Cliff Bell's

Noah Jackson & Full Circle
2026-04-25 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Detroit)
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.
A Detroit original, Noah Jackson is a bassist, cellist, and composer specializing in black american music and classical music. Aimed with a curiosity to where sound could touch audiences from within, he has both written and performed music for large international audiences since 2010. A graduate of Michigan State University (B.M.), and Manhattan School of Music (M.M.), Noah has performed with world renowned artists such as NEA Jazz Master Abdullah Ibrahim, Branford Marsails, Jason Marsalis, The Marsalis Family, Hugh Masekela, Nnenna Freelon, Kenny Garrett, Wizard Harper, George Burton, Jazzmeia Horn, and Christian Sands. Additionally, he’s performed in many prominent venues and jazz festivals including Radio City Music Hall, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Jazz @ Lincoln Center, Blue Note Jazz Club (New York City and Milan), Royal Albert Hall, Victoria Hall (Geneva), Jazz in Marciac (Marciac, France), The Library of Congress, The Kennedy Center, SFJAZZ, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, London Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, and North Sea Jazz Festival. Noah Jackson also performed as part of the ceremony for the NEA Jazz Masters Award in 2019. He also recorded bass and cello on The Balance with Abdullah Ibrahim which reached #3 on the Billboard Jazz Charts (June 2019).
As a band leader, Noah had put on performances of original creative work with his band Full Circle. In 2011, he made his self-produced debut album, Contemplations- A Suite to critical acclaim and led Full Circle in the Detroit Jazz Festival in 2012. Since then, Noah has collaborated with a wide variety of artists across the jazz spectrum. In 2017, he has worked in collaboration with the American Ballet Theater with his string quartet Asè at Grace Farms in New Canaan, CT. Noah, along with vocalist and co-producer Candice Hoyes, were named recipients of grants for a double jazz and string quartet project: Ellington to the World: Generational Power in Black Culture and Spaces from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and the New York Council of the Arts. The work premiered at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in September 2019 and was performed to a sold out audience in The CUBE @ DSO in February 2020. As of March 2021, Noah has joined Cliff Bell’s in Detroit as Curator and Artist-in-Residence where he will perform with his group Full Circle and host sessions as well as bring in world-class talent to perform on it’s stage.
Noah is endorsed by Aguilar Amps, David Gage REAList LifeLine pickups, and NOAH Guitars of Italy. Noah currently resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Stephane Wrembel
2026-04-29 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.
“Perhaps the most creative improviser in Gypsy jazz today, Mr. Wrembel plays the guitar with a rich and colorful lyricism.” –New York Times
Stephane Wrembel is quite simply one of the finest guitar players in the world. The breadth and range of his playing and compositions are unmatched. To say that Wrembel— who learned his craft among the Gypsies at campsites in the French countryside— has already had a remarkable career would be an under-statement. This prolific, virtuoso guitarist has been releasing a steady stream of music since 2006 and has truly made his mark as one of the most original guitar voices in contemporary music. Stephane Wrembel is widely known for “Bistro Fada”, the theme song from the 2011 Woody Allen Oscar winning film and Grammy Award winning soundtrack, Midnight In Paris.
“a revelation” – Rolling Stone Magazine
Evan Perri, guitar
Detroit-based guitarist Evan Perri is a versatile and expressive voice in today’s jazz scene, known for his fluid technique, rich harmonic sense, and stylistic range that bridges straight-ahead jazz, contemporary improvisation, and modern groove-based sounds. A former member of the acclaimed ensemble Hot Club of Detroit, Perri has performed extensively throughout the Midwest and beyond, appearing at leading venues and festivals while collaborating with a wide spectrum of artists across genres. His playing reflects a deep respect for the jazz tradition alongside a forward-looking approach, making him both a compelling bandleader and an in-demand sideman. Whether on stage or in the studio, Perri brings a distinctive musical perspective marked by creativity, sensitivity, and dynamic energy.
Jeff Pedraz, bass
Bassist Jeff Pedraz is a cornerstone of Detroit’s vibrant jazz community, recognized for his warm tone, impeccable time, and intuitive musicality. A longtime collaborator with many of the region’s top ensembles and bandleaders, Pedraz has performed with a wide array of Detroit-based jazz groups, contributing to the city’s rich musical legacy. Equally at home in small ensemble settings and larger groups, he is known as a dependable and deeply musical collaborator, supporting and elevating fellow artists with his nuanced approach to rhythm and harmony. With a style rooted in tradition yet adaptable to a variety of contemporary contexts, Pedraz continues to be a vital presence on the Midwest jazz scene.
“a revelation” – Rolling Stone Magazine

Born in Paris and raised in Fontainebleau, the home of Impressionism and Django, Wrembel has been based in the New York City region for the past 20 years and since his studies at Berklee. He has toured around the world, and is very active on the musical scene in many countries including USA, Canada, France, Israel and India. Recently, Stephane has performed as a headliner at the legendary Carnegie Hall and at The Town Hall in New York as well as at the Festival Django Reinhardt in France. Wrembel has also headlined at Lincoln Center, played major Festivals, recorded with mandolin legend David Grisman, toured with master violinist Mark O’Connor and shared stages with al long list of world renowned musicians

the Planet D Nonet
2026-04-30 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-05-01 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-05-02 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.
Echoes of Harlem: A Salute to Duke Ellington Vol 2. CD Release Events at Cliff Bell’s Jazz Club July 18, 19, 20, sets at 7:30pm & 9:30pm 2030 Park Ave Detroit, MI 48226 Echoes of Harlem: A Salute to Duke Ellington Vol 2. is a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Duke Ellington and follows the tremendous success of Planet D Nonet’s previous album, Blues to Be There: A Salute to Duke Ellington. Blues to Be There: A Salute to Duke Ellington (2023) performed exceptionally well, reaching #16 on the JazzWeek chart and surpassing PD9’s previous record with their Strayhorn CD, which peaked at #17 in 2016. The album also topped the Roots Music Report Jazz and Big Band Jazz Chart for twenty-three consecutive weeks peaking at #1 on both charts. The album also enjoyed 15 weeks on the NACC Top 30 Jazz Chart, peaking at #1 overall. Garnering significant airplay, the recording appeared on national “Best of” lists, including LA-based writer Scott Yanow’s “THE TOP JAZZ RECORDINGS OF 2023,” the Michigan Roots Music Report’s Top 200 of 2023 (#4), and Eric Hines’s WNMC Radio list (#1). JazzWeek ranked it #55 in their top 100 of the year, while the NACC chart placed it at #11 for the year end chart. Most recently, it was listed in the top 30 of 2023 on CJAM-FM’s “The Freedom Principle.” Mike Stratton of WKAR in Lansing, MI included it in his top ten for 2023, and Paul Donovan at KUVO in Denver ranked it #7 in his top ten for 2023. An organic evolution of Volume 2. While touring for the previous CD, Planet D Nonet continued adding new charts to their repertoire, realizing by last summer they had enough material for Volume 2. The project evolved organically, with some songs drawn from the movie “Anatomy of a Murder,” performed during a special tour of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where Duke himself once played. James O’Donnell’s performances with the East Side Rhythm Rascals inspired the inclusion of “Echoes of Harlem” and “Azalea,” arranged by Jeff Cuny. Collaborations with Andrew Homzy and Jeff Cuny brought “Rocks in my Bed” from the Ellington collection at the Smithsonian, featuring the vocals of Camille Price. Tbone Paxton delivers a spirited rendition of “Caravan” using a head arrangement from their live gigs. Rick Steiger suggested “La Plus Belle Africaine,” showcasing Duke’s modern compositions toward the end of his career. Trevor Lamb arranged this track, highlighted by a special photo of him with Ellington bassist John Lamb. This project has been a profound experience, blending historical reverence with personal connections and contemporary interpretations. Artist: Planet D Nonet Album Name: Echoes of Harlem: A Salute to Duke Ellington Vol 2 Label: Eastlawn Records, ELD-42 https://rjspangler.com/pd9.php https://www.eastlawnrecords.com/index.php

the Planet D Nonet
2026-05-03 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.
Echoes of Harlem: A Salute to Duke Ellington Vol 2. CD Release Events at Cliff Bell’s Jazz Club July 18, 19, 20, sets at 7:30pm & 9:30pm 2030 Park Ave Detroit, MI 48226 Echoes of Harlem: A Salute to Duke Ellington Vol 2. is a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Duke Ellington and follows the tremendous success of Planet D Nonet’s previous album, Blues to Be There: A Salute to Duke Ellington. Blues to Be There: A Salute to Duke Ellington (2023) performed exceptionally well, reaching #16 on the JazzWeek chart and surpassing PD9’s previous record with their Strayhorn CD, which peaked at #17 in 2016. The album also topped the Roots Music Report Jazz and Big Band Jazz Chart for twenty-three consecutive weeks peaking at #1 on both charts. The album also enjoyed 15 weeks on the NACC Top 30 Jazz Chart, peaking at #1 overall. Garnering significant airplay, the recording appeared on national “Best of” lists, including LA-based writer Scott Yanow’s “THE TOP JAZZ RECORDINGS OF 2023,” the Michigan Roots Music Report’s Top 200 of 2023 (#4), and Eric Hines’s WNMC Radio list (#1). JazzWeek ranked it #55 in their top 100 of the year, while the NACC chart placed it at #11 for the year end chart. Most recently, it was listed in the top 30 of 2023 on CJAM-FM’s “The Freedom Principle.” Mike Stratton of WKAR in Lansing, MI included it in his top ten for 2023, and Paul Donovan at KUVO in Denver ranked it #7 in his top ten for 2023. An organic evolution of Volume 2. While touring for the previous CD, Planet D Nonet continued adding new charts to their repertoire, realizing by last summer they had enough material for Volume 2. The project evolved organically, with some songs drawn from the movie “Anatomy of a Murder,” performed during a special tour of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where Duke himself once played. James O’Donnell’s performances with the East Side Rhythm Rascals inspired the inclusion of “Echoes of Harlem” and “Azalea,” arranged by Jeff Cuny. Collaborations with Andrew Homzy and Jeff Cuny brought “Rocks in my Bed” from the Ellington collection at the Smithsonian, featuring the vocals of Camille Price. Tbone Paxton delivers a spirited rendition of “Caravan” using a head arrangement from their live gigs. Rick Steiger suggested “La Plus Belle Africaine,” showcasing Duke’s modern compositions toward the end of his career. Trevor Lamb arranged this track, highlighted by a special photo of him with Ellington bassist John Lamb. This project has been a profound experience, blending historical reverence with personal connections and contemporary interpretations. Artist: Planet D Nonet Album Name: Echoes of Harlem: A Salute to Duke Ellington Vol 2 Label: Eastlawn Records, ELD-42
https://rjspangler.com/pd9.php
https://www.eastlawnrecords.com/index.php

the Swing Syndicate Jazz Lab
2026-05-06 19:00, 2026-06-03 19:00
Schedule of performances

7:00 – 7:45 high school jazz band performance
8:15 – 9:15 Swing Syndicate Big Band performance
9:30 – 10:00 Jam session hosted by the Swing Syndicate

Swing Syndicate is a 16 piece Big Band formed by Travis Cook and Mike Wiese. Both seasoned veterans of the Metro-Detroit jazz scene, Cook and Wiese wanted to play in a band that performed with power and style to make an indelible impression on the Detroit jazz scene. The resulting group is a hard-hitting combination of Metro-Detroit’s finest talent performing traditional Big Band Jazz at it’s finest.
In coordination with Cliff Bell’s commitment to Jazz mentorship the Swing Syndicate will be featuring a different High School Jazz Band to perform with them every month. All performances will be followed by a open Jam Session. If you’re a local band director and would be interested in having your High School Band perform at Cliff Bell’s please reach out to Phil@cliffbells.com.

Wyatt Forhan
2026-05-07 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.
Wyatt Forhan is a versatile and dynamic jazz artist whose performances blend tradition with innovation. Known for his expressive bass trombone and piano sound, Wyatt brings energy, creativity, and emotional depth to every stage. His playing is marked by bold improvisation, groove- driven interaction, and a modern sensibility influenced by jazz, soul, and hip-hop. Whether leading his own projects or collaborating as a sideman, Wyatt delivers professionalism, intentionality, and a powerful musical experience that resonates with listeners.
Wyatt has won many “Best Jazz Soloist” awards at many jazz festivals in the Midwest region. In 2016, Wyatt played bass trombone in the 2016 Jazz Band of America under the direction of Michael Mossman, the 2017 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Paul Contos, the 2018 NYO Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Sean Jones, and the 2021 JAS Academy Big Band under the direction of Christian McBride in Aspen, Colorado. Wyatt was also a member of the Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band and was a part of their debut record, “Soul Conversations.” In addition, Wyatt has had the opportunity to tour the US, Canada, and Europe with various ensembles and perform at festivals, including the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Benny Golson Jazz Festival, the Rochester Jazz Festival, and many others. Wyatt has also performed with Michael Dease, Ulysses Owens Jr., Kurt Elling, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diego Rivera, Alexa Tarantino, Carl Maraghi, Lakecia Benjamin, Brandon Lee, Tim Green, Tom “Bones” Malone, Frank Greene, Terell Stafford, Sean Jones, Andre Hayward, Rodney Whitaker, Steve Fidyk, Steve Wilson, Steve Davis, Dave Dickey, Antonio Hart, Stefon Harris, Dianne Reeves, and many other world-class musicians.

Chris Codish Trio
2026-05-08 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.
Chris Codish is one of the most sought-after musicians working in Metro Detroit today, playing piano, organ, keyboards, and synth.
His exciting mix of jazz, funk, and blues, layered with his unique voice captivates any crowd. It’s his unique ability entertain his audience while maintaining his artistic point of view that sets Chris apart.
He has been playing professionally for over 30 years, and has won over 40 Detroit Music Awards in the process. Chris honed his skills by touring internationally with some of the world’s top jazz and blues artists, including Hiram Bullock, Alexander Zonjic, Harvey Mason, Roy Ayers, The Blues Brothers, Lucky Peterson, Johnnie Bassett, Larry McCray among countless others.
Chris is an in-demand session musician as well, having recorded over 80 commercial releases, and dozens of independent albums as well. He produced the “Gentleman of the Blues” Johnnie Bassett’s final two albums for Mack Ave. Records/Sly Dog Records: The Gentleman is Back, and I Can Make That Happen. Chris has also provided keyboard for some of Detroit best artists including Carl Craig, Don Was, Sponge, Alexander Zonjic, Ben Sharkey, Laith Al-Saddi, Thornetta Davis, Johnnie Bassett, Larry McCray, and many many others as well as providing entertainment for corporate clients like Mercedes Benz, AISIN, Henry Ford House, The Detroit Medical Center, and the DAC.
He performs solo and with his eponymously named trio at and weekly house gigs at two of Metro Detroit’s finest restaurants; the famed London Chop House downtown, and Eddie V’s in Troy. He has also played Hammond organ every Sunday at Godland Unity Church in Detroit since 1997.

Ian Fink
2026-05-09 19:30 - 21:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance. Doors open at 6pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Ian Finkelstein, who performs under the name Ian Fink, is a pianist, producer, composer and bandleader based in Detroit.
Globally renowned for his lyricism, versatility, and musical fluency, Ian is a transcendent performer, sought after for his skills as a collaborator and session musician.
Ian was taken under the wing of some of Detroit’s greatest educators and musicians, such as Marcus Belgrave and Rodney Whitaker, as a young teenager. He began to gig professionally at the age of 14, going on to study at the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theater and Dance, where he was a student of the great Geri Allen. He received two BFAs in Jazz Piano Performance and Performing Arts Technology, graduating in 2013.
With a firm foundation in the jazz piano tradition of Detroit, Ian was equally influenced by the city’s house and techno scene. He began to self-release music and press up vinyl in 2017, forming a record label entitled Freak Press, which contains a discography that is extensive and musically diverse, including but not limited to jazz, house, and ambient music.
His recorded contributions can be heard on albums such as SICK! by Earl Sweatshirt (“Fire In The Hole”), ANIMALS by Kassa Overall (“Still Ain’t Find Me”) as well as on records by Black Milk, Shigeto, Robert Hurst, The Undisputed Truth, Scott Grooves, and more. He has performed with Marcus Belgrave, Benny Golson, Esperanza Spalding, Teri Lyne Carrington, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Common, Karriem Riggins, Savion Glover, Reggie Workman, Lenny White, Louis Hayes, Curtis Fuller and many others.
He toured internationally with the Shigeto Live Ensemble in 2018 and 2019. Ian went on to become a member of Kassa Overall’s band from 2021 through 2024, including a February 2023 performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts. He is a regular member of Detroit bassist Robert Hurst’s band.
In 2020, he was honored with a Gilda Award by Kresge Arts in Detroit, and in 2024 was awarded a Kresge Artist Fellowship. He was honored by the City of Detroit with a Spirit of Detroit Award and Testimonial Resolution in 2024.

Mothers Day Dinner and a Show with Eastside Gypsies
2026-05-10 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.
The Eastside Gypsies are Vladimir Tovbin’s most recent collaboration in the Caravan Gypsy musical collective. The trio features iconic guitarist Even Perri of the Hot Club of Detroit and trail blazin’ guitarist Sasha Kashperko. Together this trio forms the hottest guitar collaboration this side of the Adriatic sea and features both traditional and experimental guitar arrangements of Jazz and popular music.
Ukrainian born guitarist Vladimir Tovbin moved to United States in the 90’s and has since been one of the most entertaining band leaders in the region. Rooted in traditional Ukrainian Folk then mixed with Jazz-Manouche and American Swing, his dynamic collective of musicians brings a rich blend of these traditions together for a unique and fiery performance.

Houston Patton Quartet and Session
2026-05-13 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.
Musicians pay no cover when they bring their instrument.
Saxophonist Houston Patton is a rising star in Detroit’s Jazz community. Following in the footsteps of his father, Houston began playing the saxophone at a very young age. Under the mentorship and tutelage of saxophonists such as Harry Patton, Daryl Beebe, Jordan Vanhemert, Wendell Harrison, and Andrew Bishop, Houston has explored many genres ranging from gospel to hard bop.
Patton started his professional career at the age of 20, performing with Kevin Jones & Tenth World, at Grand Rapids jazz club, GRNoir. This led to many more opportunities as a sideman and bandleader in the Grand Rapids and Detroit music scenes. To this day, Patton continues to perform with Kevin Jones & Tenth World, and a host of Detroit and West Michigan Groups.
In 2023, Houston spent four months in New York as a student in the “New York Arts Program.” During this time he interned as an assistant to Brandon Ross, and as an archiver and stage manager at Roulette Intermedium. This time also allowed him to explore the jazz scene, by playing at countless jam sessions, which led to gigs with notable musicians such as drummer, Winard Harper, and pianist, JC Hopkins. Houston leads ensembles of varying sizes, playing at venues, such as Cliff Bell’s, Blue Llama, and GRNoir. He has also performed sets at The Muskegon Shoreline Jazz Festival, the Lansing Shoreline Jazz Festival, Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, Preservation Hall, Mahogany Jazz Hall, Minton’s Playhouse, and a host of other notable venues.
In April 2024, Patton released his first album as a band leader, entitled “Here We Are” featuring a quintet of young Detroit jazz musicians named, “Quintessential”. Patton decided to officially form this group after a series of successful gigs with these specific musicians. After a very special night at Detroit’s Cliff’s Bells, Quintessential received a standing ovation. There was a clear desire for the group to record their sound, so in January of 2024 Quintessential decided to have their original compositions recorded by Benjamin Green. Along with Houston on saxophone, the album features Jauron Perry on trumpet, Dylan Sherman on bass, William Hill III on Rhodes, and Samuel Melkonian on drums.
Houston plays on SYOS mouthpieces.

Closed for a Private Event
2026-05-14, 2026-05-16

Chris Plum
2026-05-15 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 Cliff Bells Big Band Presents: The Music of SUN RA
2026-05-17 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: WENDELL HARRISON

Under the direction of JOSHUA JAMES, the CBBB will showcase the music of the great afro-futurist jazz musician SUN RA. Drawing from his extensive oeuvre, the ensemble will present his early, more “straight-ahead” works coupled with his more exploratory, “cosmic” innovations.

The Cliff Bells Big Band presents curated concerts featuring a collection of all-star musicians from the Detroit jazz scene. This concert will feature: WENDELL HARRISON // KASAN BELGRAVE // MATT MARTINEZ // JOHN DOUGLAS // IAN FINKELSTEIN // DJALLO DJAKATE // INGRID RACINE // MICHAEL ABBO // JOSHUA JAMES

Jauron Perry and Session
2026-05-20 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.
Jauron Perry is an upcoming Detroit trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and educator in jazz studies at Michigan State University. Recognized with the Next Generation of Talent award, Jauron has gained extensive experience working with Detroit jazz masters like Rodney Whitaker, Regina Carter, Wendell Harrison, as well as sensations such as Jazzmeia Horn, Marquis Hill, and Wynton Marsalis, and performing as a current Geri Allen Gathering Orchestra Fellow. He has been featured in prominent events such as the Detroit Jazz Festival and the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jack Rudin Jazz Championship. Jauron recently won the 2024 Michigan Jazz Festival Rising Horn Competition, and also toured Japan at just 19 years old. He is now a recorded artist with the new collective group Quintessential from Detroit, MI, on their debut album “Here We Are” and with his own band, the Jauron Perry Quintet that won the 2024 Detroit Jazz Festival Combo Competition. The quintet performed their debut set at the 2024 Detroit Jazz Festival, creating Jauron’s debut album as a bandleader.

Jauron Perry
2026-05-21 19:30 - 21:30

Jauron Perry feat. Kevin Brewster and Redwood
2026-05-22 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-05-23 19:30 - 21:30

Sky Covington’s Satin Doll Revue
2026-05-24 17:30 - 19:30
SHOWTIMES ARE AT 5:30PM & 7:30PM FOR THIS PERFORMANCE.
Doors open at 4pm for dinner. Seating begins at 5pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 7pm.

Sky Covington’s Satin Doll Revue
Created and produced by award-winning jazz vocalist and cultural curator Sky Covington, The Satin Doll Revue is a celebrated concert experience honoring the legendary women whose voices shaped the emotional and musical landscape of jazz.

Presented through Covington’s organization, The Preservation of Jazz, the revue blends elegant stage presentation, masterful musicianship, and heartfelt storytelling to illuminate the artistry and influence of iconic performers such as Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Etta James, and Nancy Wilson.

More than a tribute, The Satin Doll Revue is a living expression of jazz heritage — thoughtfully curated to celebrate not only the music, but the courage, sophistication, and individuality of the women who transformed American song.
At the heart of the production is Covington herself, whose deeply expressive portrayals — particularly of Billie Holiday — bring emotional authenticity and interpretive depth to every performance. Surrounding her is a dynamic ensemble of vocalists and musicians who share a commitment to honoring tradition while engaging modern audiences.
Under Covington’s visionary leadership, The Satin Doll Revue has grown into one of Detroit’s notable live music presentations, drawing devoted listeners while introducing new audiences to the timeless power of jazz.

Elegant, immersive, and musically rich, the production reflects Covington’s enduring mission: to preserve the legacy of jazz while ensuring its spirit continues to resonate for generations to come.

https://www.facebook.com/thesatindollrevue

https://www.instagram.com/skycovingtonsatindollrevue

Kasan Belgrave and Session
2026-05-27 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
Saxophonist Kasan Belgrave is a ascending talent newly emerging in the role of a compositional leader. His energetic playing style and improvisational finesse derives from influences of early bebop and jazz, as well flares of fusion and gospel. His musical prowess has more recently been shown through new innovative compositions.
The record “Dual Citizen” is an introductory reflection of Kasan’s own consciousness through experience of musical nurturing & professional practice from the Detroit jazz mentorship empire, led by his father, trumpeter Marcus Belgrave. It provides a glimpse of Kasan’s endless curiousness of sonic ingenuity.
In the formative years of his career, that same mentorship was present in the musical institutions, as he studied with Andrew Bishop, Benny Green, and Robert Hurst at the University of Michigan then held an assistantship under the direction of Diego Rivera and Rodney Whitaker at Michigan State University.
Kasan has toured as a multi-woodwind instrumentalist with Jazz @ Lincoln Center w/ Wynton Marsalis, performed in multiple residencies curated by Terri Lynn Carrington, performed with Karriem Riggins, and Etienne Charles. The 27-year-old multi-woodwind instrumentalist has also made rounds performing in every corner of the Detroit music scene, immersing himself in Latin, R&B, and techno.
Belgrave is just one of many who was nurtured in the realm. The lineup for “Dual Citizen” might be the most outright product of that very circle of mentorship. Bassist Jonathan Muir-Cotton, finishing his degree at MSU, is currently rotating in Christian Sands Trio; Louis Jones aka “WavyLou”, a gun-slinging drummer who has the likes of the Haynes’ and Roach’s, recently hit with ELEW and Johnny O’Neal in Detroit; Brendon Davis, a virtuosic voice on piano shortly studying with the great Chick Corea, is established in composition and arranging of the gospel scene ; the enigmatic Allen Dennard has a trailblazing trumpet sound, recently sharing stages with Dwele and Mike Phillips; and Michael Abbo, the genial menace on both trombone and bass, recently played with Johnny Oneal and Dafnis Prieto. The close fellowship of this group is a sentiment to the power of their sound as the Kasan Belgrave Sextet.

Brad Fritcher's MOODS
2026-05-28 19:30 - 21:30
Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
MOODS – Brad Fritcher’s longest-standing project, has been transplanted to Detroit, Michigan. Finishing his BA in Jazz Studies at Wayne State University, Brad is preparing to build a new era in the MOODS story. Weaving modern psychedelic progressions inside the smoky air of be-bop and Motown, chased by earthy folk melodies, the melancholic sway of indie rock, and the driving momentum of DnB rhythms. MOODS is a conduit for in the momemnt spontaneous composition and fearless improvisation. The MOODS band features deft instrumental soloing over lo-fi DnB beats, free improvisation, sophisticated jazz embellishments and psychedelic soundscapes.
Concept? Think Thelonious Monk and Roy Hargrove trading over a Madlib beat, Charles Mingus collaborating with Radiohead, Lee Morgan vibing with Medeski, Martin & Wood or Bela Bartok composing with Aphex Twin. But ultimately, Brad is a genre unto himself, defying labels and expectations by allowing the present moment to define the next move. MOODS pays deep homage to the great musical contributions of the Black American musical canon.
Catch MOODS live, and prepare to be swept away. MOODS is a vibe, emotional, kaleidoscopes of sound, and a journey through the wildest realms of experimentation. Prepare to be surprised, to be challenged, and ultimately, to be transported to a place where music is reborn and infused with the magic of the unexpected.

Joslyn & The Sweet Compression
2026-05-29 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-05-30 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.
“A refreshing take on the neo-soul / funk sound, unbound by modern cliches.”
– Glide Magazine
Joslyn & The Sweet Compression are bona fide, and they want the world to know it.

A rising force out of Lexington, Kentucky, the band led by Joslyn Hampton come out swinging on their sophomore album, ready to uplift and inspire through their singular and stirring soul-funk sound. 2019’s critically acclaimed debut album made them a favorite headliner at regional clubs and music festivals. After a grueling and relentless tour schedule – one that saw them supporting Tower of Power at New York’s Sony Hall and Tyler Childers at Colorado’s legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre – the band are back with Bona Fide, a sonically and emotionally charged record that captures their breathtaking live energy as well as their humanity.
Released August 25, 2023, Bona Fide is a resounding testament to Joslyn & The Sweet Compression’s unparalleled talents, as well as an homage to the band’s co-founder (and Joslyn Hampton’s step-father), Marty Charters, who passed away in 2022.
Musically, Bona Fide blends soulful and smoldering neo-funk with elements of ‘70s and ‘80s R&B. Hampton pulls from her inspirations – Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey – as well as from the opera singers she studied in college. “I find myself applying all of the things I’ve learned to my passion now, and placing it in my music,” she shares.
The result is a unique, hooky style that helps Joslyn & The Sweet Compression stand apart from their contemporaries. To Hampton, Bona Fide is a record about a ride she calls “the human rollercoaster.”
“You have falling in love, getting cheated on, celebrating this life – you only get one,” she says. “We go through so many human emotions on this album, and that’s what I want to bring to life: The ride of being a human! I want to take you to the moment you found the love of your life when you looked across the room. This album is literally meant to take you to every human emotion you have.”

Tristan Cappel
2026-05-31 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.
Tristan Cappel is a Detroit-born saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist, composer, and producer currently based in Los Angeles. A deeply expressive and versatile artist, Cappel bridges modern jazz, orchestral music, and forward-thinking creative projects with clarity, depth, and intention. Cappel returns to Cliff Bell’s for the first time since 2019 to celebrate the release of his sophomore album North Star. While the album officially releases June 19, it will be available on Bandcamp and vinyl beginning May 29. North Star features Miguel Atwood-Ferguson,
Telemakus, Adam Hersh, Max Gerl, Myles Martin, Alex Sil, Andrew Renfroe, and Kyla Moscovich. For this performance, Cappel will be joined by his Michigan contemporaries and all- star band: Ben Green (trumpet), Jordan Anderson (piano), Kenji Lee (bass), and Jonathan Taylor (drums).
His debut album, Wanderlust (June 7, 2024), introduced Cappel’s distinctive compositional and improvisational voice. The record features Los Angeles standouts Adam Hersh, Randal Fisher, Marlon Martinez, and Tim Rachbach, and highlights Cappel’s dual strength as both an improviser and storyteller. A sought-after collaborator, Cappel has become a fixture in the contemporary jazz and creative music scenes on the West Coast. In 2025, he performed at SFJAZZ’s Miner Auditorium with vibraphonist Sasha Berliner, appeared in multiple programs with the Coltrane Home celebrating the legacy of Alice Coltrane at the HAMMER Museum and in Berkeley, and joined bassist and composer Aubrey Situmorang for her sold-out Los Angeles bandleader debut and live album recording. That same year, he debuted a trio with Telemakus and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and began recording North Star. Additional performance highlights include appearances with Sly5thAve at Grand Performances in CALIFORNIA LOVE: An Orchestral Celebration of Dr. Dre, Michelle Coltrane at the Hartford Jazz Festival, and Everybody’s LIVE with John Mulaney alongside Cypress Hill and orchestra. In 2024, he performed at Camp Flog Gnaw in A Tribute to MF DOOM led by Miguel Atwood- Ferguson, and appeared at the Hollywood Bowl with Imagine Dragons, Cynthia Erivo, and the LA Phil.
As a performer, Cappel has collaborated with artists including Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Telemakus, Michelle Coltrane, Sasha Berliner, Sly5thAve, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Bruno Mars, Aubrey Situmorang, John Daversa, Gary Novak, Daru Jones, Cypress Hill, Hugh Jackman, and Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. He has toured internationally throughout the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand, and performed at festivals including the Detroit Jazz Festival, Hartford Jazz Festival, Iowa City Jazz Festival, and Java Jazz Festival (Indonesia). As a recording artist, Cappel has contributed woodwinds for artists such as Stanley Clarke, Lana Del Rey, Christina Aguilera, H.E.R., Smino, Mick Jenkins, Black Pumas, Lizzo, Sasha Berliner, Telemakus, Kyla Moscovich, Adam Hersh, and Robert DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots).

Leafar Village
2026-06-04 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-06-05 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-06-06 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.
