Alexander Zonjic

Alexander Zonjic is a professional flutist born in Windsor, Ontario, who performs both light jazz and classical compositions. Over the years, Zonjic has been a sideman with many musicians and has several solo albums to date. He has shared stages with such musicians as Earl Klugh, Harvey Mason, Kirk Whalum, and Angela Bofill. Zonjic is also a member of the Bob James’ band. Zonjic has done performances at Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and the Apollo Theater in New York and has also performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Windsor Symphony Orchestra. 

Charles and Gwen Scales

Internationally acclaimed recording artists, this creative duo brings to the music scene many years of experience. Gwen is a singer and songwriter, and Charles writes, plays keyboards and is a musical arranger and producer. Between the two, they have toured worldwide many times, performed in nearly every venue in Detroit, regularly appear at festivals in the Midwest region, have recorded seven albums, and have worked with the likes of Earl Klugh, Dave McMurray, and Gene Dunlap. Both Charles and Gwen have chosen to make Detroit their home because as they put it, “we’re family-centered and Detroit it where our families reside. Whatever happens, we have our family, our music, and each other.”

David Gerald Blues Band

David Gerald, the son of rural Mississippi born and raised parents, grew up to the sounds of the blues and R&B music in his hometown of Detroit. Gerald started playing guitar at the age of 15, influenced by Prince and 80’s rock guitarists. He rediscovered the blues and listened to the music of Albert King, ZZ Hill, B.B. King, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, to name just a few. Now in his 40’s, Gerald is playing nationally with this own band year-round, performing at clubs and festivals across the country. Gerald’s blues have been receiving widespread radio play, along with recognition in the blues community. Recently Gerald was listed as #1 on the ReverbNation Blues charts for Michigan Blues artists. His debut album, “Hell and Back”, reached #1 on Roots Music Report’s Blues Chart. 

Phil Denny Band

Since emerging onto the smooth jazz scene in 2012 much traction has been made by saxophonist, Phil Denny. The four-time Billboard charting, independent artist has been described as a passionate and soulful player. He describes his influences as those artists he felt played with space and feel, his ear drawn to saxophonists Grover Washington Jr., Richard Elliot, Kirk Whalum and Boney James. Performances of note to date include international festivals in Dubai and Nairobi, Kenya; co-headlining the 2013 Arizona Jazz Festival; appearing at the 2014 Inaugural Shoreline Jazz Festival and 2016 Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Jazz Festival; and on-going appearances at the MGM Grand Detroit Casino. 

Robert Penn Band

Robert Penn was born in Riverside, C.A. to a mother from Mississippi and a father from West Virginia. He took a liking to the blues mostly because of the influences from the Mississippi side of his family. His father was a blues lover, but growing up in the Detroit area (Inkster, MI) he exposed him to the music of Motown as well as big band era material. Robert is notable for having performed with a variety of well-known musicians, including B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles. However, above and beyond all the gigs he’s played and the places he has visited, he still loves teaching guitar and playing at his home church, Christian Faith Ministries in Garden City, MI every Sunday morning. 

Thornetta Davis Band

Crowned “Detroit’s Queen of the Blues” in 2015, Thornetta Davis is a multi-talented, international singer and songwriter from Detroit, MI. Her voice is strong, commanding, melodic and smooth, telling stories with an incredible delivery that leaves her audiences wanting more. Thornetta has opened for legendary blues and R&B greats such as Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, Etta James, Buddy Guy, and many more. Backed by her great band of Detroit musicians, Thornetta has electrified audiences worldwide at Blues festivals in North Africa, Europe, and North America.