Past Events

Lifelong buddy's RJ Spangler & Tbone Paxton started working together in 1980 with a very popular band around Detroit called the Sun Messengers. They toured the east coast, Midwest and deep south for a number of years. Back then Tbone was awarded a Motor City…

The Louis Jones III Quartet is a collective of young lions in the city of Detroit. Playing original compositions and arranging classic standards in ways you might've never heard before now. This quartet pushes boundaries and incorporates all styles from latin, hip hop and carnatic…

David Thomas is a multi-instrumentalist, with his primary instruments being the piano and the trumpet. He is from Rochester Hills, Michigan. He began taking piano lessons with Mrs. Christine Gahman when he was 7 years old and finished his high school piano training with Mrs.…

Jeff Cuny is a fine 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 Society Orchestra. His fellow musicians include David Dunham on guitar & David Alvarez…

For the past twenty years with four albums as a leader, several studio projects as a side man, and countless worldwide performances, saxophonist, vocalist and composer Juli Wood has established herself as a solid, swinging, lyrical and entertaining performer on Chicago’s music scene. Juli has…

Our long-standing regular early Saturday piano trio series, led by Evan, a fine player who now tours throughout the world with soul diva Bettye LaVette. Samuel Chase Harris on bass & Jake Matthews on drums, all three are graduates from WSU.

Paul VornHagen is an accomplished jazz saxophonist, flutist, and vocalist who has won Detroit Music Awards on six separate occasions and categories: Jazz Reeds, Talent Deserving Wider Recognition, Instrumentalist, World Music Recording (2) and Jazz Recording. Presently living in Ann Arbor, Michigan where Paul got…

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…

Sean Dobbins and the jazz professors from Oakland University will present a concert.

The Ryan Bills Quartet is a group of Wayne State students and alumni dedicated to providing a sophisticated yet enjoyable interpretation of the swing tradition. Emphasis is placed on group communication within individual improvisation, following in the tradition set by the greats such as Lester…

David Alvarez III is a Jazz drummer, composer, arranger, and music educator based in the Metro-Detroit area. The drum set was introduced to him at the age of five, growing up playing in church. At the age of nine, he started to learn how to…

Hipster Assassins is a collaborative endeavor of virtuosic talent that came together in New York City at the historic Zinc Bar in 2010. Over the next 2 years the band had a weekly Monday night residency at Zinc where it started to develop its own…

The Yao Smith Hughes Sextet brings a fresh, new set of original compositions following in the footsteps of the straight-ahead jazz tradition of Detroit. Hard-bopping melodies, tight 3-horn arrangements, colorful voicings, driving swing feel and soulful grooves are all trademarks of The Gates. Trumpeter Jimmy…

Jeff Cuny is a fine 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 Society Orchestra. His fellow musicians include David Dunham on guitar & David Alvarez…

Our long-standing regular early Saturday piano trio series, led by Evan, a fine player who now tours throughout the world with soul diva Bettye LaVette. Samuel Chase Harris on bass & Jake Matthews on drums, all three are graduates from WSU.

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…

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…

Kyle Green is a Europe-based American guitarist, composer, and educator. Kyle has performed, recorded, and/or toured with musical artist from all over the world including: Kin Organ Trio – Recording Artists, Raymond Cousins – Recording Artist (Frank Sinatra, Jaco Pastorius), Brian Donohoe – (Progger, Snarky…

With a singular voice on the trumpet and flugelhorn, John Raymond is making his mark as one of the most promising, up-and-coming jazz musicians in the world. Recently dubbed as a Rising Star by Downbeat Magazine, John has performed with some of most well-respected names…

This is the start of a 1st of the month residency of this fine band. https://www.facebook.com/hughessmithquintet

Known for his bluesy authenticity and soulful virtuosity, California born bassist Sam Copperman is a natural talent and hardworking professional. He began playing bass at 8-years-old, and started his career playing for local jazz and rock groups by the time he was 15. In 2008…

Jeff Cuny is a fine 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 Society Orchestra. His fellow musicians include David Dunham on guitar & David Alvarez…

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW The Burt Bacharach Songbook Dmitri Matheny Group Gene Knific piano Tom Knific bass Sean Dobbins drums Dmitri Matheny flugelhorn Voted “NW Instrumentalist of the Year” in the recent Seattle Earshot Jazz Awards, flugelhornist Dmitri Matheny and his all-star band will…

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…

David Alvarez III is a Jazz drummer, composer, arranger, and music educator based in the Metro-Detroit area. The drum set was introduced to him at the age of five, growing up playing in church. At the age of nine, he started to learn how to…

Garrett Gaina is a talented young baritone saxophonist, woodwind instrumentalist, and big band composer and arranger. Recently graduated with a Masters in jazz performance from Wayne State University, Garrett can often be found in the horn sections of soul/funk/r&b groups (Strictly Fine, Holly and the…

Scott is a band-leader, composer/arranger, pianist, and educator. As a performer, Scott has played on over 20 professionally released recordings including 5 under his own name. Basement Vibes (2002), Scott Gwinnell Trio (2006), the award-winning Brush Fire (2008), Cass Corridor Story (2011- Detroit Music Factory)…

Jeff Cuny is a fine 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 Society Orchestra. His fellow musicians include David Dunham on guitar & David Alvarez…

Mark Moultrup is a keyboardist, composer, arranger, vocalist, and educator originally from Detroit and after living in Chicago, now resides in St Petersburg, FL. Many of his compositions are featured on his cds, and have also been heard on PRI, college stations, promo spots, children’s…

Our long-standing regular early Saturday piano trio series, led by Evan, a fine player who now tours throughout the world with soul diva Bettye LaVette. Samuel Chase Harris on bass & Jake Matthews on drums, all three are graduates from WSU.

The Chris Greene Quartet is: Chris Greene - saxophones Damian Espinosa - piano, keyboards Marc Piane - bass Steve Corley - drums, percussion Jazz musicians generally break down into two types: Those who find their place in the music and stay in that comfort zone,…

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…

Lifelong buddy's RJ Spangler & Tbone Paxton started working together in 1980 with a very popular band around Detroit called the Sun Messengers. They toured the east coast, Midwest and deep south for a number of years. Back then Tbone was awarded a Motor City…

David Alvarez III is a Jazz drummer, composer, arranger, and music educator based in the Metro-Detroit area. The drum set was introduced to him at the age of five, growing up playing in church. At the age of nine, he started to learn how to…