Blou Reed
2026-03-20 18:30 - 22:00, 2026-03-21 18:30 - 22:00 (America/Detroit) | Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, 97 Kercheval St, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, 48236, United States
Blou Reed (pronounced BLOO Reed) blends jazz improvisation and harmony with strong, groove based rhythms to create a sound that bares the torch of tradition to light the way to the future of modern music. The band presents a wide ranging catalogue of original composition and hip arrangements of well known Jazz standards.
Blou Reed formed in 2022 when the members were still in their high school jazz programs and have been performing around Michigan ever since.

The GUD Band
2026-03-25 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-01 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-08 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-15 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-22 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-29 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-05-06 18:30 - 20:30
Soul…..meets Blues……meets Jazz
“The Gud Band is a high-energy live band known for electrifying crowds with their soulful sound, smooth vocals, and top-tier musicianship. Based in Detroit, they bring a fresh yet nostalgic vibe, blending R&B, funk, soul, gospel and modern hits into unforgettable performances. Whether headlining local venues or setting the mood at private events, The Gud Band keeps the audience engaged and on their feet. Their chemistry, talent, and crowd connection make them one of the most sought-after live acts in the city.”

Dave Bennett
2026-03-26 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-03-27 18:30 - 22:00, 2026-03-28 18:30 - 22:00
“Bennett is a player superbly well balanced between purity and power. Bennett injects
three heady shots of adrenalin that bring the music sharply to life.”
– Downbeat Magazine
Dave Bennett doesn’t fit the mold.
For starters, you don’t find many jazz clarinet players who name Alice Cooper, Stevie
Ray Vaughan, and Chris Isaak among their influences. You won’t find many musicians
who are equally conversant with the music of Benny Goodman (the “King of Swing”)
and Roy Orbison (“The Soul of Rock and Roll”). In fact, you may not find even one other
clarinet virtuoso who breaks from his Swing Era repertoire to sing rockabilly hits while
accompanying himself at the piano or electric guitar.
Dave began his national touring career at the age of 14. He has been a featured soloist
at Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops (2013) and has been featured with 35 other
US and Canadian orchestras including Nashville, Houston, Detroit, Rochester, Omaha,
Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Orlando, San Antonio, Jacksonville, Portland, OR and
Portland, ME. Some of his annual appearances include The Elkhart Jazz Festival, The
Suncoast Classic Jazz Festival, The Arizona Classic Jazz Festival, The Sacramento
Hot Jazz Jubilee, The Clambake Music Festival, and The Redwood Coast Music
Festival. Dave has also opened for Sammy Hagar in Houston, TX in 2022.
Dave has been featured on NPR Radio’s “Jazz at Riverwalk.” He made his European
debut in 2008 at The Bern Jazz Festival (Switzerland) in a combo with jazz legends
and Benny Goodman alumni guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and vibraphonist Peter
Appleyard. He has also shared the stage with Ken Peplowski, Byron Stripling, Marcus
Printup, Aaron Diehl, and Bria Skonberg.
He has been featured soloist on several jazz cruises, performing with Harry Allen,
Warren Vache, Allan Vache, Banu Gibson, and Tardo Hammer.

Chris Codish
2026-04-02 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-03 18:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-04 18:30 - 22:00
Chris Codish is a 40-time Detroit Music Award-winning pianist, organist, and producer with over 30 years at the center of the Motor City music scene. A first-call session player on 80+ commercial releases—including Sponge’s hit “Have You Seen Mary”—Chris is the frontman for the influential group The Brothers Groove and a former touring keyboardist for legends Hiram Bullock, Johnnie Bassett, and Larry McCray.
Beyond the stage, Chris is a pioneer in music technology and venue programming. A former representative for the Bose L1 system and a longtime educator at the School of Rock and Pop, he balances technical mastery with a deep understanding of audience engagement. Whether producing award-winning albums for Sly Dog/Mack Ave. Records or maintaining his legendary residencies at the London Chop House and Eddie V’s, Chris Codish remains a definitive voice in the sound and business of Detroit music.

Ben Sharkey
2026-04-09 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-10 18:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-11 18:30 - 22:00
Detroit-based vocalist and bandleader Ben Sharkey has carved out a singular lane between classic jazz sophistication and modern groove. Known to many as “Detroit’s Crooner,” Sharkey draws from the elegance of the American Songbook while confidently expanding into swing, soul, Latin rhythms, Motown, and dance-forward jazz that feels timeless yet unmistakably of the moment.
At the core of Sharkey’s sound is storytelling and movement. His performances balance velvet-smooth balladry with high-energy arrangements designed to make a room move. Influenced by the rhythmic drive of Gene Krupa, the playful bravado of Cab Calloway and Louis Prima, and the vocal inventiveness of King Pleasure, Sharkey blends vintage sensibility with a contemporary edge shaped by modern R&B and pop influences. His range has even placed him on stages opening for artists like Robin Thicke at The Fillmore Detroit.
Whether fronting a swinging quintet or leading a dance-heavy late-night set, Sharkey thrives in intimate rooms where connection matters. His shows feel less like a recital and more like a shared experience, equal parts romance, swagger, and celebration. It is this blend of classic charm and modern confidence that makes Ben Sharkey a natural fit for a listening room like Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, where tradition and evolution meet on the bandstand.

Gene Dunlap
2026-04-16 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-17 18:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-18 18:30 - 22:00
Gene Dunlap is a diverse “Grammy Award Nominated” musician. He began his music career at age four when his father taught him to play the drums. Dunlap honed his craft at Detroit Mumford High School. During this time, he teamed up with his friend and fellow musician, guitarist Earl Klugh. Together, forming the Earl Klugh Trio, The duo performed in local clubs with other musicians. Although they eventually chose separate musical paths, Gene Dunlap continued to perform and write music. His talents as a writer, composer and producer caught the attention of Capitol Records.

At Capitol, Dunlap recorded three solo albums: It’s Just the Way I Feel, Party In Me and Tired of Being a Nice Guy. Which enabled him to write and produce much of his own material.

After recording his solo projects, Dunlap reunited with Earl Klugh and the duo began recording and touring together. Klugh and Dunlap have collaborated on ten albums throughout their careers.

Gene Dunlap has also been involved in a variety of projects with other major recording artist including touring and recording with Ronnie Laws, Hubert Laws, George Benson, Roy Ayers, Grant Green, The London Philharmonic Orchestra, The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Noel Pointer, Bob James, Bobby Lyle, Marcus Miller, Mary Wilson, Tina Marie, George Duke and Patrice Rushen.

After releasing “Groove With You” on Avenue JazzRecords.Dunlap stopped recording professionally to teach School in Detroit.In 2002, Gene Dunlap returned to the studio and released Tales of the Phatman. And most recently in 2005, he released Peaceful Days. Gene Dunlap’s music is a combination of late night groove, contemporary jazz and smooth R&B. He manages to have fun with his music while retaining his artistic integrity. Gene Dunlap is an artist for our time that continues to grow and serve the public through his love of music.
GENE DUNLAP PLAYS GRETSCH DRUMS AND BOSPHORUS CYMBALS

Allen Dennard
2026-04-23 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-24 18:30 - 21:00, 2026-04-25 18:30 - 21:00
Allen Dennard is a trumpeter, composer, recording artist, bandleader and activist who was born and raised in the city of Detroit, Michigan. Dennard attended the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor where he received a full ride from the university’s jazz department and received his Bachelors Degree in Jazz Studies. From then on he obtained other pivotal opportunities that would further him in his musical career. In January 2019 Allen was chosen by the Detroit MetroTimes as one of ten artist they thought would become famous in that year. Soon after that Allen was approached with many interview requests, one being with Detroit Public Television/ PBS and the other being with Honeysuckle Magazine, a New York City based magazine company. Aside from that Allen has worked with several artist from the Detroit Music Factory label, such as Gayelynn Mckinney, De’Sean Jones and Sean Dobbins. He has also worked with Detroit saxophonist David McMurray from the Blue Note record label. Adding to that, Allen also got the opportunity to share the stage with New York based saxophonist J.D Allen, who is with HighNote Records. Allen has made five appearances as a sideman in the Detroit Jazz Festival: Wendell Harrison (2015), Detroit bassist Ali Bey (2017), the Detroit Jazz Festival All-Star Alumni Band (2019), David McMurray (2020), and the Keyon Harold Big Band (2021). In 2022 Dennard was chosen to be a headliner at the Detroit Jazz Festival, showcasing his group “The Allen Dennard Quintet”.

In October 2018 Allen had the opportunity to work with famous R&B artist Ray J, being a member of the pit orchestra in a play that Ray J was in. In the same year Allen was chosen to be in the horn section for the MC5 reunion in Detroit, sharing the stage with musical icons such as Wayne Kramer. Following after that, Allen went on to record on one of Alice Copper’s latest albums in 2019 called “Breadcrumbs”. He has also traveled with world renown R&B singer K’Jon in the same year, who is also born and raised in Detroit, MI. In 2022 Dennard was called to play with the great saxophonist Mike Phillips at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater in Detroit, MI. Following that year, in 2023 Dennard had the privilege to share the stage and play behind hip hop legends such as Phat Kat, Elzi, Jessica Care Moore, and Dwele. He also was able to share the band stand with Jazz at Lincoln Center saxophonist Walter Blanding. In the comedian scene, Allen received the opportunity to play behind famous stand up comedian Rickey Smiley at Orchestra Hall in Detroit, MI. In July of that same year, Allen was rewarded with a Preservation of Jazz Excellence Award from the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan for “Best Spirit”.

Kimmie Horne - Her Birthday Celebration
2026-04-30 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-01 18:30 - 22:00, 2026-05-02 18:30 - 22:00
Kimmie Horne, a proud native Detroiter, carries the musical legacy of her late legendary aunt, songstress, and movie icon Lena Horne. Niece to the renowned singer-songwriter Cleveland Horne of the Fantastic 4, Kimmie is endowed with a warm, sultry voice and the sophistication reminiscent of the great ladies of jazz. As an outstanding vocalist and enchanting performer, she skillfully guides her audiences through captivating journeys of jazz, blues, and funky rhythms. Beyond her musical prowess, Kimmie is the curator and founder of the Kimmie Horne Jazz Festival—an award-winning weekend extravaganza featuring exciting musical guest performers, boutique vendors, and a delightful array of food and fitness activities for the entire family to enjoy.

Tosha Owens
2026-05-07 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-08 18:30 - 22:00, 2026-05-09 18:30 - 22:00
From her trademark fedora and hand fan to her marvelous mix of Blues, Rock,Funk and R&B, multiple award winning Detroit born and raised singer Tosha Owens has the word ‘performer’ written all over her. While most singers struggle to create a unique Brand Identity for themselves, there’s no doubting what Tosha is all about and why audiences are always asking for more. Often compared to artists such as Gladys Knight, Etta James, Chaka Khan and Janis Joplin, Tosha delivers a unique sound and performance that no other Detroit singer can provide. “She’s gritty”. “She’s bluesy”. “She’s funky”. “She rocks”.
“Tosha Owens is a consummate professional and always on point. She has a amazing voice and personality to match. It’s always a pleasure to work with Ms Owens – ”Kern Brantley, Former Music Director for Beyonce, Mary J Blige, current bassist for Lady Gaga
In addition to her legendary live performances , Tosha Owens is also a highly sought after recording session vocalist. She can be heard on many tracks of local and national artists. Her current project includes her very first complete album titled “WRONG SIDE OF RIGHT” released in March 2018 available on itunes, cdbaby, amazon and spotify, etc.
