Cliff Bell's

DeSean Jones
2022-06-17 19:30 - 2022-06-18 09:30, 2022-06-16 19:30 - 2022-06-17 09:30, 2022-06-15 19:30 - 2022-06-16 09:30, 2022-06-14 19:30 - 2022-06-15 09:30, 2022-06-13 19:30 - 2022-06-14 09:30, 2022-06-12 19:30 - 2022-06-13 09:30, 2022-06-11 19:30 - 2022-06-12 09:30, 2022-06-10 19:30 - 2022-06-11 09:30 (America/Detroit) and 13 more dates
De’Sean Jones is a Detroit based saxophonist, billboard charting recording artist and grammy nominated arranger. Over the past 20 years De’Sean has toured the world recording or performing with music Icons like Stevie Wonder, Faith Evans, along with a host of Detroit Legends; Marcus Belgrave, The Clark Sisters, Kierra Sheard and techno pioneer Mad Mike Banks of Underground Resistance.
As a bandleader & producer Jones has curated an eclectic approach that is widely viewed as progressive and undeniably rooted in the rich history of black culture. De’Sean actively pushes the boundaries of social consciousness through music in ways that are authentic, emotionally dynamic and intellectually stimulating.

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

Spare Parts
2022-06-16 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show) ***********************************************************************************
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.
Visit spareapartsmusic.com for more!

ON THE ROAD w/ Cedric Easton & Anthony Hervey
2022-06-12 19:30 - 23:00, 2022-06-11 19:30 - 23:00, 2022-06-10 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show) ***********************************************************************************

Jazz at Lincoln Center presents On The Road. This inaugural community tour uses
traditional and nontraditional live music efforts to serve the community, educate
students, and present world class music. Additionally, On The Road develops
exceptional beginner and novice jazz artists in order to support the growth of a global
audience for jazz. On the Road has selected Anthony Hervey & Cedric Easton as joint
fellowship recipients to co-lead a jazz Septet through the Midwest.
The Band
Anthony Hervey, co-lead/ trumpet
Cedric Easton, co-lead/ drums
De’Sean Jones, tenor saxophone
George Delancey, bassist
Lexi Hamner, trombone
Miles Lennox, piano/ keyboard
Jordan Pettay, alto saxophone
Cedric Easton is a New York based administrating artist from Columbus, Ohio. A self-
taught musician, Cedric’s foundation for music and community building began in the
black Pentecostal church. While studying youth ministry and business at Ohio Christian
University, Cedric’s dedication, and desire to explore various forms of music afforded
him many opportunities to play with various national and international artist including
Jonathan Nelson, Deitrick Haddon, Dorinda Clark Cole, Jeremy Pelt, JD Allen, Richard
Giuliano, and Chrisitan Howes. During this time, he received honorable mention in Jazz
Times (2012), was commissioned by The Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center to compose
a theme song for the season, and by the Maroon Arts Group to co-create and direct the
multi-disciplinary performance, “Black Staccato” (2015 – 2016). Additionally, he has
self-released two music videos entitled, “Inspire Me” (2016) and “Tears” (2018) Most
recently Cedric featured in a docufilm, “Legacy: Jon Irabagon A Tenor Odyssey” (2021)
Cedric’s career spans beyond his experience performing. He worked as the Worship
Arts Director at New Covenant Believers Church (2006 – 2016), a teaching artist with
the Jazz Arts Group (2010 – 2015) Most recently, in 2016 Cedric was recruited to work
for the prestigious Jazz at Lincoln Center based in New York City, New York. He
currently serves as the Associate Director of Outreach, while maintaining an active performance schedule.
Anthony Hervey is a New York based trumpeter, composer, and teacher from South
Florida. At the age of 18 he was admitted to the Juilliard School, graduating with his
B.M. in 2019 and his M.M. in 2020. Hailed as a “beautiful trumpet player of the first
magnitude” by Wynton Marsalis, Hervey has performed at Jazz festivals and concert
halls around the world with some of the best that Jazz has to offer, including Wynton
Marsalis, Rodney Whitaker, Christian McBride, Aaron Diehl, and Jon Batiste. In recent
years, he made his international debut as a bandleader at the Bern Jazz Festival in
Switzerland. In February of 2020, he opened for the Branford Marsalis Quartet at Rose
Theater with a co-led Jazz quartet, Citizens of the Blues. He is also on Christian
McBride’s recent Big Band Album, “For Jimmy, Wes, and Oliver”, which was released
on Mack Avenue Records. On another note, Hervey is prominently featured acting and
playing trumpet in the horror anthology series, Monsterland, airing on Hulu. He views
music as a force that can uplift and inspire. In the same way music has changed his life
and brought him joy, he strives to spread that joy and change the lives of others.

Kenneth Gill Duet & KonGruENT
2022-06-09 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Kenneth Gill is a trombonist, band director, educator, composer, arranger, songwriter, and producer. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Kenneth attended Detroit Public Schools and is a graduate of Howard University (B.M.E.) and Kent State University (M.M.). Kenneth continues to chart his own musical course. In 2019, he released an LP entitled The Good News. As an in-demand trombonist, he has recorded and performed with various artists and ensembles. In addition to maintaining a full schedule as a working musician, he is currently attending the University of Michigan, pursuing his doctoral degree in Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation.
Notable artists with whom he has shared the stage include: Marcus Belgrave, Gerald Wilson, Grady Tate, Donald Byrd, Clark Terry, Yusef Lateef, Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, Gladys Knight, El DeBarge, Boyz II Men, Tori Kelly, Martha Reeves, Ray Chew, Les Nubians, Jennifer Holiday, Mutiny, Mike Phillips, Darius Rucker, Kurt Elling, Terence Blanchard and more.
Leslie Hoggatt Gill is a vocalist, arranger, and songwriter. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, she has loved to sing since before she could speak. Her parents recognized her passion for music at the beginning and helped to cultivate her gift. She sang her first solo in concert at the age of 3 and started to train classically on the piano at the age of 4. Leslie’s vocal gift has allowed to her to travel and sing at public and private events across the United States and in other countries. She has also been featured on several studio recordings. Leslie has graced the stage of Detroit’s legendary Baker’s Keyboard Lounge and the famous Cliff Bell’s jazz club.
Kenneth & Leslie were married in 2020, becoming the Gill Duet in more ways than one. They share a deep love for jazz, music history and each other. Creating and performing together comes naturally; the Gill Duet was always meant to be.
KonGruENT is the embodiment of the word’s definition. The band is comprised of outstanding musicians, accomplished in their own right, uniting in one accord with the same goal: freedom of expression through traditional and progressive jazz arrangements that emphasize the bold sound of horns. Collectively, these talented musicians represent KG Entertainment as KonGruENT.

Kasan Belgrave Organ Quartet
2022-06-05 19:30 - 23:00
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Multi-woodwind-instrumentalist and Detroit native Kasan Belgrave holds a unique stance in the city as one of the young torchbearers of the Detroit jazz collective. His father, the late maestro trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, laid a foundation for him as he continues to carry on the legacy of Detroit jazz royalty. Following close to his father’s strides, Kasan takes pride in contributing to Detroit’s rich pedigree of musical mentorship, as he strives to continue passing down the knowledge and exposure of jazz music to generations after him.
The 23-yr-old is a recent graduate of University of Michigan, and also currently holds a graduate assistantship under bassist Prof. Rodney Whitaker at Michigan State University. Belgrave has shared the stage with many greats such as Nicholas Payton, Barry Harris, Benny Green, Rodney Whitaker, Theo Crocker, Robert Hurst, Karriem Riggins, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis.
Kasan has performed around the globe. He attended a jazz summer clinic that his father ran at the University of California-Berkeley in 2011, where he met flautist Elena Pinderhughes, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, and Walter Smith III. He traveled to Barbados in 2013, along with saxophonist Marcus Elliott and pianist Ian Finkelstein, where they performed a masterclass and concert sponsored by the U.S. Embassy. He’s performed frequently at the Detroit Jazz Festival, as a sideman for Wendell Harrison, Rob Pipho, Rick Margitza, Nicholas Payton, and Detroit bassist Ali Bey.
In 2017, he performed a duet with the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin in her last ever live Detroit performance at the Music Hall.
Kasan will be releasing his debut album this summer, but is prominently present showing his support for his musical peers throughout the major venues of the Detroit music scene.

Gayelynn McKinney and McKinFolk
2022-06-04 19:30 - 23:00, 2022-06-03 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show) **************************************************************************************************
Gayelynn McKinney began playing the drums at the age of two. Although she
received much of her musical training in the Detroit Jazz scene, she also
obtained her Bachelor of Music degree from Oakland University. Gayelynn has
recorded projects with the group Straight Ahead, (of which she is a cofounder)
Ralph Armstrong and Marcus Belgrave just to name a few. She has recently
recorded solo projects called “It’s About Time,” “McKinFolk The New
Beginning,”and “Zoot Suit Funk.” Gayelynn McKinney’s many awards
include: 2014 Kresge Artist Fellows recipient, with the Group Straight Ahead
and McKinFolk, a Grammy Nomination, Detroit Black Music Award recipient,
and Detroit Music Awards for best jazz composer.
Gayelynn McKinney has had the opportunity to travel extensively and play at many famous jazz festivals including Montreux-Jazz Fest, Lionel Hampton Jazz Fest, New Orleans Jazz Fest, Essence Festival, Olympics, and the Kennedy Center. She has also
performed as a side musician with such notables as Benny Golson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diane Shure, Jason Marsalis, Freda Payne, Roy Ayers, Geri Allen, Marcus Belgrave, Chaka Khan, Roy Hargrove, Randy Brecker, Rick Margitza, Larry Coryell, Ralphe Armstrong, Steve Turre, Kevin Mahogany, James Carter, Tim Ries, (The Rolling Stones Music director) and “Speech” of “Arrested Development.” Gayelynn is also the last drummer to tour with Aretha Franklin. While performing with Aretha Franklin, Gayelynn had the distinct honor to play for presidential hopeful, Hilary Clinton. She also performed at Tribeca Film Fest featuring a tribute to Clive Davis.
Learn more about her HERE!

Maraj Virtuoso & Better Things
2022-06-02 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Seatings begin at 5p & 8:45p respectively)
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Maraj Virtuoso is a multi-cultural Afro-LatinX vocalist and violinist who believes she was born to express her story and love through story-telling, songs and strings.
She creates music that fuses Neo-Soul, Jazz, Latin influences along with dashes of R&B and Indie. This creates a delicious sound with lyrics that weave a story of personal testimony, life’s beautiful twists and turns, vulnerabilities while touching on mental health.
Maraj Virtuoso begin playing the violin at the age of 3 and continued to study classical violin under the tutelage of the Detroit Civic Symphony Orchestra and the mentorship of DSO & New Mexico Philarmonic violinist Marian Tanau.
Her exploration in improvisational strings and her true vocalist style begin in 2014 after continuing music studies at Wayne State University. She then found herself falling in love with lyricism as well as the ins and outs of production and live instrumentation. She expanded her taste in music alongside the open ears and support of her parents who wanted to help her express herself through any form of music out there. She has performed at many venues and festivals across Detroit, Chicago, Brooklyn and Los Angeles having opened up for artists like Black Milk alongside Phil Swish, Kaina, DeadstockV1, Supercoolwicked and more.
Currently living and creating in Detroit, she finds herself constantly inspired by her continued pursuit of all knowledge musically but also the internal self reflection as well as the incredible musicians that surround her in her life. Through her soon to be released project A.D.H.D (Angels.Demons.Hearts.&Dreams) she wants to bring to light that we are all human and in this life, through music and song we are all beacons of light and love.
That we are all capable of kintsirugi. To extend grace beyond measure to not only others but ourselves.
Over the course of her performances at Cliff Bells she will be joined on-stage by openers, friends and performing artists Hugo Biggs, McCrea Deezer, and Kevin Christian adding hints of hip-hop and pop.
