The weather may be changing, but Cliff's is sticking to the program bringing you the hottest jazz in the city. Check out what's coming up on November
The weather may be changing, but Cliff's is sticking to the program bringing you the hottest jazz in
the city. Check out what's coming up on November!
Bill Summers Latin Jazz Sextet Wednesday, Nov. 6, 9pm Tickets $20 Doors 7pm, General Admission
Emmy® Award winning musician Bill Summers, a multiple Grammy® and Billboard® Music Award winner and nominee. Summers’ contributions to Jazz and the cultural eminence of the American Gulf Coast have been widely recognized by educational institutions and by the media. In 1999 Eleanor Guggenheim hired Summers to coordinate the musical and artistic performances at the opening of the Hall of Biodiversity at the Museum of Natural History in New York. He is well known as co-founder of the Latin Jazz sensation “Los Hombres Calientes” for which he is a front man and percussionist.
The performance will include songs recorded by Bill Summers and his band Los Hombres Calientes as well as arrangements of Watermelon Man, Chameleon, Night In Tunisia, Caravan and other notable jazz standards.
Featuring:
Bill Summers-Percussion, Vocals
Bill Meyer-Piano
Ibrahim Jones-Bass
Pepe Espinosa-Timbales
Gayelynn McKinney-Drums
Dwight Adams-Trumpet
Look forward to another sold out presentation of the Moth StorySLAM as Detrioters pack into Cliff's to tell stories on the topic of "Planes, Trains & Automobiles".
“The Moth is dedicated to promoting the art of storytelling. We celebrate the ability of stories to honor the diversity and commonality of human experience, and to satisfy a vital human need for connection. We do so by helping our storytellers to shape their stories and to share them with the community at large. One goal of The Moth is to present the finest storytellers among established and emerging writers, performers and artists; another is to encourage storytelling among populations whose stories often go unheard.” -the moth.org
A limited number of $20 pre-sale tickets will be available a week before the event. Visit themoth.org for details.
Sean Dobbins & the Modern Jazz Messengers Friday, Nov. 8, 9pm $10 cover
Sean's sound can best be described as hard-driving, solid rhythm with refreshing melodic sensibility. Some of Sean's influences include Art Blakey, Jeff Hamilton, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Ed Thigpen, Sonny Payne, as well as Detroit area greats Gerald Cleaver and the one and only Elvin Jones. 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 of many awards and accolades including the "Woody Herman Jazz Award”, an award for outstanding musicianship, as well as the Louis Armstrong Scholarship. Due to Sean's great talent both as a player and an educator, he has been the focus of countless news articles jazz radio programs and documentaries.
Featuring:
Diego Rivera, Saxophones
Marion Heydon, Bass
Mike Jellick, Piano
Vincent Chandler, Trombone
Sean Dobbins, Drums
Rooms (Chicago) Thursday, Nov. 14, 8:30pm No Cover
Since the Fall of 2012, Rooms has been building a distinctive voice as an improvising ensemble. Comprised of Dan Pierson on keyboards, Charlie Kirchen on bass, and Matt Carroll on drums, the band has developed a large repertoire of original music that draws on a range of influences while at the same time expressing an aesthetic that is specific and personal. This aesthetic can be heard on the group's debut album, "Rooms", and at frequent performances in Chicago and beyond.
The Vincent Chandler Organ Quartet Friday, Nov. 15, 9pm $10 cover
Detroit born and raised, Vincent Chandler has been a trombonist for twenty three years. His fourteen year professional career has afforded him the opportunity to play alongside some of the jazz world's biggest names including Joe Henderson, Wynton Marsalis with Jazz@LincolnCenter, Jimmy Heath, Clark Terry, Marcus Belgrave, James Carter and Regina Carter to name a few.
Featuring:
Vincent Chandler, trombone
Glenn Tucker, Hammond B3
Alex White, drums
Kasan Belgrave, alto saxophone
The Etienne Charles Quintet Friday, Nov. 16, 9:30pm $10 cover
“A daring improviser, Charles also delivers with heart-wrenching lyricism” - Jazz Times
One of the most compelling and exciting young jazz artists ushering the genre into groundbreaking new territory is trumpeter/bandleader Etienne Charles, who, still in his 20s, has already recorded three impressive and well-received albums for his own Culture Shock Music imprint. His new album, Creole Soul, is a captivating journey of new jazz expression. It buoyantly taps into a myriad of styles rooted in his Afro-Caribbean background and plumbs the musical depths of the islands, from calypso to Haitian voodoo music. Also in the jazz amalgam mix are rock steady, reggae, belair, kongo and rock as well as the influence of Motown and R&B music Charles listened to on his parents' record player when he was growing up.
Open City is a forum for Detroit’s aspiring and established small business owners presented by D:hive in partnership with Detroit Creative Corridor Center and Model D. Each month at Cliff Bells, a select panel of speakers generate discussion on topics specific to doing business in Detroit. Participants mingle, network, and exchange information in a fun and lively atmosphere. Open City promotes a culture of entrepreneurship in Detroit and provides Detroiters with a venue to have meaningful conversations on how to succeed, grow, collaborate, and solve problems.
Open City takes place on the third Mondays of every month, from October to April. Meetings are free and open to all. No RSVP required.
From reality show star to producer to entertainer, Thaddeus Dixon is everywhere in today’s entertainment scene. You never know where you might see him next. Born on Detroit’s west side, Dixon started playing the drums at the age of three and was the youngest participant in the history of the American Guild of Music to receive their highest honor in the category of drums. Dixon has performed, recorded, and worked with a number of entertainers including Sean Kingston, Wynton Marsalis, Kelsey Grammer, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra and many more.
Featuring:
Marcus Elliot, tenor saxophone
Thaddeus Dixon, tubs
Josef Deas, bass
Mike Jellick, piano
Kenny Zimilinghaus Sunday, Nov. 24, 8pm $12 /back side of the bar $15 /main dinning room Tickets available here. No Reservations
Kenny Zimlinghaus is a stand-up comedian and spent 3 years as co-host and head writer for #1 “Storm and Kenny Radio Show” in Charleston, SC on 96WAVE. Kenny also worked as the youngest morning radio show host ever at WFNX Radio in Boston, MA. He currently lives in NYC where he performs as a stand-up comedian. You can also hear him on SiriusXM’s Cosmo Radio every morning at 7am.
He studied Communication in college and learned how to bribe professors. He travels the country performing stand up. From making ridiculous songs to impersonating Aaron Neville Kenny is a perfect fit for “girl world”. You can find him on the Internet. Or somewhere wandering the streets of Brooklyn. He has a cat named Steve.
The Planet D Nonet Wednesday, Nov. 27, 9pm $10 Cover
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 & the Blues Insurgents as well as some talented young veterans. We play the classic swing music of Ellington & Strayhorn, Fletcher Henderson, Count Basie & Benny Carter as well as more modern jazz by Sun Ra and Pharoah Saunders, and always with a Detroit twist.
The Planet D Nonet is about swing, blues, space-age jazz and classic American songs all served with plenty of good humor with an eye toward turning people onto this kind of music.
Lowdown Brass Band is a horn-driven ensemble with strong roots in the New Orleans Second Line Tradition. A fierce sousaphone sets the foundation for trumpets, trombones and saxophones that intertwine in a cacophony of tight lead lines, spontaneous call-and-response and bombastic brass attacks. While taking a page from the jazz and blues giants of the past, Lowdown Brass Band melds modern funk, hip-hop, reggae and pop into a unique style. This is one show you won't want to miss.
