Tom Dennis is a versatile jazz pianist whose style is defined by melodic solo lines and sophisticated reharmonizations of familiar melodies. His taste in composers ranges from Gershwin to Bacharach. Tom is Professor of Music at Oakland Community College, he currently performs as a solo pianist, a sideman to some of Detroit’s finest vocalists, and as the pianist in Detroit’s own traditional swing band, the Rhythm Society Orchestra.

Recognized in both the vocal jazz performance and scholarship worlds, Ellie Martin is a highly respected vocalist, composer, educator, and Jazz studies scholar. She is currently the vocal jazz instructor at the University of Toledo, as well as Toledo School for the Arts. She 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 Sunset Jazz Festival, and the Michigan Jazz Festival. She was the featured vocalist with the National Arab Orchestra in San Antonio Texas, and performed alongside jazz luminaries Geri Allen, Terri Lynne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding, the New York Voices, Jon Hendricks, and Afro Blue.

Drummer Brad Billmaier is an accomplished jazz musician based of Toledo, Ohio. Brad has performed extensively across Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan and has held multiple musical residencies at venues throughout Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Ypsilanti. He has performed alongside musicians ranging from Vic Juris, Detroit’s own Alvin Waddles, renowned flautist and clinician Galen Abdur-Razzaq, and other jazz luminaries

Brett Lucas started his professional musical career in his late teems as a guitarist performing in Blues clubs in Detroit and with some of Detroit’s legendary Blues performers. Since then, Brett has performed on stages across the world including Carnegie Hall, Montreux Jazz Festival, Austin City Limits, Conan O’Brien Show, The Jay Leno Show and The Late Show with David Letterman. Brett has toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, Japan, Africa and South America.

Keyboard specialist Chris Codish has steadily made himself a vital […]

Djangophonique is a virtuosic, instrumentally driven acoustic jazz quartet led by guitar player Andrew Brown. With over a decade of national touring experience, Brown is no stranger to the stage and delivers every performance with personality and enigmatic charm. A true disciple of the style, Brown has spent countless hours immersing himself in the language of Django Reinhardt’s jazz manouche, and he’s joined on stage by bandmates that match his skill and passion for the material. The result is a sound that’s unmistakable to fans of the music, and alluring to the uninitiated—a sound that can bring the lively energy of a parisian dance hall to the quietest listening room or captivate a buzzing festival audience with a shimmering ballad. With respect for the tradition and a fearless creativity that bends the conventions of the style, Djangophonique is keeping the Hot Club revival alive and well in Michigan.

Brett Lucas started his professional musical career in his late teems as a guitarist performing in Blues clubs in Detroit and with some of Detroit’s legendary Blues performers. Since then, Brett has performed on stages across the world including Carnegie Hall, Montreux Jazz Festival, Austin City Limits, Conan O’Brien Show, The Jay Leno Show and The Late Show with David Letterman. Brett has toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, Japan, Africa and South America.

Born in Pittsburgh, keyboard/vocalist Bill Heid has performed throughout the […]

Kevin Kozol is a pianist, composer and educator based in Chicago, IL. He is one the founding members of the jazz fusion trio, Spare Parts, who are currently signed to Ropeadope Records. The trio's last album, "Warehaus West Sessions, Vol.1," which received 5/5 stars in UK Vibe, features Fareed Haque, Bill Dickens and Rajiv Halim. Spare Parts is currently working on their 7th studio recording, which will be released on Ropeadope Records later in 2019. Spare Parts has performed major festivals and venues both nationally and internationally over the years, including Peru Jazz Festival (Lima), Chi-Town Jazz Festival, Jazz Showcase, Andy's Jazz Club, Dazzle Jazz, Summer Camp Music Festival, Wakarusa Music Festival, House of Blues, Metro, and Congress Theater to name a few. Over the years, Spare Parts has opened and shared the stage with musicians/artists such as Wayne Krantz, Keith Carlock, Victor Wooten, George Clinton, Lenny Pickett, Marco Benevento, Stanton Moore, Liquid Soul, The Jazz Mandolin Project and even Snoop Dogg.