris on double bass and Jake Matthews on drums.

The Bill Heid Trio
2019-04-06 21:30 (America/Detroit)
Keyboardist/vocalist Bill Heid was born August 11, 1948, in Pittsburgh, PA. A natural and virtuosic musician who was inspired to play jazz and blues by listening to the radio, he played in both piano and organ groups. His brother is the well-respected drummer and producer George Heid. Originally influenced by Jimmy Smith and Don Patterson, Heid heard the chitlin’ circuit greats at the Hurricane Bar, including Smith and Patterson, Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, and Dr. Lonnie Smith. Down the street at the Crawford Grill were the jazz bands led by Freddie Hubbard, Max Roach, Gene Harris, Bobby Timmons, and Wynton Kelly.
On occasion he would sit in with some of these groups and pester them for information. Spending time in Chicago and later in New York, he met and hung out with his mentor, Larry Young, often visiting the family-owned Newark Club in Young’s hometown of Newark, NJ. He was also privy to playing with the best organ drummers like Joe Dukes and Billy James. And he heard the local contingent of jazz greats like Ahmad Jamal, Art Blakey, Erroll Garner, George Benson, Eddie Jefferson, Mary Lou Williams, and Stanley Turrentine.
His quest for musical knowledge found him on the road when in 1963, in search of rare 78-rpm rhythm & blues records, he began a journey/career of hitchhiking. He did this in the contiguous 48 states of the U.S.; through Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, and China; and to the Thailand/Cambodia border. His over 400,000 documented miles of thumbing a ride gained Heid a spot in The Guinness Book of World Records. Some of his journeys led him to the so-called chicken houses and organ rooms of major cities, where he interned with Jimmy Witherspoon, Jimmy Ponder, Sonny Stitt, Grant Green, David “Fathead” Newman, Ira Sullivan, and Mickey Roker, and was a pianist with Don Patterson.
A move to Chicago brought him closer to the urban blues as he worked or recorded with Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and especially Son Seals, Koko Taylor, Fenton Robinson, and Roy Buchanan. He also did two LPs and played in the bands of contemporary jazz guitarist Henry Johnson. Moving to Detroit, he spent two decades there playing in his own groups; helping to revive the career of a local legend of blues guitar and vocals, Johnnie Bassett, as the music director of his Blues Insurgents; and backing the veteran singer Alberta Adams. During and since his time in Detroit, Heid could be found making music soundtracks for adult films in Los Angeles, then touring worldwide for the U.S. State Department as a jazz ambassador, particularly on tours of Japan and Vietnam. In August 2003, Heid played more of the Pacific Rim in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Upon moving back to the Eastern United States, he could be heard on organ and piano engagements at various venues in the Washington, D.C., area. Of his mindset, Heid was quoted as saying “I can’t live a day without playing 1-4-5s,” incorporating those standard blues changes with cool McCoy Tyner minor riffs, vicious funk songs in Japanese, and what he calls Talifunk. “I approach this thing like total war and have been lucky to have avoided a day job.” His hip vernacular, unique vocal language, and risqué sense of humor, melded with his passion for baseball, have made him an
Artist Biography by Michael G. Nastos
