DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM

DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 8:45-9:45PM

Join us as University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, & Dance student jazz ensembles perform at Blue LLama, including UMPH, the Rowan Tucker-Meyer Quartet with Houston Patton, and the Sam Novell-Regester Sextet!

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 8:45-9:45PM
Join us for a wicked good time with Kimmie Horne! In addition to spooky season themes mixed into the night, there will be prizes for the best costumes. So make sure you come dressed in your Halloween best if you’d like to participate!

DOORS 4PM | SHOWTIME 5:01PM
Multi-woodwind-instrumentalist and Detroit native Kasan Belgrave holds a unique stance in the city as one of the young torchbearers of the Detroit jazz collective. He’s performed frequently at the Detroit Jazz Festival, as a sideman for Wendell Harrison, Rob Pipho, Rick Margitza, Nicholas Payton, and Detroit bassist Ali Bey.

DOORS 6:15PM | SHOW 7-8PM

Deeply steeped in the generations of great Jazz and Blues that centers the rich musical legacy of Detroit (which includes Kenn Cox, Donald Walden, Marcus Belgrave and Thomas “Beans” Bowles), Shahida Nurullah is one of the motor city’s premier and most treasured jazz vocalists.

DOORS 9PM | SHOW 9:30-10:30PM

Deeply steeped in the generations of great Jazz and Blues that centers the rich musical legacy of Detroit (which includes Kenn Cox, Donald Walden, Marcus Belgrave and Thomas “Beans” Bowles), Shahida Nurullah is one of the motor city’s premier and most treasured jazz vocalists.

DOORS 5:30PM | SHOW 6:30-7:30PM

Gene Dunlap’s music is a combination of late night groove, contemporary jazz and smooth R&B. He manages to have fun with his music while retaining his artistic integrity.

DOORS 8:15PM | SHOW 9-10PM

Gene Dunlap’s music is a combination of late night groove, contemporary jazz and smooth R&B. He manages to have fun with his music while retaining his artistic integrity.

Jack Nissen is a recently graduated University of Michigan bassist now located in New York City. He is joined in this quartet by some of the best fellow graduates and upperclassmen of the University of Michigan jazz program.

DOORS 4PM | SHOW 5-6PM

Bria Skonberg is a Juno-award winning artist, 10x Downbeat Rising Star, Jazz at Lincoln CenterSwing! Awardee, and the 2022 recipient of the "Legend" Award by the Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook. The trumpeter, vocalist, and composer has been called the"shining hope of hot jazz" (NY Times) and is considered "one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation." (WSJ)

DOORS 6:30PM | SHOW 7-8PM

Bria Skonberg is a Juno-award winning artist, 10x Downbeat Rising Star, Jazz at Lincoln CenterSwing! Awardee, and the 2022 recipient of the "Legend" Award by the Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook. The trumpeter, vocalist, and composer has been called the"shining hope of hot jazz" (NY Times) and is considered "one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation." (WSJ)

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 8:45-9:45PM

For 42 years, the Lunar Octet has been creating a unique blend of original Latin jazz that Jazziz called "sizzling" and whose new CD was the #1 Latin Jazz release on Amazon. Jazz Life said the CD offers "Colorful and tight grooves, gorgeous three-horn arrangements, and strong solos."

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 8:45-9:45PM

Ajde Aman (pronounced "I-day ah-mon") is Balkan folk fusion band based in Ann Arbor. Come gather round for their soulful folk melodies and odd rhythms of South Eastern Europe.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM

Muze Society is a new ambitious, jazz-fusion ensemble led by “rising star” (Fox 2 News) Brendon Davis. They perform original material written by Davis and members of the group while putting their spin on various compositions.

DOORS 9PM | SHOW 9:30-10:30PM

Muze Society is a new ambitious, jazz-fusion ensemble led by “rising star” (Fox 2 News) Brendon Davis. They perform original material written by Davis and members of the group while creating arrangements on various pieces.

DOORS 5:30PM | SHOW 6:30-7:30PM
Chuchito is recognized as a master of Cuban music including Son, Danzon, Cuban Timba and Guaguanco. In his performances, Chuchito’s music draws on many styles including Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz, Bebop, Danzon, Cha-Cha-Cha, Son Montuno and much more.

DOORS 8:15PM | SHOW 9-10PM
Chuchito is recognized as a master of Cuban music including Son, Danzon, Cuban Timba and Guaguanco. In his performances, Chuchito’s music draws on many styles including Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz, Bebop, Danzon, Cha-Cha-Cha, Son Montuno and much more.

DOORS 5PM | SHOW 6-7PM

DOORS 7:15PM | SHOWTIME 7:30-8:15PM
Pianist Bob Mervak and bassist Jeff Pedraz will explore deep cuts of The Great American Songbook, intimately scaled down to piano, bass, and vocal.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 8:45-9:45PM

The Houston Patton Quartet is an ensemble that provides a high energy and diverse experience, pulling from all aspects of Black American music and beyond.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
Nduduzo Makhathini, hailing from umGungundlovu in South Africa, draws deeply from the region's rich musical and ritual traditions, blending influences from legendary South African jazz figures and American jazz icons like John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner. As an acclaimed pianist, educator, and bandleader, Makhathini has released numerous albums, received prestigious awards, and collaborated with renowned artists worldwide.

DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 9-10PM
Nduduzo Makhathini, hailing from umGungundlovu in South Africa, draws deeply from the region's rich musical and ritual traditions, blending influences from legendary South African jazz figures and American jazz icons like John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner. As an acclaimed pianist, educator, and bandleader, Makhathini has released numerous albums, received prestigious awards, and collaborated with renowned artists worldwide.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM

Wendell Harrison is an award winning jazz guru who is known all over the world as a world class jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, recording artist and a jazz entrepreneur.

DOORS 9PM | SHOW 9:30-10:30PM

Wendell Harrison is an award winning jazz guru who is known all over the world as a world class jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, recording artist and a jazz entrepreneur.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
DOORS 9PM | SHOW 9:30-10:30PM
One of the most sought-after figures in contemporary music, Tyshawn Sorey has changed jazz as we know it.
This genre-defying composer and drummer takes the stage for a performance featuring pieces from his acclaimed album Mesmerism, which showcases the joy of improvising over songs from the Great American Songbook, in a return to his musical roots after a career steeped in the avant-garde.

DOORS 5PM | SHOW 6-7PM
Fareed Haque is a modern guitar virtuoso. Steeped in classical and jazz traditions, his unique command of the guitar and different musical styles inspire his musical ventures with tradition and fearless innovation. 

DOORS 8PM | SHOW 8:30-9:30PM
Fareed Haque is a modern guitar virtuoso. Steeped in classical and jazz traditions, his unique command of the guitar and different musical styles inspire his musical ventures with tradition and fearless innovation. 

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 8:45-9:45PM

Winner of six Detroit Music Awards, Paul has released eight critically acclaimed recordings as a Quartet that have been featured on all the major NPR programs. He has been a major force on the Detroit jazz scene for over 40 years performing at music festivals, jazz clubs and civic concerts.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 8:45-9:45PM

This quartet is the latest assembly of musicians led by saxophonist Tim Haldeman. They will be performing almost entirely new original music.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
Now in their second year of residency at the Blue LLama Jazz Club, the Nick Collins Sextet found their home playing the late set on Saturday nights. Accustomed to coming onstage after acts from Sean Dobbins to Kenny Garrett, the sextet keeps audiences engaged late into the night by keeping the energy high and the arrangements varied.

DOORS 9PM | SHOW 9:30-10:30PM
Now in their second year of residency at the Blue LLama Jazz Club, the Nick Collins Sextet found their home playing the late set on Saturday nights. Accustomed to coming onstage after acts from Sean Dobbins to Kenny Garrett, the sextet keeps audiences engaged late into the night by keeping the energy high and the arrangements varied.

DOORS 10:30PM | SHOW 10:45PM

Caleb Robinson And Reaching is a high energy drum-led band that provides an experience through Caleb’s original music, samples and live instrumentation.

DOORS 5:30PM | SHOW 6:30-7:30PM

Sean Dobbins and his quintet will perform high energy set featuring music from his new recording The World We Know along with jazz standards and R&B.

DOORS 8:15PM | SHOW 9-10PM

Sean Dobbins and his quintet will perform high energy set featuring music from his new recording The World We Know along with jazz standards and R&B.

DOORS 10:15PM | SHOW 10:30PM - CLOSE
UMPH is a jazz fusion group based out of Ann Arbor made entirely of U of M students, hailing from all sides of the country. The group is heavily based on the genres of funk, fusion, R&B, and soul.

DOORS 5PM | SHOW 6-7PM

DOORS 7:15PM | 7:30-8:15PM
Vocal recording artist Athena Johnson, hailing from Ann Arbor, has teamed up with accomplished pianist Charles Smith to create a dynamic musical partnership spanning nearly 20 years. Their collaboration blends jazz, modern, and soul influences, ensuring that audiences leave with smiles and a desire for more of their captivating performances. Together, they deliver a powerful musical experience that resonates deeply with listeners.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 8:45-9:45PM
Russ Macklem’s debut album, The South Detroit Connection, was nominated for a JUNO award and was the first live album recorded in Windsor in over 22 years, featuring Kasan Belgrave. A versatile trumpeter, Macklem has performed with legends like Dave Holland, Cecil McBee, Amp Fiddler, and The Marley Brothers.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM

The PD9 performs Harlem Jive by Fats Waller, swing era tunes by Duke Ellington, Benny Moten, Count Basie and Fletcher Henderson as well as the jumpin' jive of Louis Jordan. In recent years the band has concentrated on the music of Duke Ellington with a pair of critically acclaimed albums which have both hit the top of the national jazz radio charts.

DOORS 9PM | SHOW 9:30-10:30PM

The PD9 performs Harlem Jive by Fats Waller, swing era tunes by Duke Ellington, Benny Moten, Count Basie and Fletcher Henderson as well as the jumpin' jive of Louis Jordan. In recent years the band has concentrated on the music of Duke Ellington with a pair of critically acclaimed albums which have both hit the top of the national jazz radio charts.

DOORS 10:30PM | SHOW 10:45PM - CLOSE

Featuring oud, violin, electric bass, synthesizer and world percussion, the WORLDS QUARTET is fueled by the spirit of jazz, world music and dynamic exploratory improvisation. Bassist, composer, and bandleader Dave Sharp leads the WORLDS QUARTET to explore music traditions from Armenia, Turkey, Egypt, Ukraine, India, Bulgaria and Greece.

DOORS 5:30PM | SHOW 6:30-7:30PM

Acclaimed composer and pianist Jeff Haas makes his Blue LLama debut with his stellar quintet featuring rhythm mates bassist Marion Hayden and drummer Tariq Gardner with trumpeter Anthony Stanco and saxophonist Laurie Sears on the front line. Join us for an evening of Jeff's captivating original music - deep grooves, memorable melodies and harmonic journeys blending Haas's passion for all things jazz and world music with a twist of funk.

DOORS 8:15PM | SHOW 9-10PM

Acclaimed composer and pianist Jeff Haas makes his Blue LLama debut with his stellar quintet featuring rhythm mates bassist Marion Hayden and drummer Tariq Gardner with trumpeter Anthony Stanco and saxophonist Laurie Sears on the front line. Join us for an evening of Jeff's captivating original music - deep grooves, memorable melodies and harmonic journeys blending Haas's passion for all things jazz and world music with a twist of funk.

DOORS 10:15PM | SHOW 10:30PM - CLOSE

William Hill III Trio specializes in the musical traditions of Bebop and Straight Ahead Jazz, and also pays homage to many genres that are inspired by Jazz such as Funk, R&B, and Gospel just to name a few.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 8:45-9:45PM
Defying easy categorization, Signal Quartet brings together a variety of disparate strains from the so-called “jazz” continuum to create a distinctive group sound. Incorporating the freewheeling adventurousness of the avant-garde, the improvisational combustibility of post-bop, and the spaciousness and lyricism innate to the American Midwest; Signal Quartet is able to reach young and old, purists and radicals, aficionados and neophytes alike through their thoughtful compositions and unpredictable improvisations.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
Jazzmeia Horn, a Grammy-nominated vocalist from Dallas, Texas, won the 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition and the 2015 Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition. Known for her powerful voice and message of love and social change, she has released three critically acclaimed albums, including A Social Call, Love and Liberation, and Dear Love, while also conducting global outreach through her Jazz Horn International Vocal Initiative.

DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 9-10PM
Jazzmeia Horn, a Grammy-nominated vocalist from Dallas, Texas, won the 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition and the 2015 Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition. Known for her powerful voice and message of love and social change, she has released three critically acclaimed albums, including A Social Call, Love and Liberation, and Dear Love, while also conducting global outreach through her Jazz Horn International Vocal Initiative.

DOORS 4PM | SHOWTIME 5:01PM
Ron Brooks has recorded with the Bob James Trio, received an opportunity from Quincy Jones to record on Mercury Records, and contributed to the success of the Contemporary Jazz Quintet, culminating in the release of the previously unreleased set, "The Black Hole," in 2020.

DOORS 5PM | SHOW 6-7PM

DOORS 7:15PM | 7:30-8:15PM
Celebrate the holiday season with Marlena Studer and her jazz ensemble, featuring highly acclaimed local jazz musicians! You're invited to get in the holiday spirit as they “Deck the Halls” with a dollop of “Frim Fram Sauce” - the first three guests arriving at each set wearing a festive hat will receive a free copy of her CD, Jazzy Little Christmas.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
Detroit native and bassist Robert Hurst has been making his mark in the jazz world over a 30+ year career including garnering seven GRAMMY and four EMMY Awards. Renowned for his work with icons like Sir Paul McCartney, Wynton Marsalis, and more, Hurst remains an integral figure in contemporary music and cultural movements. He will be joined by GRAMMY-nominated pianist Orrin Evans and nine-time GRAMMY-winning drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts to round out this powerhouse trio.

DOORS 9PM | SHOW 9:30-10:30PM
Detroit native and bassist Robert Hurst has been making his mark in the jazz world over a 30+ year career including garnering seven GRAMMY and four EMMY Awards. Renowned for his work with icons like Sir Paul McCartney, Wynton Marsalis, and more, Hurst remains an integral figure in contemporary music and cultural movements. He will be joined by GRAMMY-nominated pianist Orrin Evans and nine-time GRAMMY-winning drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts to round out this powerhouse trio.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
Marcus Elliot is a saxophonist, composer, improviser, and educator based in Detroit. His compositions and improvisations have been described by the New York Times as "convincing and confident, evolved in touch and tone...", and the Detroit Free Press has said, "Marcus Elliot represents next generation of jazz".

DOORS 9PM | SHOW 9:30-10:30PM
Marcus Elliot is a saxophonist, composer, improviser, and educator based in Detroit. His compositions and improvisations have been described by the New York Times as "convincing and confident, evolved in touch and tone...", and the Detroit Free Press has said, "Marcus Elliot represents next generation of jazz".

DOORS 5:30PM | SHOW 6:30-7:30PM

Conga player and composer Alberto Nacif and the superlative musicians who make up the sizzling Latin Jazz group Aguanko have a new, all original Latin Jazz recording titled “Unidad”, which was released at the July 2023 performance at Blue LLama.

DOORS 8:15PM | SHOW 9-10PM

Conga player and composer Alberto Nacif and the superlative musicians who make up the sizzling Latin Jazz group Aguanko have a new, all original Latin Jazz recording titled “Unidad”, which was released at the July 2023 performance at Blue LLama.

DOORS 5PM | SHOW 6-7PM
Stella Cole, a rising vocalist, brings new energy to jazz standards, Broadway classics, and the Great American Songbook. With performances at New York’s premier jazz venues and a global tour with Postmodern Jukebox, she’s quickly making a name for herself with a unique sound that marries the traditional and the contemporary.

DOORS 8PM | SHOW 8:30-9:30PM
Stella Cole, a rising vocalist, brings new energy to jazz standards, Broadway classics, and the Great American Songbook. With performances at New York’s premier jazz venues and a global tour with Postmodern Jukebox, she’s quickly making a name for herself with a unique sound that marries the traditional and the contemporary.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 8:45-9:45PM
Formed in 2004, Tumbao Bravo is a dynamic Latin Jazz ensemble from Ann Arbor. With three Detroit Music Awards under their belt, they skillfully blend the authentic rhythms of Cuba – including mambo, cha cha, rumba, and bolero – with rich and original jazz harmonics.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM

Sean Dobbins and his ensemble will celebrate the holiday season featuring their unique twist of some of our favorite holiday classics in the style of jazz, R&B, and soul music.

DOORS 9PM | SHOW 9:30-10:30PM

Sean Dobbins and his ensemble will celebrate the holiday season featuring their unique twist of some of our favorite holiday classics in the style of jazz, R&B, and soul music.

DOORS 10:15PM | SHOW 10:30PM - 11:45PM
Flashpoint Quintet, formed in the fall of 2023 at Indiana University, is a hard bop jazz ensemble featuring Jake Lee (trumpet), Willie Bays (saxophone), Alex Hurvitz (piano), Alex Hoberty (bass), and Tate Sherman (drums). Known for their original compositions and influences from jazz legends like Art Blakey and Kenny Garrett, they have already performed at prestigious events such as the 2024 Detroit Jazz Festival and the 2023 Ann Arbor Jazz Festival.

DOORS 5:30PM | SHOW 6:30-7:30PM

Isis Damil is a Detroit-bred singer and songwriter. Her fiery, mezzo vocals blend with jazzy R&B melodies to share stories of confidence, sensuality, and spirituality. Her sultry, soulful aura is a culmination of her own development as an artist and woman, and is reflected seamlessly throughout her music.

DOORS 8:15PM | SHOW 9-10PM

Isis Damil is a Detroit-bred singer and songwriter. Her fiery, mezzo vocals blend with jazzy R&B melodies to share stories of confidence, sensuality, and spirituality. Her sultry, soulful aura is a culmination of her own development as an artist and woman, and is reflected seamlessly throughout her music.

DOORS 5PM | SHOW 6-7PM

DOORS 7:15PM | SHOWTIME 7:30-8:15PM

Guitarist and Composer Noah Hogan leads his Quartet exploring the intersections between jazz, Brazilian music, and film music.