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A highlight in David’s musical career was when at the age of 17, he was called on stage to play with Wallace Roney, a world-renowned, Grammy-award winning trumpet player mentored by Miles Davis. David says it was a thrill of a lifetime and a privilege to play on the same stage as Wallace Roney, as well as Ralphe Armstrong, who played bass.

David was in the jazz studies program at Michigan State University. He studied with Etienne Charles, Rodney Whitaker, Randy Gelispie, Wessell Anderson, Diego Rivera, and Rick Roe. He played in the MSU Jazz Orchestras and Octets and led an MSU Jazz Combo.

David was the leader of DTQ (David Thomas Quartet) and the Funtet while at MSU. He and his groups performed around the East Lansing area playing primarily original jazz compositions written by David, as well as standards from The Great American Songbook. The members have included Taylor Herron on alto saxophone and flute, Alex Krausman on piano, Sam Copperman on bass, Jordan Otto on drums, Griffin Vacheron on trombone, and the late Nate Woodring on drums, who is sorely missed.

While at MSU, David also played trumpet with the Bard Owls, an Appalachian folk group based in East Lansing. He is the featured artist on the song, “Blue Rail Line,” off of their album, “No Tracks.”

David is also a certified teacher in grades K – 8. He graduated from Michigan State University with his Elementary Education degree and a minor in music.

David currently leads his jazz trio, David Thomas & Co., in which he plays piano, Rhodes electric piano, trumpet, melodica, piccolo, and flute. He plays with Planet D Nonet, run by drummer, RJ Spangler, and trumpeter, James O’Donnell. David plays solo piano at the Rochester Chop House and Kabin Kruser’s Oyster Bar in Rochester, Michigan. Currently in his second year, he is the piano accompanist for the Rochester Community Schools Elementary District Choir and has arranged jazz tunes for the children’s choir to perform at their concerts throughout the school year. David can be found playing either solo or with his jazz duo or trio at restaurants, clubs, wedding ceremonies and receptions, fundraisers, churches, private events, and other various functions. Other than aforementioned, David also plays with several other bands and artists in the Detroit area.

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1st set-Jeffry Cuny’s Cool Sextet will do the music of the Chet Baker Sextet

2nd set- the sextet will feature Olivia Van Goor

3rd set- Jeffry Cuny’s Songbook trio feat. Olivia Van Goor

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Her outstanding musical intelligence is vibrantly reflected through a versatile repertoire that includes blues, jazz, samba, bossa nova, show tunes and more. Shahida has performed at the Detroit International Jazz Festival on a number of occasions including with Charlie Gabriel of the Preservation Hall Band and with clarinetist Eddie Daniels in a jazz version of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”. Shahida performed in the inaugural festival with Kenn Cox and the Guerilla Jam Band. She performed an “American Songbook” concert with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra and as a guest vocalist with the Preservation Hall Band at Preservation Hall New Orleans, LA. Shahida and her trio regularly play at clubs throughout southeastern Michigan, including The Dirty Dog Jazz Café and Cliff Bell’s.

Shahida recorded and performed with internationally lauded pianist Geri Allen’s band “Open on All Sides,” throughout Europe. The New York Times lauded her performance with Allen at New York’s Knitting Factory and she is a recipient of the Spirit of Detroit Award.
Whether swinging, rocking, or swaying, the strength of her musicianship is evident.
Get ready for a set of songs from the 60’s and 70’s that you haven’t heard “in forever.” It’s going to be fun!

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James grew up listening to Detroit trumpet great Johnny Trudell. His teachers and mentors included Carlos B. Rivera, who taught Curtis Fuller, as well as Russell Green, Marcus Belgrave, Herbie Williams, Charlie Hooks and Felton Jones. Playing with these men of the horn was very inspiring and helped in developing my own sound!! James & Detroit trumpet great Rayse Biggs recorded a tribute to Russell Green. James is known for his adaptation of trumpet mutes, ..ie the plunger, the bucket, the cup, the old tradition of growling.

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Now, Matthew LoRusso is teaming up with Detroit vocalist and trumpeter, Dave Vessella to bring you tunes you’ve all heard in a new package. From songs written in the ’20s or written last month, this group takes advantage of harmonic liberties and stylistic choices that will turn your favorite tunes into something new to be enjoyed by all.

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Matt LoRusso on guitar & Jeff Cuny on bass.

http://rjspangler.com/rjtbone.php

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Award winning vocalist & songwriter, Monique Ella Rose returns to Cliff Bell’s to perform 2 Shows in one night on Sunday, Nov. 1st, 2020 at 6PM and 8PM. 

Join Monique Ella Rose as she shares a repertoire of jazz standards, covers, and originals.  Drawing from her influences like Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, and other masterful artists, you are sure to enjoy a melodic, soul stirring treat that spans all genres. 

Raised in Detroit and going to the jazz festivals every summer with her mother, inspired Monique to sing and perform at young age.  Her debut album, Such Is Life, released in 2018 on her independent label, Soul Blend Records, was met with wide acclaim in the US & UK.  She is currently recording her sophomore project, which is soon to be released in spring of 2021. 

Monique Ella Rose has opened in concert for artists like Anthony Hamiliton, Marsha Ambrosius, Fantasia, Maxwell, Chris “Daddy” Dave, Raheem DeVaughn and others. 

Get ready to hear a rich, contralto voice that captivates, uplifts, and transcends time! 

Joining Monique Ella Rose this evening is an All Star band which includes, Ron Otis on drums, Takashi Iio on bass, and Maurice O’Neal on piano. You don’t want to miss this show! 

www.moniqueellarose.com

Make A reservation

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DISCOGRAPHY: TRUST YOUR HEART (2016), IN OUR OWN WAY (2014), KINDRED SPIRITS (04), HEART (01) SWING As You Are (’99), Parisian Protocol (’97), Mercy! (’95), Variations (’92), Lavendar Blue (w/Paul Sihon ’89) Whispers in the Wind (w/Paul Sihon ’88) and Enlightened Sector (w/Stefan Kukurugya ’87).

PERFORMANCES: When performing in jazz clubs and concerts, Paul usually is accompanied by piano, bass and drums. Paul has performed in concert halls, Jazz Clubs, Libraries, Civic Music Series, music festivals and more in Chicago, San Francisco Bay area, Hollywood, CA, Oklahoma, New York City, New Jersey, Ohio, Canada, Paris and Marseilles, France and throughout Michigan.

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Meri Slaven is a jazz vocalist presently performing in and around the Detroit Area. She grew up in the area in a very musical family and played clarinet, piano and accordion throughout her childhood and adolescence. She was a classical voice major at Florida Atlantic University, and studied privately with renowned dramatic tenor Eddy Ruhl before crossing over to jazz. After which she could be seen performing in Miami and around southern Florida. Then she relocated to NYC where she performed for a few years before moving back to the Detroit area where she keeps quite busy.

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