Gerard William Gibbs, born November 16th 1967, has been a lover of Jazz ever since his father introduced him at the tender age of three to the music of the late Jazz organist, Richard “Groove” Holmes. At age seven, when he later had the opportunity to meet Holmes, Gerard grew to idolize Holmes. He knew […]
Every Wednesday Cliff Bell’s brings you the new sounds of Soul in Detroit. Hosted by DJ Nick Austin of WDET’s “New Soul Sunday’s”, CURRENT will feature the new crop of soul musicians performing in and around Detroit. DJ Nick Austin starts at 8 p.m. and the live band starts around 9:30 […]
PanaMO, a name combining Panama and Motown, is led by Panamanian master percussionist Obed Succari. Succari, a protégé of great legendary Latino percussionists, Giovanni Hildalgo, Roberto El Afrokan Izquierdo and Tata Guines, has played with renowned artists such as Danilo Perez and Richie Cole among others. The band plays everything from jazz standards with novel […]
Midtown Sounds is a medium-sized jazz group that focuses on reinterpreting the iconic 1950's west coast jazz sound while also incorporating modern musical elements.
Jeff Pedraz is a Philadelphia native bassist, composer and educator. He is an accomplished musician who possesses both virtuosity and versatility on both the Double bass and Electric bass and has worked in an array of musical situations ranging from orchestral to more modern genres and beyond. Jeff’s life changed forever upon his introduction to […]
The PLANET D NONET "a down & dirty little swing band from Detroit" was founded by drummer RJ Spangler & trumpeter James O’Donnell, two eastside Detroit based musicians who’ve been playing together for over 30 years. The Nonet features players from such venerated groups as the Sun Messengers, Bon Ton Roule' and Johnnie Bassett & […]
WSG/ The MSU Community Music School Jazz Ensemble Chicago based bassist/composer and bandleader, Matt Ulery, has developed an instantly recognizable sound. Known for his sweeping lyricism, unconventional phrase structures, expressionistic emotionalism, Ulery’s music is informed by the entire spectrum of jazz, classical, rock, pop, and folk– specifically American, South American, Balkan, and other European folk styles. He has been […]
Sasha Kashperko and his trio will explore the depths of detroit swing and soul with some original tunes as well as some standard repertoire for 3 sets at the historic Cliff Bells.
With a different local high school jazz band opening each performance! Scott Gwinnell is an award-winning pianist, composer/arranger, and educator born in Detroit, and residing in the Metro-Detroit area. He currently freelances as a sideman and leads various groups; the most well-known being the 16-piece Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra. He is an adjunct professor of […]