Detroit
Detroit Michigan, the city on the river. Although there have been stories and articles written about its demise, Detroit is still a strong and vibrant city. While it has a varied musical history, Detroit has and can lay claim to many jazz giants like Thad Jones, Yusef Lateef, Marcus Belgrave, Milt Jackson, Kenny Burrell, and Ron Carter to name a few. In the 1950′s and 1960′s jazz flowed from the clubs of Detroit. Today the city on the river is still home to many of those clubs.
Cliff Bell’s, (voted “The Best Jazz Club” in Detroit), is one of the oldest jazz clubs in the city. Located at 2030 Park Avenue, it has under gone extensive reconstruction. When you step into Cliff Bell’s you feel as if you have stepped back in time into the heyday of elegant jazz emporiums. Definitely a destination when visiting Detroit.
The Jazz Café is in the lower level of the Music Hall at 350 Madison. The Music Hall Center for the Performing arts has been operating since 1928. Warm acoustics welcome you to a wonderful jazz experience. While bringing in National artists the Jazz Café focuses on artist you ought to know, as well as new and up and coming artist. The performances are often free and filled with a varied clientele.
Floods Bar & Grille can be found at 731 St. Antoine a few blocks from Wayne State University Medical Center. This is the place to come for cocktails, good food, and live jazz. Located in the heart of downtown Detroit for over 20 years Floods Bar & Grille is the place for the smooth urbane sophisticate.
The Dirty Dog Jazz café, 97 Kercheval Grosse Pointe, is truly an upscale jazz club, serving the serious jazz lover.
Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, claims to be “the oldest continuously operating Jazz Club in the world”. Baker’s Keyboard lounge is steeped in jazz history. In the 1950′s to 1970′s everybody who was anybody is jazz came through Baker’s Keyboard Lounge. Boasting an unpretentious but excellent menu coupled with the ultimate in jazz, this is a must for those wanting a genuine jazz experience.
J-C
