Free Jazz Shows in Detroit

Wed, Sep 2, 7:30 PM

J. Clyde Neal Group and Session

Cliff Bell's / Downtown / Map

Make a Reservation Performances are at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm. Musicians pay no cover when they bring their instrument. The J. Clyde Neal Group i s rooted in the spiritual and communal traditions of Black American music. Led by trumpeter Jonathon C. Neal, the ensemble creates space through devotional melody, collective improvisation, and music offered as a gift of love. Every performance is a transfer of energy from musician to listener, making the listener the final member of the group. J. Clyde Neal is the performing name of trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Jonathon C. Neal, based in southeast Michigan. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz & Contemporary Improvisation at the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance, where his work centers Black American Music as a sacred tradition. He brings a body-centered approach to the trumpet, grounded in breath and listening, and carries that same philosophy into his teaching, both privately a

Wed, Sep 2, 9:30 PM

J. Clyde Neal Group and Session

Cliff Bell's / Downtown / Map

Make a Reservation Performances are at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm. Musicians pay no cover when they bring their instrument. The J. Clyde Neal Group i s rooted in the spiritual and communal traditions of Black American music. Led by trumpeter Jonathon C. Neal, the ensemble creates space through devotional melody, collective improvisation, and music offered as a gift of love. Every performance is a transfer of energy from musician to listener, making the listener the final member of the group. J. Clyde Neal is the performing name of trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Jonathon C. Neal, based in southeast Michigan. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz & Contemporary Improvisation at the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance, where his work centers Black American Music as a sacred tradition. He brings a body-centered approach to the trumpet, grounded in breath and listening, and carries that same philosophy into his teaching, both privately a

Fri, Sep 4, 11:30 PM

Detroit Jazz Fest Jamm Sessions w/ Vermilion Field

Cliff Bell's / Downtown / Map

No cover for Jazz Festival Musician or VIP Wrist Bands Formed in 2005, Vermilion Field incorporates jazz with funk, Latin, gospel, progressive rock, African and other music styles as experienced by members during their studies at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. The quintet performs original compositions contributed by each highly skilled musician to create a fusion of modern jazz sounds under the banner of “burning saudade.” The band’s performances stir the heart and evoke vivid imagery and are perfect for a festival atmosphere. After releasing six studio albums, including “Feira” from the Victor label, the band recently released its first live album containing its most popular compositions performed at its 20th anniversary concert. In addition to being regular performers at Takatsuki Jazz Street and Sumida Street Jazz Festival in Tokyo, the band has also performed at in Malaysia. Selected from a field of seven strong candidates, the band represents Takatsuki Jazz Street as this year’s exchange band with the Detroit Jazz Festival.

Fri, Sep 4, 11:30 PM

Detroit Jazz Fest Jam Sessions w/ Vermilion Field

Cliff Bell's / Downtown / Map

No cover for Jazz Festival Musician or VIP Wrist Bands Formed in 2005, Vermilion Field incorporates jazz with funk, Latin, gospel, progressive rock, African and other music styles as experienced by members during their studies at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. The quintet performs original compositions contributed by each highly skilled musician to create a fusion of modern jazz sounds under the banner of “burning saudade.” The band’s performances stir the heart and evoke vivid imagery and are perfect for a festival atmosphere. After releasing six studio albums, including “Feira” from the Victor label, the band recently released its first live album containing its most popular compositions performed at its 20th anniversary concert. In addition to being regular performers at Takatsuki Jazz Street and Sumida Street Jazz Festival in Tokyo, the band has also performed at in Malaysia. Selected from a field of seven strong candidates, the band represents Takatsuki Jazz Street as this year’s exchange band with the Detroit Jazz Festival.

Sat, Sep 5, 11:30 PM

Detroit Jazz Festival Jamm Sessions w/ Himiko Kikuchi Tottori Young Lions Trio

Cliff Bell's / Downtown / Map

No cover for Jazz Festival Musician or VIP Wrist Bands Himiko Kikuchi has been active in the Japanese jazz scene since around 1970, appearing at events such as the Montreux Jazz Festival. In 2011, she launched “Tottori JAZZ,” and since 2019, she has been organizing exchange programs with the Detroit Jazz Festival. In 2025 her album “FLYING BEAGLE” became a hit, and in August 2026, she performed at the “CITY POP FESTIVAL” held in London. In November 2026, her other past albums will also be released worldwide on LP.

Sat, Sep 5, 11:30 PM

Detroit Jazz Festival Jam Sessions w/ Himiko Kikuchi Tottori Young Lions Trio

Cliff Bell's / Downtown / Map

No cover for Jazz Festival Musician or VIP Wrist Bands Himiko Kikuchi has been active in the Japanese jazz scene since around 1970, appearing at events such as the Montreux Jazz Festival. In 2011, she launched “Tottori JAZZ,” and since 2019, she has been organizing exchange programs with the Detroit Jazz Festival. In 2025 her album “FLYING BEAGLE” became a hit, and in August 2026, she performed at the “CITY POP FESTIVAL” held in London. In November 2026, her other past albums will also be released worldwide on LP.

Wed, Sep 9, 7:30 PM

Houston Patton Quartet and Session

Cliff Bell's / Downtown / Map

Make a Reservation SHOWTIMES ARE 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. Musicians pay no cover when they bring their instrument. Saxophonist Houston Patton is a rising star in Detroit’s Jazz community. Following in the footsteps of his father, Houston began playing the saxophone at a very young age. Under the mentorship and tutelage of saxophonists such as Harry Patton, Daryl Beebe, Jordan Vanhemert, Wendell Harrison, and Andrew Bishop, Houston has explored many genres ranging from gospel to hard bop. Patton started his professional career at the age of 20, performing with Kevin Jones & Tenth World , at Grand Rapids jazz club, GRNoir. This led to many more opportunities as a sideman and bandleader in the Grand Rapids and Detroit music scenes. To this day, Patton continues to perform with Kevin Jones & Tenth World, and a host of Detroit and West Michigan Groups. In 2023, Houston spent four months in New York as a student in the “ New York Arts Program .” During this time

Wed, Sep 9, 9:30 PM

Houston Patton Quartet and Session

Cliff Bell's / Downtown / Map

Make a Reservation SHOWTIMES ARE 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. Musicians pay no cover when they bring their instrument. Saxophonist Houston Patton is a rising star in Detroit’s Jazz community. Following in the footsteps of his father, Houston began playing the saxophone at a very young age. Under the mentorship and tutelage of saxophonists such as Harry Patton, Daryl Beebe, Jordan Vanhemert, Wendell Harrison, and Andrew Bishop, Houston has explored many genres ranging from gospel to hard bop. Patton started his professional career at the age of 20, performing with Kevin Jones & Tenth World , at Grand Rapids jazz club, GRNoir. This led to many more opportunities as a sideman and bandleader in the Grand Rapids and Detroit music scenes. To this day, Patton continues to perform with Kevin Jones & Tenth World, and a host of Detroit and West Michigan Groups. In 2023, Houston spent four months in New York as a student in the “ New York Arts Program .” During this time