Allen Dennard at Cliff Bell’s

Allen Dennard, a University of Michigan School of Music grad, leads a rotating jazz ensemble and regularly plays with Detroit legends like Marion Hayden and Wendell Harrison. His debut album "Stepping In" recalls the classic quintet sound of Miles Davis. On March 23, he performed two sets at Cliff Bell’s, with doors opening at 5 p.m. for dinner and seating starting at 6 p.m. for the first show; the second show seating began at 9 p.m. Dennard's style goes beyond traditional jazz, incorporating hip-hop, rock, blues, soul, and gospel influences representing Detroit’s rich musical melting pot. This made for a lively evening that celebrated jazz's evolution and Detroit's vibrant music scene.