The Hughes/Smith Quintet is very happy to announce that our third SELF-RELEASED album is finally here! We called it "MOTION" because that's where we are at, in a state of constant motion. We built it from the ground up, got…
Feb 2 2018
Jan 9 2018
Wednesdays in January
Each and every Wednesday, Jimmy Smith and I put together a set of music featuring a different composer and have a different guest rhythm section in to play with us.We open things up for a jam session after the first…
Nov 18 2017
Each Wednesday in December
Each and every Wednesday, Jimmy Smith and I put together a set of music featuring a different composer and have a different guest rhythm section in to play with us.We open things up for a jam session after the first…
Aug 2 2017
Black Lotus Jam in August
Each and every Wednesday, Jimmy Smith and I put together a set of music featuring a different composer and have a different guest rhythm section in to play with us.We open things up for a jam session after the first…
May 18 2017
Wednesdays in May at The Black Lotus Brewery
Trumpeter Jimmy Smith and I host an evening each and every Wednesday where we feature a different rhythm section and jazz composer for the first set. After that, we open things up for a jazz jam session and encourage all…
Apr 6 2017
Every Wednesday in April at Black Lotus
Here is a list of the things we are presenting at Black Lotus Brewery this month. I hope to see you there one of these Wednesdays! There is ample free parking in back, pay what you want cover charge, full…
Jan 18 2017
Learn to Read Music!
This is for all my non-musician friends! I am eternally grateful for your friendship and support in my musical endeavors. I am not sure if anyone is that interested in this or not, but I thought I would put it…
Dec 5 2016
Black Lotus Jams 2016 Retrospective
Trumpeter Jimmy Smith and I have been hosting the Black Lotus Jam every Wednesday since October of 2015. We only missed one week due to inclement weather!
One!
Each week we highlight the music of a particular jazz composer or…
One!
Each week we highlight the music of a particular jazz composer or…
Sep 10 2016
Learn From the Best: DEXTER GORDON
Transcribing is still the best way to learn how to improvise. Often times, I transcribe bits and pieces and never write anything down. My main goal is to quickly acquire small melodic phrases to use in my soloing, or to…
Jul 12 2016
Teaching Jazz In The Forest
So I have been deep in the Manistee National Forest teaching Jazz to high school students the past couple of weeks. If you are not from Michigan, look at your hand with your thumb to the right...it's located beneath your…
May 16 2016
Sonny Red
Sonny Red is an often forgotten soul in the pantheon of hard bop, but a real favorite of mine. His "Detroit sound," that buoyancy in his tone and beautiful melodic lines with a real feel for the blues..gets me every…
May 9 2016
Doctor Professor
Dr. Prof Leonard King is a storied jazz drummer, vocalist, composer and teacher from Detroit. He has performed with the James Carter Organ Trio, Roy Brooks' Aboriginal Drum Choir, The Soul Messengers, a host of Motown recording artists, and is…