A2 Jazz Fest 2023

GOLDINGS, BERSTEIN & STEWART      

Described as “the best organ trio of the last decade” by the New York Times, the GOLDINGS, BERNSTEIN & STEWART trio has been recognized for charting new ground, with its synergistic playing, and thoughtful music. The trio, which has now been together for over 30 years, has been recognized for charting new ground, with its synergistic playing, and thoughtful music. They have over a dozen recordings, all of which display their distinctive sound, whether exploring the depths of jazz standards, or playing their own original compositions. 

Larry Goldings – Organ 

Peter Bernstein – Guitar 

Bill Stewart – Drums 

Goldings, Bernstein & Stewart will be performing at the Blue LLama Jazz Club on Friday, October 6th at 6:30 PM and 9 PM. Purchase tickets here. To learn more about the trio, visit https://bnatural.nyc   

THE OGD ENSEMBLE FT. PERRY HUGHES

The OGD Ensemble Ft. Perry Hughes unites Detroit legends Duncan McMillan and Perry Hughes for an exciting organ ensemble jazz performance. Bandleader, McMillan has performed with a wide range of highly regarded performers including Jon Hendricks, Aretha Franklin, and Rodney Whitaker. Perry Hughes has a massive impact on the Detroit jazz guitar scene, playing with the best of the best in vocal performance, including the late Joe Williams, Mary Wilson, TheSupremes, and Millie Scott. 

Duncan McMillan – Organ 

Perry Hughes – Guitar 

Trenita Womack – Percussion 

Jesse Kramer – Drums 

The OGD Ensemble ft. Perry Hughes Late Night performance will be hosted by the Blue LLama Jazz Club on Friday, October 6th at 10:30 PM. This event is free to the public, supported by A2JF. 

ALLEN DENNARD QUINTET

Detroit-based ALLEN DENNARD is a trumpeter, composer and bandleader who has worked with several artists from the Detroit Music Factory label, such as Gayelynn McKinney, De’Sean Jones and Sean Dobbins. Dennard graduated from Detroit School of Arts and UofM where he had the privilege of being mentored by the great Marcus Belgrave. In 2022 Dennard was chosen to be a headliner at the Detroit Jazz Festival, showcasing his group “The Allen Dennard Quintet” – and we are fortunate enough to host this same ensemble at the 2023 A2JF!  

Allen Dennard Quintet will be performing at Live Nightclub on Saturday, October 7th at 8 PM. This event will be free to the public, supported by A2JF. To learn more about the artist: https://www.allendennard.com/  

NICK COLLINS QUINTET

Drummer and bandleader Nick Collins is proud to present his quintet at the Blue LLama Jazz Club, featuring a fun variety of high-energy modern, classic, and original jazz. With deep roots in Ann Arbor, Nick has played with many local legends such as Randy Napoleon, Josef Deas, Vincent Chandler, Glenn Tucker, Dan Bennett, and Justin Walter. As an avid Ann Arbor Jazz supporter and performer, Collins has played a large role in each annual A2JF celebration. 

Nick Collins – Drums 

Dwight Adams – Trumpet 

Tim Haldeman – Tenor Saxophone 

Rick Roe – Piano 

Jeff Pedraz – Bass 

The Nick Collins Quintet Late Night performance will take place at Blue LLama Jazz Club on October 7th at 10:30 PM. This event will be free to the public, supported by A2JF. 

SEAN DOBBINS ORGAN QUARTET & JAZZ SYMPOSIUM WORKSHOP

SEAN DOBBINS is a highly sought-after jazz sideman and educator whose sound can best be described as hard-driving, solid rhythm with refreshing melodic sensibility. Sean is the recipient of many awards including the “Woody Herman Jazz Award” for outstanding musicianship, as well as the Louis Armstrong Scholarship. Due to his great talent both as a player and an educator, he has been the focus of countless news articles, jazz radio programs, and documentaries. 

Sean Dobbins – Drums  

Cory Allen – Guitar 

Chris Codish – Hammond B3 Organ  

Marcus Elliot – Saxophone 

The Sean Dobbins Organ Quartet will perform at Live Nightclub on Saturday, October 7th at 6:30 PM. The Jazz Symposium Workshop with Sean Dobbins will take place at Kerrytown Concert House on Sunday, October 8th at 3 PM. After the symposium, the Indiana State students will perform live at 4:45 PM, free to the public. To learn more about the instructor and artist, visit: https://seandobbinsmusic.com/ 

LISA SUNG QUARTET

As an educator, avid learner, and passionate performer, LISA SUNG has made her mark on many audiences. In partnership with the John Stites Award, Sung toured Indonesia in March and Korea in September of 2023, teaching masterclasses and performing with her trio. She then released her latest project, ‘Half Moon’ with two jazz arrangements of some of her favorite Korean children’s songs. Looking forward, Sung will continue her work with the John Stites award, touring Vietnam and the Philippines in spring of 2024. 

Lisa Sung – Piano 

Anthony Stanco – Trumpet 

Marion Hayden – Bass 

Wen-Ting Wu – Drums 

 Lisa Sung Quartet will be performing at Kerrytown Concert House on Sunday, October 8th at 5:45PM. To learn more about the artist, visit: https://www.lisasung.com/ 

REDWOOD

REDWOOD is a young musician and producer who has her finger on the pulse of the sound of this generation. Informed by all the timeless elements of the black music tradition, she brings a fresh and new perspective to jazz, r&b, hip-hop sounds that forever touch the soul. After recieving a prestigious musical training throughout her youth at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, REDWOOD went on to perform with many jazz icons including Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Terell Stafford, and DeeDee Bridgewater. As a founding member of the A2JF community, Sequoia performed at the second annual festival in 2017.  

See REDWOOD take the Kerrytown Concert House stage on Sunday, October 8th at 7 PM. To learn more about the artist: https://www.facebook.com/redwoodsounds/  

JESSE KRAMER QUARTET: A2JF JAM SESSION

Based in Ann Arbor, JESSE KRAMER is one of the most in demand drummers in Metro Detroit and has recorded with artists such as Paul Keller, Demetrius Nabors, Miles Brown, and Vincent Chandler. While attending U of M, Kramer was awarded a DownBeat Magazine Student Music Award, and represented the University at the 2011 International Association of Schools of Jazz meeting in Sao Paulo, Brazil, directed by Dave Liebman. The A2JF Jam Session will highlight this local talent and staple performer at many A2 venues. 

Jesse Kramer Quartet will be performing at Raven’s Club on Sunday, October 8th at 7 PM. To learn more about the artist: https://www.jessekramerdrums.com/