Cliff Bell's

Louis Jones III
2024-03-30 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Detroit)
There will be two separate seatings at 7:30pm & 9:30pm for this performance.
Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.

Louis M. Jones III stands out as one of the most prominent drummers hailing from the bustling city of Detroit. Starting with just two wooden spoons, Louis quickly established himself as a natural musician, honing his craft with sticks, brushes, and mallets as he grew more and more experienced. By the age of 11, he realized his true passion and knew that he would pursue music as a full-time career.
Throughout his life, Louis has had the good fortune of being surrounded by and mentored by some of Detroit’s most legendary musicians. In particular, he gleaned inspiration and valuable knowledge from the likes of Wendell Harrison, Marion Hayden, and Sean Dobbins, all of whom have left their mark on him in some way.
As a young musician coming of age in Detroit, Louis’ father encouraged him to immerse himself in the vibrant and multifaceted local music scene, taking in all genres and styles as he developed his own sound. Thanks to his early experiences and upbringing, Louis has become a remarkably versatile drummer, capable of playing with equal passion and skill across all genres.
Louis’s impressive resume includes collaborations with a variety of well-known artists, including Wayne Shorter, Keyon Harrold, Karriem Riggins, Elzhi, and Omar Sosa, to name just a few. Sharing stages and studios with such accomplished musicians continues to inspire and push Louis to new creative heights.
While his sideman work is in high demand across Detroit, Louis is also passionate about giving back and sharing his knowledge and skills with others. In addition to teaching, he spends time composing and mentoring young musicians in the Detroit area, inspiring and shaping the next generation of talent.
With his impressive talent and unyielding dedication to his craft, Louis Jones III represents the very best of Detroit’s rich musical heritage.

DJANGOPHONIQUE
2024-04-07 17:30 - 19:30
Showtimes are at 5:30p & 7:30p for this performance.
Doors open at 4pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 7pm.
Djangophonique is a virtuosic, instrumentally driven quartet led by guitar player Andrew Brown. With over a decade of national touring experience, Brown is no stranger to the stage and delivers every performance with personality and enigmatic charm. A true disciple of the style, Brown has spent countless hours immersing himself in the language of Django Reinhardt’s jazz manouche, and he’s joined on stage by bandmates that match his skill and passion for the material. The result is a sound that’s unmistakable to fans of the music, and alluring to the uninitiated—a sound that can bring the lively energy of a parisian dance hall to the quietest listening room or captivate a buzzing festival audience with a shimmering ballad. With respect for the tradition and a fearless creativity that bends the conventions of the style, Djangophonique is keeping the Hot Club revival alive and well.
Andrew Brown grew up in a house full of music. His father was a motown session musician playing with the likes of Chuck Berry and the Four Tops and his uncle was a world-class jazz bassist accompanying Art Blakey and Chet Baker among others. A steady stream of musicians passed through Brown’s childhood home, leaving a rich sediment of musical interests and influences. Though he played his first show at 9, penned a folk opera at 14, was a member of several rock bands in high school and occasionally performed monologues by Lord Buckley, it wasn’t until his early twenties that Andrew began performing professionally.
After an inspiring trip to New Orleans in 2010 Andrew co-founded The Appleseed Collective, with whom he would come to tour extensively. Appleseed played festivals and venues such as Wheatland, Sisters Folk Festival, The Ann Arbor Folk Festival, The Ark, Summercamp Music Festival, Cervantes Ballroom and many more. In 2017 Appleseed began to slow it’s touring schedule and Andrew took the opportunity to deepen his studies of gypsy jazz, seeking out and learning from authentic masters like Angelo Debarre, Sebastian Gineaux, and Gonzalo Bergara. Djangophonique played their first gig at the Blue Llama Jazz Club in Ann Arbor MI in 2019.
The core group of Djangophonique includes Tyler Rindo on clarinet, Erik McIntyre on rhythm guitar, and Jorian Olk-Szost on upright bass. However Djangophonique often appears in different incarnations thanks to Brown’s ever growing network of collaborators within the jazz world.
Djangophonique has played events such as Detroit Jazz Festival, Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest, Wheatland Music Festival, Arts Beats and Eats, Mackinac Island, Cliff Bell’s, and Ann Arbor Summer Festival; they have backed up scene staples like Dennis Chang and rising stars like 7 time downbeat award winner Ava Preston. Djagophonique has been nominated for Detroit Music Awards including Outstanding Traditional Jazz Artist and Outstanding Jazz Recording (for their 2020 EP Jazz Du Jour.) Their first studio album “Introducing Djangophonique” was released in 2022 and is available on CD, Vinyl, and via Digital Download.
www.djangophonique.com
YouTube Channel
Facebook Page
Instagram @djangophonique

ONE-WORLD Jazz Orchestra
2024-04-09 19:30 - 21:30
SHOWTIMES ARE AT 7:30PM & 9:30PM FOR THIS PERFORMANCE.
Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm. Make your reservations here.
Guest Soloists:

Danilo Perez (Founder, Berklee Global Jazz Inst.) – Piano
Marco Pignataro (Managing Dir. Berklee Global Jazz Inst.) – Saxophone
Nate Winn (Detroit Jazz Artist) – Drummer
Chris Collins (President, Detroit Jazz Fest. Found./WSU Valade Chair in Jazz) – Woodwinds

Wayne State University Jazz, Detroit and Berklee Global Jazz Inst., Boston

Joshua Gaudin – Saxophones
Brian Urra – Violin
Dominic Waddles – Saxophones
Nadia Washington – Vocal
Brad Fritter – Trumpet
Zahili Gonzalez Zamora – Piano
Sam Novell-Regester – Trombone
Jesse Katz – Bass
Guilhem Fourty – Drums
Baris Kadem – Baglama

The One-World Jazz Orchestra, co-led by Danilo Perez (Founder and Director of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute), Marco Pignataro (Managing Director of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute), and Chris Collins (Valade Chair in Jazz at Wayne state Univ. and President of the Detroit Jazz Fest. Found.) Brings together aspiring artists from Berklee’s Global Institute and Wayne State Univ.’s Jazz Program with special guests to present new music that fuses jazz with diverse roots-music, styles and instrumentation from across the globe. This rich environment of sharing, collaboration, diversity and performance results in music that belongs to everyone and unites us all as a one-world culture.

Wendell Harrison & Tribe
2024-04-12 19:30 - 21:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Jazz saxophonist and clarinetist Wendell Harrison has long been known for taking his music into his own hands. Co-founder of the legendary Tribe record label and collective in the 1970’s, Harrison went on to establish Rebirth Inc., a non profit jazz performance and education organization in the 80’s. Recently, Wendell has collaborated with pianist and vocalist Amp Fiddler in performing concerts and special recording projects. Also, numerous well-known jazz artists, including pianist Geri Allen, saxophonist James Carter, saxophonist Eddie Harris, vocalist Leon Thomas and trumpeter Woody Shaw, just to name a few, have performed with Wendell and participated in Rebirth’s programs. He also created the WenHa, record label and publishing company which released many of his recordings, as well as that of his wife, pianist Pamela Wise. Through his solo work and his Mama’s Licking Stick Clarinet Ensemble, Harrison has gained more widespread respect for the clarinet, this often neglected, yet versatile instrument.
Harrison was born on October 1, 1942 in Detroit and attended Northwestern High School. His classmates included trumpeter Lonnie Hillyer, saxophonist Charles McPherson and percussionist Roy Brooks, all of whom sparked his interest in jazz music. Like his classmates, Harrison began formal jazz studies with pianist Barry Harris. He also attended the Detroit Conservatory of Music which is now known as the College for Creative Studies.
While in Detroit he performed with Motown stars Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and the legendary Sammy Ward. Shortly after in 1960 the young Harrison headed for New York. He began performing for some of the world’s premier jazz artists: guitarist Grant Green, vocalist Eddie Jefferson and the great Sun Ra. He teamed up with trumpet players Marcus Belgrave , Jimmy Owens and baritone/tuba/euphonium player Howard Johnson to perform and tour with saxophonist Hank Crawford. Wendell can be heard on Hank’s earlier recordings: Double Cross, Dig These Blues, Mr. Blues, on Atlantic Records. Wendell learned how to compose, write and arrange for multi ensemble during this time in his life.
In 1970, the fast paced New York and the road began taking its’ toll on Wendell. He moved to California for a short period. While resting and practicing at the Syanon Center, he met vocalist Esther Phillips and saxophonist Art Pepper. Under the direction of Greg Dykes they recorded an album (reissued on CD ) entitled The Prince Of Peace which received world wide recognition. This experience also enhanced his writing and arranging skills. Harrison headed back to Detroit in 1971. He began teaching music at a multi arts complex for youth, Metro Arts founded by Dr. Amelita Mandingo. While teaching at Metro Arts, Wendell met pianist and composer Harold McKinney and rejoined his friend Marcus Belgrave. Wendell also met trombonist Phil Ranelin who had moved to Detroit from Indianapolis. Together they formed the Tribe record label and collective. Tribe used this vehicle to convey a growing black political consciousness. The group also included drummer and composer Doug Hammond, pianist Ken Cox and trumpeter Charles Moore. They performed together live and on each others recordings and releasing them on the Tribe record label. Tribe also published a magazine, a quarterly monthly publication dedicated to musical and political revolutionaries and political issues. The magazine was published by Harrison’s company, The Harrison Association. Tribe had pretty much disbanded in 1975, but Phil Ranelin and Wendell were instrumental and getting all of the Tribe recordings reissued to various international labels. Techno music guru Carl Craig discovered in his global travels that Tribe still was gaining popularity on the underground techno music scene internationally which was unheard of considering they haven’t performed together as Tribe in over 30 years. In 2007 Carl reproduced the Tribe group with Marcus, Wendell, Doug and Phil. They released a single on the market entitled It’s A New Day on the C2 Planet E record label. Recently, there has been several reissues on vinyl from various record labels in Japan UK , Germany and in the USA. In 2023 Adrian Young and Ali Shaheed Muhammad produced the release Phil Ranelin and Wendell Harrison 16 on the record label JAZZ IS DEAD. Tribe continues to make a strong musical presence on the international scene.
Meanwhile, Wendell and Harold McKinney founded Rebirth Inc. in 1978, another successful non profit organization whose mission is to educate the youth and the greater community about jazz through workshops and concert presentations throughout the Midwest and beyond. The organization is based in Detroit and funded by several foundations and corporations. In teaching and presenting many of Rebirth’s programs Wendell found that students needed a method to help them learn jazz improvisation to perform like the masters. So he authored the Be Boppers Method Books Volumes I & II which is an invaluable aid to young musicians wanting to build their improvisational skills. The book also includes a play along audio file /CD and is distributed internationally by Jamey Aebersold.
Harrison’s campaign for the often neglected clarinet instrument has added a new spin on his list of accomplishments. The unique Mama’s Licking Stick Clarinet Ensemble features each member of the clarinet family including Eflat soprano, Bflat, alto, bass and contra bass clarinets. Chamber Music America, a prestigious granting organization based in New York has awarded Harrison several grants in support of his unique clarinet ensemble. Some of the programs have included New Works and Creation, Jazz Residency programs an the French American Cultural Exchange projects. There are several recordings available on Mama’s Licking Stick including Rush and Hustle, Live In Concert (both which feature James Carter on bass clarinet) and Forever Duke release on the WenHa Record label.
Wendell continues to thrive as a musician, educator and entrepreneur creating new and innovative projects such as: composing new music for various ensembles, collaborating with and recording with young musicians. Detroit continues to produce the best talent in the world and that is found to be true with the great jazz master Wendell Harrison.

Ellen Rowe’s “East Meets Midwest” Quartet
2024-04-14 17:30 - 19:30
Showtimes are at 5:30p & 7:30p for this performance. Doors open at 4pm for dinner. Seating begins at 5pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 7pm.
Featuring:

Ellen Rowe, piano
Mike Sakash, saxophone
Dennis Carroll, bass
Neil Hemphill, drums

Ellen Rowe, jazz pianist and composer, is currently the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation at the University of Michigan. Recent CDs as a leader include “Momentum-Portraits of Women In Motion” with her octet, “Courage Music”, with her quartet and special guest Ingrid Jensen and “Wishing Well”, featuring Andrew Bishop. Her new “East Meets Midwest” Quartet includes saxophonist Mike Sakash, Director of the Fryeburg Academy Jazz Program in Fryeburg, Maine and in-demand sideman throughout New England, Chicago based bassist Dennis Carroll, currently Jazz Bass Professor at DePaul University and longtime member of the Bobby Broom Quartet and drummer Neil Hemphill, also a member of the Bobby Broom Quartet as well as an active freelancer throughout the Midwest. Ellen and Mike have been working together in duo format for several years in Maine and New Hampshire and she is excited to bring this new quartet to Cliff Bell’s in advance of recording dates this summer.

Kasan Belgrave Residency and Session
2024-04-17 19:30 - 23:00
SHOWTIMES ARE AT 7:30PM & 9:30PM FOR THIS PERFORMANCE.
Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Multi-woodwind-instrumentalist and Detroit native Kasan Belgrave is well-rounded within the Detroit music community. His musical heritage of passing down the knowledge and exposure of Detroit music to the youth; like his father, late trumpeter Marcus Belgrave. Kasan has worked with many greats in his young career such as the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis & Jazz @ Lincoln Center, Dee Bridgewater, Karriem Riggins, Theo Crocker, Etienne Charles, and many others; in his scholar years at University of Michigan he studied under Robert Hurst, pianist Benny Green, and Andrew Bishop, then continued his studies at MSU under the direction of Diego Rivera and Rodney Whitaker. Deeply rooted in the tradition of Black American Music, Kasan is also congruently involved in parallel domains of the strong techno scene in Detroit; he appeared on the track “On My Own” with Jon Dixon & Moodyman; he has also performed with Scott Grooves, Carl Craig, Shigeto, and Kyle Hall. Facebook – Kasan Belgrave Instagram – @baskasanball

Pamela Wise presents Women In Jazz
2024-04-18 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-04-19 19:30 - 21:30
SHOWTIMES ARE AT 7:30PM & 9:30PM FOR THIS PERFORMANCE.
Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Pamela Wise-piano
Damon Warmack-bass
Ingrid Racine-trumpet
Louis M. Jones-drums
Sky Covington-vocals (all three nights)

Pamela Wise (Harrison) is an internationally known jazz pianist and composer. Pamela has performed concerts, taught and organized workshops, master classes throughout the USA and the Middle East. Pamela is widely known for her works in fusing afro cuban rhythms with jazz harmonies and she has received many awards for this endeavor. In addition, her diverse catalog of compositions has been recorded and produced on the legendary Tribe Record label co founded by her husband saxophonist/clarinetist Wendell Harrison as well as WenHa Music.
Pamela bumped into Wendell Harrison in a recording studio while taping some of her compositions. Wendell (who later became her husband) became interested in her music and started featuring her compositions on his recordings as well as featuring her in his ensembles. Pamela was blessed with the opportunity to be performing and composing for legendary artists such as Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Leon Thomas and Eddie Harris (to name a few).
In 1989, Pamela started forming her own ensemble with saxophonist James Carter, trumpeter Dwight Adams, bassist Jaribu Shahid, drummer Ali Muhammad and percussionist Andrew Daniels. Then Pamela received two Creative Artist Grant awards from the Arts Foundation of Michigan to write compositions demonstrating the link between Afro Cuban and jazz music. Pamela landed additional awards including; The prestigious Kresge Creative Artist Fellowship Award that came with a $25,000 prize for her work as a pianist, teacher, composer and cultural warrior. Pamela was awarded another award from the Kresge Foundation in 2019 for her production, Matrix X Detroit-The Gentrification Nation.
Another award in 2021 from New Music USA for a new composition coming from Pamela Wise along with her jazz guru husband Wendell Harrison. Harrison composed a piece with Pamela entitled AMBIGUOUS REALITIES reflecting the worldwide effects of COVID19 .

www.pamelawisemusic.com

Kasan Belgrave Residency and Session
2024-04-24 19:30 - 21:30
SHOWTIMES ARE AT 7:30PM & 9:30PM FOR THIS PERFORMANCE.
***LATE NIGHT SET ADDED for 11:30pm***
Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Musicians pay no cover when they bring their instrument.
Multi-woodwind-instrumentalist and Detroit native Kasan Belgrave is well-rounded within the Detroit music community. His musical heritage of passing down the knowledge and exposure of Detroit music to the youth; like his father, late trumpeter Marcus Belgrave. Kasan has worked with many greats in his young career such as the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis & Jazz @ Lincoln Center, Dee Bridgewater, Karriem Riggins, Theo Crocker, Etienne Charles, and many others; in his scholar years at University of Michigan he studied under Robert Hurst, pianist Benny Green, and Andrew Bishop, then continued his studies at MSU under the direction of Diego Rivera and Rodney Whitaker. Deeply rooted in the tradition of Black American Music, Kasan is also congruently involved in parallel domains of the strong techno scene in Detroit; he appeared on the track “On My Own” with Jon Dixon & Moodyman; he has also performed with Scott Grooves, Carl Craig, Shigeto, and Kyle Hall. Facebook – Kasan Belgrave Instagram – @baskasanball

Dwight Adams Quintet
2024-04-25 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-04-26 19:30 - 21:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
***LATE NIGHT SET ADDED
The Third Show Begins at 11:30pm
Dwight Adams is a soul-inspired jazz trumpeter. He has played and recorded with Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, James Carter, Shawn Wallace and Donald Walden, and tours with Stevie Wonder. He has served as a jazz trumpet instructor at both Ohio State University and Michigan State University and is currently on the faculty at WSU. He landed a gig as a member of Teddy Harris’ New Breed BeBop Society at the age of 16, and is now one of the brightest stars on the Detroit jazz scene. Adams earned a full scholarship to Kentucky State University, where he majored in music education and performance.

Tom Bartelmay's Heartstrings
2024-04-28 17:30 - 19:30
Showtimes are at 5:30p & 7:30p for this performance. Doors open at 4pm for dinner. Seating begins at 5pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 7pm.
Tom Bartelmay is a guitarist, composer and bandleader based in Detroit, Michigan. Tom moved to Detroit in 2015 to attend Wayne State University, from which he graduated Magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. He is currently enrolled in Wayne State’s Master of Music program with a concentration in composition and is the Gretchen Valade Graduate Assistant in Jazz.
Originally from a small town in rural southwestern Michigan, Tom didn’t start playing guitar until 18. The son of two Methodist pastors, Tom’s first experiences with music were singing hymns in his local church and learning how to play the blues from the church pianist. Upon picking up his main instrument and listening to Clifford Brown’s recording of “A Night in Tunisia,” Tom left Western Michigan University, at which he was a physic major, and moved to Detroit to pursue a career playing music.
Tom’s music has often been described as lyrical, and eclectic. His influences include artists such as Gyorgy Ligeti, Thelonious Monk, the Brian Blade Fellowship, Butcher Brown to name a few. Today Tom’s work focuses on strong lyrical elements recontextualized through a variety of rhythmic and harmonic settings, often resulting in wide ranging works with a variety of color palettes. His main working group consists of long-time contributors Sean Perlmutter, Rocco Popielarski, and Jake Shadik, whose relentless creativity and strong musical voices help shape and reshape each piece.

Dave Morrison and the Brombach Boys
2024-05-02 19:30 - 21:30
For over 25 years Dave Morrison has been a staple in the Detroit Folk-Blues scene. Performances are rare but from time to time he can be found playing his inspired, touchy and fragile blend of Blues and Folk ballads. For this performance he will be backed up by his trusted band the Brombach Boys featuring Jordan Schug on upright bass and Philip Salatrik on drums.

Sean Pearlmutter's Signal Quartet
2024-05-03 19:30 - 21:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Signal Quartet is a collective musical ensemble based in Southeast Michigan consisting of Ben Wolkins on Trumpet and Flugelhorn, Ian Blunden on Guitar, Eric Nachtrab on Bass and Sean Perlmutter on Drums. The group’s repertoire is entirely made up of original compositions by all four members which serve as springboards for improvised expeditions into the unknown; showcasing the tight communication, adventurous attitude, and shared musical vocabulary of the group. As trumpeter Tim Hagans notes: “It is a joy to listen to these four musicians engage in inspired conversation. The telepathy and empathy is heard throughout… They are musical brothers with a remarkable spirit and common vision.” Simply put, in an era of hired guns, star soloists, and lab-grown supergroups, Signal Quartet is a BAND.
If you want to link people to anything:
https://seanperlmutter.net/signal-quartet
https://signalquartet.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.instagram.com/spiritualsloprecords/

The Vincent Chandler Experience
2024-05-05 17:30 - 19:30
Showtimes are at 5:30p & 7:30p for this performance. Doors open at 4:30pm for dinner. Seating begins at 5pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 7pm.
Vincent Chandler is a trombonist, educator, composer, scat singer, band leader and mentor from Detroit, MI. While in High School, Vincent worked with a local Blues and Salsa Band of which flourished into work with Detroit’s local and international heroes, including Kenn Cox, Donald Walden, Harold McKinney, Wendell Harrison, Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, Regina Carter, Marion Hayden, Robert Hurst and James Carter. Vincent has performed nationally with Roy Hargrove, Joe Henderson, Stefon Harris, J@LC feat.Wynton Marsalis, Geri Allen, JD Allen, The Oliver Lake Big Band and The Ambrose Akinmusire Big Band. He was a featured artist on the 2009 Playboy Jazz Festival, where he performed with Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock and Keb’ Mo. He was a featured soloist on Roy Hargrove’s only Big Band CD, called “Emergence.”
He earned his Undergraduate and Graduate degree from the University of Michigan. Vincent held teaching positions at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Claflin University, South Carolina State University and he is currently a Lecturer of Jazz Studies at Wayne State University and the Director of the DSO Civic Jazz Orchestra.

Kevin Brewster's Black Renaissance
2024-05-09 19:30 - 21:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm. The Third Show Begins at 11:30pm
Led by the visionary Kevin Brewster, Black Renaissance, fearlessly propels the essence of Black American Music into uncharted territories. Through an exquisite fusion of contemporary, straight-ahead, gospel, R&B, and original compositions, the group spearheads a captivating movement that heralds a fresh chapter in the evolution of jazz. Their groundbreaking sound not only embodies authenticity and courage but also encapsulates a profound sense of faith, ushering in a powerful and transformative era.

Chris Plum
2024-05-10 19:30 - 21:30
SHOWTIMES ARE AT 7:30PM & 9:30PM FOR THIS PERFORMANCE.
Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
A lifelong fan of mid-century nightclub jazz combos and crooners, Detroit native Chris Plum is a genre-flexing jazz singer, songwriter, performer, and “blue balladeer.” Raised immersed in the big band and jazz vocal sounds of the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s on his parent’s Victrola, he has crafted a sound that is both indebted to the jazz vocal greats, while showcasing his ability to craft and innovate original, authentic compositions. Plum has performed around the world at iconic venues including Ronnie Scott’s and Royal Albert Hall in London, as well as international festivals such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, Reading and Leeds in the U.K., South by Southwest, and Denmark’s Roskilde Festival. Plum has had music featured in indie films, commercials and has performed on late night television. He has recently assembled a band of Detroit jazz musicians to record and release a new album of original compositions titled, “The Small Hours.” Pressed at Third Man Pressing in Detroit’s Cass Corridor, the record has been well received, recently being nominated for Outstanding Jazz Recording at the Detroit Music Awards. For more information about Chris Plum, visit www.chrisplum.com

Follow on:
Instagram- @chrisplum.music
Facebook- chrisplum.music

The Eat It Up Trio
2024-05-12 17:30 - 19:30
Showtimes are at 5:30p & 7:30p for this performance. Doors open at 4pm for dinner. Seating begins at 5pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 7pm.
Detroit-based and undeniably swinging, the Eat It Up Trio is Michigan’s premier professional purveyor of possibly the most pleasurable music three humans can safely perform within the parameters of the law. Comprised of drummer Sean Perlmutter, bassist Trevor Lamb, and pianist/vocalist Mike Harrison, the Eat It Up trio delivers original songs and arrangements with a versatile repertoire spanning from traditional jazz to modern R&B, funk to folk country, classic rock to bebop, and all the cracks and crevices in between. Dedicated to putting on an entertaining and accessible show, the Eat It Up Trio is guaranteed to deliver a good time!

Leafar Village
2024-05-16 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-05-17 19:30 - 21:30
SHOWTIMES ARE AT 7:30PM & 9:30PM FOR THIS PERFORMANCE.
Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Rafael Leafar is a rare multi-instrumentalist who can combine great passion, intellectual discipline, and a spiritual fire that is evocative of great artistic creativity.
He has established himself as a remarkable composer and musician not defined by any one particular genre or style.
Hailing from Detroit, Rafael’s connection to music was Jazz; fostered from a musical family at an early age.
His parents invested life changing moves to make certain to access of opportunity to quality schools back and forth from suburban education and playing opportunities in Detroit that would eventually prove fruitful graduating from Sterling Heights High School, DSA, Detroit Civic Jazz Orchestra, & The New School for Jazz.
Over the years since 2009 major recording & performances with; Reggie Workman, Robert Hurst, Marcus Belgrave, Luis Resto, Vincent Chandler, Jeff Tain Watts, Marion Hayden, Sterling Toles, Detroit Jazz Festival Band, Kamau Kenyatta, Video7.

Leafar Village
2024-05-19 17:30 - 19:30
Doors open at 4pm for dinner. Showtimes are at 5:30p & 7:30p for this performance. Seating for the shows begins at 5pm for the first show & 7pm for the second show.
Rafael Leafar is a rare multi-instrumentalist who can combine great passion, intellectual discipline, and a spiritual fire that is evocative of great artistic creativity.
He has established himself as a remarkable composer and musician not defined by any one particular genre or style.
Hailing from Detroit, Rafael’s connection to music was Jazz; fostered from a musical family at an early age.
His parents invested life changing moves to make certain to access of opportunity to quality schools back and forth from suburban education and playing opportunities in Detroit that would eventually prove fruitful graduating from Sterling Heights High School, DSA, Detroit Civic Jazz Orchestra, & The New School for Jazz.
Over the years since 2009 major recording & performances with; Reggie Workman, Robert Hurst, Marcus Belgrave, Luis Resto, Vincent Chandler, Jeff Tain Watts, Marion Hayden, Sterling Toles, Detroit Jazz Festival Band, Kamau Kenyatta, Video7.

Straight Ahead
2024-05-23 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-05-24 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-05-25 19:30 - 21:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Born in Detroit, MI, a crucible of jazz, Marion Hayden is one of the nation’s finest proponents of the acoustic bass. Mentored by master trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, Hayden began performing jazz at the age of 15. She has performed with such diverse luminaries as Bobby McFerrin, Nancy Wilson, Geri Allen, Regina Carter, Steve Turre, Lester Bowie, David Allen Grier, James Carter, Dorothy Donegan, Joe Williams, Lionel Hampton, Frank Morgan, Jon Hendricks, Hank Jones, Bobby Hutcherson, Larry Willis, Vanessa Rubin, Sheila Jordan, Mulgrew Miller, Annie Ross and many others. She is a co-founder of the touring jazz ensemble Straight Ahead- the first all woman jazz ensemble signed to Atlantic Records. She is a member of the Detroit International Jazz Festival All-Star Ambassadors touring ensemble.
Widely recognized as a standard bearer of culture and artistic history, Hayden received a 2019 Art X Grant and a Creators of Culture Grant for original musical works. She was Artistic Director for a 2018 Knight Arts Foundation Grant encouraging young women in jazz. In 2016 Hayden was honored for her work as a performer and educator with the prestigious Kresge Artist Fellowship- a 1 year fellowship and grant award given an elite group of creative artists. She was the recipient of a 2016 Jazz Hero Award.- a national award given by the Jazz Journalists Association- recognizing people who have made a significant contribution through their artistry and community engagement.
Find out more here!

Straight Ahead
2024-05-26 17:30 - 19:30
Doors open at 4pm for dinner. Showtimes are at 5:30p & 7:30p for this performance. Seating for the shows begins at 4pm for the first show & 7pm for the second show.
Born in Detroit, MI, a crucible of jazz, Marion Hayden is one of the nation’s finest proponents of the acoustic bass. Mentored by master trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, Hayden began performing jazz at the age of 15. She has performed with such diverse luminaries as Bobby McFerrin, Nancy Wilson, Geri Allen, Regina Carter, Steve Turre, Lester Bowie, David Allen Grier, James Carter, Dorothy Donegan, Joe Williams, Lionel Hampton, Frank Morgan, Jon Hendricks, Hank Jones, Bobby Hutcherson, Larry Willis, Vanessa Rubin, Sheila Jordan, Mulgrew Miller, Annie Ross and many others. She is a co-founder of the touring jazz ensemble Straight Ahead- the first all woman jazz ensemble signed to Atlantic Records. She is a member of the Detroit International Jazz Festival All-Star Ambassadors touring ensemble.
Widely recognized as a standard bearer of culture and artistic history, Hayden received a 2019 Art X Grant and a Creators of Culture Grant for original musical works. She was Artistic Director for a 2018 Knight Arts Foundation Grant encouraging young women in jazz. In 2016 Hayden was honored for her work as a performer and educator with the prestigious Kresge Artist Fellowship- a 1 year fellowship and grant award given an elite group of creative artists. She was the recipient of a 2016 Jazz Hero Award.- a national award given by the Jazz Journalists Association- recognizing people who have made a significant contribution through their artistry and community engagement.
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Spare Parts
2024-05-30 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-05-31 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-06-01 19:30 - 21:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.

“These guys squeeze more out of keyboards, bass and drums than any trio you’ll find
anywhere!” Russ Davis- Modern Jazz Radio (MOJA)
Spare Parts is an instrumental trio that pushes well beyond the jazz funk spectrum in which it thrives. Driven by vintage keyboards (Kevin Kozol), electric bass (Colin Scott) and drums (Mike Bruno), Spare Parts recalls the aesthetics of the analog era through a fresh and modern approach. Known for their hard hitting grooves, dynamic improvisation and collaborations with Chicago’s finest musicians, Spare Parts has won a loyal following over the years. The band has several releases on Ropeadope Records and has received accolades from across the industry including Ukvibe.org, Notreble.com, and Modern Jazz (MOJA) Radio. Spare Parts has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and beyond, while becoming a mainstay on the Chicago scene. From dive bars to prominent jazz clubs, theaters and festivals, Spare Parts has played countless shows and held several successful residencies. Members of the band have performed with Grammy winning artists Victor Wooten, Paul Wertico, and Michael Bolton, as well as Fareed Haque, Stephen Perkins, Lenny Pickett, Bill Dickens, Javon Jackson, George Brooks, Vikku Vinayakram, V. Selvaganesh and Garaj Mahal. Spare Parts has shared the stage with George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Snoop Dogg, Vulfpeck, George Porter Jr., The Wailers, Forq, Kneebody, The New Mastersounds,
Wayne Krantz, Chester Thompson, Alan Evans, Stanton Moore, and many more.
spareapartsmusic.com

William Hill the Third's Trio
2024-06-02 17:30 - 19:30
Showtimes are at 5:30p & 7:30p for this performance. Doors open at 4pm for dinner. Seating begins at 5pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 7pm.
William Hill III is a pianist, arranger, composer, and bandleader from Detroit, Michigan. Hill is a graduate of the Detroit School of Arts, and is currently studying at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music undergoing his baccalaureate education. In Hill’s pre-collage years, he has been a member of the Detroit Symphony’s Civic Youth Jazz program performing in the Creative Jazz Ensembe and the Civic Jazz Orchestra and the Michigian State Univeristy Spartan Youth Jazz Program.
Hill has had the opportunity to participate in many summer extensive jazz camps such as Jazz House Kids, Jr. Jazz Academy at Lincoln Center, Berklee Summer Programs, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Motown Lyric Project, Keeping an Eye Summer Jazz Workshop located at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, and many others.
Hill is honored to receive awards from programs such as the National YoungArts Foundation, a multi-year winner in the instrumental contemporary category for the NAACP ACT-SO National Competition, and the West Virginia Univeristy International Jazz Piano Competition. Musicians that Hill has worked alongside and have been mentored by include Marion Hayden, Ralphe Armstrong, Wendell Harrison, Joe Farnsworth, Marc Cary, Aaron Parks, Ari Hoenig, Wynton Marsalis, Buster Williams, Christian McBride and many more.
Hill has had the opportunity to perform at the Detroit International Jazz Festival, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, Cliff Bells, Blue Llama Jazz Club, Montclair Jazz Festival, Smalls Jazz Club, The Django, and many others to name a few. Hill’s passion in life as a musician is to spread joy to everyone around the world with the music that he produces.

Marcus Elliot Broken Seeds Vol. II
2024-06-06 19:30 - 21:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Marcus Elliot (Marcus Elliot Miller) is a saxophonist, composer, improviser, and educator based in Detroit, Michigan. Marcus is a 2020 Kresge Artist Fellow, awarded by Kresge Arts in Detroit. His compositions and improvisations have been described by the New York Times as “convincing and confident, evolved in touch and tone…”, and the Detroit Free Press has said, “Marcus Elliot represents next generation of jazz”. Elliot leads and co-leads many different Detroit based bands including the Marcus Elliot Quartet, Clockwork, Balance, Beyond Rebellious, and Lanula. Elliot performs in the Shigeto Live Ensemble. He is a Fellow of the Geri Allen Gathering Orchestra. He co-founded the nonprofit Polyfold Musical Arts Collective. Elliot is the director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Jazz Ensembles. Elliot received his master’s degree in improvisation from the University of Michigan.
Elliot is a disciple of the Detroit music scene. His mentors include Rodney Whitaker, Marcus Belgrave, Robert Hurst, Donald Walden, Bennie Maupin, Marion Hayden, and Karriem Riggins. After graduating with a bachelors degree in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University, Marcus began to curate weekly performances in Detroit, showcasing some of Detroit’s young jazz musicians. Marcus self-released three albums with his ensemble, the Marcus Elliot Quartet and co-released an album with his duo project with Michael Malis, Balance.
As a Sideman, Marcus has performed with Bob Hurst, Karriem Riggins, James Carter, Jimmy Cobb, Marcus Belgrave, Johnny O’Neal, Jimmy Heath, Shigeto, Thaddeus Dixon, Ettiene Charles, Mulgrew Miller, Rodney Whitaker, Talib Kweli, and many others.
Marcus was a co-founder of Polyfold; a collective of musical artists who have joined together to develop, and present creative works. Founded in Detroit, Polyfold produces concerts and recordings, hosts outreach events and educational workshops, and fosters creative community in Detroit and beyond.
Marcus has received his Masters of Music degree at the University of Michigan, where he was awarded a graduate assistantship. He is active in the Detroit music community, collaborating with musicians in jazz, free-improvised music, techno, hip-hop, r&b, and classical music.
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