Trumpet player Walter Cano was born with music already running through his veins. Growing up in Seattle a first-generation American of Peruvian descent, his love for rhythm was shaped early by the festive Afro-Peruvian festejo and landó that permeated his home and the colorful jazz…

Bobby Selvaggio is one of the leading alto saxophone voices on today's jazz scene. In the words of pianist Kenny Werner, “Bobby is among the best of players out there,” and legendary saxophonist Joe Lovano praises Bobby by calling him “one of the few young…

The Paul Keller AT SUNDOWN Quintet features vocalist/clarinetist Sarah D'Angelo (Keller says, "Sarah is the voice of my music."), saxophonist Steve Wood, pianist Duncan McMillan and drummer Stephen Boegehold. Their hallmark is unique tonal blend of clarinet and saxophone in harmony - a beautiful "ensemble…

Speakeasy Sunday June 24 Doors 7:30 / Show 8:30 Featuring performances by: Leena Allure Kitten Von Mitten Gurl Haggard Margot Lugosi Miss Holly Hock Vivacious Miss Audacious Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speakeasy-sundays-june-edition-tickets-46257504441

Frisson is​ ​an​ ​eight​ ​piece​ ​instrumental​ ​collective​ ​formed​ ​in​ 2015​ ​at​ ​the​ ​Oberlin Conservatory​ ​of​ ​Music and led by composer and vibraphonist Matt DiBiase. Comprised​ ​of​ ​graduates​ ​and​ ​current​ ​students​ ​of​ ​Oberlin,​ ​the​ ​Juilliard School,​ the ​Berklee​ ​Global​ ​Jazz​ ​Institute​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Brubeck​ ​Institute,​ ​its​…

Nolan Young is a well regarded tenor sax man on the Detroit scene who is no stranger to the stage at Cliff Bell's. He will bring an excellent band ready to fire it up!

The Max Bauhof Group features pianist/vocalist Shawn McDonald, bassist Ben Luttermoser, guitarist Paul Carey with max holding it down on drums. All of these men have considerable time under their belts touring on the road, in the US and abroad. They play a mix of…

Southeastern Michigan jazz drummer Sean Dobbins has been the most active sideman on the local scene during the first decade of the new millennium for good reason. A facile, limber, inventive, and playful musician who adds extreme value to any band, his happy persona and…

Evan Mercer, 23, studied at Wayne State University for Jazz Studies and has played piano since he was 5 years old. Having studied under names such as Matt Michaels, Cliff Monear, and Rob Pipho, he offers a fresh perspective on old standards while writing new…

Southeastern Michigan jazz drummer Sean Dobbins has been the most active sideman on the local scene during the first decade of the new millennium for good reason. A facile, limber, inventive, and playful musician who adds extreme value to any band, his happy persona and…

Grammy Award winning trumpeter Curtis Taylor’s lyrical and melodic improvisational style displays a level of maturity far beyond his counterparts. His unique blend of soulfulness, harmonic sensibilities and rhythm melt together for an unforgettable sound that directly connects with the soul of the listener. According…

Thursday, July 5, the Nolan Young Quartet, 8 pm, no cover. Nolan is a strong Detroit tenor man that got his start on stage at Cliff Bell's. He always brings a top-flight young band with plenty of great players sitting in!

Jeff recently completed work on his Graduate degree in jazz studies at WSU and is a fine young string bassist. He is also the chief arranger for the band Midtown Sounds and appears around the city with Tbone Paxton and also the Gary Greenfelder Orchestra.

Band is The Hvrcrft Ft. Brian Charette & Ari Teitel Formed in 2018 at the legendary Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans, The Hvrcrft is a collaboration between veteran NYC jazz organist Brian Charette and young NOLA guitarist Ari Teitel. The pair blends modern jazz…

Evan Mercer, 23, studied at Wayne State University for Jazz Studies and has played piano since he was 5 years old. Having studied under names such as Matt Michaels, Cliff Monear, and Rob Pipho, he offers a fresh perspective on old standards while writing new…

Shawn Maxwell formed his style early on while growing up in the rich musical history of the Joliet, Illinois school music programs. From the time a clarinet and saxophone first touched his lips, Maxwell knew that music was his calling. With conviction and abilities that…

Paul plays sax, flute and sings ala Chet Baker. He is an experienced jazz artist and brings a commensurate band: Gary Schunk (piano), Kurt Krahnke (bass) and Pete Siers (drums).

Alexis Lombre is a young jazz pianist who discovered early that the true essence of music is not just about what you hear but how music makes you feel. Her musical mission is to keep the ‘Soul’ in music alive. The 2017 release of her…

Lushh is a non-genre specific band made up of students in Western Michigan University’s Jazz Studies Program. Lushh’s influences draw upon the likes of Kneebody, Thundercat, Hiatus Kaiyote, Snarky Puppy, Donny McCaslin, Kendrick Lamar, and more. Lushh frequently performs in and around the greater Kalamazoo,…

The James Russell Project was created by jazz flutist James Russell, born and raised in Detroit. The group focuses on jazz, contemporary and soul music while adding a modern feel to each style. Because of the versatility of genres, the group brings not only an…

Jeff recently completed work on his Graduate degree in jazz studies at WSU and is a fine young string bassist. He is also the chief arranger for the band Midtown Sounds and appears around the city with Tbone Paxton and also the Gary Greenfelder Orchestra.

The Royal Keys is a musical entity made up of five handsome, yet approachable gentlemen, all masters of their respective instruments.  Together they create an energetic and undeniably authentic sound that harkens back to an age when jazz became blues, blues became swingin’, and it…

Evan Mercer, 23, studied at Wayne State University for Jazz Studies and has played piano since he was 5 years old. Having studied under names such as Matt Michaels, Cliff Monear, and Rob Pipho, he offers a fresh perspective on old standards while writing new…

Originally from Columbus, OH, Sam Blakeslee is a New York City based trombonist and composer. Sam holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Studies from Youngstown State as well as a Master of Music in Classical Performance from the University of Akron. As a…

Sunday July 15 Sunday evening is the high school / adult instrumental small-group performance for the Detroit Jazz Workshop. All levels of jazz musicians will perform selections by great jazz composers. There are 5pm and 8pm shows. $10 advanced tickets / $15 door https://www.helpwithjazz.com/  

Monday July 16 Monday evening is the middle school combo / jazz vocalist performance for the Detroit Jazz Workshop. After the younger DJW students play a set of music, some of Detroit's upcoming vocalists will take the stage in their debut performance with a professional…

Alexis Lombre is a young jazz pianist who discovered early that the true essence of music is not just about what you hear but how music makes you feel. Her musical mission is to keep the ‘Soul’ in music alive. The 2017 release of her…

"She’s a true extrovert…even when you watch her sing, she engages you and makes you feel like you’re part of the story." — Terell Stafford, Jazz trumpet player In October 2012, vocalist Chelsea Reed brought five of her friends together to play some tunes in…

New York City based drummer Stephen Boegehold happily returns to Cliff Bell's, a starting point for many of his musical endeavors, for a night of music with old friends. Interested in revisiting music of his upbringing in a place that shaped it - namely weekly…

Led by Detroit jazz artist and educator Sean Dobbins, MSU Spartan Youth Jazz is a program that provides high-quality music education outside of the normal school day. The SYJ Boot Camp is a week-long summer camp where student combos learn improvisation, ensemble playing, and technique.…

Michael Zaporski’s FUTUREVISIONS quintet explodes across the soundscape, taking audiences on a lyrical epic, connecting two continents and two quintessential traditions: American Jazz and West African rhythms. Their performances are a whirlwind of dynamic energy leaving listeners hanging on every pulse-pounding note. Jazz aficionados and…

Evan Mercer, 23, studied at Wayne State University for Jazz Studies and has played piano since he was 5 years old. Having studied under names such as Matt Michaels, Cliff Monear, and Rob Pipho, he offers a fresh perspective on old standards while writing new…

Downbeat Magazine: “Cortiñas' music is uplifting, robust, melodic, and gets your body moving; it's an exciting blend of the artist's musical influences from jazz and Latin America, including his native Mexico" Here are three of the Ensemble's official videos: Dialectics of Freedom (studio) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd5_QXp_SGM Ubermensch…