Closed for Independence Day
2026-07-04
Join us Tomorrow!

Mason Bays
2026-07-05 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Detroit)
Performances are at 5:30p & 7:30p. Doors open at 4pm for dinner. Seating begins at 5pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 7pm.

Make a Reservation Now
Featuring:

Colin McCahill– alto/soprano sax
Hayden Cusmano– guitar
Matthew Balos– piano
Jackson Stone– bass
Roland Chandler– percussion
Chris White– drums

Mason Bays is a Detroit based Jazz Musician who’s introduction to jazz began in the 9th grade in the Goodrich HS Jazz Band. He attended and graduated from Oakland University, with Bachelor of Arts in Music, with a minor in Jazz studies. He has performed at OU with Regina Carter, Scott Gwinell, John Douglas, Rayse Biggs, and others with Pat Cronley, Bill Myers, Gwen Hemphill, John Hill, Gary Greenfelder Orchestra, Kennebec Avenue Group and many others.
All of these influences led him to form his own jazz/funk ensemble that has appeared at the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, Homegrown Brewing Company, Grav Cap, Arts Beats and Eats festival, and now he debuts his band for the first time at Cliff Bell’s!

Houston Patton Quartet and Session
2026-07-08 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-08-12 19:30 - 21:30
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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.

Sean Pearlmutter's Signal Quartet
2026-07-09 19:30 - 21:30
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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.
https://seanperlmutter.net/signal-quartet
https://signalquartet.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.instagram.com/spiritualsloprecords/

Missant
2026-07-10 19:30 - 21:30
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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.
The J Rowe / Jordan Schug Sextet performs all original compositions, written by Rowe & Schug. The ambitious arrangements explore the mostly untapped vein of British progressive jazz groups of the early 70s such as Soft Machine and Ian Carr’s Nucleus while staying firmly rooted in the classic sounds of Detroit heroes Marcus Belgrave, Larry, Nazaro, Roy Brooks and Lyman Woodard to name a few.
Being that the co/leaders of the group are the rhythm section (Rowe on Drums, Schug on double bass) the compositions rely heavily on their navigation. Having equal sonic space divided between the percussion and drum kit give the group a very strong, driving, rhythmic pulse, a sound often associated with Latin music and in some areas of rock / jazz fusion groups. Along with the Trumpet and the Saxophone, many parts of their compositions feature Mellotron. This unique installment dynamically adds an extra texture to live performances.
The Sextet has only been together since winter of 2022/2023 but, have already wrapped up recording their debut album MISSANT, with producer/engineer, Warren Defever (of His Name Is Alive fame) here in Detroit. MISSANT will be released in the Fall/Winter of 2024.

Bob Mervak Trio
2026-07-11 19:30 - 21:30
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Showtimes are at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.

Bob Mervak is a Detroit-based pianist, vocalist, songwriter, and studio writer who’s dynamic range spans everything from pop to jazz, rootsy indy original songs to Ben Folds-esque intelligent, introspective, and unapologetic compositions. He’s blessed and honored to have worked with musicians he considers to be some of the most important in the game, throughout Detroit and all over the goddamn place.
Bob was the main composer on Dax Shepard’s major motion picture, “Hit & Run (2012),” as well as the writer/performer of the theme to Dax’s new podcast, “Armchair Expert (2018).” He was also the pianist/vocalist featured in director George Clooney’s hit American political Drama, “The Ides Of March,” in 2011. Bob has been a session musician, writer, and arranger on many varied record releases over the years, including Samantha Fish’s “Chills and Fever,” which rose to the no.1 spot on iTunes blues charts in 2017. In December, 2020, he performed his reimagining of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” with Kristen Bell on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Winter 2021 brought the musical release of “We are Supported By,” and original song by Bob Mervak, featuring Sara Bareilles, originally written for Kristen Bell and Monica Padman podcast of the same name.
Bob lives in Detroit, MI like a badass with his profoundly wonderful wife, Isabel, their two children, 1 cat, and sadly, no dogs.

Detroit Jazz Factory
2026-07-12 17:30 - 19:30
Make a Reservation
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.
Biography of the Detroit Jazz Factory
Forged in a city that is known for both its industrial might and its jazz heritage, the Detroit Jazz Factory sought to take advantage of those well-known factors by creating a contemporary jazzy 19-piece big band that was capable of manufacturing great jazz music with a spectacular sound. As a result, the band is now known to produce a product that has its audiences bobbing their heads to the grove and tapping their feet to the beat whenever they put on a show.
There is no doubt that the Detroit Jazz Factory will provide you with an enjoyable, jazzy musical experience. You will not want to miss an opportunity hear this band. You won’t be disappointed.
Members of the Detroit Jazz Factory:
Dennie Lee – Alto Sax
Carol McKinney Robinson – Alto Sax
Fred Bergman – Tenor Sax
Keith Gardner – Tenor Sax
Kwame Robinson – Baritone Sax
Mark Croft – Trumpet
Dameon Gabriel – Trumpet
Luis Ortez – Trumpet and Percussion
Doug Bembry – Trumpet
Al Armstrong – Trumpet
Alex Valigura-Trombone
James Cain – Trombone
Steve Hunter – Trombone
Sean Burden – Piano
Darrell Radson – Guitar
Ramsey Hussain – Bass
Tom Sheppard – Drums
DeAnna Victoria – Vocalist
Carl L. Stone – Director

Jauron Perry and Session
2026-07-15 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.

Blou Reed
2026-07-16 19:30 - 21:30
Make a Reservation
Performances are at 7:30p & 9:30p. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6p for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9p.
“this sextet’s densely layered sound is so engaging” -A2PULP
Blou Reed (pronounced BLOO Reed) blends jazz improvisation and harmony with strong, groove based rhythms to create a sound that bares the torch of tradition to light the way to the future of modern music. The band presents a wide ranging catalogue of original composition and hip arrangements of well known Jazz standards.
Blou Reed formed in 2022 when the members were still in their high school jazz programs and have been performing around Michigan ever since.

T Shella Quartet
2026-07-17 19:30 - 21:30
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Performances are at 7:30p & 9:30p. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6p for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9p
A founding member of Will Sessions, bassist Tim Shellabarger has a frequency that is woven into and born out of Detroit’s unique musical fabric. From international tours to hometown basement sessions, he has performed and collaborated with Amp Fiddler, Shigeto, Dames Brown, Dez Andres, Monica Blaire, Black Milk, Dennis Coffey, Melvin Davis, Ian Fink & Freak Press, Marcus Elliot, Phat Kat, Guilty Simpson, Elzhi, Allen Dennard, Kasan Belgrave, Hazmat, JRGotTheHiTS, Caleb Robinson & Reaching, Odu Afrobeat Orchestra.. the list goes on. Drawing influences from an array of diverse musical styles and generations, Tim takes the music to a new place with a unique approach, while still keeping rooted in his influences. Expect to hear some fiery funk & fusion while exploring deep grooves on a journey through tight musicianship and collaboration. This performance will feature original music from all the band members as well as tributes to some incredible influences.
Featuring:

Tim Shellabarger- Bass
Ian Fink- Keys
Jeffery Trent- Winds
JRGotTheHiTS- Drums

Kimmie Horne
2026-07-18 19:30 - 21:30
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Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Kimmie Horne is an International Jazz Vocalist, model, and actress. She is a native Detroiter, descendant of the legendary songstress and actor Lena Horne, and niece of the late great singer/songwriter Cleveland Horne of the “Fantastic Four.” Kimmie has left her mark in areas around the world, including, Detroit, Chicago, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, LA, San Francisco, Jamaica, Ontario, Toronto, Puerto Rico, London, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and more. In addition to live performances, Kimmie touts her “High Standards,” “Loving This Jazz,” and “Live in Las Vegas” CD’s. Horne’s 2018 release of her new video, “As Long as I Live,” viewed by thousands, has received critical praise. Her songs, “I Hope You Dance,” and special arrangement of, “I Will Survive,” demonstrate her blend of talent and sophistication.
As a representative for Budweiser, luxury furriers, and celebrity spokesperson and model for Lincoln Automotive Group/Varsity Lincoln, Kimmie’s talent transcends beyond impeccable vocals alone. Her most recent acting role, is the featured singer in the much-anticipated musical thriller “One Harlem Night.” This all-star cast jazz musical, takes place at the beautiful Fisher Building in Detroit in early 2018.
Kimmie continues to expand her talents. Having launched her self-titled “Kimmie Honre Jazz Festival,” in 2016; this event has spun into a dynamic all-star musical line-up, and contributor of major charitable donations. The festival has established a relationship with, and is a supporter of, The Ronald McDonald House of Detroit organization, benefiting sick children and their families. The festival is preparing to expand nationally and internationally.
New partnerships, new music and video releases, as well as summer tours, including the annual trip to Japan, are just a few of the things on tap for Kimmie Horne. Always more to come!

The Rumprollers
2026-07-19 17:30 - 19:30
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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 Rumprollers bring a grooving and danceable mixture of jazz and Latin boogaloo. The influences of Jack McDuff, Cal Jader, Tito Puente, and Herbie Hancock are front and center. The co-leaders of the group are drummer Mark Holen, composer of half of the Rumprollers repertoire, and bassist Pete Ostle. Holen and Ostle have known each other for many years, having both grown up in Michigan. Holen now lives in New York City and Ostle lives in Washington DC.
Holen’s and Ostle’s many playing credits include a few of the following highlights. Holen was house percussionist at the Chateau Madrid nightclub in New York, and has recorded with Phil Woods, Dave Liebman, Danilo Perez, Jimmy Knepper, and Billy Hart. He also is a Professor of Music in Lisbon, Portugal! Ostle, as bassist in the U.S. Army Band stationed in Washington DC, performed with many notable artists, including Glen Campbell, Rosemary Clooney, and Bob Hope. As founder of the A La Carte Brass and Percussion band, Ostle played numerous jazz festivals, including the Detroit Montreux Jazz Festival.
The other band members are James O’Donnell, trumpet; David Huber, saxophone; Arlene McDaniel, piano; and Steve Morris, percussion, from Detroit, Flint, and Lansing, Michigan. O’Donnell has played and recorded with the Planet D Nonet and recently released his new album Tough Talk. Huber has performed previously at Cliff Bells with RJ Spangler’s Rhythm Rockers and has recorded with Flint jazz icon, Sherm Mitchell. McDaniel recently released her new album, Timeless, and is pianist with the popular salsa band Ritmo. Morris is a congero and percussionist working with many Detroit-based musicians.
An evening with the Rumprollers band will be a swinging affair and fun for all!

Kasan Belgrave Kresge Gilda Award Celebration Jam
2026-07-22 19:30 - 21:30
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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.

Tina Hashemi + Oliver Mayman Trio
2026-07-23 19:30 - 21:30
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Performances are at 7:30p & 9:30p. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6p for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9p.

Featuring:
Jeff Pedraz – bass
Louis M Jones – drums

Tina Hashemi is a jazz vocalist who brings a sweet sensibility to classic jazz standards and the Great American Songbook. Her pure, unaffected tone, her sense of swing, and her creativity as an improviser with big ears and stores of imagination has made her a favorite throughout the East Coast. In 2024, Tina was awarded 3rd place in the international Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition based out of Blues Alley that was judged by the New York Voices.
From Ann Arbor, MI, and now based in Philadelphia, Oliver Mayman is a vibraphonist, composer, and educator. Beginning on the drums and piano, the vibraphone was an apt discovery as a teenager – the instrument essentially fusing the mechanics of drumming with the harmonic capabilities of the piano. He has since become a distinguished voice on the instrument, reimagining its role in music through an inventive technical approach and a discerning creative ear.

He has performed as a bandleader across the Midwest and East Coast at storied venues like Cliff Bell’s, the Blue LLama, and Chris’ Jazz Cafe, and has also been featured in several larger, iconic events like the Detroit Jazz Festival and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Additionally a sought-after accompanist and sideman, he has performed in countless other venues with various groups, and aims to play the vibraphone as a suitable alternative to the piano, capable of fully assuming a rhythmically and harmonically supportive role in any setting.

Drey Skonie and The kLOUDs Band
2026-07-24 19:30 - 21:30
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Performances are at 7:30p & 9:30p. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6p for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9p.
Drey Skonie and The kLOUDs Band a.k.a. “Skonie and The kLOUDs” emphasis on the loud. Hailing from the motor city, Detroit, MI. Skonie and The kLOUDs are retro style band, with a new flare. They call themselves the new, old school.
In the past few years, The kLOUDs Band has been shaking up the Detroit Music Scene making the industry take notice. In 2023 Drey Skonie lead singer of the band won “Artist Of The Year” at Motown Museum’s Hitsville Next Amplify Sound Of Detroit singing competition. Then only a month later Skonie and The kLOUDS were also crowned winners of Masterpiece Sound Studios’ Cover Song Contest in honor of the late, legendary Motown songwriter and producer Sylvia Moy with their captivating rendition of Moy’s classic Stevie Wonder Motown hit, “I Was Made To Love Her”. During the competition, Drey met Jackie Wilson’s daughter Brenda Wilson, who was a judge for the competition. Brenda then knew from Drey’s showmanship, that she wanted Drey to play her Dad. Fast forward Drey now plays Jackie Wilson in a TV series entitled “Higher And Higher” coming soon.
The latest album “Rolling Skone” is available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and more. They have appeared on stages from The D to Los Angeles rocking crowds with a multifaceted soul, funk, RnB, and techno sound.
Currently “Skonie and The kLOUDs” are recording live in the studio. You can also hear new material and watch performances of the band on YouTube, as well as Instagram @dreyskonie and @thekloudsband.

Langston Kitchen's Mahogany Collective
2026-07-25 19:30 - 21:30
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Performances are at 7:30p & 9:30p. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6p for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9p.

Born in Detroit, possessing familial roots in Harlem, and known for his big sound on the bass, Langston Marcelles Kitchen is the winner of the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, Essentially Ellington Regional Best Musicianship Award, and the Detroit Jazz Festival Collegiate Combo Competition. He is a Geri Allen Fellow and jazz major at Michigan State University, under the tutelage of University Distinguished Professor of Jazz Bass and Director of Jazz Studies, Rodney Whitaker.

Within a short period of time, he has begun to master his instrument and has studied under some of the most respected jazz musicians, including Robert Hurst, Xavier Davis, Sean Dobbins, and Marcus Printup and has performed with Michael Dease, Dan Wilson, Xavier Davis, Walter Blanding, and Randy Napoleon. In the words of Louis Armstrong, “To jazz, or not to jazz, there is no question!” Kitchen loves jazz and is driven by his pursuit to play with conviction, purpose, and feeling. He has performed at Smalls Jazz Club, the Detroit Jazz Festival, Jazz Festival at Caramoor, East Lansing Summer Solstice, the Roxy Bar, City Opera House, the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, Cliff Bell’s, and Blue Llama Jazz Club. With the goals of becoming a touring musician and a distinguished professor, Kitchen continues to pursue his dreams and hopes to one-day help young musicians with the same spirit of reciprocity that his mentors share with him.

Closed for a Private Event
2026-07-26

Wayne State Faculty Concert & Session
2026-07-29 19:30 - 21:30
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Performances are at 7:30p & 9:30p. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6p for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9p.
Musicians pay no cover when they bring their instrument.
In its 17th year, J.C. Heard JazzWeek@Wayne will once again give high school students a unique, intensive and rewarding jazz education experience through its one-week workshop at Wayne State University. Through the support of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation, Wayne State University Department of Music and the J.C. Heard legacy, approximately 40 high school students selected from competitive auditions will participate in the tuition-free program. New Orleans luminary, Shannon Powell, will serve as a guest Educator-in-Residence, teaching students traditional New Orleans jazz and second-line styles, repertoire and history.
Wayne State University Jazz Faculty: Detroit Jazz Profs featuring Chris Collins (Woodwinds), Vincent Chandler (Trombone), Russ Miller (Woodwinds), Chuck Newsome (Guitar), Paul Keller (Bass) and David Taylor (Drums). The feature set kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Cover charge is $25. Reservations recommended.
Open Jam Session: Kicks off at 9:30 p.m. Students and musicians pay no cover when they bring their instruments.
Special LIVE Community JazzWeek Events at Cliff Bell’s Jazz Club

Olivia Van Goor
2026-07-30 19:30 - 21:30
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Performances are at 7:30p & 9:30p. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6p for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9p.
Olivia Van Goor’s love of jazz music led her to Southeast Michigan where she blossomed into a one-of-a kind performer. Her voice is clearly influenced by the greats like Sarah Vaughan, Anita O’Day, and Mel Tormé. She walks a fine line between preserving the essence of jazz and infusing it with her personal artistry. Olivia takes command of every stage because of the trusting relationships she has built with instrumentalists far and wide. Her long list of collaborators include accomplished musicians such as pianist Scott Gwinnell, bassist Paul Keller, and guitarist Randy Napoleon. She has independently produced many recordings including an arrangement of Burt Bacharach’s “Close To You” that has recently reached 20K views on Youtube.

Allen Theory
2026-07-31 19:30 - 21:30
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Performances are at 7:30p & 9:30p. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6p for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9p.
AllenTheory is the musical partnership of husband and wife duo Brian and Shamara Allen — a sound rooted in faith, love, and divine timing, born from a shared calling that began long before they officially met.
Since forming, AllenTheory has brought their music to stages across Michigan, including Dabney & Co. (Kalamazoo), Dreamstone Studios (Grand Rapids), and Cliff Bell’s (Detroit). Their debut single, “I Love You,” released June 21st, previews their upcoming album dropping this September, featuring fan favorites like “Be Mine,” “Phases,” and “Forever.” Through every song, AllenTheory invites listeners into a story of purpose, partnership, and praise — where love and faith are not only expressed, but heard.

Ambassadors Big Band under the Direction of Mike Letovsky
2026-08-01 19:30 - 21:30
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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.
Since the 1950’s the Ambassadors Big Band has been presenting the finest in Big Band Era Jazz for all of south-west Michigan. The 17 piece Big Band formed in 1957 with the legendary Fred Bentz as the leader. At that time they were known as “The Ambassadors Of Good Will” and were regulars at local V.A. hospitals across Michigan. After a few years it was decided to make the band a regular swing band and the name was changed. Vocalists were later added and with the second leader, Al Townsend, the band received many excellent original arrangements. His writing has given the band it’s unique sound and style. In 1986 Mike Letovsky joined the band as a tenor sax player and a few years later he took over the lead alto sax chair. Since 1993 Mike took over leadership of the band and continues the decades long tradition of presenting the finest in Big Band Jazz!

Re'Monda
2026-08-02 17:30 - 19:30
Make a Reservation
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.
Elegant, smooth, rich and soulful are words often used to describe renowned vocalist Re’Monda. At a young age, the native Detroiter began her musical journey under the tutelage of Motown’s legend; Earl Van Dyke. Re’Monda is a product of rich musical heritage gained by studying and sharing the stage with some of the best musical talents both in the US and abroad including Randy Scott, John E. Lawerence, Ralph Armstrong, Alexander Zonjic and Rayse Biggs.
Influenced by vibrant female musical legends such as Aretha Franklin, Phyllis Hyman, Anita Baker, Gladys Knight, Sarah Vaughn, and Nancy Wilson; her seemingly effortless and sultry sound, embodies the combined musical genres of jazz, Neo soul, blues and gospel. As a featured soloist, Re’Monda has traveled the country winning numerous awards and garnering a loyal fanbase; often dominating the stage with renditions of “Ain’t No Way,” “Glad There Is You,” “Been So Long,” “The Nearness Of You” and “Neither One of Us.”
Born to perform and known for her characteristically warm and sensual vocals, Re’Monda has proven herself to be a consummate entertainer and crowd pleaser. Her most recent headlining performances include The FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation Sing Out for Kids Fundraiser, An Evening of Conversation, Friendship, and Song Benefit Concert, The University of Michigan’s 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration Symposium and The West Bloomfield’s Library Summer Concert Series.
With recent SOLDOUT performances in Ann Arbor’s Blue Llama Jazz Club, Re’Monda has become a French favorite, playing to well received and SOLDOUT audiences in Paris France at the Aux Troi’s Mailletz, and the Le Chat Noir. Having captivated audiences in Paris, Re’Monda has found an even more appreciative fan base in London England with upcoming 2025 Spring, Summer and Fall shows. Known for her characteristically rich and dynamic vocal abilities, Re’Monda consistently delivers show stopping performances once led by talented songstress of today and the days of yesteryears.

Hayden Cusmano Trio and Session
2026-08-05 19:30 - 21:30
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Performances are at 7:30 pm& 9:30 pm. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Hayden Cusmano is a Detroit based jazz guitarist, bandleader, and composer. An active presence in the Metro Detroit music scene, Cusmano has performed at notable venues including Dirty Dog Jazz Café, Cliff Bell’s, Aretha’s Jazz Café, and the Detroit Jazz Festival. Whether leading or accompanying, he brings a dynamic and responsive energy to every performance. He studied at Wayne State University under guitarist Chuck Newsome, where he had the opportunity to learn from respected Detroit artists such as Paul Keller, Vincent Chandler, and Scott Gwinnell, as well as internationally acclaimed musicians including Brian Blade, Karriem Riggins, and Jason Moran. These experiences helped shape his musical voice and broaden his artistic perspective. Deeply influenced by the jazz guitar tradition, Cusmano draws inspiration from legends such as Wes Montgomery, John Scofield, and George Benson. Their impact can be heard in his phrasing, harmonic approach, and stylistic versatility. His musicianship has been recognized at the national level, earning Outstanding Soloist honors at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music’s Essentially Ellington Festival (2017), the Savannah Jazz Festival (2019), and Middle Tennessee State University’s Illinois Jacquet Jazz Festival (2024). Cusmano leads his own trio, as well as a jazz fusion quartet named DICHI along with saxophonist Colin McCahill. He holds a weekly residency at The Ebenezer in Downtown Plymouth, where he continues to develop his sound and connect with audiences in an intimate setting.

Erinn Alexis' Huron Collective
2026-08-06 19:30 - 21:30
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Performances are at 7:30 pm& 9:30 pm. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
The Huron Collective Personnel:

Caleb Robinson – Drums
Ingrid Racine – Trumpet
Michael Abbo – Bass
Barry Chambliss II – Piano
Erinn Alexis – Saxophones

Erinn Alexis is a saxophonist, composer, educator, and bandleader hailing from Detroit, MI. A graduate of Wayne State University with a degree in Jazz Performance, Erinn’s musical background is heavily steeped in the traditions of Detroit music. She grew up honing her skills by playing saxophone in church and continued to grow throughout her journey under such mentors as Wendell Harisson, Marcus Belgrave, and Ralphe Armstrong.
Erinn Alexis brings a soulful musicality to every performance, drawing from the traditions of gospel and jazz while infusing her own modern voice. Erinn performs regularly with her quartet, delivering engaging sets that resonate with the audiences at local venues such as The Congregation Detroit, Moondog Cafe, and Miss Eva’s. Erinn is an in-demand performer, sharing the stage at numerous high-profile venues, including The Blue Llama, the historic Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, the Carr Center, Arts Beats And Eats Festival, Aretha’s Jazz Cafe in the Music Hall and Orchestra Hall, to name just a few. She is a member of several ensembles including the Dr. Prof. Leonard King Orchestra, Dee Dee Bridgewater Big Band, Jessica Care Moore’s Black Women Rock and the Ferndale Community Concert Band. Beyond the stage, Erinn is committed to music education and community engagement. She teaches private lessons and conducts masterclasses and clinics for middle and high school students throughout the Detroit area, fostering the next generation of musicians and helping young players develop their skills, confidence, and creativity.
Erinn continues to grow her artistic reach through performance, collaboration, and mentorship—dedicated to both preserving and evolving the jazz tradition.

Chris Codish Trio
2026-08-07 19:30 - 21:30
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Performances are at 7:30 pm& 9:30 pm. 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.

Tariq Gardner's Evening Star
2026-08-08 19:30 - 21:30
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Performances are at 7:30 pm& 9:30 pm. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Evening Star is a Space Odyssey led by Detroit Drummer and 2018 U of M SMTD graduate Tariq Gardner. The group has its roots in Detroit’s expansive musical tradition blending the city’s rich Jazz legacy. With its history of musicians being largely malleable to fit into a wide array of musical styles traveling to the different galaxies of music of the African Diaspora (jazz, neo-soul, Afro-Cuban, Traditional American Gospel, hip-hop etc.). Evening Star brings listeners light years into the cosmos while staying true to the roots of the Motherland.

the Hughes/Smith Quintet
2026-08-09 17:30 - 19:30
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Showtimes are at 5:30p & 7:30p. Doors open at 4:30pm for dinner. Seating begins at 5pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 7pm.
“…inspired by the grand Motor City jazz scene of the 1950s and early ’60s, these players update and extend that tradition with excellent writing, arranging, and playing for the 21st century.”
–Thom Jurek, allmusic.com
The Hughes/Smith Quintet is a powerhouse modern jazz ensemble that bridges the legendary hard-bop legacy of Detroit with a sharp, contemporary edge. Co-led by two of the Motor City’s most versatile musicians—saxophonist James Hughes and trumpeter/arranger Jimmy Smith—the band has been a defining fixture of the Midwestern jazz landscape since forming in 2012.
Acclaimed Sounds & Evolution Rooted in the driving rhythms and deep grooves of the 1970s Blue Note era, the quintet’s catalog maps over a decade of compositional evolution.
The quintet’s front line is backed by a rhythm section composed of longtime Detroit anchors:
• James Hughes (Saxophones): One of Detroit’s most original voices, Hughes is a first-call freelance saxophonist and a founding member of The Woodward Horns. He holds a Masters of Music from Wayne State University and has worked with notable artists such as Aretha Franklin, Josh Groban, and jazz legends like Jimmy Heath and Arturo Sandoval.
• Jimmy Smith (Trumpet): Among the most sought-after musicians in the Midwest, Smith is an original voice rooted in the hard-bop tradition and a founding member of The Woodward Horns. He holds a Masters degree in jazz performance from The Aaron Copland School of Music and is a first- call freelancer who has shared the stage with artists ranging from The Temptations to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
• Phil Kelly (Piano/Fender Rhodes): A soulful mainstay and longtime Detroit staple who layers the band’s tracks with vintage textures.
• Takashi Iio (Bass): Provides the warm, driving foundation; a Detroit Music Award nominee for Outstanding Jazz Instrumentalist.
• Nate Winn (Drums): Drives the ensemble with an “eternal groove” and explosive, interactive rhythm work.
Acclaimed Sounds & Evolution
Rooted in the driving rhythms and deep grooves of the 1970s Blue Note era, the quintet’s catalog maps over a decade of compositional evolution. Their studio releases have consistently earned national attention:
• From Here On Out (2013): The band’s debut studio album, establishing their signature blend of straight-ahead swing and tight horn
arrangements.
• Ever Up & Onward (2015): A breakthrough sophomore effort chosen as one of AllMusic’s “Favorite Jazz Albums” of 2015. The record yielded Detroit Music Award nominations for Outstanding Jazz Recording and Outstanding Traditional Jazz Artist/Group.
• Motion (2018): A fiery collection of all-original tunes that reached #1 on the Roots Music Report’s weekly Top 50 Jazz Album Chart. All About Jazz praised the record as a “prodigious composition” delivered with “verve by an outstanding group of musicians”.
• The Gates (2019): Recorded under the collaborative banner of the Yao/Smith/Hughes Sextet, this project blends modern concepts with classic Detroit grit. In a glowing review for JazzTimes, critic Dan Bilawsky celebrated the release as “a well-wrought affair” and “a thing of beauty”.
Performance & Community Residency
The quintet has maintained a prominent presence on both local and international stages. A cornerstone of their legacy was a four-year residency hosting the “Lotus Jam” at the Black Lotus in Clawson, which served as a vital hub for the Detroit jazz scene. The ensemble’s reach extends through regional and international performances, including featured spots at the Detroit Jazz Festival and the Michigan Jazz Festival. Additionally, they can be found swinging regularly at legendary jazz clubs like Cliff Bell’s, Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, and Motor City Wine.

Michael Malis Quintet
2026-08-13 19:30 - 21:30
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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.
Michael Malis is a composer, pianist, and music educator based in Detroit MI. A multi-faceted musical artist, he performs as a jazz musician, composes for the concert stage, and contributes to multidisciplinary collaborations.
2020 saw a proliferation of Malis’ work as a solo artist. In July of 2020, Malis released Dualisms, a multimedia project containing recordings, videos, and an accompanying 16 page zine of writings, artwork, and ephemera. Consisting of brand new original compositions, Dualisms features performances by Malis in duet with saxophonist Kaleigh Wilder, percussionist Thom Monks, and vocalist Denzel Donald, and features artwork by Zara Teicher. Each of the works presented in Dualisms were premiered at New Music Detroit’s 12th annual Strange Beautiful Music Festival in September 2019. All About Jazz praised Dualisms as “an extraordinary multimedia project which illustrates some of the remarkable ways artists in the age of COVID-19 found new approaches to displaying their craft and connecting with their audience.”
His March 2020 release, Three Pieces for Piano, was praised by the Southeast Michigan Jazz Association as “thrilling music, with shifting harmonic and rhythmic qualities that require prodigious precise technique and the kind of generic versatility that few pianists achieve.”
As a composer, Malis has been commissioned by Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, Chamber Music Society of Detroit, Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, Detroit Composers’ Project, Virago, Hole in the Floor, and others. His piece Five Stations, premiered in May 2019, featured Malis and saxophonist Marcus Elliot alongside a string quartet of musicians from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. His string quartet, Emerge, was premiered at the Detroit Institute of Arts in 2018. His piece for piano and cello, Coda, was premiered by Detroit Symphony Orchestra principle cellist Wei Yu in 2018.
In April 2019, Malis and Elliot, who join forces under the duo known as “Balance,” undertook a collaborative performance piece with former Detroit poet laureate Bill Harris. The piece, which featured drummer Gerald Cleaver, set Harris’ collection of short stories I Got to Keep Moving. According to AllAboutJazz.com, “what was most striking about the synergy between Harris and the band was the sheer beauty of the music: the stark contrast between the grim realities of Harris’s story and the band’s melodic core, located in Elliot’s exultant phrases and Malis’s evocative runs, was stirring. And much of the music’s strength was found in the spirit of resilience and defiance that permeates Harris’s text.” The duo’s 2017 eponymous album was praised by the Detroit Metro Times as “contemporary jazz of the highest order, a benchmark for where the genre can go.”
In July of 2015, Malis’ self-released debut album as a leader, Lifted from the No of All Nothing, was called by The Detroit Free Press “an uncommonly mature and distinctive debut.” It was described by Hot House Jazz Guide (NYC) as “cover[ing] a broad range of free expression. [Malis] bridges the gap between original composed, complex material and the spontaneity of improvisation.” In September 2016, his trio made their debut at the Detroit International Jazz Festival.
As a pianist, he has shared the stage with a diverse array of musicians, including notables such as Marcus Belgrave, Gerald Cleaver, Jaribu Shahid, John Lindberg, William Hooker, A. Spencer Barefield, Tyshawn Sorey, Ken Filiano, J.D. Allen, Andrew Bishop, Dennis Coffey, and Marion Hayden. He has performed at the Yokohama Jazz Promenade (Yokohama, Japan), the Kennedy Center, Birdland (NYC), and The Stone (NYC).

U of D Happy Hour
2026-08-14 17:00
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This performance will run from 5pm to 6pm with reservations beginning at 4pm.
The renown UDJO—University of Detroit Jesuit Jazz Orchestra—opens for the U of D Jesuit Jazz Faculty at a special happy hour performance. Come experience the next generation of jazz musicians as they perform for and with some of Detroit’s leading jazz musicians and mentors. Your patronage contributes to the University of Detroit Jesuit Jazz Program.
