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

Djangophonique is a musical project born out of reverence for [...]

Bob Schneeweis, originally from the Twin Cities, MN, has been an active pianist, composer/arranger, and teacher for the past two decades. Prior to moving to Detroit in 2009, Bob worked foremost as pianist, composer/arranger, and music director for the popular Minneapolis-based Latin orchestra Salsabrosa, as well as writing for and performing with the much-lauded Atlantis Quartet (then Quintet). He also collaborated with a wide array of other groups, from hip hop and electronic music, to free improvisation and experimental music. In the Detroit area, Bob continues

Jazz vocalist Liz Smith has been an active member of the Detroit music scene for many years. Classically trained but always a true jazz head, she made her debut as a young adolescent, and worked her way through the clubs and bars throughout the metro area, finding her way into such venues as Baker's Keyboard Lounge and Cliff Bell's Jazz & Blues Club. Today she holds a regular standing with her trio every Thursday night at Goodnite Gracie Jazz & Martini Bar in Royal, and is a regular performer at The London Chophouse and Willis Show Bar in Detroit, Vinotecca Wine Bar in downtown Birmingham, Lily Pearl's Lounge in Owosso, and many others. A 2018 Detroit Music Award nominee, her rich vocals bring an old-world feel; her sound often compared to that of the early American jazz icons of the thirties and forties.

Kris Kurzawa’s versatility has led him to become one of the Detroit areas most in demand guitarists since the early 2000’s; crossing into multiple genres including jazz, fusion, world music and R+B. He released his first album ‘Sly’ in 2016 for which he received his fifth Detroit Music Award. He earned his masters degree in jazz studies from Wayne State University in 2012 and has recently began teaching jazz guitar at his alma mater.

Paul is well known for his associations with pianist/vocalist Diana Krall and guitarist Russell
Malone. Paul has performed with jazz greats Joe Williams, Cab Calloway, Marian McPartland,
Barry Harris, Jeff Hamilton, Benny Golson, Benny Green, Jon Hendricks, Wycliff Gordon,
Mulgrew Miller, Jay McShann and James Moody. He has played on over 50 CDs with artists
such as Larry Vuckovich, Eddie Higgins, and Marcus Belgrave.
Paul was honored by the West Michigan Jazz Society as their 2001 Jazz Musician of the Year
and by the Detroit Music Awards as the 2002 Outstanding Jazz Instrumentalist. Keller is on the
faculty of the Wayne State University jazz department in Detroit. He travels frequently, giving
jazz concerts, workshops and clinics and is well-respected as an innovative and enthusiastic
jazz educator.

Duncan Williamson McMillan began studying piano at age 5. His musical studies con-tinued with Frederic Dehaven at Christ Church in Grosse Ponte, singing in the boys choir (1980-1987). From 1989-1992, Duncan studied jazz piano and music theory with James Hohmeyer, Bess Bonnier and Matt Michaels. Upon graduation from Western Michigan University in 1997 (B.M. piano/jazz studies), Duncan has established a reputation as a versatile musician, working with such diverse artists as Jon Hendricks, Aretha Franklin, Rodney Whitaker, Ira Sullivan, Marcus Belgrave, Eric Marienthal, Nelson Rangell, Chris Standring, and The Four Freshman. In demand as both a pianist and organist,

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.

Djangophonique is a musical project born out of reverence for the Parisian Jazz Manouche style that was made popular by the legendary Sinti guitarist Django Reinhardt and his Quintette du Hot Club de France. While remaining steeped in the rich and virtuosic tradition, the group brings this music into the present with stunning improv, spontaneity and musical interaction. Hot swing, lush ballads, musette waltzes, jazz standards, boleros, and moody minor pieces are all fused together with theatrical flair and musical humor.