BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Blue LLama - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Blue LLama X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://bluellamaclub.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Blue LLama REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Detroit BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251115T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251115T213000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250917T160418Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T201517Z UID:10000128-1763231400-1763242200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Sean Dobbins All-Star Quintet DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/sean-dobbins/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SeanDobbinsBNW.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251114T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251114T220000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250917T155244Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251103T155815Z UID:10000127-1763146800-1763157600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Allen Dennard Quintet DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/allen-dennard/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/allen-dennard.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251112T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251112T213000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250917T153057Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251031T181537Z UID:10000124-1762974000-1762983000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Bobby Watson w/ the Kzoo Jazz Project DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/bobby-watson-group/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bobby-watson.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251109T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251109T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250916T204736Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T162941Z UID:10000123-1762711200-1762720200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Naima Shambourger Trio DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/naima-shambourger/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/naima-sham.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251108T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251108T213000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250902T204842Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251031T163722Z UID:10000114-1762626600-1762637400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Brandon Woody's Upendo DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/brandon-woody/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/download.avif END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251107T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251107T220000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250924T141415Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T141415Z UID:10000135-1762542000-1762552800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Paxton/Spangler Band "Trick Bag" CD Release Show DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/paxton-spangler-band-trick-bag-cd-release-show/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/paxton-spangler.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251107T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251107T180000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20251001T160238Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T160238Z UID:10000122-1762531200-1762538400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:WEMU 5:01 Jazz Series: Paul Vornhagen DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/wemu-501-jazz-series-paul-vornhagen/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/paul-vornhagen.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251106T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251106T223000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250717T212155Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251010T163817Z UID:10000057-1762455600-1762468200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Charlie Hunter Trio DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/charlie-hunter-trio/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/CharlieHunter-Live2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251105T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251105T213000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250916T193520Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T145345Z UID:10000121-1762369200-1762378200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Jean Wilson & Friends DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/jean-wilson-friends/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/JeanWilsonBNW.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251102T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251102T210000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250825T204543Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T202718Z UID:10000109-1762102800-1762117200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:James Carter Quintet: Lookin' At Lock DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/james-carter-quintet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/james-carter-quintet.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251101T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251101T213000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250825T204406Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T202553Z UID:10000108-1762021800-1762032600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:James Carter Organ Trio DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/james-carter-organ-trio/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/james-carter-organ-trio.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251031T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251031T220000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250821T201347Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251029T191359Z UID:10000113-1761937200-1761948000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Rodney Whitaker Sextet DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/rodney-whitaker-group/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/rodney-whitaker-group.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251030T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251030T213000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250821T195510Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T162345Z UID:10000112-1761850800-1761859800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Ellen Rowe Quartet ft. Mike Sakash and Sunny Wilkinson DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/ellen-rowe-quartet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/EllenRoweQuartet.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251029T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251029T213000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250821T193724Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251020T152212Z UID:10000111-1761764400-1761773400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Ken Kozora Quartet DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/ken-kozora-quartet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ken-kozora-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251025T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251025T213000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250812T195555Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T162614Z UID:10000105-1761417000-1761427800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Dmitri Matheny DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/dmitri-matheny/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/dmitri.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251024T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251024T220000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250812T194503Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T162723Z UID:10000104-1761332400-1761343200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Sean Dobbins Organ Trio DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/sean-dobbins-organ-trio-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SeanDobbinsBNW.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251023T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251023T223000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250825T204318Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T151659Z UID:10000103-1761246000-1761258600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Arturo O'Farrill DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/arturo-ofarrill/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/arturo-ofarrill.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251022T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251022T213000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250821T185317Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T162758Z UID:10000110-1761159600-1761168600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Third Coast Swing ft. Dave Bennett DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/third-coast-swing/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/third-coast-swing.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251019T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251019T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250812T184539Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T162954Z UID:10000102-1760896800-1760905800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Sarah D'Angelo & Cliff Monear DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/sarah-dangelo-cliff-monear-copy/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/CliffMonearCliffMonear.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251018T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251018T213000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250812T183850Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T163108Z UID:10000101-1760812200-1760823000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Jeff Haas Quintet DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/jeff-haas-quintet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/jeff-haas-quintet-.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251017T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251017T220000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250812T182931Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T163151Z UID:10000100-1760727600-1760738400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Olivia Van Goor Quartet DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/olivia-van-goor-quartet-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/OliviaVanoorBNW2.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251017T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251017T183000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250917T154031Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250917T154031Z UID:10000126-1760716800-1760725800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Swing Happy Hour: Kerrytown Stompers DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/swing-happy-hour-kerrytown-stompers/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/kerrytown-stompers.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251016T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251016T223000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250821T172944Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T190235Z UID:10000099-1760641200-1760653800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Goldings/Bernstein/Stewart Organ Trio DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/goldings-bernstein-stewart/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/gbs-new.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251015T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251015T213000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250814T204104Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T163233Z UID:10000106-1760554800-1760563800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Kenji Lee Elmo Hope Quartet DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/kenji-lee-elmo-hope-quartet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/kenji-lee-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251012T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251012T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250903T192240Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251002T141228Z UID:10000117-1760292000-1760301000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Firas Zreik Jazz Quartet DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/firas-zreik/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/firas-zreik.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251011T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251011T213000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250903T160307Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251124T204742Z UID:10000116-1760207400-1760218200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:La Tanya Hall DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/la-tanya-hall/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/la-tanya-hall.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251010T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251010T220000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250821T172220Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251002T140157Z UID:10000098-1760122800-1760133600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Catherine Russell DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/catherine-russell/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/catherine-russell.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251009T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251009T213000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250812T180017Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251002T135845Z UID:10000097-1760036400-1760045400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Ajde Aman DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/ajde-aman/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ajde-aman.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251008T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251008T213000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250909T203113Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250909T203526Z UID:10000120-1759950000-1759959000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Max Bowen Quartet DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/max-bowen-quartet-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/MaxBowenBNW.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251005T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251005T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T041910 CREATED:20250811T184910Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T001713Z UID:10000096-1759687200-1759696200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Diego Rivera Quartet DESCRIPTION:Sun | oct 5 \n\n \n \n Diego Rivera Quartet\n \n \n\n\n \n \n Sets at 6pm & 7:30pm\n$25 Cover \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n About the Artist\n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n A world-class musician\, composer\, arranger and educator\, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Butler School of Music\, University of Texas at Austin. \nRivera was born in Ann Arbor\, MI and raised ‘just up the road’ in East Lansing\, MI. Born into a Mexican-American family\, his Chicano heritage has shaped his musical voice and creative endeavors. His parents named him after the famed muralist\, Diego Rivera. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts at a young age inspired him to make his own mark with the Saxophone rather than the brush. He attended Michigan State University where he studied with Andrew Speight\, Branford Marsalis\, Ron Blake and Rodney Whitaker. \nIn 1999\, he began his professional and touring career with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on their Big Band ‘99 tour. Since that maiden voyage\, he has performed concerts at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States\, Canada\, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble\, Rivera has also toured both nationally and internationally with GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist\, Kurt Elling\, JUNO-Award winning Canadian Jazz Vocalist\, Sophie Milman and The Rodney Whitaker Quintet. He is a member of the The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band (New York\, NY)\, the Jazz @ Dr. Phillips Center Orchestra (Orlando\, FL) and the Gathering Orchestra (Detroit\, MI). He has also performed with artists:The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis\, Ellis Marsalis\, Christian McBride\, Wycliffe Gordon\, PRISM Saxophone Quartet\, the Gerald Wilson Big Band and the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. \nA passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. In 2022\, Rivera accepted a position to become the next Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Texas at Austin where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. He is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist. In 2019 he was awarded the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Teaching Award\, Michigan State University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement at the College of Music. Ensembles and students under his direction have won several awards and recognitions at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship\, The Notre Dame Jazz Festival and The Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz @ Lincoln Center\, The Christian McBride Big Band\, The Birdland Big Band\, The Count Basie Orchestra\, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the multi-GRAMMY Award winning group\, Snarky Puppy. \nRivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader and has several other credits to his name as a recording artist\, composer and arranger. He is currently a Posi-Tone recording artist\, a New York/Los Angeles based record label. Rivera’s latest project\, With Just A Word was released in February of 2024. His previous releases Love & Peace (2023) and Mestizo(2022) both received 4-Stars in DownBeat Magazine. They also finished in the Top 5 on the Year-End JazzWeek Radio charts which tracks national radio play for all current Jazz recordings. His other projects Indigenous\, Connections\, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) and Hercules (Rivera Records) all received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone\, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n\nLEARN MORE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/diego-rivera-quartet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/diego-rivera.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR