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Check out Blue LLama’s owner, Don Hicks & artistic director, Dave Sharp Live on stage at the LLama.
Ann Arbor native Andy Adamson is a self-taught pianist, composer and bandleader. Starting his original band journey in sixth grade, he has composed music for his all original bands and played keyboards for over 50 years. Influenced by the music of John Coltrane, the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Chick Corea, Andy has composed a vast catalogue […]
Enjoy an evening of salsa, Cuban beats and fun time by all at Blue LLama for Latin-jazz Wednesday featuring: Tumbao Bravo
Ellie Martin is a jazz vocalist, and a singer-songwriter with a PhD in jazz studies, who performs a wide variety of repertoire from Brazilian music, American Songbook, Bebop, as well as her original compositions. A fearless improviser, Ellie delivers songs with individuality, passion, and honesty. Career highlights include performing at the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival, the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
Aguankó, the ensemble led by percussionist and composer Alberto Nacíf, is a talented group of Michigan based musicians who are steeped in the tradition of jazz infused Son-Salsa. In La […]
Charlie Ballantine is acclaimed as one of the finest and most versatile young guitarists on the scene today. JAZZ TIMES MAGAZINE hails his playing as “teeming with intricate grooves and […]
A powerful and innovative saxophonist, Alex Harding has a unique and contemporary baritone sound. The sincerity of his musical expression and the dynamism of his performance reaches out and touch […]
Jordan Rattner is a guitarist, composer and bandleader from Milwaukee, WI. Since picking up the guitar at age eight, Jordan has studied a myriad of jazz and popular guitar styles. […]
Brad focuses on participating in many musical settings, from creative-improvised music, jazz, blues, rock, fusion, etc., thereby strengthening his ability to incorporate different styles into his playing in any context. […]
Taste and learn about the phenomenal wines of Piattelli Vineyards of Argentina. Sample five wines, of typical Argentinian grape varieties, Sparkling, Torrontes, Reserve Cabernet Sauvigon, Grand Reserve Malbec, Rose of Malbec. The wine is produced from two distinct Piattelli vineyards; Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza and Cafayate, Salta. These hand crafted, award-winning wines are a perfect complement […]
Dani Darling is an imaginative chanteuse, guitarist, producer, band leader and songwriter from Ann Arbor, MI. She was the Detroit Metro Times "Artist to Watch in 2020", the recipient of the Amplify Project Fellowship, and has been featured on Live in the D, Audiofemme, The Singer's Room, and Nylon Magazine. Her most recent release, a […]
The Detroit Jazz Festival and the Blue LLama Jazz Club join forces to present a tribute to jazz great Horace Silver with an all star quintet led by saxophonist Christopher B. Collins, who serves as the President and Artistic Director for the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation. For nearly 40 years, the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation […]
Featuring Rick Roe, Jesse Kramer, Rob Bickley and Ralphe Tope John Coltrane became one of the most influential composers and improvisers, in spite of a relatively short solo career. Comprised of Rick Roe on piano, Ralph Tope on guitar, Rob Bickley on bass, and Jesse Kramer on drums, Crescent Quartet does not seek to strictly […]
Sean Dobbins began his career as a 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 […]
Sean Dobbins began his career as a 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 […]
Join us for the first Ear Candy! Piano Karaoke at Blue LLama Jazz Club featuring: Jesse Morgan on piano and host Shelly Smith. Jesse Morgan is a music lover, music teacher, and currently Music Therapy fellow at C.S. Mott's Children's hospital. Shelly Smith is a longtime comedy producer and host of Ann Arbor's Annual 50 […]
Jordan Anderson is an up and coming pianist and composer based in Minneapolis who is making his mark in southeast Michigan. He is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan’s jazz studies program and worked as a student of Benny Green and Andy Milne. Jordan’s musical approach focuses on combining modern and traditional storytelling […]
Sonero y Conguero Armando Vega grew up immersed in Latin music and culture in Detroit, Michigan. Beginning to sing Salsa at seventeen, he received early mentoring from Herman Olivera, famed Grammy nominated singer with Eddie Palmieri, The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and many others. Years later Armando performed with Olivera before a crowd of 30,000 at […]
About Glenn Tucker: Glenn Tucker is an accomplished jazz pianist, organist, composer, and arranger based in Ann Arbor. All of the music you are hearing tonight has been composed by Glenn. Glenn grew up studying with local legends and educators such as Sean Dobbins, Paul Finkbeiner, Tad Weed, Vincent York, Community High School’s Jack Wagner, and while at […]
The Arklight Quartet is an Ann Arbor based jazz/BAM group that seeks to take well known standards and post-bop tunes and bring them beyond the written page. Each member brings their own unique identity to the group, allowing the songs to flow in unexpected and personal ways. Salvador Flores is an saxophonist from Texas, pursing […]
Recognized in the Jazz Times 2010 Critic’s Poll, the DAVE SHARP WORLDS QUARTET masterfully blends rhythms, sounds, and textures from across the globe with world music inspired original compositions. Featuring oud, violin, electric bass, synthesizer and world percussion, the WORLDS QUARTET is fueled by the spirit of jazz, world music and dynamic exploratory improvisation. Bassist, […]
Detroit's premier Latin Jazz group, specializing in smoking hot Latin Jazz a la Poncho Sanchez, Tito Puente and Horace Silver; also Latin Dance styles like Salsa and Cha Cha.
With a voice as smooth as velvet, SAMARA JOY’s star seems to rise with each performance. Following her winning the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, she is currently recording […]
With a voice as smooth as velvet, SAMARA JOY’s star seems to rise with each performance. Following her winning the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, she is currently recording her debut recording, which will feature Samara backed by the Pasquale Grasso Trio. Growing up in New York, music was a pervasive presence, due to […]
