Nothing is more soothing than the arrival of something warm to a cold environment. It’s that feeling you get when you take that first sip of hot tea while standing outside in the cold. It is the nourishment that comes when someone who loves you feeds you hot soup to help fight the flu. In a musical climate where everyone seems too cool to express vulnerability, Mona Lizza provides some much needed warmth and comfort to invigorate our souls.
Monica “Mona Lizza” Hamlett became aware of her knack for entertaining audiences at the tender of age of 9, when she started performing for family and friends at graduations, wedding receptions and anniversary parties. Those early performances would spark an inextinguishable flame, and at Detroit's famed Cass Technical High School, Mona Lizza learned to cultivate her ability, exploring her vocal range and redefining its boundaries.
Mona began to hone her skills on stages throughout metro Detroit after signing with promoter Gerald Foster’s New Mix Entertainment, and in 2006, she showcased a sultry mix of R&B, contemporary jazz and alternative music on her well received debut album, Temptation. Soon she and her band, Mellow Soul, were performing to audiences all over Southeast Michigan.
But while Mona was playing and promoting her album, she discovered first hand how difficult it can be for independent artists to fund their own projects and get their music heard. In 2010, she founded Mona Lizza's Lyrics, LLC. Her company's mission is to help independent artists get their careers off the ground by connecting them with industry insiders around the country. She also helps local non-profit organizations raise funds through concerts and special events.
Now Mona Lizza has crafted her second album, Work of Art. This latest collection of compositions demonstrates Mona's growth as a singer and songwriter, all while exploring a bluesy blend of jazz and neo soul that fits her amorous voice like an elegant overcoat.
Mark Your Calendars!!!
The After Set.... Featuring Alise King Friday March 6th at The Music Hall. Hosted by Carl Beendoinit! Doors open 7pm. Showtime 8pm. Admission ONLY $10!
Eleanora could be loosely described as chamber folk, but prefers to add in some dark r&b flavor and pop just to shake it up, drawing as much from Billie Holiday as Radiohead. They are a five-piece band co-fronted by Leah Elizabeth Dunstan and Julia Stephenson, whose voices and musical sensibilities are just fated to be together. You'll hear them on viola, violin and clarinet as well as guitar.
This singer-songwriter showcase will be the first of many featuring singer-songwriters from the Detroit music scene. $5 cover at the door. There is also $5 parking behind the Music Hall. Each singer-songwriter will showcase 30 min sets including Ted Nagy, Steve D'Angelo , Abi Eklund, aka Bingo Mama, Mike Galbraith, Bill Kalmar, and Karianne Hollowell. Jazz Cafe at Music Hall in Detroit is a beautiful piece of architecture itself. The backdrop is a fantastic stage that will feature original singer-songwriters of your Detroit! See you there.
We got it, . . We got it,. . We got it.. We got SOUL!!
Live & direct from the Legendary Music Hall Jazz Cafe'
WE ARE MOTOWN
a live music event featuring the talents of The hottest artists in the "D"!!
Featuring
THE GENTLEMEN. . . . .https://soundcloud.com/the-gentlemen-gc3_313
GROWN & SEXY. . . .https://soundcloud.com/grown-n-sexy-3
TRACY. . .http://www.tracytherarebreed.com/
ALI BEY
Greg "G-3" WATKINS. . .http://www.itsg3.com/#!home/c1v64
It all goes down in the smooth and intimate Legendary
Jazz Cafe at Music Hall
350 Madison
8 pm
Admission ONLY 10 .00!! All Night!!
Get there early to have a seat , grab a ready to order
fine meal and a refreshing cocktail!! Its gonna be a soulful sexy evening!!
VENDING & SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES AVAILABLE FOR THIS AND FUTURE WE ARE MOTOWN EVENTS!!!
The 4th installment of SPOTLIGHT is approaching. Mark your calendars and Save the Date so you don't miss be the BEST musical showcase in Detroit. Our feature performer will be Angela Davis.
Pierre Anthony hails from the great city of Detroit, Michigan. He is a product of the Detroit Public Schools, attending The Detroit High School for the Performing Arts. He has been singing since the age of eight, and writing music for himself and others since the age of 13. His musical influences include all of the Motown greats, Dave Hollister, Carl Thomas, Anthony Hamilton, and many more. He has performed at various venues around the city of Detroit, such as, Bert's Warehouse in the Historic Eastern market District, The Whitney hotel and restaurant, The Historic Baker's Keyboard Lounge, The African World Festival(2010 and 2012),just to name a few. Pierre was awarded the 2013 Detroit Male Vocalist of the Year by the Detroit Black Music Awards and 2012 Male Performance Artist of the Year by the Internet Radio Broadcasters Association.Pierre is currently working on his freshman album “Pierre Anthony” which includes the Detroit Anthem “I’m From Motor City”.
Led Kaapana & Mike Kaawa: Hawaiian Masters
Led Kaapana & Mike Kaawa are masters of the Hawaiian style of music known as slack key guitar (Ki Ho'alu). Led is the NEA National Heritage Fellow and one of the best slack key players alive today. He has a style that comes from his family in the days before TV, radio, internet -- it's down-home and real. His finger-pickin' style extends to autoharp and 'ukulele as well, and his vocal range encompasses baritone to Hawaiian falsetto singing (leo ki'e ki'e). Mike is Hawai’i’s finest 12-string guitar player and one of its most highly regarded musicians.
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Led Kaapana & Mike Kaawa: Hawaiian Masters
“Ledward Kaapana is a master slack key guitarist.”
—The New York Times
"[Led]…friendly, generous, self-effacing, a little kolohe (rascally) and a flat out genius at just about any stringed instrument that can be finger-picked."
-- The Honolulu Advertiser
A master of the slack key guitar, Led Kaapana has been one of Hawai‘i's most influential musicians for four decades. His mastery of stringed instruments, exceptional picking style on slack key guitar and ‘ukulele, and extraordinary baritone to leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) vocal range, have made him a musical legend. With easy-going style and kolohe (rascal) charm, he has built a loyal corps of “Led Heads” from Brussels to his birthplace on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. In 2011, he was honored with an NEA National Heritage Fellowship for his artistic excellence and his contributions to our nation's traditional arts heritage.
Mike Kaawa is Hawai’i’s finest 12-string guitar player and one of its most highly regarded musicians. Known as “The Hawaiian Boy”, he describes his music as “Hawaiian with attitude”. He started performing at a young age and briefly flirted with rock-and-roll before committing himself to Hawaiian music. He is a regular at Hawaii’s Slack Key Festivals and popular venues. A captivating performer, Mike has created his own unique, robust sound in his playing, with a distinct vocal expression that comes straight from the heart. Often teaming up with Led Kaapana, they released Force of Nature late 2008 which earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Hawaiian Music Album.
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Hawaiian musical legend Ledward Kaapana is unrivaled in his exceptional picking style on slack key guitar and ‘ukulele, and baritone to falsetto vocal range, a delightful performer with rascal charm. Joined by Mike Kaawa, Hawaii’s finest 12-string guitar player.
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Led Kaapana & Mike Kaawa: Hawaiian Masters
"…friendly, generous, self-effacing, a little kolohe (rascally) and a flat out genius at just about any stringed instrument that can be finger-picked." -- The Honolulu Advertiser
A master of the slack key guitar, Led Kaapana has been one of Hawai‘i's most influential musicians for four decades. His mastery of stringed instruments, exceptional picking style on slack key guitar and ‘ukulele, and extraordinary baritone to leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) vocal range, have made him a musical legend. In 2011, he was honored with an NEA National Heritage Fellowship.
Led is joined by longtime collaborator Mike Kaawa, Hawai’i’s finest 12-string guitar player and one of its most highly regarded musicians. Known as “The Hawaiian Boy”, he describes his music as “Hawaiian with attitude”. Mike Kaawa is the perfect match for Led. Since they began performing together in the early 2000s, they have crafted a remarkable musical rapport much like jazz musicians’ improvisations with each other.
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Mike Kaawa
Led is joined by longtime collaborator Mike Kaawa, Hawai’i’s finest 12-string guitar player and one of its most highly regarded musicians. Known as “The Hawaiian Boy”, he describes his music as “Hawaiian with attitude”.
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Native Detroiter Keyboardist/pianist Lorenzo Rhodes founder of the Lorenzo Rhodes Trio LR3 set his sights on performing, composing, and teaching and endeavors to continue to fuel the pulse of live music here in the city of Detroit. Detroit has a great music history and in order to attempt his musical journey he knew it was going to take work. He began his study here in the Jazz Culture with Jazz Master Harold McKinney as a mentor. Since then Rhodes has gone on to fill the roles of music director, band leader, music teacher, and now international recording artist. “God has allowed me several opportunities to share with people the importance of having their own voice through music”. He is the founder and of “The jazz on the Grass” Jazz Festival series a community outreach event. This event supplies its surrounding community with food, entertainment, fun, School supplies, and haircuts for children.
Rhodes has performed in several settings such as The Historical Bakers Keyboard Lounge, The Historic Apollo Theater, The Oasis Theater of Chicago, the Bellagio and Palazzo in Las Vegas, The Fox Theater, and The Detroit Jazz Festival, Motor city, Greektown, MGM Casinos and many local festivals. He is currently the Music Director of Restoration Fellowship Tabernacle church.
With his blend of different genres in his repertoire you are in for wonderful musical journey, when you are in the listening presence of Keyboardist/Pianist Composer Lorenzo Rhodes.
Join us FRIDAY, MARCH 27TH @ Detroit's beautiful & historic JAZZ CAFE @ MUSIC HALL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS for:A Man Can Change: WomenFOLK.Detroit's 3 year running HIT poetry & music series is BACK.Romantic, Real, Raw & Exposed. 7 Men share their feelings and thoughts on the women they know & love. Paying tribute using poetry & music, this is an event that will be discussed for years to come! Get your friends! Tell your coworkers! Be in the building! If you want to know how us men REALLY feel about the opposite sex...BE THERE. After 3 years of successful shows, we've compiled one of best lineups yet!PERFORMING:-One Be Lo (Michigan Hip Hop legend...worldwide respected underground legend...nuff said)-Azizi Jasper (DOPE new poet in Detroit via Grand Rapids)-Tommy Gunz (Amazing, raw, real Hip Hop/Poetry talent)-Willie Bragg (Fresh, young talent I can't wait for you to hear)-Trey A Simon (Soulful & romantic singer/songwriter)-Sowande Keita ( Incredible African Percussionist)With a special opening performance by-Claretha Peace Bell (powerful and rhythmic Poet/MC)Hosted by Joel Fluent Greene w/ music by DJ LaJediBE THERE.
Folk, Rock, Roots, Country, Celtic, Americana, Celticana... Music that you can sing with three or four chords. Open ended performances with Jam's on the ends of several songs...songs I have written over the last twenty thirty years...