Cliff Bell's

Lady Vonne
2025-09-05 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Detroit)
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Lady Vonne is one of Detroit’s Jazz greats. She has opened for Phyllis Hyman, Joe Sample and Chaka Khan. 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. Lady Vonne’s timeless voice brings back the sounds of America’s Jazz Legends. She also sings American Standards and the hits of Contemporary Stars.
Lady Vonne had the “look” of a STAR from her earliest years as a singer performing at nightclubs in Detroit. 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.

Monique Ella Rose
2025-09-07 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.
Monique Ella Rose returns to Cliff Bells for an unforgettable night of good ol’ soul-stirring music! Join us for an experience that will lift your spirit, move your heart, and have you jamming the night away. Monique Ella Rose is a remarkable, award-winning R&B/Soul vocalist renowned for her spine-chilling vibrato and distinctive tone. Raised in the music-rich city of Detroit, Monique’s passion for music was nurtured from an early age. Drawing inspiration from the soulful sounds that echoed through Motown’s streets, she developed a deep appreciation for the emotive power of music.
Monique’s talent has taken her on a remarkable journey, sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in the industry. But what truly sets her apart is her ability to connect with her audience. Opening for celebrated artists such as Maxwell, Anthony Hamilton, Marsha Ambrosius, Dwele, Musiq Soulchild, Samara Joy, and more, she has captivated audiences with her soul-stirring performances.
Don’t miss this chance to witness Monique Ella Rose’s incredible talent live—it’s an experience you won’t want to forget! See ya there!

Jauron Perry and Session
2025-09-10 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.

the Planet D Nonet
2025-09-11 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-09-12 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-09-13 19:30 - 21:30
SHOWTIMES ARE AT 7:30PM & 9:30PM FOR THIS PERFORMANCE.
Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Echoes of Harlem: A Salute to Duke Ellington Vol 2. CD Release Events at Cliff Bell’s Jazz Club July 18, 19, 20, sets at 7:30pm & 9:30pm 2030 Park Ave Detroit, MI 48226 Echoes of Harlem: A Salute to Duke Ellington Vol 2. is a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Duke Ellington and follows the tremendous success of Planet D Nonet’s previous album, Blues to Be There: A Salute to Duke Ellington. Blues to Be There: A Salute to Duke Ellington (2023) performed exceptionally well, reaching #16 on the JazzWeek chart and surpassing PD9’s previous record with their Strayhorn CD, which peaked at #17 in 2016. The album also topped the Roots Music Report Jazz and Big Band Jazz Chart for twenty-three consecutive weeks peaking at #1 on both charts. The album also enjoyed 15 weeks on the NACC Top 30 Jazz Chart, peaking at #1 overall. Garnering significant airplay, the recording appeared on national “Best of” lists, including LA-based writer Scott Yanow’s “THE TOP JAZZ RECORDINGS OF 2023,” the Michigan Roots Music Report’s Top 200 of 2023 (#4), and Eric Hines’s WNMC Radio list (#1). JazzWeek ranked it #55 in their top 100 of the year, while the NACC chart placed it at #11 for the year end chart. Most recently, it was listed in the top 30 of 2023 on CJAM-FM’s “The Freedom Principle.” Mike Stratton of WKAR in Lansing, MI included it in his top ten for 2023, and Paul Donovan at KUVO in Denver ranked it #7 in his top ten for 2023. An organic evolution of Volume 2. While touring for the previous CD, Planet D Nonet continued adding new charts to their repertoire, realizing by last summer they had enough material for Volume 2. The project evolved organically, with some songs drawn from the movie “Anatomy of a Murder,” performed during a special tour of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where Duke himself once played. James O’Donnell’s performances with the East Side Rhythm Rascals inspired the inclusion of “Echoes of Harlem” and “Azalea,” arranged by Jeff Cuny. Collaborations with Andrew Homzy and Jeff Cuny brought “Rocks in my Bed” from the Ellington collection at the Smithsonian, featuring the vocals of Camille Price. Tbone Paxton delivers a spirited rendition of “Caravan” using a head arrangement from their live gigs. Rick Steiger suggested “La Plus Belle Africaine,” showcasing Duke’s modern compositions toward the end of his career. Trevor Lamb arranged this track, highlighted by a special photo of him with Ellington bassist John Lamb. This project has been a profound experience, blending historical reverence with personal connections and contemporary interpretations. Artist: Planet D Nonet Album Name: Echoes of Harlem: A Salute to Duke Ellington Vol 2 Label: Eastlawn Records, ELD-42 https://rjspangler.com/pd9.php https://www.eastlawnrecords.com/index.php

the Planet D Nonet
2025-09-14 17:30 - 19:30
Showtimes are at 5:30p & 7:30p for this performance. Doors open at 4pm for dinner. Seating begins at 5pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 7pm.
Echoes of Harlem: A Salute to Duke Ellington Vol 2. CD Release Events at Cliff Bell’s Jazz Club July 18, 19, 20, sets at 7:30pm & 9:30pm 2030 Park Ave Detroit, MI 48226 Echoes of Harlem: A Salute to Duke Ellington Vol 2. is a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Duke Ellington and follows the tremendous success of Planet D Nonet’s previous album, Blues to Be There: A Salute to Duke Ellington. Blues to Be There: A Salute to Duke Ellington (2023) performed exceptionally well, reaching #16 on the JazzWeek chart and surpassing PD9’s previous record with their Strayhorn CD, which peaked at #17 in 2016. The album also topped the Roots Music Report Jazz and Big Band Jazz Chart for twenty-three consecutive weeks peaking at #1 on both charts. The album also enjoyed 15 weeks on the NACC Top 30 Jazz Chart, peaking at #1 overall. Garnering significant airplay, the recording appeared on national “Best of” lists, including LA-based writer Scott Yanow’s “THE TOP JAZZ RECORDINGS OF 2023,” the Michigan Roots Music Report’s Top 200 of 2023 (#4), and Eric Hines’s WNMC Radio list (#1). JazzWeek ranked it #55 in their top 100 of the year, while the NACC chart placed it at #11 for the year end chart. Most recently, it was listed in the top 30 of 2023 on CJAM-FM’s “The Freedom Principle.” Mike Stratton of WKAR in Lansing, MI included it in his top ten for 2023, and Paul Donovan at KUVO in Denver ranked it #7 in his top ten for 2023. An organic evolution of Volume 2. While touring for the previous CD, Planet D Nonet continued adding new charts to their repertoire, realizing by last summer they had enough material for Volume 2. The project evolved organically, with some songs drawn from the movie “Anatomy of a Murder,” performed during a special tour of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where Duke himself once played. James O’Donnell’s performances with the East Side Rhythm Rascals inspired the inclusion of “Echoes of Harlem” and “Azalea,” arranged by Jeff Cuny. Collaborations with Andrew Homzy and Jeff Cuny brought “Rocks in my Bed” from the Ellington collection at the Smithsonian, featuring the vocals of Camille Price. Tbone Paxton delivers a spirited rendition of “Caravan” using a head arrangement from their live gigs. Rick Steiger suggested “La Plus Belle Africaine,” showcasing Duke’s modern compositions toward the end of his career. Trevor Lamb arranged this track, highlighted by a special photo of him with Ellington bassist John Lamb. This project has been a profound experience, blending historical reverence with personal connections and contemporary interpretations. Artist: Planet D Nonet Album Name: Echoes of Harlem: A Salute to Duke Ellington Vol 2 Label: Eastlawn Records, ELD-42
https://rjspangler.com/pd9.php
https://www.eastlawnrecords.com/index.php

Langston Kitchen's Mahogany Collective and Session
2025-09-17 19:30 - 21:30
SHOWTIMES ARE AT 7:30PM & 9:30PM FOR THIS PERFORMANCE. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Free admittance for all Musicians participating in the jam session

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.

Falooshh
2025-09-18 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.
​falooshh is an up and coming artist from Detroit. Her eclectic style of genre blending leaves the listener in the warmth of brassy tones while juxtaposed by serene vocal melodies. She is a multi-instrumentalist and writes and records all of her songs. Her energy is infectious live and her band is radiating with talented musicians, featuring a full horn section and backup vocals.

Innerphonic
2025-09-19 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-09-20 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.
Innerphonic is a collaboration produced by bassist Tim Shellabarger featuring keyboardist Ian Fink, saxophone & flautist Kasan Belgrave, & drummer JRGotTheHiTS. Pulling from a deep selection of influences, Innerphonic blends elements of house, techno, & acid while weaving a tapestry of live instrumentation that showcases their command and sensibilities in jazz, fusion, & funk. For their performances at Cliff Bells expect the first set to lean more towards jazz & fusion, while the second set will be more electronic influenced.

ALFONSO PONTICELLI and FUGU DUGU
2025-09-21 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.
Gypsy Jazz Meets Gypsy Punk

***Advanced Tickets Available Here
This electrifying collaboration features Alfonso Ponticelli, a master of Gypsy jazz, and Fugu Dugu, a high-energy, female-led band bringing a Gypsy punk twist. Together, they’ve created something truly unique—think the vibrant energy of Gogol Bordello paired with Alfonso’s world-class jazz artistry.
A multi-instrumentalist, Ponticelli won the 1994 U.S. National Mountain Dulcimer Championship and continues to perform solo and with a group. He has played both banjo and guitar with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra. Ponticelli has collaborated in Chicago with Arabic, Irish, bluegrass, Gospel, Gypsy, Hungarian, Romanian, Spanish Flamenco and many other traditional folk musicians. Ponticelli has had the honor of performing at Chicago’s Millennium Park on its opening night as well as at every major museum in Chicago.
Ponticelli is the 2009 recipient of the Leonardo da Vinci award for outstanding achievement in performing arts from Order Sons of Italy in America and holds a B.M. in Jazz Studies from DePaul University. Ponticelli has been to Cordoba, Spain (1994) to study with the great flamenco guitarists Rafael Riqueni and Manolo Sanlucar, New Mexico to study with Chuscales and Pedro Cortes and has had the great flamenco singer and guitarist Pansequito join his band for two years. He has performed at the Iridium in New York City where Les Paul invited Alfonso to play as a special guest with his trio.

Born in the smoky backstreets of Chicago but fueled by the fiery spirit of Moldova and Eastern Europe, Fugu Dugu is a female-led folk-punk revolution. Their music is a cultural explosion—raw, relentless, and drenched in the sounds of gypsy violins, Moldovan wedding chaos, and vodka-soaked rebellion. Imagine Gogol Bordello and Patti Smith raising a wild child in a back-alley bar in Chișinău—that’s Fugu Dugu.
Fugu Dugu’s punk edge is more than just grit and rebellion—it’s a sophisticated kind of chaos, underpinned by unparalleled musical mastery. At the heart of this refinement is Madame Broshkina, a classically trained violinist whose intricate melodies and searing riffs channel both the elegance of a concert hall and the unbridled energy of a punk mosh pit. Her ability to weave virtuosic technique into the raw fury of Fugu Dugu’s sound elevates the band to a level rarely seen in the punk world. Add Bucky Wanko’s razor-sharp guitar riffs and incendiary lyrics, and you have a band that is as intellectually arresting as it is emotionally explosive.
Singing in Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian, and English, Fugu Dugu spins tales of heartbreak, defiance, and untamed joy. Their shows are not just performances—they’re full-blown revolts where no one leaves unshaken.
Fugu Dugu took the United States by storm in 2024 with a wildly successful 15-city tour, leaving audiences roaring coast-to-coast. Now, the band is gearing up to take it to the next level in 2025, with bigger stages, more fire, and a growing global fanbase.

HAKi!
2025-09-25 19:30 - 21:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
“Haki is a mysterious power that allows the user to utilize their own spiritual energy for various purposes. The term itself, however, literally translates to “Supreme Qi”. All living beings in the world are capable of learning Haki; however, most people do not notice it or fail to awaken it.”
The concept behind the band HAKi! is to make people move. Rhythm, groove, feel, intensity, in tandem with the fusion of a multitude of musical genres, styles, and traditions allow for shaping the sounds and noise that HAKi! uses to elicit this concept. The quintets group members consist of unique individuals coming from different upbringings and traditions and forming a union of sonic complexity.
The band features Mark Royzenblat on Guitar, Jacob Shadik on Saxophone/Electronics, Allison Radell on Keyboard/Synthesizers, Ben Wood on Bass Guitar, and Louis M Jones III on the drums. The group has performed at a variety of different places including the 2024 Detroit Jazz Festival, Ohio and Canada.
WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
BANDCAMP
VIDEO
SINGLE “putindoinjudo”
UPCOMING SINGLE “HAKi!”

Nate Winn Group
2025-09-26 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.
A consummate musician, Nathaniel Winn discovered his passion for the drums in church at the age of 4. Since then, the Detroit, Michigan native has never looked back. Nate has had the pleasure to work with many well-known musicians such as Danilo Perez, Robert Hurst, Pat Metheny and Joshua Redman. Nate’s versatile, but unique style has earned him the opportunity appear on numerous albums.
Nate’s style is influenced by Jazz, Blues and his Gospel upbringing, along with some of his favorite drummers: Brian Blade, Kendrick Scott, and Calvin Rodgers.

Nate graduated from Wayne State University and Berklee College of Music with a bachelor’s in music and a master’s in jazz performance, respectively. Currently, he spends time traveling the world to spread the message of love and hope through music.

Closed for a Private Event
2025-09-27, 2025-10-15

The Vlad Tovbin Trio
2025-09-28 17:30 - 19:30
Showtimes are at 5:30p & 7:30p for this performance. Doors open at 4pm for dinner. Seating begins at 5pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 7pm.
Ukrainian born guitarist Vladimir Tovbin moved to United States in the 90’s and has since been one of the most entertaining band leaders in the region. Rooted in traditional Ukrainian Folk then mixed with Jazz-Manouche and American Swing, his dynamic collective of musicians brings a rich blend of these traditions together for a unique and fiery performance.

A Botanical Fortress Outpost featuring Houston Patton and Brian Allen
2025-10-01 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-10-08 19:30 - 21:30
This weekly experiment was a hand picked concept from the producers of Cliff Bell’s to introduce two different worlds of the Detroit improvised music scene. It features 3 ambient electronic synth artists of the Botanical Fortress Collective plus saxophonist Houston Patton and his long time collaborator, percussionist Brian Allen. The second set will be open to improvisors.
BOTANICAL FORTRESS is an existential sound movement and Improvisational post-rock orchestra. In fellowship with Art, Music, Nature and one another, we adhere to our four rules for improvisation: 1) Show up. 2) Pay Attention. 3) Tell the Truth. 4) Don’t be attached to the outcome.

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.

Brian Allen plays the drums like a boss.

Alex Whites New Covenant
2025-10-02 19:30 - 21:30
SHOWTIMES ARE AT 7:30PM & 9:30PM FOR THIS PERFORMANCE. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
New Covenant is a project that captures the sounds and spiritual and emotional impact of the Gospel through the medium of Jazz. It features both written compositions and inspired moments of improvisation. Led by Alex White (writer, arranger, and drummer), the band includes many talented musicians from Metro Detroit and beyond, such as Rafael Statin (woodwinds and synths), Chris Sykes (bass), Antwain Kirkland (keys and auxiliary synths), Roger Jones (organ), and vocalist Kristian Fountain.

Dwight Adams
2025-10-03 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-10-04 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.
Dwight Adams is a soul-inspired jazz trumpeter. He has played and recorded with Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, James Carter, Shawn Wallace and Donald Walden, and tours with Stevie Wonder. He has served as a jazz trumpet instructor at both Ohio State University and Michigan State University and is currently on the faculty at WSU. He landed a gig as a member of Teddy Harris’ New Breed BeBop Society at the age of 16, and is now one of the brightest stars on the Detroit jazz scene. Adams earned a full scholarship to Kentucky State University, where he majored in music education and performance.

Dwight Adams
2025-10-05 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.
Dwight Adams is a soul-inspired jazz trumpeter. He has played and recorded with Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, James Carter, Shawn Wallace and Donald Walden, and tours with Stevie Wonder. He has served as a jazz trumpet instructor at both Ohio State University and Michigan State University and is currently on the faculty at WSU. He landed a gig as a member of Teddy Harris’ New Breed BeBop Society at the age of 16, and is now one of the brightest stars on the Detroit jazz scene. Adams earned a full scholarship to Kentucky State University, where he majored in music education and performance.

Louis Jones III
2025-10-09 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-10-10 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-10-11 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.
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

Louis Jones III
2025-10-12 17:30 - 19:30
Showtimes are at 5:30p & 7:30p for this performance. Doors open at 4pm for dinner. Seating begins at 5pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 7pm.
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 U of M Big Band under the direction of Dennis Wilson featuring Kasan Belgrave and Ron Kischuck
2025-10-16 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.
Join us as the U-M Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Trombone Ensemble perform at Cliff Bell’s in Detroit, featuring multi-woodwind-instrumentalist and Detroit native Kasan Belgrave. The Jazz Trombone Ensemble is joined by featured trombonist Ron Kischuck.
In preparation for the arrival of the Count Basie Orchestra to the U-M campus, the Jazz Ensemble will premiere work composed by Professor Dennis Wilson for both ensembles. This event is presented in collaboration with the Department of Jazz & Contemporary Improvisation at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance.
Dennis Wilson joined the Michigan faculty after teaching at Kansas State University where he also served as an assistant dean for the College of Arts and Sciences. He has a significant association with the legendary Count Basie and his Orchestra that began in 1977 as trombonist and arranger. He continues to serve as musical production manager and educational director with the Basie Band.
Wilson is the lead trombonist for the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra and has toured, performed, and recorded with the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, the New Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the American Jazz Orchestra, the Benny Carter Orchestra, and Slide Hampton’s World of Trombones. He received a GRAMMY Award nomination for vocal arrangements for Manhattan Transfer and has performed on GRAMMY Award-winning recordings with Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, and Diane Schurr.
In 2001, Mr. Wilson was named Artist in Residence for the San Jose Jazz Society and serves as musical director for the new San Jose Jazz Society Big Band. He often presents at the conferences of the International Association for Jazz Education and is a current member of the IAJE Resource Team and Conference Selection Committee.

Baba BG & Odu Afrobeat Orchestra
2025-10-17 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-10-18 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.

In Yoruba spirituality, an Odù is one of 256 divinatory principals, each associated with a traditional set of verses (or Ese), representing thousands of years of observations and predictions. In the Detroit music scene, Baba Bg & Odu Afrobeat Orchestra comprised of the city’s best musicians, each of different genres, age, race, and background, representing Detroit’s strength in it’s musical diversity, and always delivers nothing short of a spiritual experience with every performance they give.
16 cowries by Baba BG & Odu Afrobeat Orchestra is a lively and energetic song that features vibrant horns, funky guitar riffs, and a driving rhythm section. The vocals are both in English and Yoruba, and the lyrics reflect on the importance of negotiating and reconciling differences in personal relationships. The song also showcases the band’s talent for seamlessly blending traditional Afrobeat with contemporary influences, creating a truly unique and infectious sound. Overall, “16 Cowries” is must-listen for fans of Afrobeat music and anyone looking for a high-energy and uplifting musical experience.
Baba BG is continuing the tradition of Afrobeat by incorporating his own unique style and experiences into the genre. By weaving stories into the music, he is using Afrobeat as a means of communication and expressing his own views and insights about the world, and by pushing the boundaries of the genre and exploring uncharted territories, Baba BG is helping to keep Afrobeat relevant and inspiring for future generations of musicians and fans alike.
