Cliff Bell's

Houston Patton Quartet and Session
2026-01-14 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-02-11 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Detroit)
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.

Everything Yes
2026-01-15 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.
ADVANCED TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
Everything Yes is an American jazz fusion band spearheaded by the drummer Zack Graybeal, known famously as ZackGrooves on his platforms, Sean Reeser, prolific composer, producer and tenor sax master & Cole Sipe, composer, sound engineer and magistral bassist.
This powerhouse of a band brings a fresh take on the style while staying true to the roots. Let’s meet the members!
Zack Graybeal (DRUMS) : Born in Atlanta GA, there was no question that this man was destined for greatness. His unstoppable determination and discipline are a force to be reckoned with. He spent his entire education at East Carolina University in the top bands at the school. He is exactly as he presents himself on YouTube. There is no filter or mask that could ever cover his unique and raw personality.
Sean Reeser (MAIN COMPOSER & TENOR SAX) : From York PA, this genius producer and tenor saxophone master first met Zack at East Carolina when they were both given the same audition slot. This was the beginning of Everything Yes. Just like Zack, Sean spent his time at ECU in all the top bands. Their styles and discipline heavily influenced each other during this crucial time. His vast knowledge of theory and composition are an integral part of the unique sound Everything Yes brings.
Cole Sipe (BASS): Also from York PA, Cole and Sean have been playing together since they were fifteen. Having both attended the Inspire Studio of the Arts, an excellent school in York directed by Cole’s father Curt, they bring over a decade of musical kinship to Everything Yes that most bands would kill to have. Cole’s moves and grooves bring life to the room. His style and finesse on the bass is the perfect fit and a staple of the EY sound.
Nathan Graybeal (ALTO SAX): A young artist from North Carolina, most well-known for his YouTube persona “Saxologic”. Originally an avid artist then animator, he has transferred his love for art to saxophone. He spreads his infectious passion to inspire others to find the joy of improving in music. Nathan obtained a bachelor’s degree in both jazz and classical saxophone performance from East Carolina University. He attended the Frost School of Music at University of Miami for his Masters and currently attends University of Memphis for his DMA.

Allen Dennard
2026-01-16 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-01-17 19:30 - 21:30
There will be two separate seatings at 7:30pm & 9:30pm for this performance. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Allen Dennard is a trumpeter, composer and bandleader who was born and raised in the city of Detroit, Michigan. Allen has made three appearances as a sideman in the Detroit Jazz Festival, one being with the great saxophonist Wendell Harrison (2015), one being with Detroit bassist Ali Bey (2017), and lastly with the Detroit Jazz Festival All-Star Alumni Band (2019). In January 2019 Allen was chosen by the Detroit MetroTimes as one of ten artist they thought would become famous in that year. Soon after that Allen was approached with many interview requests, one being with Detroit Public Television/ PBS and the other being with Honeysuckle Magazine, a New York City based magazine company. Aside from that Allen has worked with several artist from the Detroit Music Factory label, such as Gayelynn McKinney, De’Sean Jones and Sean Dobbins. He has also worked with Detroit saxophonist David McMurray from the Blue Note record label. Adding to that, Allen also got the opportunity to share the stage with New York based saxophonist J.D Allen, who is with HighNote Records.
In October 2018 Allen had the opportunity to work with famous R&B artist Ray J, being a member of the pit orchestra in a play that Ray J was in. In the same year Allen was chosen to be in the horn section for the MC5 reunion in Detroit, sharing the stage with musical icons such as Wayne Kramer. Following after that Allen went on to record on one of Alice Copper’s latest albums in 2019. Allen is a bandleader and has three of his own groups, the Allen Dennard Trio, the Allen Dennard Quartet and the Allen Dennard Quintet.

Allen Dennard
2026-01-18 17:30 - 19:30
Showtimes are at 5:30p & 7:30p for this performance. Doors open at 4:30pm for dinner. Seating begins at 5pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 7pm.
Trumpeter Allen Dennard has one foot firmly planted in the classic jazz canon. The 2016 graduate of the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance leads his own rotating jazz ensemble while also regularly playing with the likes of Detroit legends Marion Hayden, Wendell Harrison, and David McMurray. This April saw his first release Stepping In, which evokes the sounds of Miles Davis’ classic quintet.
That said, he’s not just a strict jazz classicist. His other foot is firmly planted in the melting pot that is the Detroit music scene. Dennard also sits in and records with acts ranging from hip-hop (Kulture) to rock ‘n’ roll (the MC5’s “MC50” 50th anniversary tour), blues (Robert Bradley), soul (Ray J), and gospel (J. Drew Sheard II).
Dennard comes from a musical family: His aunt Elreta Dodds played bass clarinet with the ’70s avant-garde jazz ensemble Griot Galaxy. His father sings, his mother used to play the trumpet and piano, and his older sister played clarinet. But Dennard says he got his start on trumpet on accident. “In 5th grade I wanted to play trombone, but my school didn’t have enough,” he says. “I thought that trumpet was the next best thing. From then on I just never put it down.”
It also helps that Detroit has an amazing legacy of mentorship within the jazz community. Dennard praises his first teacher, jazz flutist Deblon Jackson, for starting him off with ear training before diving into music theory. He also praises trumpeters John Douglas, Dwight Adams, and Rayce Biggs for helping him learn his instrument.
But Dennard’s biggest mentor was none other than Marcus Belgrave, the jazz icon who died in 2015. Dennard says that connection was forged thanks to his aunt, who was best friends with the pianist Geri Allen, who set up Dennard’s first lesson with Marcus when he was in high school.
It wound up being a crucial connection. “At U of M he saved my career,” Dennard says. When Dennard was first given his trumpet, there was no one to teach him the correct way to play, so he found his own way to do it. But by the time he got to college, he found out that his embouchure, or how the mouth is applied to the mouthpiece, was no longer working for him.
“That way got me really far — it got me a scholarship to U of M,” Dennard says. “But in college my notes started cracking and I couldn’t hold a note.” Dennard compares it to being “as bad as breaking your leg if you just got there on a basketball scholarship.” He almost quit.
At a U-M master class, Marcus could tell Denard was struggling, and took him aside for private home lessons for more than a year. “He kind of sensei-ed me through,” Dennard says.
Now, Dennard says he’s inspired by artists like Houston singer, pianist, and producer Robert Glasper. “For me personally, Robert Glasper created this new wave of jazz that’s similar to ’70s jazz fusion,” Dennard says. “Hip-hop evolved into other things, and he put that in his music and created a whole new wave of other artists doing it. It’s common around Detroit.”
Dennard says he just calls it “modern music.” “I love it,” he says. “I think it’s good for the evolution of music. Everything’s always changing — politics, life, all that. Music should too.”
by Doug Coombe January 02, 2019 Detroit Metro Times
https://m.metrotimes.com/detroit/allen-dennard-takes-jazz-into-the-future/Content?oid=19038380

Jauron Perry and Session
2026-01-21 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-02-18 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.

Jonathon Muir-Cotton
2026-01-22 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-01-23 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-01-24 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.
Featuring:

Jonathon Muir-Cotton-(Bass Bandleader)
Louis Jones III- Drums
Wyatt Forhan- Trombone
Zach Sommerfeld- Guitar
Brendon Davis- Piano (January 22rd, 24th, 25th)
Jordan Anderson – Piano (January 23rd)

Jonathon S. Muir-Cotton is a multi-award winning young, up and coming double bassist and bassist trained in both the jazz and classical traditions; playing many genres including jazz, funk, gospel, blues, R&B and neo-soul. Under the mentorship and tutelage of great Detroit bassists like Marion Hayden, Robert Hurst, Rick Robinson, Rodney Whitaker and Ralphe Armstrong, Jonathon is working towards making his own mark in the music world.
Jonathon has continued to garner great opportunities to perform internationally, with consistent rotations in Detroit, New York, Ann Arbor, and many other venues across the country. Jonathon is a student at Michigan State University pursuing his Bachelors in Jazz Studies.
Just this summer Jonathon made is tv scoring debut for the show Mo Season 2 on Netflix! Show was produced by Common, Karriem Riggins, Mohammed Amher.
Jonathon is currently touring with artist such as Christian Sands, Ulssyess Owens, Luther Allison, Domo Branch, Ashley Pezzotti, Brandon Woody.
Muir-Cotton has performed/ toured with various renowned artists, including Common,Karriem Riggins,, Christian Sands, , Ulyesses Owens Jr Joe Farnsworth, , Luther Allison, Ali Jackson, Esperanza Spalding, Ian Finkelstein, Soul Science Lab, and Kamau Kenyatta. He has his own talented and versatile extended band Expressions, and is an often sought bassist for other artists, their bands, and studio work. Jonathon continues to hone his craft, hopes to tour the world, and eventually become a music educator, teaching jazz at the collegiate level as well as be an inspiration and give back to the next generation of students and aspiring musicians.

Jonathon Muir-Cotton
2026-01-25 17:30
Canceled to to weather
Jonathon S. Muir-Cotton is a multi-award winning young, up and coming double bassist and bassist trained in both the jazz and classical traditions; playing many genres including jazz, funk, gospel, blues, R&B and neo-soul. Under the mentorship and tutelage of great Detroit bassists like Marion Hayden, Robert Hurst, Rick Robinson, Rodney Whitaker and Ralphe Armstrong, Jonathon is working towards making his own mark in the music world.
Jonathon has continued to garner great opportunities to perform internationally, with consistent rotations in Detroit, New York, Ann Arbor, and many other venues across the country. Jonathon is a student at Michigan State University pursuing his Bachelors in Jazz Studies.
Just this summer Jonathon made is tv scoring debut for the show Mo Season 2 on Netflix! Show was produced by Common, Karriem Riggins, Mohammed Amher.
Jonathon is currently touring with artist such as Christian Sands, Ulssyess Owens, Luther Allison, Domo Branch, Ashley Pezzotti, Brandon Woody.
Muir-Cotton has performed/ toured with various renowned artists, including Common,Karriem Riggins,, Christian Sands, , Ulyesses Owens Jr Joe Farnsworth, , Luther Allison, Ali Jackson, Esperanza Spalding, Ian Finkelstein, Soul Science Lab, and Kamau Kenyatta. He has his own talented and versatile extended band Expressions, and is an often sought bassist for other artists, their bands, and studio work. Jonathon continues to hone his craft, hopes to tour the world, and eventually become a music educator, teaching jazz at the collegiate level as well as be an inspiration and give back to the next generation of students and aspiring musicians.

Bill Laurance (Solo Piano)
2026-01-25 20:00
To Be Rescheduled
Grammy Award-winning pianist, composer, and producer Bill Laurance is internationally celebrated for his genre-defying sound and innovative collaborations. With over 25,000 followers on Facebook and 40,200 on Instagram, Bill has cultivated a devoted global audience drawn to his distinctive blend of jazz, classical, and electronic music.
As a founding member of Snarky Puppy, Bill has earned five Grammy Awards, including Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for Empire Central (2023), Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2020), Culcha Vulcha (2017), and Sylva (2016), as well as Best R&B Performance in 2014 for the Snarky Puppy collaboration with Lalah Hathaway.
Bill’s versatility has made him a sought-after collaborator and composer across film, television, and dance. His music has featured in international ad campaigns for Apple and Sky, and in films such as Un Traductor (2018) and Initials S.G. (2019), for which he composed several original themes. He also collaborated closely with the late David Crosby, including on the acclaimed documentary Remember My Name (2019).
Laurance’s compositions have been reimagined by renowned ensembles such as the WDR Big Band Cologne and Metropole Orkest and commissioned for performances at the Cello Biennale. He has composed extensively for contemporary dance, working with Alvin Ailey’s Hope Boykin (ReDefine US, From The Inside OUT, 2021; Here WE Are, 2020) and companies including Matthew Bourne’s Adventures in Motion Pictures, Phoenix Dance, Northern Ballet Theatre, and English National Ballet.
His solo work explores the intersections of acoustic and electronic music, often framed by conceptual and narrative themes. A prodigious performer since childhood—playing his first Soho residency at just 14—Bill’s musical journey has been marked by curiosity and fearless experimentation. His creative partnership with Michael League continues to flourish through their duo projects and collaborative performances around the world.
In recent years, Bill has released two celebrated albums: Keeping Company (with Michael League, 2024) and his 12th solo album, Lumen (2025). Together, they mark the latest chapters in a career defined by innovation, collaboration, and an ever-evolving musical vision.

https://billlaurance.com/
https://billlaurance.bandcamp.com/

Kasan Belgrave and Session
2026-01-28 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.

Langston Kitchen's Mahogany Collective
2026-01-29 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.

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.

Hearts and Minds
2026-01-30 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-01-31 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.
“. . . raucous and scintillating” – Nate Chinen, Jazz Times
Soon after the catchy synth-bass line that opens Electroradiance, listeners will start to suspect they’re in for something different. The synth-bass line has a herky-jerky contour that does fit a basic pattern of power-rock bands over the decades, but the bass clarinet melody that follows? Not so much. And halfway through, when the bass line becomes a vamp, and the improvisation enters a realm of altissimo squawks and thrillingly convoluted deep runs – well, we’re not in Kansas anymore, are we? Electror diance, the captivating new collection of grooves and freedom from Chicago trio Hearts & Minds, teems with such episodes. “Future Told” marches to a humorously ominous riff rooted in the cartoonish melodies of Raymond Scott in the 1930s. The dance-inducing beat of “Step’n” supports a stuttering melody from bass clarinet – and then some whole-tone keyboard swaths, pockmarked by synthesized percussion blips – before shifting to a fast swing beat and back again. That same dynamic comes into play on “Slippery Slope,” while a modified New Orleans street beat drives “Shreveport”. On the other hand, though, “Treeline” opens with a mournful melody and retains its lovely rubato tempo for the first portion; and the title track offers a space-agey tone poem – night-lonely and a little eerie – in which synthesized keyboard sounds and bass clarinet gargles become almost interchangeable. Hearts & Minds is the brash and ballsy brainchild of Jason Stein and Paul Giallorenzo, who have remained friends since they met as grade-school classmates almost three decades ago. Employing an unusual, not to say bizarre, instrumentation, they make music that loops the solar system but maintains an irresistibly grounded pulse (despite the lack of a bassist). Giallorenzo’s keyboard work reaches back to the fledgling electronics of the 60s to encompass synth lines as well as asymmetrical tones and textures, which embrace Stein’s rangy command of bass clarinet techniques. Joining them for the first time on disc, drummer Chad Taylor simmers or percolates, utilizing his wealth of experience with such artists as Chicago tenor-sax legend Fred Anderson and his Chicago Underground cohorts Jeff Parker and Rob Mazurek. Taylor’s history made him the perfect choice to replace Hearts & Minds’ original drummer, Frank Rosaly (who moved to Europe shortly after the trio’s debut recording). Working with Fred Anderson allowed him to learn from a free-jazz contemporary of Cecil Taylor, Ornette Coleman, and Pharoah Sanders, whose pioneering improvisations of the 1960s are one touchstone for Hearts & Minds. And Taylor’s collaborations with trumpeter-electronicist Rob Mazurek honed his ability to support and shape music made by electronics – the other major inspiration for Hearts & Minds, whose music
reverberates with memories of Sun Ra and the jazz fusion of Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock.
As the title of the opening track indicates, this ability to go “Back And Forth” between two seemingly opposed camps distinguishes Hearts & Minds – as does the ability to find a fusion path that skirts them both. This same dialectic applies to the name of the band itself, as these musicians seek to achieve an aesthetic unification of expressionistic energy (heart) and intellectual formalism (mind) – all with a 21st-century voice that refers to but does not imitate past influences.

Jason Stein​ is among the mere handful of improvisers who play the bass clarinet exclusively (rather than doubling on it as a change of pace). He occasionally performs for more people in one night than most jazz musicians see in a year: his free-jazz trio Locksmith Isidore has opened arena shows for comedian Amy Schumer (his half-sister). In addition to that trio and his own quartet, he contributes to several of the leading bands on Chicago’s new-music scene, and has brought a vital voice to the freest of free-jazz jams. But he has also stated a fondness for playing actual tunes, such as those that fill the repertoire of Hearts & Minds. And while several of these songs provide a section for free improvisation, their initial frameworks provide a uniquely inviting showcase for Stein’s extraordinary expertise on the bass clarinet, which ranges from powerful post-bop lines to ear-grabbing wails in the altissimo range. Chicago writer Neil Tesser notes that his playing has “a rawboned swagger particular to Chicago jazz in all its manifestations – from the trad playing of Bud Freeman and Jimmy McPartland in the 20s, through the tenor titans of the 50s, through the adventurers who formed the AA CM in the 60s, and right up to the city’s renowned modern cadre of new-music improvisers.”
Paul Giallorenzo,​ in addition to leading his own groups – particularly his GitGo quintets and the widely admired acoustic piano trio heard on the 2018 album Flow – has emerged as a leading virtuoso on the analog synthesizer. Giallorenzo’s work has been praised for its “inside-out” nature – his ability to push the boundaries of “conventional” jazz toward more freedom but also, on the other side, to bring a measure of structure to more avant-garde material. In addition, he is a co-founder of Elastic Arts, an important Chicago performance space and gallery, where he curates concert series, produces individual programs, and performs. Writing in the online journal Point Of Departure, John Litweiler said, “His solos and aggressive duets are gems of after-Bop, after-Bley melody,” while AllAboutJazz.org lauded music that “smudges the lines between the tradition and the avant-garde.” Stein and Giallorenzo first met in sixth grade in Rockville Centre, a mid-sized Long Island suburb of New York City. Giallorenzo attended Northwestern University just north of Chicago; Stein, studying at University of Michigan, traveled frequently to Chicago before graduation, then moved there in the early 2000s. Each settled quickly into the city’s burgeoning jazz/new-music environment, which by then was attracting attention throughout North America and Europe. They first performed in the format that evolved into Hearts & Minds in 2003; Frank Rosaly came on as drummer in 2005, ably succeeded by Chad Taylor,​ who grew up in Chicago and now lives in New York. His discography includes more than a dozen albums under the Chicago Underground rubric, starting with the Chicago Underground Duo formed by him and Rob Mazurek; multiple albums recorded with Fred Anderson, guitarist Jeff Parker, and award-winning flutist and composer Nicole Mitchell; and one of the most critically respected albums of 2017, trumpeter Jamie Branch’s Fly Or Die.

Chad Taylor is a prominent American jazz and experimental drummer and composer who made his initial mark on the Chicago music scene in the 1990s. He is a founding member of the long-running Chicago Underground ensembles (Duo, Trio, Quartet, Orchestra) with multi-instrumentalist Rob Mazurek.
Born in 1973 in Tempe, Arizona, Taylor grew up in Chicago and began his professional performing career there at age 16. He is known for his versatile and “big-hearted Chicago swing feel” combined with a detailed New York style, performing with a wide range of acclaimed artists including Fred Anderson, Pharoah Sanders, Marc Ribot, Jeff Parker, Jaimie Branch, and James Brandon Lewis. Though he left Chicago in 2001 and currently lives in Philadelphia, his work with the Chicago Underground collective and other Chicago-based musicians has left a lasting impact. In addition to his collaborative work, Taylor leads his own groups, including the Chad Taylor Trio and Circle Down.
Chad Taylor is also an educator and a scholar, holding a master’s degree in Jazz History and Research from Rutgers University. As of 2024, he serves as the director of the Jazz Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh.

Louis Jones III featuring Allen Dennard
2026-02-01 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.
Louis M. Jones III is a dynamic drummer and composer emerging from the heart of Detroit’s storied music scene. From playing rhythms on pots and pans with wooden spoons to gracing festival stages, Louis has developed into a versatile and emotionally expressive artist with a voice rooted deeply in the city’s rich musical legacy.

By age 13, he had committed to a life in music, honing his craft with sticks, brushes, and mallets. He studied under Detroit jazz luminaries such as Wendell Harrison, Marion Hayden, and Sean Dobbins—mentors who, along with his father’s guidance, shaped his artistry and connection to Detroit’s diverse soundscape.
Known for his ability to move fluidly across genres, Louis has performed and recorded with artists including Wayne Shorter, Pamela Wise, Karriem Riggins, ELEW, and Johnny O’Neal. As a leader, he debuted his album Motions at the 2025 Detroit Jazz Festival to critical acclaim—marking a bold and personal statement in his evolving career.
In addition to performing, Louis is deeply committed to education and community engagement, mentoring young musicians and investing in the future of Detroit’s music scene. With a rare blend of precision, soul, and innovation, Louis M. Jones III continues to carry the torch of Detroit jazz—while forging a sound all his own.

https://louisjonesdrums.com/#nanogallery/my_nanogallery/72177720308687496

https://open.spotify.com/artist/46FWioc6SN476KEfqKYjLb?si=ufoQsv6JQrqs49talJ8kqQ

the Swing Syndicate Jazz Lab
2026-02-04 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.

Cliff Bell's 20th Anniversary featuring the Sean Dobbins Organ Trio
2026-02-05 19:30 - 21:30
There will be two separate seatings at 7:30pm & 9:30pm for this performance. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
We invite you to join us this weekend and throughout the year as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Cliff Bell’s re-opening. Over the past two decades, Cliff Bell’s has evolved from a smokey haunt on a dark block on the edge of downtown, known only to a handful of local musicians and their fans, to an internationally recognized destination for the world’s best jazz. We are deeply grateful to the Detroit community for its ongoing support of live jazz, and to our dedicated ownership, management, and staff. Special thanks go to the musicians—both local and international—who have made Cliff Bell’s their home for live jazz in Detroit.
We’re kicking off our anniversary with three nights of Jam Sessions hosted by some of the original guardians of our stage. Drummer, educator and composer Sean Dobbins performs and hosts the exact date of the anniversary February 5th. One of the greatest pianists to every play on our stage, Mike Jellick will be returning from New York on Friday February 6th. And closing out the weekend is Marcus Elliott who held down our Wednesday night Jam session for so long we really don’t remember when it began or ended!
Jazz drummer Sean Dobbins got his start as sought-after Detroit area jazz sideman at a young age, when he would regularly play with Blue Note artist Louis Smith. As Sean’s Career progressed, he found himself the recipient of many awards and accolades including the “Woody Herman Jazz Award”, an award for outstanding musicianship, as well as the Louis Armstrong Scholarship. Due to Sean’s great talent both as a player and an educator, he has been the focus of countless news articles and jazz radio programs.

Though still young by jazz standards, Dobbins has amassed an impressive list of playing companions. He has performed/toured/recorded with Johnny Basset, Benny Golson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Frank Morgan, Joey DeFrancesco, George Cables, James “Blood” Ulmer, Marcus Belgrave, Larry Willis, Rodney Whittaker, Claude Black, Johnny O’Neal, Paul Keller, Tad Weed, Kurt Krahnke, Jon Hendricks, David “Fathead” Newman, Donald Walden, Cyrus Chesnut, Barry Harris, David Baker, Randy Johnston, Marion Hayden, Mose Allison, and a host of other great musicians.
Sean’s sound can best be described as hard-driving, solid rhythm with refreshing melodic sensibility. Some of Sean’s influences include Art Blakey, Jeff Hamilton, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Ed Thigpen, Sonny Payne, and also Detroit area greats Gerald Cleaver and the one and only Elvin Jones. A product of the Ann Arbor Public Schools, Sean has stayed devoted to education throughout his life. Early mentor Louis Smith, an Ann Arbor Public Schools band teacher, impressed the importance of a good education upon Sean at an early age. Sean is known in his community as a band director, drum teacher and positive influence for many.

Cliff Bell's 20th Anniversary featuring the Michael Jellick Quartet
2026-02-06 19:30 - 21:30
There will be two separate seatings at 7:30pm & 9:30pm for this performance. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
We invite you to join us this weekend and throughout the year as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Cliff Bell’s re-opening. Over the past two decades, Cliff Bell’s has evolved from a smokey haunt on a dark block on the edge of downtown, known only to a handful of local musicians and their fans, to an internationally recognized destination for the world’s best jazz. We are deeply grateful to the Detroit community for its ongoing support of live jazz, and to our dedicated ownership, management, and staff. Special thanks go to the musicians—both local and international—who have made Cliff Bell’s their home for live jazz in Detroit.
We’re kicking off our anniversary with three nights of Jam Sessions hosted by some of the original guardians of our stage. Drummer, educator and composer Sean Dobbins performs and hosts the exact date of the anniversary February 5th. One of the greatest pianists to every play on our stage, Mike Jellick will be returning from New York on Friday February 6th. And closing out the weekend is Marcus Elliott who held down our Wednesday night Jam session for so long we really don’t remember when it began or ended!

Michael L. Jellick, born in New Delhi, India, and raised in Livonia, MI. Now based in NYC as well as Detroit, he has become a mainstay on the Detroit Jazz scene and beyond. A well sought-after pianist, Michael has had the pleasure of playing with, and/or recording with an incredible array of greats such as Bobby McFerrin, The Harlem National Big Band, Christian McBride, Common, Ingrid Jensen, Joel Frahm, Rodney Whitaker, James Carter, Sheila Jordan, Michelle Dorrance and Dorrance Dance, Max Pollack and Rhumba Tap, Claudia Rahardjanoto, Marcus Belgrave, Ron Blake, Karriem Riggins, Marion Hayden, Dwight Adams, Jesse Palter, as well as a versatile array of others. His ten-year long weekly Wednesday night jam with his trio at Detroit’s Northern Lights Lounge since 2011-2020 became a vibrant hub for seasoned professionals and the cultivation of aspiring musicians alike. When not performing in NYC, Detroit, and beyond, he is often found immersed in his equal love of teaching masterclasses across the U.S., working with his private students in NYC, as well as composing and arranging. Among other albums, you can also find him on the Blue Note Records release, Detroit Jazz City — an album that opens a window onto, and celebrates Detroit’s jazz legacy past and present.

Cliff Bell's 20th Anniversary with: The Marcus Elliot Quintet featuring Brandon Woody(Blue Note)
2026-02-07 19:30 - 21:30
There will be two separate seatings at 7:30pm & 9:30pm for this performance. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
We invite you to join us this weekend and throughout the year as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Cliff Bell’s re-opening. Over the past two decades, Cliff Bell’s has evolved from a smokey haunt on a dark block on the edge of downtown, known only to a handful of local musicians and their fans, to an internationally recognized destination for the world’s best jazz. We are deeply grateful to the Detroit community for its ongoing support of live jazz, and to our dedicated ownership, management, and staff. Special thanks go to the musicians—both local and international—who have made Cliff Bell’s their home for live jazz in Detroit.
We’re kicking off our anniversary with three nights of Jam Sessions hosted by some of the original guardians of our stage. Drummer, educator and composer Sean Dobbins performs and hosts the exact date of the anniversary February 5th. One of the greatest pianists to every play on our stage, Mike Jellick will be returning from New York on Friday February 6th. And closing out the weekend is Marcus Elliott who held down our Wednesday night Jam session for so long we really don’t remember when it began or ended!

Multifaceted saxophonist and composer, Marcus Elliot, has emerged as one of the leading voices of the Detroit music scene. The New York Times has called him “convincing and confident, evolved in touch and tone…”, and the Detroit Free Press has said, “Marcus Elliot represents next generation of jazz”. Marcus creates music with the hope of “reminding myself and listeners that we are human beings, and what a gift that is.” He is a recipient of the Joyce Awards (2024), a prestigious award for innovative new projects by pioneered by artists spanning the visual, performing, and multidisciplinary arts that engage diverse communities in the Mid-West. He is also a recipient of the Kresge Fellowship(2020), awarded to artist that are recognized for their creative vision and commitment to excellence within a wide range of artistic disciplines. Marcus is instructor of jazz saxophone at Wayne State University and is director of the Creative Arts Orchestra at University of Michigan. Marcus has performed and/or collaborated with Terence Blanchard, Karriem Riggins, Talib Kwali, Marcus Belgrave, Brian Eno, Shigeto, Robert Hurst, Anthony Davis, Jeff Tain Watts, and many others.
​
Brandon Woody is a Baltimore-born, Bach-endorsed trumpeter, composer, and bandleader whose music flows from the rich lineage of Black music, including jazz, gospel, improvisation, and beyond, to explore themes of love, resilience, and community. Hailed by The New York Times and Los Angeles Times as a rising force in contemporary jazz, Woody signed with the legendary Blue Note Records in November 2024 and released his debut album, For The Love Of It All, in May 2025. Featuring his longtime band Upendo — Troy Long (keys), Quincy Phillips (drums), and Michael Saunders (bass) — the album showcases Woody’s ability to craft music that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Rooted in Baltimore, Woody has built his career from his hometown, drawing on its vibrant creative culture and community spirit. His work has received praise across major publications, with DownBeat highlighting his “rich and expressive” tone and the Financial Times noting the album’s emotional range “from gentle lyricism to swaggering virtuosity.” The Washington Post described Woody’s music as “staggeringly self-assured” and “radiating warmth, purpose, and a sense of place,” reflecting both the clarity of his artistic vision and his deep connection to his community.

CANJA de BOA
2026-02-12 19:30 - 21:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.

CANJA de BOA is a dynamic, evolving project from guitarist Kyle Canjar. The collective blends MPB (Brazilian pop music), samba, bossa nova, afoxé, and maracatu with their own roots in American jazz. Their laid-back, fun, and summery vibe hits a high note for audiences of all ages and at a variety of venues—from prestigious jazz clubs to outdoor concerts. Core members Kyle Canjar (guitar), Pia Broden Williams (vocals), Michelle Ureña (woodwinds), and Gordon Krupsky (percussion) invite listeners to take a journey through a vibrant soundscape, celebrating the dialogue and connection between American and Brazilian musics.

the Easy Street Jazz Band
2026-02-13 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.
For more than five decades, Ann Arbor-based EASY STREET JAZZ BAND has been delivering the sounds of Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Sidney Bechet, and more. Founded by the late Paul Klinger in 1970, the 7-piece ensemble has served as house band for iconic venues like the Bird of Paradise and Firefly Club and continues to play weekly at the Zal Gaz Grotto to enthusiastic crowds. As the Ann Arbor Observer wrote on the band’s 40th anniversary, “If you heard this music on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, you’d marvel at their authenticity…” Visit https://www.facebook.com/easystreetjazzband to learn more about the band.

Valentine's Day Dinner and A Show
2026-02-14 17:00 - 22:00
Cliff Bell’s named one of the most romantic restaurants in the US for Valentine’s Day. See the list HERE!
Cover charge for admittance is $30.00 and our seasonal menu will be available for dinner. Seating times are limited to 90min. Shows start at 5pm and run until 10pm. With sets every hour on the hour.
Featuring music by the legendary Lady Vonne!

Lady Vonne’s timeless voice brings back the sounds of America’s Jazz Legends. Lady Vonne had the “look” of a STAR from her earliest years as a singer performing at nightclubs in Detroit. She has sung at Comerica Park, Detroit’s Music Hall, The Detroit Convention Center, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, Arts Beats & Eats, The Montreux-Detroit Jazz Festival. and The Greektown and Motor City Casinos. In her youth, she sang in the church choir and played violin and clarinet in school. But it wasn’t until she began playing the hotel circuit through the Lorio Ross Agency that her singing career began to flourish. It was where she honed her craft. Eventually, she got booked to perform at signature venues like Comerica Park, The Cobo Convention Center, Detroit’s Music Hall, The Montreaux-Detroit Jazz Festival, Birmingham Jazz Festival, and The Arts Beats & Eats Festival. That experience led to becoming an Opening Act for the likes of Joe Sample, Chaka Khan, The Whispers, and Phyllis Hyman. As she advanced, she took on a much more glamorous look that properly conveyed the level of her talent. While known primarily for Jazz, Lady Vonne is adept at performing American Standards, Broadway Show Tunes and R&B. She has also performed on stage in a theatrical productions where she played the role of Phyllis Hyman and also co-starred in “When A Woman’s Fed Up.” Lady Vonne’s supreme vocal skills are enough to fill a concert space but what makes her SPECIAL as an artist is that she takes audiences back in time by telling them background stories of the singers and the songs that she pays homage to. Lady Vonne’s recent release of “My Turn to Fly” features an inspiring lyric and a vibrant orchestral arrangement that sounds like the title song of a Broadway Musical. It’s Magical.

Kimmie Horne
2026-02-15 17:30 - 19:30
Showtimes are at 5:30p & 7:30p for this performance. Doors open at 4:30pm for dinner. Seating begins at 5pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 7pm.
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!

Andrew Brown and Session
2026-02-18 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.
Andrew Brown is a young up-and-coming musician, producer, educator, and artist from Dearborn, Michigan. A recent graduate of the jazz program at Michigan State University, where he studied trumpet, he currently teaches K–8 general music at a Lansing charter school during the day while performing and creating music at night. At just 22 years old, Andrew has already played with and studied under many of the leading musicians in the Detroit, national, and international jazz scenes. His music reflects influences from a wide range of genres, with the goal of ultimately bringing people together.

In 2022, Andrew released his self-produced debut album Lovely, a pop-driven exploration of heartbreak. The record featured many of his colleagues and peers from Michigan State University and received positive reviews from publications such as the Dearborn Free Press. Since then, Andrew has released a number of singles and collaborations while completing his degree, and now that he has graduated, his next major project is currently in development and scheduled to be released later this year.

In addition to his work in music production, Andrew is an active jazz trumpet performer. He has performed at notable venues in Detroit, Tokyo, and even at Lincoln Center in New York City. While at Michigan State, he studied under Anthony Stanco and Rodney Whitaker and has also learned from Detroit jazz mainstays including Kris Johnson, Vincent Chandler, Scott Gwinell, Marcus Elliot, and Rayse Biggs. Through MSU’s jazz program, Andrew has had the opportunity to perform and tour with renowned artists such as Renee Rosnes, Jazzmeia Horn, Stefon Harris, Marquis Hill, Geoffrey Keezer, Carmen Bradford, Camille Thurman, Ryan Keberle, Randy Napoleon, Michael Dease, Walter Blanding, and other members of the university’s acclaimed faculty. A finalist for both the 2025 National Trumpet Competition and the International Trumpet Guild Jazz Competition, Andrew is beginning to see his dedication pay off as his professional career continues to take shape.

La Cecille and The Eastside Banda
2026-02-19 19:30 - 21:30
SHOWTIMES ARE AT 7:30PM & 9:30PM FOR THIS PERFORMANCE. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
La Cecille, formerly known as Supercoolwicked (Morgan Hutson), is a multidisciplinary Detroit artist (Morgan Cecille Hutson) known for music, film, and performance that blends Black history, storytelling, and liberation, often using spirituals as a base for experimental sounds, and is celebrated for honoring inner child work and African American heritage.

The Eastside Banda is a guitar-centered ensemble and collective founded by Sasha Kashperko on Detroit’s Eastside. The group specializes in blending Detroit jazz traditions with Eastern European and Russian Chanson

The Vincent Chandler Experience
2026-02-20 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-02-21 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.
Vincent Chandler is a trombonist, educator, composer, scat singer, band leader and mentor from Detroit, MI. While in High School, Vincent worked with a local Blues and Salsa Band of which flourished into work with Detroit’s local and international heroes, including Kenn Cox, Donald Walden, Harold McKinney, Wendell Harrison, Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, Regina Carter, Marion Hayden, Robert Hurst and James Carter. Vincent has performed nationally with Roy Hargrove, Joe Henderson, Stefon Harris, J@LC feat.Wynton Marsalis, Geri Allen, JD Allen, The Oliver Lake Big Band and The Ambrose Akinmusire Big Band. He was a featured artist on the 2009 Playboy Jazz Festival, where he performed with Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock and Keb’ Mo. He was a featured soloist on Roy Hargrove’s only Big Band CD, called “Emergence.”
He earned his Undergraduate and Graduate degree from the University of Michigan. Vincent held teaching positions at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Claflin University, South Carolina State University and he is currently a Lecturer of Jazz Studies at Wayne State University and the Director of the DSO Civic Jazz Orchestra.
