DOORS 6PM
GUIDED DINNER & MUSIC 6:30PM - 9:30PM
Enjoy a full jazz concert at the Blue LLama featuring Kevin Brewster & Black Renaissance, while James Beard Award-winning Chef JJ Johnson and Zingerman's Event Coordinator and Certified Cheese Professional Tessie Ives-Wilson present a special four course dinner! The meal will include several dishes based in the Afro-Latino and American Southern diaspora, featuring some of our favorite ingredients, as well as specialty cocktails created to pair with the meal. Between songs, we’ll hear from Chef JJ and Tessie and learn more about every dish, the full-flavored and traditionally made ingredients, and its place in the long history of Black American cuisine in the United States.
Every guest walks away with a 20% off coupon for Zingerman’s Deli and a $25-off gift certificate for the Blue LLama for their next visit, as well as an opportunity to purchase an autographed copy of Chef JJ’s cookbook, The Simple Art of Rice.
ABOUT THE BAND - KEVIN BREWSTER & BLACK RENAISSANCE:
Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kevin Brewster is a saxophonist, composer, and arranger whose musical journey is deeply rooted in the vibrant traditions of Gospel music. Kevin is a sought-after sideman and bandleader, captivating audiences across Michigan with his dynamic performances. As a sideman, he was selected to be apart of the prestigious, donor-funded 2024 JAS Academy featuring Artistic Director, Christian Mcbride. He has also appeared with Jazzmeia Horn, Patrice Rushen, and Terri Lynn Carrington at the Carr Center, Detroit School of the Arts, and the Detroit Institute of the Arts Museum with the Gathering Nonet Jazz ensemble, a outreach program formed by the late great Detroit jazz pianist, Geri Allen. Also, Christian Sands and Immanuel Wilkins at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 2021 with the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra directed by Gerald Clayton. As a band leader, he has performed at Cliff Bells, Blue Llama Jazz Club, GRNoir, 333 Lounge, etc. He is currently a fourth-year Jazz Studies major at Michigan State University, studying under the mentorship of educators Walter Blanding Jr. and Rodney Whitaker. Kevin’s musical gift has been enriched by encounters with jazz artist such as Bob Nixon, Diego Rivera, and Vincent Herring, each leaving an outstanding mark on his artistic development.
Black Renaissance, a collective that fearlessly propels the essence of Black American Music into uncharted territories. Through a fusion of contemporary, straight-ahead, gospel, R&B, and original compositions, the group spearheads a captivating movement that heralds a fresh chapter in the evolution of jazz. Their groundbreaking sound not only embodies authenticity and courage but also encapsulates a profound sense of faith, ushering in a powerful and transformative era.