Nightspots

Big Top Swing

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Ypsi Alehouse 124 Pearl, #100, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti

A new Detroit-area instrumental ensemble that plays fresh interpretations of vintage swing from the 30s & 40s.

Nightspots

Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings

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Zal Gaz Grotto 2070 W. Stadium, Ann Arbor

Local 10-piece big band led by tubaist Chris Smith that specializes in the old-time big band music of the late 1920s and early 1930s associated with Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver.

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Mike Root

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The Ranch 122 W. Washington, Ann Arbor

Mid-Michigan country singer-guitarist. 5 p.m.

Nightspots

Alonso Umana Quartet

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Blue LLama 314 S. Main, Ann Arbor

Ensemble led by this acclaimed young Mexico-based drummer, a recent MSU jazz studies grad.

 

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II-V-I Orchestra

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Water Tower Distilling Co. 23 N. Washington,, Ypsilanti

Large ensemble that plays late 30s swing and 40s R&B hits ranging from Duke Ellington and Miles Davis to Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, and the Blues Brother

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Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet

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Ravens Club 207 S. Main, Ann Arbor

Local composer-bassist Sharp leads this world music-based jazz ensemble that explores traditions from Turkey, Egypt, Ukraine, India, Bulgaria, Armenia, and Greece. With violinist Henrik Karapetyan, percussionist Mike List, and oud player Igor Houwat. Remainder of the August schedule TBA.

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Biird

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Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor

Recently-formed all-female 11-piece Irish trad supergroup known for bringing a contemporary pop edge to classic Irish tunes with lilting vocal harmonies and inventive instrumentation. “Biird have proved the concept: make trad accessible to a new audience and it will come,” writes one Irish Times reviewer. “There’s something admirably ballsy about Biird’s unabashed ambition, a trait that is distinctly un-Irish, even if their music is as Irish as bread and butter.” $29.

Nightspots

Jazz Jam Session

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Ann Arbor Funhouse 207 E. Washington., Ann Arbor

Jazz ensemble led by Kenji Lee, a local saxophonist whose expressive brand of jazz draws on Japanese folk music, Western classical music, and punk.