Duncan McMillan Organ Trio
Duncan McMillan Organ Trio
Sunday, September 6
9:30 PM to 1:30 AM
No Cover
Join us at Old Park Bar for an evening of live jazz with the Duncan McMillan Trio, featuring Duncan McMillan on piano and organ, Ralph Tope on guitar and Steve Nistor on drums.
A respected performer, arranger and musical director, McMillan has worked with an impressive roster of artists, including Aretha Franklin, Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, Perry Hughes, Eric Marienthal and Alexander Zonjic. His arrangements have also been performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Flint Symphony Orchestra and Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.
Settle in for a Sunday night of outstanding musicianship and Detroit jazz at Old Park Bar.
Vlad Tovbin's Caravan
Vlad Tovbin's Caravan
Sunday September 6
9:30 PM - 1:30 AM
No cover
Settle in for night of spirited live music with Vlad Tovbin’s Caravan, an ensemble known for turning a wide range of musical traditions into a vibrant, unpredictable performance.
Guitarist and bandleader Vlad Tovbin draws from Gypsy jazz, Klezmer, Ukrainian and Eastern European traditions, American jazz and world music, bringing those influences together through inventive arrangements, familiar standards and original compositions. His performances are driven by tempo and passion, creating the kind of energy that keeps the room engaged from beginning to end.
With a rotating collective of accomplished musicians from Detroit’s music community, no two Caravan performances need to feel exactly alike. Come for the swing, stay for the unexpected turns, and spend the evening experiencing a sound that crosses genres, cultures and musical traditions.
Kasan Belgrave
Kasan Belgrave
Sunday, September 6
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Cover $25.00
Saxophonist Kasan Belgrave is a ascending talent newly emerging in the role of a compositional leader. His energetic playing style and improvisational finesse derives from influences of early bebop and jazz, as well flares of fusion and gospel. His musical prowess has more recently been shown through new innovative compositions.
The record “Dual Citizen” is an introductory reflection of Kasan’s own consciousness through experience of musical nurturing & professional practice from the Detroit jazz mentorship empire, led by his father, trumpeter Marcus Belgrave. It provides a glimpse of Kasan’s endless curiousness of sonic ingenuity.
In the formative years of his career, that same mentorship was present in the musical institutions, as he studied with Andrew Bishop, Benny Green, and Robert Hurst at the University of Michigan then held an assistantship under the direction of Diego Rivera and Rodney Whitaker at Michigan State University.
Kasan has toured as a multi-woodwind instrumentalist with Jazz @ Lincoln Center w/ Wynton Marsalis, performed in multiple residencies curated by Terri Lynn Carrington, performed with Karriem Riggins, and Etienne Charles. The 27-year-old multi-woodwind instrumentalist has also made rounds performing in every corner of the Detroit music scene, immersing himself in Latin, R&B, and techno.
Belgrave is just one of many who was nurtured in the realm. The lineup for “Dual Citizen” might be the most outright product of that very circle of mentorship. Bassist Jonathan Muir-Cotton, finishing his degree at MSU, is currently rotating in Christian Sands Trio; Louis Jones aka “WavyLou”, a gun-slinging drummer who has the likes of the Haynes’ and Roach’s, recently hit with ELEW and Johnny O’Neal in Detroit; Brendon Davis, a virtuosic voice on piano shortly studying with the great Chick Corea, is established in composition and arranging of the gospel scene ; the enigmatic Allen Dennard has a trailblazing trumpet sound, recently sharing stages with Dwele and Mike Phillips; and Michael Abbo, the genial menace on both trombone and bass, recently played with Johnny Oneal and Dafnis Prieto. The close fellowship of this group is a sentiment to the power of their sound as the Kasan Belgrave Sextet.
Detroit Jazz Festival Jam Sessions w/ Himiko Kikuchi Tottori Young Lions Trio
Detroit Jazz Festival Jam Sessions w/ Himiko Kikuchi Tottori Young Lions Trio
Saturday, September 5
11:30 pm
Cover $25.00
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.
David Steele & ChromaSynthesis
David Steele & ChromaSynthesis
Saturday, September 5
9:30 PM - 1:30 AM
No cover
David Steele is a saxophonist, composer, arranger, mix and recording engineer from Detroit Michigan. he has a musical career that spans almost 20 years. Starting with the Jazz Kids then eventually going to Detroit School of Arts playing in the Orchestra, wind symphony and jazz bands. Graduating in 2017 and Going to Europe for Blue Lake Fine arts camp international program performing prestigious venues in counties such as France, Germany, and the Netherlands. He has performed in festivals such as Jazzin’ on Jefferson, Highland Park Jazz Festival, and the Detroit Jazz Festival, David’s musical influences span from the legendary Cannonball Adderley And John Coltrane to the contemporary Braxton Cook, Nate Smith and Pat Metheny . His music is deeply rooted in the jazz tradition, yet it exudes a distinct ‘Detroit sound that embraces the potential for innovation within the jazz and other music genres.
ChromaSynthesis is a Detroit based music collective co-led by Saxophonist David Steele and Trumpeter Corey Watkins that primarily works in the Jazz field of music. The band brings the individual colors of each member and puts them together to make the music. The Band draws inspiration from Hard Bop, Fusion, Gospel, Hip Hop, Rock and R&B.
Featuring:
David Steele – Soprano (2), Alto(1-2 & 5-7), & Tenor Sax (4)
Corey Watkins – Trumpet & Flugelhorn (1-3 &5-7)
Tre Smith – Alto (1-3) & Tenor Sax(5-7)
Kevin Moore – Tenor Sax (1-3)
Benjamin Dannug – Piano & Keyboards
Jabari Reynolds – Bass
Sean Burden – Drums
Vincent Chandler – Trombone (5-7)
Rain Gill – Spoken Word (7)
Duncan McMillan Organ Trio
Duncan McMillan Organ Trio
Saturday, September 5
9:30 PM to 1:30 AM
No Cover
Pianist and organist Duncan McMillan brings his trio to Old Park Bar for an evening of live jazz featuring Ralph Tope on guitar and Steve Nistor on drums.
A versatile and accomplished musician, McMillan has performed with an extraordinary range of artists, including Aretha Franklin, Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, Perry Hughes, Eric Marienthal, Alexander Zonjic, Karen Newman and The Four Freshmen. His work as a musical director and arranger has also been performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Flint Symphony Orchestra, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Theatre Bizarre Orchestra and others.
Join Duncan McMillan, Ralph Tope and Steve Nistor at Old Park Bar for a night showcasing the sound and spirit of Detroit jazz.
Vlad Tovbin's Caravan
Vlad Tovbin's Caravan
Saturday, September 5
9:30 PM - 1:30 AM
No cover
Led by Detroit-area guitarist, composer and bandleader Vlad Tovbin, Caravan brings together Gypsy jazz, swing, Eastern European and Romani folk traditions, Klezmer, Ukrainian influences, American jazz and world music for a high-energy live performance. Tovbin’s distinctive style is built around driving interpretations of timeless standards alongside original compositions, with an emphasis on rhythm, passion and keeping the audience engaged.
Originally from Eastern Ukraine, Tovbin has become an active part of Detroit’s music community, collaborating with musicians across the city’s storied scene and leading performances at venues including Cliff Bell’s, Bert’s and the Aretha’s Jazz Café.
Expect an energetic night that moves effortlessly across musical traditions—from Django Reinhardt-inspired Gypsy jazz and swinging standards to Eastern European sounds and globally influenced arrangements. Vlad Tovbin’s Caravan is music made for a room full of people: lively, adventurous and meant to be experienced live.
Drey Skonie and The kLOUDs Band
Drey Skonie and The kLOUDs Band
Saturday, September 5
7:30 pm & 9:30 pm
Cover $25.00
Drey Skonie and The kLOUDs Band a.k.a. “Skonie and The kLOUDs” emphasis on the loud. Hailing from the motor city, Detroit, MI. Skonie and The kLOUDs are retro style band, with a new flare. They call themselves the new, old school.
In the past few years, The kLOUDs Band has been shaking up the Detroit Music Scene making the industry take notice. In 2023 Drey Skonie lead singer of the band won “Artist Of The Year” at Motown Museum’s Hitsville Next Amplify Sound Of Detroit singing competition. Then only a month later Skonie and The kLOUDS were also crowned winners of Masterpiece Sound Studios’ Cover Song Contest in honor of the late, legendary Motown songwriter and producer Sylvia Moy with their captivating rendition of Moy’s classic Stevie Wonder Motown hit, “I Was Made To Love Her”. During the competition, Drey met Jackie Wilson’s daughter Brenda Wilson, who was a judge for the competition. Brenda then knew from Drey’s showmanship, that she wanted Drey to play her Dad. Fast forward Drey now plays Jackie Wilson in a TV series entitled “Higher And Higher” coming soon.
The latest album “Rolling Skone” is available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and more. They have appeared on stages from The D to Los Angeles rocking crowds with a multifaceted soul, funk, RnB, and techno sound.
Currently “Skonie and The kLOUDs” are recording live in the studio. You can also hear new material and watch performances of the band on YouTube, as well as Instagram @dreyskonie and @thekloudsband.
Detroit Jazz Fest Jam Sessions w/ Vermilion Field
Detroit Jazz Fest Jam Sessions w/ Vermilion Field
Friday, September 4
11:30 pm
Cover $25.00
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.
Bunnymen Trio
Bunnymen Trio
Friday, September 4
7:30 pm & 9:30 pm
$25.00 cover
The Bunnymen Trio explore the realms of jazz adjacent music: from funk and soul to acid and nu jazz. Incorporating driving world grooves and horn FX, the trio pair unique originals with tasty covers (Björk, Prince, Cymande) for an exciting performance. Equally at home in spacious stadiums or cozy clubs, the only thing to expect is the unexpected.
Featuring:
Joshua James – saxes/horn FX
Jorian Old-szost – upright/electric basses
Patrick Fitzgibbon – drums/percussion
wsg/Kolton Sarate – electric piano