Cliff Bell's

Shedrick Mitchell
2022-01-29 19:30 - 23:30, 2022-01-30 19:30 - 23:30 (America/Detroit)
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Twenty-five years. Multiple genres. Iconic superstars. It’s safe to say Shedrick Mitchell
has accomplished his dreams, and then some. Starting in a church in St. Louis where his
grandfather, and later his father, was the Pastor his first experience playing the piano
proved to be exactly what was needed. What seemed to be a chore at nine years old
became the ultimate training ground to grow into many different musical styles for the
future.
Moving to New York City presented new opportunities to study with famed pianists,
Mulgrew Miller and John Hicks who encouraged Shedrick to attend The New School
(Mannes School of Music). He thrived on the abundance of musicians who played at the
highest level: Kenny Kirkland, Oscar Peterson, Harrold Mabern and countless others.
New York City was a breeding ground of musical genius expressed through jazz music.
After the untimely passing of Kenny Kirkland, it was Mulgrew Miller who recommended
Shedrick for Kenny Garrett’s band. Touring internationally for the first time gave him a
broader perspective of jazz music and eventually led to him recording on Kenny Garrett’s
album, “Simply Said”.
Following his work with Kenny Garrett, Shedrick went on to work with many jazz greats
including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, Terrance Blanchard, Antonio Hart,
Johnny Griffin, Dianne Reeves and others. But, it was in 2003 that Shedrick was asked
to accompany one of the greatest voices of our time, Whitney Houston. Shedrick toured
with Ms. Houston for nine years on many different platforms including major television
award shows, The Oprah Winfrey Show and even royal audiences in many countries.
What may be equally impressive is that he continued to perform and record jazz music
and play at his local church in between tours.
Opportunities continued to pour in. Several years later, Shedrick collaborated with the
legendary Stevie Wonder, music and business mogul Jay-Z and R&B/soul star, Maxwell.
During these years, many career highlights included the Super Bowl XL half-time show
with Stevie Wonder, the American Gangster soundtrack and VH-1 special, ‘Storytellers’
with Jay-Z and co-producing Maxwell’s recordings, “Black” and “Summers,” while
currently serving as his Music Director.
Considering all of these invaluable experiences, receiving the request to accompany “The
Queen” Ms. Aretha Franklin, was nothing short of extraordinary. For two years,
Shedrick graced the stage with Ms. Franklin. Their performances included an appearance
on Late Show with David Letterman performing songs from her last recording, “Aretha
Sings the Great Diva Classics,” and one of the highest honors, performing at the White
House for President Barack Obama.
Both Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin had a special affinity for Shedrick’s
musicianship. When he accompanied them on piano or organ, they enjoyed the freedom
his playing allowed, returning them to their gospel roots.
Twenty-five years later, having received four Grammy Awards and recorded over 200
records encompassing styles as diverse as classical, new age, rock, jazz, country, gospel,
R&B/soul and reggae, the journey continues. In June 2020, Shedrick will release his
second solo recording, “Time – Reflections – Distance”, which he hopes will speak to the
challenges we all face today.
After having achieved success as a musician, arranger and producer, Shedrick enjoys
imparting his knowledge and experience into the next generation of musicians as a
teacher, mentor and coach. In all of this, he has managed to stay grounded in his
foundation. On any given Sunday you will likely find Shedrick Mitchell at church,
playing the piano and organ, simply doing what he loves most.

DeSean Jones
2022-01-29 19:30 - 2022-01-30 09:30, 2022-01-30 19:30 - 2022-01-31 09:30, 2022-01-31 19:30 - 2022-02-01 09:30, 2022-02-01 19:30 - 2022-02-02 09:30, 2022-02-02 19:30 - 2022-02-03 09:30, 2022-02-03 19:30 - 2022-02-04 09:30, 2022-02-04 19:30 - 2022-02-05 09:30, 2022-02-05 19:30 - 2022-02-06 09:30 and 16 more dates
De’Sean Jones is a Detroit based saxophonist, billboard charting recording artist and grammy nominated arranger. Over the past 20 years De’Sean has toured the world recording or performing with music Icons like Stevie Wonder, Faith Evans, along with a host of Detroit Legends; Marcus Belgrave, The Clark Sisters, Kierra Sheard and techno pioneer Mad Mike Banks of Underground Resistance.
As a bandleader & producer Jones has curated an eclectic approach that is widely viewed as progressive and undeniably rooted in the rich history of black culture. De’Sean actively pushes the boundaries of social consciousness through music in ways that are authentic, emotionally dynamic and intellectually stimulating.

All musical projects from De’Sean Jones can be accessed through his record label KNMDK Records.

CLOSED Today Due to Impending Snowstorm
2022-02-02 00:00 - 23:59
Due to expected inclement weather and out of an abundance of caution for employees, guests, and artists, the club will be closed tonight. We look forward to seeing you this weekend for more great music!

Nate Winn Group
2022-02-04 19:30 - 23:30, 2022-02-05 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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A consummate musician, Nathaniel Winn discovered his passion for the drums in church at the age of 4. Since then, the Detroit, Michigan native has never looked back. Nate has had the pleasure to work with many well-known musicians such as Danilo Perez, Robert Hurst, Pat Metheny and Joshua Redman. Nate’s versatile, but unique style has earned him the opportunity appear on numerous albums.
Nate’s style is influenced by Jazz, Blues and his Gospel upbringing, along with some of his favorite drummers: Brian Blade, Kendrick Scott, and Calvin Rodgers.

Nate graduated from Wayne State University and Berklee College of Music with a bachelor’s in music and a master’s in jazz performance, respectively. Currently, he spends time traveling the world to spread the message of love and hope through music.

The Planet D Nonet
2022-02-20 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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If you have not yet experienced Planet D Nonet, your groove tank is missing out on some serious fuel.
They’re Detroit’s own down and dirty little big band, known nationally for curating some of the best in early jazz traditions and Black-American musical influences from the 20s, 30s and 40s. More “hot” than “sweet,” according to PD9 cofounder and bandleader RJ Spangler, who started the nine piece ensemble with longtime musical partner James O’Donnell in 2007.
PD9 is a pared down version of the traditional big bands of the 1930s, and they frequently feature guest vocalists, adding to the versatility of the band’s show. The number of musicians in the lineup is reminiscent of the earliest big bands, when swing was still evolving into the sound that defined jazz music’s most popular era.
“The band retains the agility of a small group,” says Spangler, “but with the harmonic palette of a larger one.”
Brian McCollum of the Detroit Free Press calls Planet D Nonet “one of Detroit’s great party bands,” with a “sweeping field of vision that ranges from Swing Era classics to connoisseur works by Duke Ellington, mind-expanding pieces by the visionary Sun Ra and some down-and-dirty joint R&B.”
The group has been nominated and awarded multiple honors over the past decade, including seven Detroit Music Awards. Most recently, they were named 2019 DMA for Outstanding Traditional Jazz Artist/Group, and not surprisingly that was not the first time they received that award.
