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

The Andrew Rathbun Quartet will be performing music from his latest Steeplechase release LOST IN THE SHADOWS.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
Detroit-born, Grammy-winning producer and musician Don Was is known for his work with artists like Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. Since 2011, he has served as the President of Blue Note Records, championing its legacy while producing modern jazz icons. Additionally, he co-founded the Wolf Brothers with Bob Weir, directs the Don Was Detroit All Star Revue, and hosts a weekly radio show on Detroit's WDET-FM.

SOLD OUT: DOORS 9PM | SHOW 9:30-10:30PM
Detroit-born, Grammy-winning producer and musician Don Was is known for his work with artists like Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. Since 2011, he has served as the President of Blue Note Records, championing its legacy while producing modern jazz icons. Additionally, he co-founded the Wolf Brothers with Bob Weir, directs the Don Was Detroit All Star Revue, and hosts a weekly radio show on Detroit's WDET-FM.

DOORS 5:30PM | SHOW 6:30-7:30PM
Detroit-born, Grammy-winning producer and musician Don Was is known for his work with artists like Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. Since 2011, he has served as the President of Blue Note Records, championing its legacy while producing modern jazz icons. Additionally, he co-founded the Wolf Brothers with Bob Weir, directs the Don Was Detroit All Star Revue, and hosts a weekly radio show on Detroit's WDET-FM.

DOORS 8:15PM | SHOW 9-10PM
Detroit-born, Grammy-winning producer and musician Don Was is known for his work with artists like Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. Since 2011, he has served as the President of Blue Note Records, championing its legacy while producing modern jazz icons. Additionally, he co-founded the Wolf Brothers with Bob Weir, directs the Don Was Detroit All Star Revue, and hosts a weekly radio show on Detroit's WDET-FM.

DOORS 5PM | SHOW 6-7PM

DOORS 7:15PM | SHOW 7:30-8:15PM
Drummer and bandleader Nick Collins regularly performs at the Blue LLama Jazz Club, showcasing high-energy, hard-swinging original compositions with his trio and sextet. Featuring a dream team of Detroit jazz talent, Nick's groups captivate audiences with dynamic performances and a growing repertoire of seldom-heard tunes.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM

Formed in 1974 by Kahil El’Zabar, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble has a strong rhythmic foundation, innovative harmonics and counterpoint, well-balanced interplay and polyphony among the players for highly developed ensemble dynamics. They are strong individual soloists with an in-depth grasp of music history, originality, fearlessness and deep spirituality.

DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 9-10PM

Formed in 1974 by Kahil El’Zabar, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble has a strong rhythmic foundation, innovative harmonics and counterpoint, well-balanced interplay and polyphony among the players for highly developed ensemble dynamics. They are strong individual soloists with an in-depth grasp of music history, originality, fearlessness and deep spirituality.

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

New York-based jazz saxophonist Stacy Dillard returns to his Michigan roots partnering with an Ohio/New York-based jazz pianist Keigo Hirakawa to bring one night show at Blue LLama. The band will feature music by Dillard and Hirakawa.

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

New York-based jazz saxophonist Stacy Dillard returns to his Michigan roots partnering with an Ohio/New York-based jazz pianist Keigo Hirakawa to bring one night show at Blue LLama. The band will feature music by Dillard and Hirakawa.

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

Saxophonist and bandleader of Isaiah Collier and The Chosen Few, Isaiah Collier is celebrated as a rising star in jazz. With six acclaimed albums, including The Almighty and The World Is On Fire, and features in The New York Times and Downbeat Magazine, he continues to push musical boundaries with a sound that bridges past and future.

DOORS 8:15PM | SHOW 9-10PM

Saxophonist and bandleader of Isaiah Collier and The Chosen Few, Isaiah Collier is celebrated as a rising star in jazz. With six acclaimed albums, including The Almighty and The World Is On Fire, and features in The New York Times and Downbeat Magazine, he continues to push musical boundaries with a sound that bridges past and future.

DOORS 10:15PM | SHOW 10:30PM - CLOSE
Christopher Minami, a Florida native, is a versatile guitarist who recently earned his Master’s in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University under Randy Napoleon. He has performed with jazz legends like Rodney Whitaker and Randy Gelispie and has garnered numerous awards in both classical and jazz guitar, including the Florida Guitar Festival and Competition.

DOORS 5PM | SHOW 6-7PM
DOORS 7:15PM | SHOWTIME 7:30-8:15PM
Prepare for an unforgettable evening as the dynamic duo of vocalist Ramona Collins and pianist Cliff Monear takes the stage! With Ramona’s soulful, evocative voice and commanding presence paired with Cliff’s relaxed swing and masterful jazz artistry, their performance will blend wisdom, humor, and breathtaking musicality.

Kenji Lee is a Japanese-American multi-instrumentalist, composer-improviser, arts advocate, and educator merging the intersections of art, community, and equity. Born in Tokyo, Japan, and raised in the seaside town of Laguna Beach, California, Lee began studying music at an early age and spent most of his childhood immersed in music. He spent nearly a decade learning from the late-great bassist and educator Roger Shew. Lee relocated to the Midwest to attend the University of Michigan, where he holds two degrees.

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

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 4PM | SHOWTIME 5:01PM
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 6:30PM | SHOW 7-8PM
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. His father, the late maestro trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, laid a foundation for him as he continues to carry on the legacy of Detroit jazz royalty. Following close to his father’s strides, Kasan takes pride in contributing to Detroit’s rich pedigree of musical mentorship, as he strives to continue passing down the knowledge and exposure of jazz music to generations after him.

DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 9:30-10:30PM
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. His father, the late maestro trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, laid a foundation for him as he continues to carry on the legacy of Detroit jazz royalty. Following close to his father’s strides, Kasan takes pride in contributing to Detroit’s rich pedigree of musical mentorship, as he strives to continue passing down the knowledge and exposure of jazz music to generations after him.

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

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 8:15PM | SHOW 9-10PM

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 10:15PM | SHOW 10:30PM - CLOSE
Shane Karas is a jazz saxophonist and Michigan State University student studying under Rodney Whitaker. Raised in Metro Detroit, he honed his craft at local jam sessions alongside jazz greats like James Carter, Martha Reeves, and Dwight Adams.

DOORS 5PM | SHOW 6-7PM
DOORS 7:15PM | SHOW 7:45-8:45PM

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
Marcus Elliot presents his newest ensemble, Big Motifs. The 2024 Joyce Foundation awardee and 2020 Kresge Arts  fellow presents a septet featuring the many of Detroit’s leading lights in the jazz community. With an entirely new book of music and arrangements as closely aligned with 90’s R&B as it is with jazz lineage, Elliot presents a story line that dives into the whole of African-American musical thinking.

DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 9-10PM
Marcus Elliot presents his newest ensemble, Big Motifs. The 2024 Joyce Foundation awardee and 2020 Kresge Arts  fellow presents a septet featuring the many of Detroit’s leading lights in the jazz community. With an entirely new book of music and arrangements as closely aligned with 90’s R&B as it is with jazz lineage, Elliot presents a story line that dives into the whole of African-American musical thinking.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
Marcus Elliot presents his newest ensemble, Big Motifs. The 2024 Joyce Foundation awardee and 2020 Kresge Arts  fellow presents a septet featuring the many of Detroit’s leading lights in the jazz community. With an entirely new book of music and arrangements as closely aligned with 90’s R&B as it is with jazz lineage, Elliot presents a story line that dives into the whole of African-American musical thinking.

DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 9-10PM
Marcus Elliot presents his newest ensemble, Big Motifs. The 2024 Joyce Foundation awardee and 2020 Kresge Arts  fellow presents a septet featuring the many of Detroit’s leading lights in the jazz community. With an entirely new book of music and arrangements as closely aligned with 90’s R&B as it is with jazz lineage, Elliot presents a story line that dives into the whole of African-American musical thinking.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM

A Rocket fueled Space Odyssey featuring original compositions from some of Detroit’s brightest hungriest musicians, as well as music from some of the most beloved worldwide in the Black Music Idiom.

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

A Rocket fueled Space Odyssey featuring original compositions from some of Detroit’s brightest hungriest musicians, as well as music from some of the most beloved worldwide in the Black Music Idiom.

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

Internationally renowned as a jazz pianist and composer, Pamela Wise is recognized for her expertise in seamlessly blending Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz harmonies. She has garnered numerous awards for this innovative fusion, establishing herself as both a trailblazer in musical exploration and a cultural warrior.

DOORS 8:15PM | SHOW 9-10PM

Internationally renowned as a jazz pianist and composer, Pamela Wise is recognized for her expertise in seamlessly blending Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz harmonies. She has garnered numerous awards for this innovative fusion, establishing herself as both a trailblazer in musical exploration and a cultural warrior.

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 5PM | SHOW 6-7PM
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 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 8:45-9:45PM

Sean’s sound can best be described as hard-driving, solid rhythm with refreshing melodic sensibility. Some of Sean’s influences include Art Blakey, Jeff Hamilton, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Ed Thigpen, Sonny Payne, as well as Detroit area greats Gerald Cleaver and the one and only Elvin Jones.

Don Hicks & Friends feature an evening of spring themed jazz standards as well as featured compositions from jazz trumpet legend Blue Mitchell, featuring Don Hicks on trumpet, Dave Sharp on bass, Adam Mosley on piano, Bobby Streng on saxophone and Jesse Kramer on drums.

DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM

The Paxton/Spangler Septet pays tribute to the great South African jazz masters like Abdullah Ibrahim, Hugh Masekela & Chris McGregor. They have two critically acclaimed albums of this material.

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

The Paxton/Spangler Septet pays tribute to the great South African jazz masters like Abdullah Ibrahim, Hugh Masekela & Chris McGregor. They have two critically acclaimed albums of this material.

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

By age 33, Emmy-nominated trumpeter and vocalist Benny Benack III has become a leading voice in jazz, headlining clubs and festivals worldwide with his critically acclaimed album “Third Time’s the Charm,” which reached #2 on the JazzWeek International Radio Charts in 2023.

DOORS 8:15PM | SHOW 9-10PM

By age 33, Emmy-nominated trumpeter and vocalist Benny Benack III has become a leading voice in jazz, headlining clubs and festivals worldwide with his critically acclaimed album “Third Time’s the Charm,” which reached #2 on the JazzWeek International Radio Charts in 2023.

DOORS 10:15PM | SHOW 10:30PM - 11:45PM

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 5PM | SHOW 6-7PM
Grammy-winning pianist Bill Charlap has performed with legends like Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis, and Gerry Mulligan, earning acclaim for his interpretations of American popular song. Leader of the renowned Bill Charlap Trio since 1997, he has released multiple Grammy-nominated albums.

DOORS 8PM | SHOW 8:30-9:30PM
Grammy-winning pianist Bill Charlap has performed with legends like Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis, and Gerry Mulligan, earning acclaim for his interpretations of American popular song. Leader of the renowned Bill Charlap Trio since 1997, he has released multiple Grammy-nominated albums.

DOORS 5:30PM | SHOW 6:30-7:30PM
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 8:15PM | SHOW 9-10PM
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 10:15PM | SHOW 10:30PM - CLOSE
Jauron Perry is a 20-year-old Detroit-born trumpeter, composer, and bandleader. A Next Generation of Talent award recipient, he has performed with jazz greats like Rodney Whitaker, Wynton Marsalis, and Dee Dee Bridgewater, won the 2024 Michigan Jazz Festival Rising Horn Competition, and led his quintet to victory in the Detroit Jazz Festival Combo Competition, marking his debut as a bandleader.

DOORS 5PM | SHOW 6-7PM

DOORS 7:15 | SHOW 7:45-8:45PM

The trio will feature a wide mix of material with an emphasis on their modern exploration of The West Coast Cool Movement, while also weaving in jazz infused soul originals.

Cyrille Aimée grew up in a multilingual household full of music where dancing was an everyday activity, soundtracked by the Afro-Caribbean sounds of her mother’s native Dominican Republic. The family home was in Samois-sur-Seine, the location of the Django Reinhardt Festival, and the teenage Cyrille would climb out of her bedroom window at night to mingle with the players, igniting a passion for jazz.

Cyrille Aimée grew up in a multilingual household full of music where dancing was an everyday activity, soundtracked by the Afro-Caribbean sounds of her mother’s native Dominican Republic. The family home was in Samois-sur-Seine, the location of the Django Reinhardt Festival, and the teenage Cyrille would climb out of her bedroom window at night to mingle with the players, igniting a passion for jazz.

Sean Dobbins got his start as sought-after Detroit area jazz sideman at a young age, when he would regularly play with Blue Note artist Louis Smith. As Sean’s Career progressed, he found himself the recipient of many awards and accolades including the “Woody Herman Jazz Award”, an award for outstanding musicianship, as well as the Louis Armstrong Scholarship. Due to Sean’s great talent both as a player and an educator, he has been the focus of countless news articles, jazz radio programs, and documentaries.

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.