Dream Town Media

After feeling slightly fickle about an evening out, I gave up on the scene in downtown Royal Oak early. I noticed a hair in my drink (that wasn’t mine) and hightailed it home. After perusing my friends recent facebook posts to see what live music was happening in town, we ended up driving down to Cliff Bells in Detroit. I find this club is particularly interesting. I am obsessed with 20’s-40’s era vocal jazz and classic early 20th Century films. Cliff Bells has the air of a time long past with beautiful art deco styling that makes a gal like me drool. Paul Howard and crew have created a nether world for musicians and lovers of great live music. Cliff Bells is a fantastic joint to slip away an evening or two in. For me, all it took was a post from Chris Codish to get me back out of the house…

“Chris Codish: Performing on Hammond A102 with Gene Dunlap (drums) and Perry Hughes (guitar) at Cliff Bell’s 2030 Park Ave. Detroit MI tonight at 8pm. It’s also a jam session and there’s no cover charge. Drop by if you can!”

Who puts the make and model of the keyboard they are jamming on in their post? I kept thinking as we drove downtown, that organ must be something super special. In the car, Jake asked if I was planning to sit in and sing. Now, on the way it sounded like a great idea… Singing with one of the most amazing keyboard players Detroit has to offer and some other kats I hadn’t met yet. However, once I walked in the door, I felt a weight of insecurity settle over me. I pride myself on being a person who can face anything and smile through it… Sort of a don’t let the bastards see you down kind of attitude. So this particular feeling was slightly annoying. We ordered some dinner, a cold plate of meats, cheeses, nuts and olives, some spinach and oysters rockefeller. We listened to Chris school the Hammond A102 with both hands and feet carrying the melodies and funky bass lines while Gene and Perry complimented every note and rhythm creating an amazing musical dialogue. While we enjoyed our meal, they ripped through some George Benson, several other funky jazzy classics I recognized and a few I didn’t.

When the guys took a break, we caught up with Chris over a beer. He explained Cliff Bells is the only club in town that has the Hammond A102. (That’s why it’s so special.) We also discussed touring and recording schedules. It’s really exciting to hear that other musicians are working enough to keep their schedules and (hopefully) their bellies too. Then the inevitable question came up, “Hey Melissa, Want to sit in and sing something?” I fumbled nervously around in my mind for a tune to play, “Um, well, yeah, sure I guess”. (I have a jazz band, this shouldn’t be too hard.) After listing a few tunes back, we settled on “Our Love is Here to Stay”, a wonderful Gershwin classic ballad that I sing in the key of C.

As I sat in my seat with more butterflies in my stomach than before a usual performance, Chris and the guys played an intro tune. After a very kind introduction, I took a spot on the stage at the keyboard’s left. The band played an amazingly warm intro of the last 8 bars of Gershwin and in I dove full steam ahead. After the first half of the verse, my ears finally settled in and I could hear every note’s crescendo through the room. It’s exhilarating performing with new musicians. I’m never sure where things will lead and always find it an exceptional opportunity to grow. The guitar and keys traded a full verse of solos each. I couldn’t help but smile as I listened intently to each guys interpretation of that standard melody. After singing through the verse once more and tagging and ending three times, it was over faster than I could have imagined. What a great experience, to perform in that wonderful room and receive a nice round of applause after. I can’t thank Chris & the guys at Cliff Bells enough for the music and the opportunity.

Cliff Bells is located at 2030 Park Avenue Detroit, MI 48226-1620 (313) 961-2543