BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Blue LLama - ECPv6.16.4//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: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 BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T213000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251216T153121Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T154626Z UID:10000219-1770922800-1770931800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Aguankó 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/aguanko-3/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/aguanko.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T213000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20260114T212019Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T213432Z UID:10000194-1771009200-1771018200@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-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/la-tanya-hall.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260214T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260214T213000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20260114T212056Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T152707Z UID:10000171-1771095600-1771104600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Isis Damil 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/isis-damil/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/isis-damil.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260215T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260215T203000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251217T151119Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T160120Z UID:10000220-1771178400-1771187400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Chris Glassman 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/chris-glassman/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Chris-Glassman-the-Technocats.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260218T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260218T213000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251215T191130Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T160938Z UID:10000216-1771441200-1771450200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Nate Topo 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/nate-topo-quintet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/NateTopoBNW.png.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260219T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260219T213000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251215T191417Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T161402Z UID:10000217-1771527600-1771536600@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-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ken-kozora-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260220T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260220T183000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251215T191734Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T171100Z UID:10000196-1771603200-1771612200@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-3/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/kerrytown-stompers.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260220T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260220T213000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251215T191936Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T162151Z UID:10000172-1771614000-1771623000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Nate Winn Group 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/nate-winn-group/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/nate-winn.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260221T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260221T213000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251215T192055Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T162636Z UID:10000173-1771700400-1771709400@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-3/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SeanDobbinsBNW.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260222T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260222T203000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20260107T161929Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T163523Z UID:10000236-1771783200-1771792200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Jordan Anderson 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/jordan-anderson-trio/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/jordan-anderson.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260225T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260225T213000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20260105T185307Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T162058Z UID:10000234-1772046000-1772055000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Ramona Collins 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/ramona-collins-quartet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ramona-collins.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260226T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260226T213000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251215T192530Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T162719Z UID:10000218-1772132400-1772141400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Houston Patton & Hidden Nomination 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/houston-patton-hidden-nomination-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/houston-patton.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260227T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260227T213000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20260119T171905Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T163315Z UID:10000197-1772218800-1772227800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble 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/kahil-el-zabar/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/kahil-el-zabar.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260228T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260228T220000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251215T192817Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T163744Z UID:10000198-1772305200-1772316000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Chico Pinheiro + 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/chico-pinheiro-kzoo-jazz-project/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/chico-pinheiro.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260301T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260301T203000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20260107T172132Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T164203Z UID:10000221-1772388000-1772397000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Jazz & Poetry with One Single Rose 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/jazz-poetry-with-one-single-rose/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/One-Single-Rose.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260304T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260304T213000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251217T175405Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T162221Z UID:10000222-1772650800-1772659800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Alex Anest 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/alex-anest-trio/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alex-anest.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260305T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260305T220000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20260129T152130Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T212030Z UID:10000247-1772737200-1772748000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Bria Skonberg 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/bria-skonberg/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bria-skonberg.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260306T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260306T180000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20260122T174212Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260306T145050Z UID:10000248-1772812800-1772820000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:WEMU 5:01 Jazz Series: Ellen Rowe 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/501-ellen-rowe/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ellen-rowe.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260306T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260306T220000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251217T175516Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260302T183945Z UID:10000199-1772823600-1772834400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Don Hicks & 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/don-hicks-and-friends-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/don-hicks.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260307T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260307T220000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251226T171135Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T164215Z UID:10000200-1772910000-1772920800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Tatiana Eva-Marie 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/tatiana-eva-marie/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/tatiana-.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260308T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260308T203000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251217T175654Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T164621Z UID:10000201-1772992800-1773001800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Anthony Stanco 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/anthony-stanco-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/anthony-stanco.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260311T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260311T213000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251217T175914Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260302T154808Z UID:10000202-1773255600-1773264600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Mercer Patterson 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/mercer-patterson-quintet-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/MercerPattersonBNW.jpg-sqLg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260312T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260312T220000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251217T180549Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T173258Z UID:10000203-1773342000-1773352800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:New Nostalgia 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/new-nostalgia/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/new-nostalgia.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260313T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260313T220000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251217T180756Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T144152Z UID:10000204-1773428400-1773439200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Pamela Wise & Naima Shambourger: Celebrating Women in Jazz 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/pamela-wise/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/pamela-wise.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260314T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260314T220000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251226T170840Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T191549Z UID:10000205-1773514800-1773525600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Immanuel Wilkins 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/immanuel-wilkins/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/immanuel-wilkins.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260315T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260315T203000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251217T180905Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T183253Z UID:10000206-1773597600-1773606600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Rick Roe 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/rick-roe-trio-3/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/rick-roe.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260318T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260318T213000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251217T181619Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T173733Z UID:10000224-1773860400-1773869400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Lisa Sung 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/lisa-sung-quartet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/lisa-sung-piano.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260319T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260319T220000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251217T181708Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T173802Z UID:10000207-1773946800-1773957600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Randy Napoleon 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/randy-napoleon/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/randy-napoleon.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260320T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260320T220000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251226T170628Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T134736Z UID:10000208-1774033200-1774044000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Linda May Han Oh 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/linda-may-han-oh/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/linda-may-han-oh.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260321T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260321T220000 DTSTAMP:20260619T072859 CREATED:20251217T182455Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260312T134058Z UID:10000209-1774119600-1774130400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Laura Simone 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/laura-simone-quintet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/laura-simone.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR