Honoring a 7 year collaboration between Cliff Bells and one of the oldest Jazz Studies programs in the country, Wayne State University Jazz students run a good old-fashioned jazz jam session, which is open to the public-Hosted by Prof. Chris Collins, Valade Chair in Jazz

“Virtuosos on clarinet and saxophone” (New York Times), identical twins Peter and Will Anderson are one of the most extraordinary musical acts performing captivating, classic jazz today. Born and raised in Washington D.C., the Andersons moved to New York City to attend The Juilliard School.…

Alexis Lombre is a teenage professional jazz pianist who is making her way onto the jazz scene. Raised on Chicago’s South Side, she discovered early that the true essence of music is not only about what you hear but, more importantly how music makes you…

The Ron Pangborn Trio is a powerhouse ensemble comprised of veteran players Phil Hale on keys, John Barron on bass and Ron on drums. Familiar landscapes taken to a funky fork in the road. The journey's just beginning..

The Jason Didia Septet features all original music and arrangements that are deeply set in the jazz and bebop tradition while exploring modern forms and harmonies. It is led by Jason Didia, a Detroit saxophonist/arranger/composer currently at Wayne State University, who has assembled a band…

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 & bassist for the Planet D Nonet and appears around the city with Tbone Paxton and also the Rhythm…

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

Evan Mercer studied at Wayne State University in the Jazz Studies Program 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…

Pianist, singer, composer, director, Alvin Waddles began studying the piano at the age of eight in his hometown of Detroit. He continued his studies at the Interlochen Arts Academy and the University Of Michigan School Of Music. After returning home to Detroit he immediately immersed…

Sunday brunch with pianist/vocalist Jarrod Champion! “His roots are deep in Detroit, when he sits in front of the keys, Jarrod Champion’s sound makes its way to the south, over in the Dixieland and Delta.” WDET, Culture City Weekend.

After years in bands under various leaders playing all over the midwest in basements, bars, festivals, and stadiums, we have joined forces to party on any stage that welcomes us. We sing, shout, and sometimes do a bad impersonation of James Brown when the soul…

Alexis Lombre is a teenage professional jazz pianist who is making her way onto the jazz scene. Raised on Chicago’s South Side, she discovered early that the true essence of music is not only about what you hear but, more importantly how music makes you…

Daniel Meinecke is a Toledo native pianist who spent years in Detroit and now lives in New Orleans. Mr. Meinecke returns to Cliff Bell's to present his latest project: The Daniel Meinecke Ensemble. He was a recipient of the 2016 New Voices Award from the…

Cliff Bells will open to the public beginning at 10a EST. We will also feature a big screen where you and your guests can watch the game!! Chris Canas is considered by many as Detroit's Prince Of The Blues. His band is one of Michigan's…

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 & bassist for the Planet D Nonet and appears around the city with Tbone Paxton and also the Rhythm…

Keyboardist/vocalist Bill Heid was born August 11, 1948, in Pittsburgh, PA. A natural and virtuosic musician who was inspired to play jazz and blues by listening to the radio, he played in both piano and organ groups. His brother is the well-respected drummer and producer…

Our early Saturday piano trio series, led by Evan, a fine young pianist along with several strong young musicians that have all graduated from WSU. Evan now tours throughout the world with soul diva Bettye LaVette.   Evan on piano, Samuel Chase Harris on double…

Keyboardist/vocalist Bill Heid was born August 11, 1948, in Pittsburgh, PA. A natural and virtuosic musician who was inspired to play jazz and blues by listening to the radio, he played in both piano and organ groups. His brother is the well-respected drummer and producer…

Jarrod Champion is a self-taught pianist, vocalist, organist, songwritier and multi-instrumentalist. Born in a suburb east of Detroit, Michigan, he’s the son of two working class parents, both trained pianists. Originally based in rock and roll, Jarrod eventually spread out into the prominent jazz, blues…

Wayne State University’s long history of producing world class musicians is one of the great attributes for the City of Detroit. Hosted by Professor Chris Collins, the WSU Director of Jazz Studies. WSU students ensembles will perform on the stage at Cliff Bell’s, followed by…

Alexis Lombre is a teenage professional jazz pianist who is making her way onto the jazz scene. Raised on Chicago’s South Side, she discovered early that the true essence of music is not only about what you hear but, more importantly how music makes you…

Speakeasy Sundays is a monthly Detroit burlesque show featuring talent from around the globe, hosted at historic Cliff Bell’s. Cliff Bell’s originally opened in 1935 by John Clifford Bell and retains many of its original features to this day, including its luxurious mahogany and brass…

"Perhaps the most creative improviser in Gypsy jazz today, Mr. Wrembel plays the guitar with a rich and colorful lyricism." -New York Time https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/19/arts/music/pop-rock-and-jazz-in-nyc-this-week.html "Stephane Wrembel represents the living face of Gypsy jazz" and Rolling Stone Magazine has called him “a revelation”      -The…

The name of late jazz pianist Mulgrew Miller may not trip off the tongue of the casual jazz fan, but make no mistake, among the genre’s aficionados, he was and is considered a musician’s musician. Versatile and singular, he pushed jazz to the limit harmonically,…

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 & bassist for the Planet D Nonet and appears around the city with Tbone Paxton and also the Rhythm…

Ben Winkelman is a jazz pianist and composer living in New York. His writing explores diverse musical interests filtered through a jazz perspective: Afro-Cuban, gospel and classical music, with a focus on Latin rhythms in odd meters. He is touring the US and Canada with…

Our early Saturday piano trio series, led by Evan, a fine young pianist along with several strong young musicians that have all graduated from WSU. Evan now tours throughout the world with soul diva Bettye LaVette.   Evan on piano, Samuel Chase Harris on double…

Michael Zaporski’s FUTUREVISIONS 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 novices…

Jarrod Champion is a self-taught pianist, vocalist, organist, songwritier and multi-instrumentalist. Born in a suburb east of Detroit, Michigan, he’s the son of two working class parents, both trained pianists. Originally based in rock and roll, Jarrod eventually spread out into the prominent jazz, blues…

Speakeasy Sundays is a monthly Detroit burlesque show featuring talent from around the globe, hosted at historic Cliff Bell’s. Cliff Bell’s originally opened in 1935 by John Clifford Bell and retains many of its original features to this day, including its luxurious mahogany and brass…

The Bloomfield Hills Music Department and band program is one of the top music programs in the state of Michigan. The school has been a past recipient of the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) award for one of the best communities for music education…

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…

Andy Adamson is a self-taught Ann Arbor native composer and musician. Starting his original band journey in sixth grade, Andy has composed music for his all original bands and played keyboards for over 50 years. Influenced by the likes of: John Coltrane, the Mahavishnu Orchestra,…

Talking Ear is a five-piece progressive music ensemble based out of the Midwest, committed to providing a unique experience for listeners through composition, collaboration, and improvisation. The band consists of vocalist Estar Cohen, guitarist Daniel Palmer, pianist Benjamin Maloney, bassist Aidan Cafferty, and drummer Travis…

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 & bassist for the Planet D Nonet and appears around the city with Tbone Paxton and also the Rhythm…

Randy Johnston is one of the most widely recorded and prolific guitarists of his generation. He has released 12 albums as a leader for the Muse, Highnote, J Curve, Mel Bay, and Random Act labels and has appeared on dozens of recordings with other top…

Our early Saturday piano trio series, led by Evan, a fine young pianist along with several strong young musicians that have all graduated from WSU. Evan now tours throughout the world with soul diva Bettye LaVette.   Evan on piano, Samuel Chase Harris on double…

Randy Johnston is one of the most widely recorded and prolific guitarists of his generation. He has released 12 albums as a leader for the Muse, Highnote, J Curve, Mel Bay, and Random Act labels and has appeared on dozens of recordings with other top…