The Sounds of Detroit: Live Jazz Music for Every Taste
Story by Max White
Detroit is known for its music. We’re the home of Motown, techno, and the city thrives in all other forms, with plenty of places to see a show.
Nearly every night, there’s an opportunity to catch live music, but some may love the smooth sounds of jazz to accompany them. Here are some of the best spots for jazz in Detroit.
Cliff Bell’s
While Cliff Bell’s has been open since 2006, there’s a long history of John Clifford Bell, who started operating his first club in 1930 in Detroit.
Now, the bar one block away from Woodward Ave. in what’s now known as The District Detroit is a great spot to listen to music.
There are shows throughout the week at Cliff Bell’s, and you can get tickets for dinner and a show. There’s a full dinner menu, a drink menu, and even desserts. For a full list of events, check out their website.
Baker’s Keyboard Lounge
On Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion in the northwest part of the city, Baker’s says it is one of the longest-running jazz nightclubs in the world, and it originally opened as a beer and sandwich restaurant in May 1934.
Legends from the jazz world have performed at Baker’s, and they have music playing often at the bar.
It also features a full menu with sandwiches, appetizers, entrees, and lunch items.
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Bakers-Keyboard-Lounge-musicians1-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e1831bbc1a3b9820d284b171e765d913 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Bakers-Keyboard-Lounge-musicians1-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=71632b43beaa3baf7bc8512f9a0fff76 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Bakers-Keyboard-Lounge-musicians1-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=10557558e3753416ab981e51f401c309 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Bakers-Keyboard-Lounge-musicians1-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=00450e527b3ee79fe33670b6e012ffc5 1024w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Bakers-Keyboard-Lounge-musicians1-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=75ac38aef3ef4feceefda5cb055c0cfa 1200w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Bakers-Keyboard-Lounge-musicians1-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=6df05acedc69ec618e9b4bb4ae475f25 1300w)
Aretha’s Jazz Cafe
Named after one of the most iconic artists from Detroit, Aretha’s Jazz Cafe is located inside Music Hall Detroit.
The secret space has photos of jazz and Detroit and Detroit legends lining the walls and has shows during the week and weekend.
You can also order food and drinks while listening to the music
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/ht_i_am-Instagram-3555-ig-17901756151750889.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=58de2dfa433b5abb5cfeb1683336e330 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/ht_i_am-Instagram-3555-ig-17901756151750889.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=88d94eab35c62be30aab5b972decd6c8 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/ht_i_am-Instagram-3555-ig-17901756151750889.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=4d77a81c2da8b2b28f19ffcda37aa959 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/ht_i_am-Instagram-3555-ig-17901756151750889.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=44e4d3550d9207f9f4361f880286f3f9 1024w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/ht_i_am-Instagram-3555-ig-17901756151750889.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=3e1f4c90aeb4f45cda4274df488fe6fa 1200w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/ht_i_am-Instagram-3555-ig-17901756151750889.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1440&s=e082318ab6cbb348c15fe69acc0dd166 1361w)
Bert’s Market Place
Bert’s is an iconic spot in Eastern Market and has an entire entertainment complex. They have music shows and comedy shows, and it has four different areas of the club – a jazz room, Motown room, a warehouse theater, and Hasting Street Hall.
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Berts-Market-Place-musicians-Jacob-Lewkow-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=d34aa0cd950a90119f62c31a7a58d887 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Berts-Market-Place-musicians-Jacob-Lewkow-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=0c32575056e74a927e914b8d171893b0 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Berts-Market-Place-musicians-Jacob-Lewkow-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=0b5b07748f9bc9cad702018a6db04755 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Berts-Market-Place-musicians-Jacob-Lewkow-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=90b369f2949115dbccb1c06b2b01313d 1024w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Berts-Market-Place-musicians-Jacob-Lewkow-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=3ab2e2c17509182ce98f167663ae1255 1200w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Berts-Market-Place-musicians-Jacob-Lewkow-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=0b4206b6fc60ec236ee735e9b9e70119 1300w)
Willis Show Bar
Willis Show Bar originally opened in the Cass Corridor in 1949 but closed in 1978.
In 2018, the bar reopened with shows throughout the week, and they’re not always jazz.
You can get table and bottle service for the show, or just order off the regular bar menu.
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/Willis_Show_Bar_photo_by_Michelle_and_Chris_Gerard_DMCVB-701-1365x2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=fc05abd95a9d8d3ece890a3356859249 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/Willis_Show_Bar_photo_by_Michelle_and_Chris_Gerard_DMCVB-701-1365x2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=860204c2e3b8a0b1f4cae972d73154ef 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/Willis_Show_Bar_photo_by_Michelle_and_Chris_Gerard_DMCVB-701-1365x2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=4f959126303be678a8f6988714a30a5a 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/Willis_Show_Bar_photo_by_Michelle_and_Chris_Gerard_DMCVB-701-1365x2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=df2127344b218799f072ef19d3b95959 1024w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/Willis_Show_Bar_photo_by_Michelle_and_Chris_Gerard_DMCVB-701-1365x2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=8f079fd3a3c01c65a27768b3f26f80d1 1200w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/Willis_Show_Bar_photo_by_Michelle_and_Chris_Gerard_DMCVB-701-1365x2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1440&s=62de13c1f7d869f1a2e0f99d610a69f0 1365w)
Motor City Wine
Located in Corktown, Motor City Wine has shows throughout the year inside and outside on their beautiful patio. During the summer, grab a bottle of chilled wine and listen to music on the patio, but you can also check out shows in the fall, winter, and early spring inside. They often have jazz music on Friday and Saturday nights.
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Motor-City-Wine-selection-main-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=a66b9f78600077fe0f5ffea0e784fe90 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Motor-City-Wine-selection-main-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=c506a98dd380c4e469f7acdde2869bd4 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Motor-City-Wine-selection-main-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=3b98170370bf8f63821e7f41efea7680 582w)
Detroit Jazz Festival
For over four decades, the Detroit Jazz Festival has been taking over Downtown Detroit on Labor Day weekend.
They have stages around the city, including at Campus Martius, Cadillac Square, Hart Plaza, and more.
It’s also free, so you can explore Downtown and listen to music during your holiday weekend.
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-JazzFest2011%C2%A9Jason-Vaughn_MG_3083-1300x867.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=c83f92a9a2e8443c6d06902282000f71 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-JazzFest2011%C2%A9Jason-Vaughn_MG_3083-1300x867.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=4c6afaa5ea45071388de154552b628ee 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-JazzFest2011%C2%A9Jason-Vaughn_MG_3083-1300x867.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=15a7a817e515b70377b2b9e44e135c68 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-JazzFest2011%C2%A9Jason-Vaughn_MG_3083-1300x867.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=28e0a1957d0439c3752f9178d3117e4b 867w)
Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe
While not in Detroit, the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe is about 20 minutes east of the city in Grosse Pointe Farms. The jazz cafe opened in 2008 and has shows during the week and weekend. You can make reservations for a table, and they also have a full food and drink menu.
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