Jazz, blues & soul / Downtown (inside Music Hall, Harmonie Park)
Aretha's Jazz Cafe
An intimate jazz club inside the Music Hall building in downtown's Harmonie Park, named in honor of Aretha Franklin and programming jazz, blues, soul and R&B.
01 / The story of this place
Make time for these
Named for Aretha Franklin and lined with photos of Detroit music legends, the club presents local and touring jazz, blues, soul and R&B several nights a week. Sunday evenings bring a jazz jam session, and Wednesdays host “Foxxy Gwensdays.”
- Named in honor of Aretha Franklin
- Sunday jazz jam session
- Photos of Detroit music legends
Is this your venue? Update this page for free ↗
Sources & fact check · Checked: 2026-09-25
An independently written bilingual guide. This collection is not an attendance-based ranking.
03 / Events
Events at this place
Published events automatically linked from our event guide. Times are local to the venue.
Oct 10, 2026, 8:00 PMJacob McLeod Album Release Show, with The Rusty Snails
Jacob McLeod celebrates his new album, MICHIGAN-20, on Saturday, October 10, at 8 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit, with folk duo The Rusty Snails opening. Fresh Michigan indie folk/rock in an intimate room. Tickets available via the venue.
Oct 10, 2026, 8:00 PMJacob McLeod Album Release Show with Ananda Murari
Jacob McLeod celebrates his new album, MICHIGAN-20, on Saturday, October 10, at 8 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit. Southeast Michigan native Ananda Murari opens with eclectic folk. Tickets are available online.
Oct 11, 2026, 7:00 PMAretha's Jazz Jam
Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall hosts Aretha's Jazz Jam on Sunday, October 11, at 7 p.m. in Detroit. Led by Scott Gwinnell, musicians of all ages jam with optional guidance from the house trio, and listeners get three hours of live jazz for free.
Oct 12, 2026, 7:00 PMA Tribute to R&B and Funk: Teddy Riley ft. Twon & Band — hosted by Mike Bonner
Sky Covington’s Monday Night Preservation of Jazz series brings A Tribute to R&B and Funk with Teddy Riley and Twon & Band on Monday, October 12, at 7 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit. Hosted by Mike Bonner. Tickets are $35.
Oct 13, 2026, 8:00 PMSingers In The Round 95 • Songwriter Showcase
Nate Jones, Monroe Fidelice, Blockhouse Valley and Molly Kober play their original songs on Tuesday, October 13, at 8 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café inside Music Hall in Detroit. It's a Nashville-style songwriter round, with $10 tickets in person.
Oct 15, 2026, 7:30 PMKarl Reed & Friends
Karl Reed & Friends plays Thursday, October 15, at 7:30 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit. Catch them live on the Music Hall stage.
Oct 19, 2026, 7:00 PMA Tribute to World Music featuring David Brandon & Friends
David Brandon & Friends play a world music tribute on Monday, October 19, at 7 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit. Live rhythms and melodies from around the globe in an intimate club setting. Tickets available via the venue.
Oct 20, 2026, 6:30 PMReal Poems Reading People #6
Chrysalism's Real Poems Reading People poetry reading takes place Tuesday, October 20, with doors at 6:30 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café in Music Hall, Detroit. Admission is free, and donations are welcome.
Oct 21, 2026, 8:00 PMJeremy Pelt
Jeremy Pelt, one of today’s standout jazz trumpeters, plays Wednesday, October 21, at 8 p.m. at Aretha’s Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit. Expect sharp, modern energy from a critically acclaimed bandleader. Tickets via the venue.
Oct 24, 2026, 8:00 PMNight of Living Dead Live with Patrick Prouty's Orchestra Cinematique
Patrick Prouty’s band improvises a live score to George W. Romero’s 1968 classic, Night of the Living Dead, on Saturday, October 24, at 8 p.m. at Aretha’s Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit. Live film music in one of the city’s hippest listening rooms.
Oct 25, 2026, 7:00 PMAretha's Jazz Jam
Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall hosts its education-themed jazz jam on Sunday, October 25, at 7 p.m. in Detroit. It’s free, all-ages, with optional guidance from the house trio of jazz educators.
Oct 26, 2026, 7:00 PMA Tribute to the Jute Joint ft The Gud Band
The Gud Band leads a live tribute to the iconic Jute Joint on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit, bringing back classic sounds built for dancing and hanging out.
Oct 28, 2026, 7:30 PMCharles Prophet Jr.
Charles Prophet Jr. plays a concert on Wednesday, October 28, at 7:30 p.m. at Aretha’s Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit. Extra perk: it’s on the Aretha’s Jazz Café stage.
Oct 29, 2026, 8:00 PMLexie Blue
Three-time Michigan Music Award winner Lexie Blue plays a blues set on Thursday, October 29, at 8 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit. Recent competition wins and a deep, soulful voice make this a solid pick for blues fans.
Oct 30, 2026, 7:00 PMMike Bonner's Rat Pack - Detroit Style
Mike Bonner's Rat Pack plays Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit on Friday, October 30, at 7 p.m. Expect Rat Pack classics with a Detroit twist; tickets are available online.
Oct 31, 2026, 7:00 PMML Liebler Presents Detroit Tonight Live – Halloween Edition
M. L. Liebler & Magic Poetry Band bring poetry and live music to Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit on Saturday, October 31, at 7 p.m. Melba Joyce Boyd joins the bill, along with WSU grad poets and writers.
Nov 1, 2026, 7:00 PMAretha's Jazz Jam
Aretha's Jazz Jam kicks off Sunday, November 1, at 7 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café in Music Hall, Detroit. This all-ages, education-minded jam has been a hub for local jazz musicians for about a decade, and there's no cover.
Nov 2, 2026, 7:00 PMA Tribute to Betty Carter ft. Sheila Slaughter
Sheila Slaughter honors jazz vocal legend Betty Carter on Monday, November 2, at 7 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit. Expect powerful, soulful vocals up close. Tickets are available online.
Nov 4, 2026, 8:00 PMCHōzn Music Group
CHōzn Music Group plays Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit on Wednesday, November 4, at 8 p.m. Expect storytelling, energy and everything from smooth grooves to turn-up moments.
Nov 5, 2026, 7:00 PMFrankie Beverly and the Maze Encore Tribute
Rodney Humphrey and Friends pay tribute to Frankie Beverly and Maze on Thursday, November 5, at 7 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit. Detroit comedian Mike Bonner hosts, and tickets are $35.
Nov 6, 2026, 8:00 PMThe All-City Poetry Slam 2026: The Finals
Twelve Detroit poets compete for $1,500 and the All-City Slam Champion title on Friday, November 6, at 8 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in downtown Detroit. Tickets start at $35.
Nov 8, 2026, 7:00 PMAretha's Jazz Jam
Aretha's Jazz Café hosts its Sunday evening education-focused jazz jam on Sunday, November 8, at 7 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit. There's no cover, and the music runs three hours.
Nov 9, 2026, 7:00 PMA Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron Featuring Knowledge Born Allah
Poet Knowledge Born Allah honors the words and legacy of Gil Scott-Heron on Monday, November 9, at 7 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit. Mike Bonner hosts, and tickets are $35.
Nov 12, 2026, 8:00 PMSONGBOX
Jim Cohen and Eric Winer, Detroit's songwriting duo, play a full band show on Thursday, November 12, at 8 p.m. at Aretha's Jazz Café at Music Hall in Detroit. They're celebrating the release of the new SONGBOX EP, 'SOUNDING NOW!'
Keep exploring
Nightlife ↗
Jazz, blues & soul
Cliff Bell’s
Live jazz, dinner, and drinks meet at the historic Cliff Bell's club.
Temporary city photo — not this venue
Jazz, blues & soul
Willis Show Bar
A classic cocktail bar and live entertainment venue with its stage directly behind the bar. The Art Moderne interior recalls its original show-bar era.
Jazz, blues & soul
Baker's Keyboard Lounge
A historic Detroit jazz club on Livernois Avenue, pairing its performance evenings with soul food and American classics.