314 S. Main, Ann Arbor
372–3200
bluellamaclub.com
This jazz club/restaurant features live music Sun. 6-8:30 p.m., Tues. 7–9:30 p.m., Wed.–Fri., 7–10:15 p.m., & Sat. dinner show 7–10:15 p.m. $10 cover on Tues.–Fri.; reservations recommended at OpenTable.com or by calling the club. Sat. ticket piece (variable) includes a 7-course dinner; advance tickets available at BlueLlamaClub.com. No dancing except for Wed. Latin jazz shows and as otherwise noted.
Upcoming Events
September 30, 2022: Marcus Elliot Quartet.
This Detroit-based jazz ensemble, led by saxophonist Elliot, blends contemporary jazz idioms with hip-hop and R&B influences.
October 1, 2022: GayeLynn McKinney & McKinney Zone.
Jazz ensemble led by prominent veteran Detroit drummer McKinney. Dinner shows: $75. 6 & 8:30 p.m.
October 2, 2022: Jean Holden.
Acclaimed Toledo jazz vocalist known for her strong, sultry, crystalline voice and precise, detailed phrasing. 6-8 p.m.
October 4, 2022: TBA.
October 5, 2022: Tumbao Bravo
Veteran local Afro-Cuban jazz band led by multi-instrumental reeds player Paul VornHagen.
October 6, 2022: Ellen Rowe Trio
Trio led by U-M jazz piano professor Rowe.
October 7, 2022: Kurt Elling.
Elling is a celebrated jazz vocalist from Chicago with a rich, octave-leaping baritone who possesses awesome command of rhythm, texture, phrasing, and dynamics, often sounding more like a virtuoso jazz musician than a mere singer, and his idiosyncratic blend of soulful crooning, scat, vocalese, and spoken-word improvisations provoked Artie Shaw to call him “the most interesting and innovative jazz singer to come along in years.” His new CD, Superblue, is a collaboration with composer-guitarist Charlie Hunter distinguished for its roisterous funk groove. He is joined tonight by the Huntertone Horns. Dinner shows: $125. 6:30 & 9 p.m.
October 8, 2022: Kurt Elling.
Elling is a celebrated jazz vocalist from Chicago with a rich, octave-leaping baritone who possesses awesome command of rhythm, texture, phrasing, and dynamics, often sounding more like a virtuoso jazz musician than a mere singer, and his idiosyncratic blend of soulful crooning, scat, vocalese, and spoken-word improvisations provoked Artie Shaw to call him “the most interesting and innovative jazz singer to come along in years.” His new CD, Superblue, is a collaboration with composer-guitarist Charlie Hunter distinguished for its roisterous funk groove. He is joined tonight by the Huntertone Horns. Dinner shows: $125. 6:30 & 9 p.m.
October 9, 2022: Signal Quartet.
Original postbop compositions featuring far-fetching improvisations by this young Detroit quartet. With trumpeter & flugelhornist Ben Wolkins, guitarist Ian Blunden, bassist Eric Bachtrab, and drummer Sam Perlmutter.
October 11, 2022: “Ear Candy.”Piano karaoke with pianist Jesse Morgan. Hosted by Shelly Smith.
October 12, 2022: Lunar Octet.
Popular local instrumental ensemble that plays original music featuring delicious jazz harmonies and melodies set to a variety of rhythms, including salsas & sambas, African high-life, jump tunes, and big band swing.
October 13, 2022: James Carter Trio.
Cerebral postbop from moonlit ballads to funky workouts by an ensemble led by this veteran Detroit-based jazz saxophonist. Dinner shows: $85. 6:30 & 9 p.m.
October 14, 2022: WEMU 5:01 Jazz Series.
With the Detroit Music Award-winning Planet D Nonet, a self-styled “space-age swing band” led by veteran drummer RJ Spangler and trumpeter James O’Donnell. 5-6:30 p.m.
October 14, 2022: Organissimo.
Lansing jam-oriented jazz ensemble led by Hammond B3 organist Jim Alfredson. With guitarist Larry Barris and drummer Randy Marsh. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
October 15, 2022: Michael Dease.
Jazz ensemble led by this widely recorded MSU trombone professor, winner of a prestigious Downbeat pool for Trombonist of the Year. Dinner shows: $75. 6 & 8:30 p.m.
October 16, 2022: Jordan Rattner Quartet.
Ensemble led by this young jazz guitarist, a U-M music student. 6-8:30 p.m.
October 18, 2022: John E. Lawrence.
Ensemble led by veteran local jazz guitarist. A fundraiser for Mentor2Youth.
October 19, 2022: Gwenyth Hayes.
Jazz-soul fusion trio led by this local singer-songwriter and bassist.
October 20, 2022: Detroit JazzFest All-Stars.
A quintet of acclaimed Detroit jazz musicians led by saxophonist Christopher B. Collins.
October 22, 2022: Jesse Palter Quartet.
Jazz quartet led by this nationally acclaimed Detroit Music Award-winning jazz-pop vocalist. Her new CD, Nothing Standard, is a collection of mostly originals, cowritten with pianist Michael Jellck, paying homage to the Great American Songbook. Her quartet also includes bassist Ben Williams and drummer Gregory Hutchinson. Dinner shows: $75. 6:30 & 9 p.m.
October 25, 2022: Kenji Lee
Jazz ensemble led by saxophonist Lee, whose repertoire includes Lee originals along with music by Chick Corea, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Cedar Walton, and others. 6:30-9:30 p.m.
October 26, 2022: Aguanko.
Local Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble led by composer-percussionist Alberto Nacif.
October 27, 2022: Djangophonique.
Vintage jazz in the style of gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt’s 1930s Parisian swing by a local quartet led by guitarist Andrew Brown. Dinner shows: $75. 6 & 8:30 p.m.
October 28, 2022: Ramona Collins Quintet.
Soulful jazz & blues by an ensemble led by veteran Toledo vocalist Collins. Dinner shows: $75. 6 & 8:30 p.m.
October 29, 2022: Occidental Gypsy.
Boston-based quintet whose foot-stomping, rhythmically complex vocal and instrumental originals and covers blend vibrant gypsy swing with elements of world music and contemporary jazz. Dinner shows: $75. 6 & 8:30 p.m.
Past Events
September 29, 2022: Jonathan Taylor Quartet. (More Info)
September 27, 2022: Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet. (More Info)
September 24, 2022: Alex Harding & Organ Nation. (More Info)
September 22, 2022: Kurt Rosenwinkel Quartet. (More Info)
September 6, 2022: Andrew Brown’s Djangophonique. (More Info)
September 1, 2022: Luke Sittard & the Launch Pad. (More Info)
August 26, 2022: “William Bennett Birthday Show.” (More Info)
August 25, 2022: “The Music of Glenn Tucker.” (More Info)
August 24, 2022: Armando Vega & the 313 Orchestra. (More Info)
August 17, 2022: Detroit JazzFest All-Stars. (More Info)
August 12, 2022: Alex Harding & Organ Nation. (More Info)
August 11, 2022: Charlie Ballantine Quartet. (More Info)
July 22, 2022: Brandon Rose & Soul Therapy. (More Info)
July 20, 2022: The Django Festival All-Stars. (More Info)
July 1, 2022: U-M Jazz Ambassadors High School All-Stars. (More Info)
June 7, 2022: Andrew Brown’s Djangophonique. (More Info)
May 18, 2022: Armando Vega & the 313 Orchestra. (More Info)
May 17, 2022: Sarah D’Angelo & Jake Reichbart. (More Info)
May 12, 2022: Andrew Brown’s Djangophonique. (More Info)
April 30, 2022: Tariq Gardner’s Evening Star (More Info)
April 29, 2022: Alex Harding & Organ Nation (More Info)
April 23, 2022: John E. Lawrence & the Power Band (More Info)
April 22, 2022: GayeLynn McKinney & McKinney Zone (More Info)
April 21, 2022: Stephane Wrembel’s The Django Experiment (More Info)
April 17, 2022: Andrew Brown’s Djangophonique (More Info)
April 8, 2022: Andrew Bishop’s Off-Off-Broadway (More Info)
April 7, 2022: Sachel Vasandani & Romain Collin (More Info)
April 2, 2022: Goldings, Bernstein, & Stewart Organ Trio (More Info)
March 30, 2022: Armando Vega & the 313 Orchestra (More Info)
March 24, 2022: The Robert Hurst Blaxination (More Info)
March 15, 2022: Ellen Rowe & Sunny Wilkinson (More Info)
February 10, 2022: Andrew Brown’s Djangophonique (More Info)
February 3, 2022: Gerard Gibbs & Organized Crime (More Info)
January 22, 2022: Brandon Rose & Soul Therapy (More Info)
January 6, 2022: Gerard Gibbs & Organized Crim (More Info)
December 21, 2021: Alex Harding & Organ Nation (More Info)
December 10, 2021: Paxton/Spangler Township Jazz Septet (More Info)
November 27, 2021: Vincent Chandler Quartet (More Info)
November 11, 2021: The Robert Hurst Blaxination (More Info)
October 12, 2021: The Blue Llama Jazz Orchestra (More Info)
September 23, 2021: Detroit Office of Civil Defense (More Info)
September 10, 2021: Vincent Chandler Quintet (More Info)
August 27, 2021: Alex Harding & Organ Nation (More Info)
December 16, 2020: George Bedard & the Kingpins (More Info)
November 28, 2020: Gayelynn McKinney & McKinney Zone (More Info)
November 19, 2020: John E. Lawrence Quartet (More Info)
November 15, 2020: Mercer Patterson Quintet (More Info)
November 12, 2020: Pete Siers New Orleans Trio (More Info)
November 7, 2020: Marquis Hill: “Gospel Revisited” (More Info)
November 6, 2020: Marquis Hill: “Gospel Revisited” (More Info)
October 29, 2020: Andrew Brown’s Djangophonique (More Info)
September 12, 2020: Tariq Gardner's Evening Star (More Info)
July 29, 2020: Andrew Brown’s Djangophonique (More Info)
March 20, 2020: Vanessa Rubin & the Motor City Groove Collective (More Info)
February 27, 2020: Great Lakes Performing Artists Benefit (More Info)
February 15, 2020: Shahida Nurullah & Good Company (More Info)
February 13, 2020: Dean Solden & the Jazz Explorers (More Info)
February 7, 2020: Sean Dobbins & the Modern Jazz Messengers (More Info)
January 29, 2020: Pete Siers New Orleans Trio (More Info)
January 10, 2020: Alex Harding & Organ Nation (More Info)
January 8, 2020: Nomad: Grant Green Project (More Info)
December 31, 2019: “Pre New Year’s Eve Party” (More Info)
December 27, 2019: Gerard Gibbs & Organized Crime (More Info)
November 30, 2019: Dee Dee Bridgewater & the Memphis Soulphony (More Info)
November 29, 2019: Dee Dee Bridgewater & the Memphis Soulphony (More Info)
November 29, 2019: Dee Dee Bridgewater & the Memphis Soulphony (More Info)
November 23, 2019: James Blood Ulmer Odyssey Trio (More Info)
November 22, 2019: James Blood Ulmer Odyssey Trio (More Info)
November 14, 2019: Wendell Harrison Quintet (More Info)
November 13, 2019: Jason Marsalis & the 21st-Century Trad Band (More Info)
November 8, 2019: Shahida Nurullah & Good Company (More Info)
November 7, 2019: U-M Jazz Program Showcase (More Info)
September 21, 2019: “Ann Arbor Jazz Festival.” (More Info)
September 20, 2019: “Ann Arbor Jazz Festival.” (More Info)
September 19, 2019: “Ann Arbor Jazz Festival.” (More Info)
September 18, 2019: Alex Harding & Organ Nation (More Info)
