funky jazz Archives - Cliff Bell's

Andy Adamson Quintet

admin — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 02:30:00 +0000

The quintet performs compositions by Andy Adamson that reflect both
the modern jazz mainstream and the fusion approach that the
self-taught pianist and keyboardist favored throughout his career.

With Dan Bennett (Sax), Brennan Andes (Bass), Jonathon Taylor (drums),
and Ross Huff (Trumpet), the quintet delivers hard driving,
groove-inspired, positive energy original jazz that comes with many
evolving textures and dynamics and stands out from the crowd with its
universal appeal.

The band has three critically acclaimed CDs on Andros Records: “A Cry
For Peace” (2015), “First Light” (2017), and “Live at Cliff Bell’s.”
(2019).
www.andyadamsonjazz.org

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The New Day

admin — Sun, 27 Oct 2019 01:30:00 +0000

The New Day is a collective of veteran Detroit musicians. A new project, they were formed in 2019 and is currently working on their debut recording. Stylistically they are rooted in funk, jazz fusion, rock, Latin and hip hop with a Detroit edge. The band perform a mix of original and select covers by the Brecker Bothers, Snarky Puppy and the Crusaders.

These are real Detroit music veterans whom have performed collectively with disparate acts such as Aretha Franklin, Carly Carlton, The Temptations, the Four Tops, Freda Payne, Josh Groban, Ben Folds, the DSO and the Michigan Opera Theater.

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organissimo

admin — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 01:30:00 +0000

You might notice of something different at an organissimo performance. The audience isn’t the typical homogenous “jazz” audience. You’ll see a healthy mix of people from all walks of life; young and old, black and white, from hippies to corporate professionals and everything in between. organissimo’s music skirts over fences and satisfies a diverse range of tastes. You’re as likely to see people dancing as a group of folks intently listening.

As American cultural critic Elvis Mitchell wrote after witnessing a show at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, “The group’s toned, muscular playing keeps the crowd rapt, a condition noticeable by the fact that almost no one is talking.”
organissimo formed in November of 2000 with the goal of bringing jazz back to the people. organissimo’s sound is instantly identifiable yet constantly evolving, infusing elements of funk, gospel, blues, progressive rock, and Latin rhythms into a solid foundation of jazz. Shifting meters, deep grooves, melodic finesse and tight ensemble interplay are hallmarks of the organissimo sound.

organissimo’s music has received numerous awards. The latest CD, Dedicated, released in January of 2013, hit #5 on the JazzWeek charts and stayed in the Top 10 for 8 weeks. It hit #1 on the CMJ jazz charts and was named one of the Top 10 CDs of 2013. It received airplay on over 200 stations including Comcast’s MusicChoice and XM/Sirius Radio.

organissimo’s album, Groovadelphia, topped the CMJ Jazz Charts for three weeks at #1 and stayed in the JazzWeek Top 50 for 14 weeks, peaking at #22. It won two WYCE Jammie Awards for Best Jazz Album and Best Song and was also named one of the Best Releases of 2008 by WVPE, KJAZZ, CKCU-FM, and Jim Wilke’s Jazz After Hours program, syndicated on over 60 NPR stations nationwide. It is also nominated for a Detroit Music Award.

organissimo’s sophomore album, “This Is The Place”, hit #19 on the JazzWeek charts and a solid #4 on the CMJ charts. It also won two WYCE 2006 Jammie Awards for Best Jazz Album and Album of the Year , and was nominated for 2005 Detroit Music Award. Like its predecessor, it was named one of the Best Releases of 2005 by Jim Wilke ‘s Jazz After Hours program in Seattle, WHRV in Virginia Beach, WBEZ in Chicago, WVIA-FM in Pittston PA, WBLV Blue Lake Public Radio, WLNZ in Lansing, WEMU in Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti, KXJS in Sacramento, and WYCE in Grand Rapids, Jazz 90.1 in Rochester NY, Real Detroit Weekly Magazine , the Detroit MetroTimes and the Lansing City Pulse. NPR also featured the CD as a part of its Open Mic series.

The group also won a WYCE Jammy award for Best Jazz Album for their debut CD “Waiting For The Boogaloo Sisters…” (which features prominent New York saxophonist Ron Blake ). The CD was also named one of the Best Releases of 2003 by Jim Wilke’s Jazz After Hours program, syndicated on over 60 NPR stations nationwide.

http://www.organissimo.org/about.htm

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The New Day Collective

admin — Sat, 30 Mar 2019 01:00:00 +0000

The New Day Collective is a new project that plays the music of the Brecker Bros, Snarky Puppy as well as originals.

Jimmy Smith, trumpet
James Hughes, saxes
Dale Grisa, keys
Kris Kurzawa, guitar
John Barron, bass
Jason Gittinger. drums
Dan Schmatz, percussion

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CALVIN BROOKS Trio

admin — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 01:30:00 +0000

Born in Detroit Michigan, Calvin Brooks: plays and sings’ American Jazz Standards.

Calvin has recorded six Cd’s to date, on his self-owned record label. You find available on CD Baby, Amazon, Spotify and other sources. Calvin toured as, guitarist and music director for Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and currently performs in Las Vegas.

https://www.calvinbrooksjazzguitarist.com/

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/calvin-brooks-mn0000544810

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KG Experience

admin — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 01:30:00 +0000

Trombonist Kenneth Gill brings his band, The KG Experience to Cliff Bell’s for a debut performance. The band is a collection of likeminded Detroit area musicians that perform eclectic original compositions, while remaining true to the jazz tradition. They swing hard, funk hard, and groove hard.

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Dale Grisa Group

admin — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 01:00:00 +0000

Veteran Detroit area pianist Dale Grisa leads a modern jazz quintet, not so much swing oriented, but rather more-funky & certainly up-beat, with top-level players.

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The DOT (from Chicago)

admin — Sun, 07 May 2017 01:30:00 +0000

From Chicago, Howard Reich (Chicago Tribune arts critic) writes: A new generation of jazz improvisers has emerged in Chicago in recent years, but few are more promising than organist/pianist Justin Dillard. Musically, Dillard tends to be all over the keyboard, drawing upon the examples of virtuosos such as Dr. Lonnie Smith, Eddie Harris and McCoy Tyner.

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