BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Blue LLama - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH 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:20260723T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260723T213000 DTSTAMP:20260504T102825 CREATED:20260424T182027Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T182027Z UID:10000307-1784833200-1784842200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Kenji Lee Quartet DESCRIPTION:Thur | Jul 23 \n\n Sets at 7pm and 8:30pm | $25 Cover \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n \n\n About the Artist \n Kenji Lee is a Japanese-American multi-instrumentalist\, composer-improviser\, arts advocate\, and educator merging the intersections of art\, community\, and equity. Lee “has quickly become a mainstay in the local jazz and improvisational music scene\, while also making a name for himself nationally.” (A2 Pulp). \nAs a saxophonist and double-bassist\, Lee has performed with many of the leading forces in Jazz and Creative Music including Wayne Horvitz\, Pete Siers\, Robert Hurst\, Dr. Prof. Leonard King\, Marion Hayden\, Kayvon Gordon\, Mr. B\, Lex Korten\, RJ Spangler and the Planet D Nonet\, Jeff Pedraz\, and Andy Milne. \nLee’s debut full-length album\, “Kyudo”\, inspired by the Japanese martial art of archery\, features his Fortune Teller Trio (Lee on saxophones\, Andy Peck on double bass and Jonathan Barahal Taylor on percussion) with special guest\, vocalist Estar Cohen. The album was released to critical acclaim and the ensemble was subsequently selected as a featured artist at both the 2023 Detroit International Jazz Festival and Edgefest 28 in Ann Arbor. \n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/kenji-lee-quartet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/kenji-lee-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260724T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260724T220000 DTSTAMP:20260504T102825 CREATED:20260424T182154Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T182154Z UID:10000311-1784919600-1784930400@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Jocelyn Gould DESCRIPTION:Fri | Jul 24 \n\n Sets 7pm & 9pm | $25 Cover \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n \n\n About the Artist \n 2021 JUNO Award winner Jocelyn Gould has been called “a leader in the next generation of great mainstream jazz guitarists” by Howard Paul\, CEO of Benedetto Guitars. Her joyful energy has captivated audiences around the world and her passion for music is as infectious as her unique ability to connect with audiences. Jocelyn has absorbed the influences of the jazz guitar greats and has woven them into an exciting personal sound\, citing Wes Montgomery\, Grant Green\, Joe Pass and Kenny Burrell as primary influences on the guitar. \nJocelyn has performed and recorded internationally as a leader and with GRAMMY-nominated vocalist Freddy Cole\, JUNO-winning trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg\, DownBeat Trombonist of the Year Michael Dease\, Etienne Charles\, Jon Gordon\, Rodney Whitaker\, Randy Napoleon and Diego Rivera. \nJocelyn’s debut album\, Elegant Traveler\, won the 2021 JUNO Award for Jazz Album of the Year: Solo. \nGolden Hour\, Jocelyn’s sophomore album\, showcases her virtuosic guitar playing and dynamic compositions\, and introduces her voice. It has received international critical acclaim and radio play including extensive play on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. Golden Hour reached #1 on Canadian and #9 on North American college radio jazz charts. Jocelyn’s Golden Hour Tour took place in June 2022 with performances at 11 Canadian Jazz Festivals. \nJocelyn toured extensively in 2022\, including a 6-week American tour featuring the music of Bessie Smith\, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. She will begin 2023 with a two-month North American tour from Florida to Alaska as one of four guitarists featured in a concert of solo guitar. \nJocelyn Gould is a Benedetto-endorsed artist. \n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/jocelyn-gould/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/jocelyn-gould.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260726T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260726T203000 DTSTAMP:20260504T102825 CREATED:20260424T182433Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T182433Z UID:10000312-1785088800-1785097800@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Paul Vornhagen Quartet DESCRIPTION:Sun | Jul 26 \n\n Sets 6pm & 7:30pm | $25 Cover \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n \n\n About the Artist \n “On the recent Paul Vornhagen Quartet release recorded live at the Blue LLama Jazz Club\, Vornhagen has a cool tone on tenor\, swinging away…and also an impressive flute player.” -LOS ANGELES JAZZ SCENE \nPaul VornHagen is an accomplished jazz saxophonist\, flutist\, and vocalist who has won Detroit Music Awards on six separate occasions and categories: Jazz Reeds\, Talent Deserving Wider Recognition\, Instrumentalist\, World Music Recording (2) and Jazz Recording.  Presently living in Ann Arbor\, Michigan where  Paul got his start on the flute in 1972 performing with the University of Michigan dance department as an accompanist.  Mostly self-taught initially\, he studied music at  City College Of San Francisco in 1978-79 followed by classes at the Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor.  He has since traveled far and wide from the shores of Hawaii and Mexico to the jazz clubs of San Francisco\, Chicago\, New York City\, Havana (Cuba)\, Paris (France)\, England and the US Virgin Islands. \n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/paul-vornhagen-quartet-3/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/IMG_9662.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260729T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260729T213000 DTSTAMP:20260504T102825 CREATED:20260424T182547Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T182547Z UID:10000313-1785351600-1785360600@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Michael Dease DESCRIPTION:Wed | Jul 29 \n\n Sets at 7pm & 9pm | $25 Cover \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n \n\n About the Artist \n Michael Dease is one of the world’s eminent trombonists\, lending his versatile sound and signature improvisations to over 200 recordings and groups as diverse as Grammy winning artists David Sanborn\, Christian McBride\, Michel Camilo\, and Alicia Keys. Born in Augusta\, GA\, he played the saxophone and trumpet before choosing the trombone at age 17. In 2001\, Dease moved to New York City to become part of the historic first class of jazz students at The Juilliard School\, earning both Bachelors and Masters degrees\, and quickly established a reputation as a brilliant soloist\, sideperson\, and bandleader.Best Next Thing (Posi-Tone\, 2022)\, Dease’s newest release\, his ninth on Posi-Tone\, gathers together an assemblage of exceptional musicians to help him interactively explore the essence of the blues and reframe the abstract truths of jazz as the “Best Next Thing “for today’s audience of listeners. \nDease\, the winner of the 69th Annual DownBeat Magazine Poll for Trombonist of the Year and multi-Grammy award winner\, is also a sought-after lead\, section and bass trombonist with today’s leading jazz orchestras. His experiences include bands led by Christian McBride\, Roy Hargrove\, Nicholas Payton\, Charles Tolliver\, Rufus Reid\, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band. However\, it is on the frontline of quintets and sextets led by master musicians like The Heath Brothers\, Winard Harper\, Renee Rosnes\, Bill Charlap\, Claudio Roditi\, and Lewis Nash\, where Dease has revitalized the trombone’s image. Not content to simply improvise\, Dease arranges and composes for many different bands\, constantly adjusting his tone and timbre to add just the right flavor to the music. \nDease’s unique blend of curiosity\, hard work and optimism has helped him earn worldwide recognition\, including awards from ASCAP\, The International Trombone Association\, Yamaha\, Eastern Trombone Workshop\, New York Youth Symphony\, Hot House Magazine\, Michigan State University\, among others. Dease was profiled in Cicily Janus’ book\, The New Face of Jazz: An Intimate Look at Today’s Living Legends (Random House). His experience in the studio has led him to produce several recording sessions for emerging artists\, often composing and writing liner notes for the releases. \nDease’s singular talent has made him an effective and prolific teacher\, resulting in invitations\, master classes and residencies at University of North Texas\, Scranton University\, University of Iowa\, Florida State College\, Broward College\, and many institutions abroad. He serves as Professor of Jazz Trombone at the renowned Michigan State University jazz program and has also been on faculty at Queens College – CUNY\, The New School and North-eastern University. Many of Dease’s current and former students are enjoying successful careers in the music world. \nAlways an informed\, but forward-thinking musician\, Dease learned the craft from trombone legends Wycliffe Gordon and Joseph Alessi. His associations have run the entire spectrum of musical experience: Alicia Keys\, Paul Simon\, Paul Schaffer and the CBS Orchestra\, Elton John\, Neal Diamond\, Illinois Jacquet\, Slide Hampton & The World of Trombones\, Fred Wesley\, Maceo Parker\, WDR Big Band\, George Gruntz\, Billy Harper\, and numerous others. \nDease enjoys spending every possible minute with his extraordinary wife and Professor of Percussion at MSU\, Gwendolyn Dease\, and their daughters Brooklyn & Charley. Michael Dease is a Yamaha Performing Artist and uses Pickett Brass and Vandoren mouthpieces exclusively. \n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/michael-dease-3/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/michael-dease.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260730T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260730T213000 DTSTAMP:20260504T102825 CREATED:20260424T182642Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T182642Z UID:10000314-1785438000-1785447000@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Zen Zadravec Quintet DESCRIPTION:THURS | Jul 30 \n\n Sets 7pm & 8:30pm | $25 Cover \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n \n\n About the Artist \n Zen Zadravec\, jazz pianist\, saxophonist\, and composer views all music as a form of creative communication. The goal is to create music based on human experience. It is also to absorb as much music as possible to develop through the lens of Humanism based on the philosophies of Nichiren Buddhism. Ultimately\, Zadravec strives to create music that inspires\, encourages\, and touches people’s hearts. \nBorn in Winnipeg\, Canada in 1974\, Zadravec studied classical piano from the age of five.  At eleven he began studying the saxophone and the flute. Hearing Miles Davis transformed his life and influenced his decision to become a jazz musician. In 1992\, Zadravec attended York University’s Jazz Program and in 1997 he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. \nDuring his time at York\, he was also the recipient of two Oscar Peterson Awards for excellence as a jazz pianist. In 2000\, he earned a Graduate’s Degree in Jazz Performance at Rutgers University. Zadravec also has studied with some of the biggest names in jazz such as: Kenny Barron\, Don Thompson\, John Gittens\, Vic Juris\, Ted Dunbar and Ralph Bowen. \nVersatile\, creative\, energetic\, and dynamic\, Zen is constantly experimenting and refining his sound and musical conception through concerts\, recordings\, and education. A natural innovator and leader\, he runs two of his own bands: the Zen Zadravec Quartet and his fusion group Human Revolution. \nConceptually\, his music is always exploring beautiful melodies\, interesting chord progressions\, and rhythmic diversity. \nZadravec is also very much in demand as a side man and has performed or recorded with: Ron Carter\, Louis Hayes\, Karriem Riggins\, Ali Jackson\, Mike Pope\, Mark Whitfield Jr.\, Bijon Watson\, Mark Gross\, Derrick Gardner\, Vincent Gardner\, Todd Bashore\, Kenny Davis\, Steve Turre\, Ralph Bowen\, Sean Jones\, Conrad Herwig\, Freddie Hendrix\, Don Thompson\, Barry Elmes\, Mike Murley\, Lorne Lofsky\, Charles Fambrough\, Valery Ponomarev\, Dave Watson\, Darryl Dixon\, Gloria Gaynor\, Joan Rivers\, Bob Newhart\, Sally Kellerman\, among others. Zen has also performed on the Whoopi Goldberg Radio Show on WKTU in New York\, Wendy Williams Show\, and The Today Show with Gloria Gaynor on NBC with Kathie-Lee Gifford. \nZadravec continues to pursue the path of the performer\, the composer\, sideman\, and the artist. His jazz groups pursue a busy concert schedule in the United States\, Canada\, Europe\, and East Asia. Currently\, Zen will be releasing a new straight-ahead jazz CD entitled Human Revolution. With this new release\, he will be looking to turn heads and excite jazz audiences throughout the world. \n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/zen-zadravec-quintet/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/zen-zadravec.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260731T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260731T220000 DTSTAMP:20260504T102825 CREATED:20260424T182801Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T182801Z UID:10000308-1785524400-1785535200@bluellamaclub.com SUMMARY:Paxton/Spangler Band DESCRIPTION:Fri | Jul 31 \n\n Sets at 7pm & 9pm | $25 Cover \n \n RESERVE TABLE\n \n \n\n About the Artist \n “The Paxton/Spangler Band work a couple hundred dates a year in and around Detroit\, also traveling to perform regularly in Toledo\, Bowling Green (OH)\, Columbus (OH)\, Pittsburgh\, and of course throughout Michigan. Tbone and RJ are seasoned pros with decades of doing this under their respective belts. Matt\, Trevor and Sean are some of the very best young players on the Detroit scene today. \nI’ve been making music with John “Tbone” Paxton for many years. We used to play gigs backing up New Orleans singer/songwriter/guitar player Earl King when he’d travel north without a band. The title cut “Trick Bag” is a nod to those great days. \nThese instrumental tracks celebrate the excellent young musicians that Tbone and I hang out with these days. Check out Alex Colista on alto sax and Charlie Miller on trumpet on “Hard Times\,” a tune we associate with Detroit trumpet great Marcus Belgrave. Our longtime guitarist Matt LoRusso contributes the lone original on this collection\, “Rouge Dispensary\,” a nice showcase for his playing. Drummer Sean Perlmutter drives the band into a frenzy on “Jan Jan.” This is a song we associate with Grant Green\, also has a Detroit connection in that it was originally recorded by The Fabulous Counts\, an instrumental soul/funk group from Detroit. Baritone sax player Goode Wyche III takes a strong ride on that one\, too. Bassist Trevor Lamb offers strong support with the soulful bass line to “Way Back Home” by the Crusaders. \nThis is basically the third recorded offering from Tbone\, et al\, and the first officially under the name the Paxton/Spangler Band. Some funky stuff\, some mellow stuff\, some bluesy stuff. We hope that you dig it.”\n-RJ Spangler\nPaxton/Spangler Band\nJohn “Tbone” Paxton- vocals\, trombone\nRJ Spangler- congas and tambourine\nMatt LoRusso- guitar\nTrevor Lamb- double bass\nSean Perlmutter- drums\n\n \n \n \n RESERVE TABLE URL:https://bluellamaclub.com/event/paxton-spangler-band/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bluellamaclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/paxton-spangler.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR