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There will be two separate seatings at 7:30pm & 9:30pm for this performance. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.We invite you to join us this weekend and throughout the year as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Cliff Bell’s re-opening. Over the past two decades, Cliff Bell’s has evolved from a smokey haunt on a dark block on the edge of downtown, known only to a handful of local musicians and their fans, to an internationally recognized destination for the world’s best jazz. We are deeply grateful to the Detroit community for its ongoing support of live jazz, and to our dedicated ownership, management, and staff. Special thanks go to the musicians—both local and international—who have made Cliff Bell’s their home for live jazz in Detroit.
We’re kicking off our anniversary with three nights of Jam Sessions hosted by some of the original guardians of our stage. Drummer, educator and composer Sean Dobbins performs and hosts the exact date of the anniversary February 5th. One of the greatest pianists to every play on our stage, Mike Jellick will be returning from New York on Friday February 6th. And closing out the weekend is Marcus Elliott who held down our Wednesday night Jam session for so long we really don’t remember when it began or ended!
Multifaceted saxophonist and composer, Marcus Elliot, has emerged as one of the leading voices of the Detroit music scene. The New York Times has called him “convincing and confident, evolved in touch and tone…”, and the Detroit Free Press has said, “Marcus Elliot represents next generation of jazz”. Marcus creates music with the hope of “reminding myself and listeners that we are human beings, and what a gift that is.” He is a recipient of the Joyce Awards (2024), a prestigious award for innovative new projects by pioneered by artists spanning the visual, performing, and multidisciplinary arts that engage diverse communities in the Mid-West. He is also a recipient of the Kresge Fellowship(2020), awarded to artist that are recognized for their creative vision and commitment to excellence within a wide range of artistic disciplines. Marcus is instructor of jazz saxophone at Wayne State University and is director of the Creative Arts Orchestra at University of Michigan. Marcus has performed and/or collaborated with Terence Blanchard, Karriem Riggins, Talib Kwali, Marcus Belgrave, Brian Eno, Shigeto, Robert Hurst, Anthony Davis, Jeff Tain Watts, and many others.
Brandon Woody is a Baltimore-born, Bach-endorsed trumpeter, composer, and bandleader whose music flows from the rich lineage of Black music, including jazz, gospel, improvisation, and beyond, to explore themes of love, resilience, and community. Hailed by The New York Times and Los Angeles Times as a rising force in contemporary jazz, Woody signed with the legendary Blue Note Records in November 2024 and released his debut album, For The Love Of It All, in May 2025. Featuring his longtime band Upendo — Troy Long (keys), Quincy Phillips (drums), and Michael Saunders (bass) — the album showcases Woody’s ability to craft music that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Rooted in Baltimore, Woody has built his career from his hometown, drawing on its vibrant creative culture and community spirit. His work has received praise across major publications, with DownBeat highlighting his “rich and expressive” tone and the Financial Times noting the album’s emotional range “from gentle lyricism to swaggering virtuosity.” The Washington Post described Woody’s music as “staggeringly self-assured” and “radiating warmth, purpose, and a sense of place,” reflecting both the clarity of his artistic vision and his deep connection to his community.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
2030 Park Ave, Detroit, MI, United States
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