You might notice of something different at an organissimo performance. The audience isn’t the typical homogenous “jazz” audience. You’ll see a healthy mix of people from all walks of life; young and old, black and white, from hippies to corporate professionals and everything in between. organissimo’s music skirts over fences and satisfies a diverse range […]
In 2023 the Detroit Jazz Festival Global-Connect International All-Star Initiative explores the fusion of Detroit and Italian jazz artistry embodied in a multi-generational quartet featuring the lauded Milan, Italy based Hurricane Trio: Roberto Mattei-Bass, Lorenzo Blardone- Piano and Massimiliano Salina-Drums - and, the award-winning saxophonist from Detroit, Chris Collins; internationally recognized for his singular role […]
Bass Trombonist Wyatt Forhan is an aspiring young musician from St. Louis, MO. He began his musical career at a young age when he learned drums and then progressed to discover jazz and classical piano. Wyatt started to play the Trombone in fourth grade and added the Bass Trombone to his studies a year later. […]
King Alexander is a multifaceted musician born in the city of Detroit, MI. He’s a multi instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and music producer. Alexander fuses, the inspiration from his jazz background, Gospel upbringing, love for R&B and hip-hop into his own genre. Culminating all of those sounds into one creates a unique live musical experience. King […]
King Alexander is a multifaceted musician born in the city of Detroit, MI. He’s a multi instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and music producer. Alexander fuses, the inspiration from his jazz background, Gospel upbringing, love for R&B and hip-hop into his own genre. Culminating all of those sounds into one creates a unique live musical experience. King […]
Drummer and bandleader Nick Collins is proud to present his quintet at the Blue LLama Jazz Club, featuring a fun variety of high-energy modern, classic, and original jazz. With deep roots in Ann Arbor, Nick lived and played music in New York City from 1998 to 2004, and returned to his hometown in 2004 to […]
Isis Damil is a Detroit-bred singer and songwriter. Her fiery, mezzo vocals blend with jazzy R&B melodies to share stories of confidence, sensuality, and spirituality. Her sultry, soulful aura is a culmination of her own development as an artist and woman, and is reflected seamlessly throughout her music. Coupled with her signature bold animal-inspired style, […]
Isis Damil is a Detroit-bred singer and songwriter. Her fiery, mezzo vocals blend with jazzy R&B melodies to share stories of confidence, sensuality, and spirituality. Her sultry, soulful aura is a culmination of her own development as an artist and woman, and is reflected seamlessly throughout her music. Coupled with her signature bold animal-inspired style, […]
After hearing a YouTube video of George Benson performing ‘Affirmation’ for the first time when he was eleven years old, East Lansing based guitarist Luke Sittard knew the sound he wanted to pursue for the rest of his life. With a mission to be a torchbearer for the bebop and jazz guitar traditions, his music […]
In January 2019 Allen was chosen by the Detroit MetroTimes as one of ten artist they thought would become famous in that year. Soon after that Allen was approached with many interview requests, one being with Detroit Public Television/ PBS and the other being with Honeysuckle Magazine, a New York City based magazine company. Aside […]
Jesse Kramer-Drums Dale Grisa-Organ Ralph Tope-Guitar Morgan’s Organ: B3 Jazz Organ Trio What does a disgraced milkman, an out of work interior designer, and bald barber have in common? The answer: Morgan’s Organ. Tri-founded, by three adult men with too much time on their hands, Morgan’s Organ features Jesse Kramer on drums, Dale Grisa on […]
“To hear saxophonist James Carter is to be blown away,” (Washington Post). From moonlit ballads to funky workouts to the most cerebral kind of post-bop, in an intimate club or on a sprawling festival stage, the Detroit-born saxophone master can seem to deliver all of jazz history in a single set. Sponsored By:
“To hear saxophonist James Carter is to be blown away,” (Washington Post). From moonlit ballads to funky workouts to the most cerebral kind of post-bop, in an intimate club or on a sprawling festival stage, the Detroit-born saxophone master can seem to deliver all of jazz history in a single set. Sponsored By:
NBQ, an all-improv ensemble hailing from Detroit, is a musical force that has captivated audiences across the city. With their residency at renowned venues like Spotlite and Motor City Wine, performing at Cliff Bells, Aretha's Jazz Cafe, Arts.Beats.and Eats, The Monroe Mid-way, and the Blue Llama, NBQ has become a staple in the local music […]
Marcus Elliot is a saxophonist, composer, improviser, and educator based in Detroit, Michigan. His list of achievements and credentials are substantial including: -2020 Kresge Artist Fellow, awarded by Kresge Arts in Detroit -Current director of the University of Michigan’s Creative Arts Orchestra -A Fellow of the Geri Allen Gathering Orchestra -Co-founder of the nonprofit Polyfold Musical Arts […]
Marcus Elliot is a saxophonist, composer, improviser, and educator based in Detroit, Michigan. His list of achievements and credentials are substantial including: -2020 Kresge Artist Fellow, awarded by Kresge Arts in Detroit -Current director of the University of Michigan’s Creative Arts Orchestra -A Fellow of the Geri Allen Gathering Orchestra -Co-founder of the nonprofit Polyfold Musical Arts […]
Bassist and Vocalist Gwenyth Hayes’ hybrid reinterpretations give due respect to classic songs and soul covers from many genres and eras. They center around her sultry voice, groove-oriented bass lines and tight instrumental arrangements. This approach serves to reinvent popular soul, jazz, soft rock, and blues standards with a sensual and contemporary feel. Gwenyth’s sound […]
Bassist, Composer, Arranger and Producer, John Clayton is a busy man. He is a Grammy© winner with nine additional nominations and has written and/or recorded with artists such as Milt Jackson, Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Regina Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gladys Knight, Queen Latifah, McCoy Tyner, YoYo Ma and Charles Aznavour, to name only a […]
This unique jazz quintet features two tenor saxophones, piano, bass, and drums, and performs modern interpretations of jazz standards. MEET THE BAND: Zach Sommerfeld - Bass Elvin Sharp - Tenor Saxophone Cole Oswalt - Tenor Saxophone Jeremiah Facen - Drums Kaes Holkeboer - Piano There is no cover and reservations are not required […]
For starters, you don’t find many jazz clarinet players who name Alice Cooper, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Chris Isaak among their influences. You won’t find many musicians who are equally conversant with the music of Benny Goodman (the “King of Swing”) and Roy Orbison (“The Soul of Rock and Roll”). In fact, you may not […]
For starters, you don’t find many jazz clarinet players who name Alice Cooper, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Chris Isaak among their influences. You won’t find many musicians who are equally conversant with the music of Benny Goodman (the “King of Swing”) and Roy Orbison (“The Soul of Rock and Roll”). In fact, you may not […]
Drummer and bandleader Nick Collins is proud to present his quintet at the Blue LLama Jazz Club, featuring a fun variety of high-energy modern, classic, and original jazz. With deep roots in Ann Arbor, Nick lived and played music in New York City from 1998 to 2004, and returned to his hometown in 2004 to […]
Tatiana Eva-Marie, is a Brooklyn-based singer and bandleader. Born and raised in Europe in a professional musical family, a Swiss-French composer and a Romanian classical violinist, Tatiana Eva-Marie grew up equally fascinated by her father’s New Orleans jazz records, and her mother’s heritage of Klezmer and Gypsy folk music. Nicknamed "the Gypsy-jazz Warbler" by the […]
Tatiana Eva-Marie, is a Brooklyn-based singer and bandleader. Born and raised in Europe in a professional musical family, a Swiss-French composer and a Romanian classical violinist, Tatiana Eva-Marie grew up equally fascinated by her father’s New Orleans jazz records, and her mother’s heritage of Klezmer and Gypsy folk music. Nicknamed "the Gypsy-jazz Warbler" by the […]
Join us for a fabulous evening at Blue LLama Jazz Club for Salsa Night! This unique experience includes dancing and a live Latin band, Armando Vega & 313 Orchestra! We welcome all dancing experience levels and will have a salsa instructor, Náli, present if you’d like her to walk you through a few steps before […]
Bob Sweet grew up in Detroit and immersed himself in the city’s jazz, blues, rock, and soul scene. His first formal drum instruction was with Gene Stewart, who had played with Woody Herman and others. Genegot him his first jazz gig in a trio with pianist Kathleen Landis. Bob also played with the Sun Messengers, […]
The 313 Group, led by saxophonist Nate Topolewski, is an up-incoming jazz and funk ensemble. The group prides themselves in not only their original music, but in their renditions of Jazz standards as well. The band focuses not only to protect the tradition of their music, but to excite listeners who vitalize that said tradition. […]
Revered as both a torchbearer and a storyteller, jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin possesses a voice hailed for crystalline clarity, hearth-like warmth and playful lioness sass. The Cleveland native brings a wealth of diverse influences to her vocal performance from both the Trinidadian/Caribbean roots of her mother and traditional jazz by way of her Louisiana-born father. […]
Revered as both a torchbearer and a storyteller, jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin possesses a voice hailed for crystalline clarity, hearth-like warmth and playful lioness sass. The Cleveland native brings a wealth of diverse influences to her vocal performance from both the Trinidadian/Caribbean roots of her mother and traditional jazz by way of her Louisiana-born father. […]
Led by the visionary Kevin Brewster, Black Renaissance, together with the exceptional talents of Brandon Rose and Joshua Watkins, fearlessly propels the essence of Black American Music into uncharted territories. Through an exquisite fusion of contemporary, straight-ahead, gospel, R&B, and original compositions, the group spearheads a captivating movement that heralds a fresh chapter in the […]
To celebrate the new school year, Sean Dobbins will feature an All-Star ensemble of Jazz Educators from the Midwest Region! Sean Dobbins got his start as sought-after Detroit area jazz sideman at a young age, when he would regularly play with Blue Note artist Louis Smith. As Sean’s Career progressed, he found himself the recipient […]
To celebrate the new school year, Sean Dobbins will feature an All-Star ensemble of Jazz Educators from the Midwest Region! Sean Dobbins got his start as sought-after Detroit area jazz sideman at a young age, when he would regularly play with Blue Note artist Louis Smith. As Sean’s Career progressed, he found himself the recipient […]
Conga player and composer Alberto Nacif and the superlative musicians who make up the sizzling Latin Jazz group Aguanko have a new, all original Latin Jazz recording titled “Unidad”, which will be released at the July, 26, 2023 performance. This recording features the core group of Aguanko musicians from the incredibly rich Detroit area Jazz […]
https://vimeo.com/806112417/33413321f1 The Ellen Rowe/Andrew Bishop Quartet have been fixtures on the Detroit/Ann Arbor music scene for over 15 years, with concerts at the Blue LLama Jazz Club, Cliff Bells, Kerrytown Concert House, University of Michigan. They have also performed at the Jazz Education Network Conference and the Detroit Jazz Festival. Their last quartet album, […]
Pianist, composer, producer and arranger Demetrius “Krayon” Nabors is well known and in demand in the Detroit area and on the national contemporary jazz scene. He is a two-time Detroit Music Award Winner in the Outstanding Gospel/Christian Musician category. His considerable talents caught the attention of numerous high-profile national artists, including R&B singer KEM, flutist […]
Pianist, composer, producer and arranger Demetrius “Krayon” Nabors is well known and in demand in the Detroit area and on the national contemporary jazz scene. He is a two-time Detroit Music Award Winner in the Outstanding Gospel/Christian Musician category. His considerable talents caught the attention of numerous high-profile national artists, including R&B singer KEM, flutist […]
Brad is Toledo-based percussionist, composer, and bandleader. Brad's career in SE Michigan and NW Ohio has led him to collaborate with and accompany jazz luminaries across the country, such as Amos Hoffman, Mark Tonelli, Gene Parker, David Bixler, Ellen Rowe, Edward Gooch, Bryan Olsheski, Waves De Ache, Jaak Sooar, and many others. Brad's Artificer Quartet […]
https://vimeo.com/820964946/fd11ec74cc Jim Alfredson’s Dirty Fingers is a Hammond organ based group that specializes in down home, funky jazz. Focusing on the soul-jazz of the 1960s, Jim Alfredson’s Dirty Fingers believes the power of music lies in it’s ability to make you feel good. Originally formed in 2013 as a recording project to celebrate the music […]
https://vimeo.com/820964946/fd11ec74cc Jim Alfredson’s Dirty Fingers is a Hammond organ based group that specializes in down home, funky jazz. Focusing on the soul-jazz of the 1960s, Jim Alfredson’s Dirty Fingers believes the power of music lies in it’s ability to make you feel good. Originally formed in 2013 as a recording project to celebrate the music […]