The London Chop House

CHRIS CODISH w/ DARIAN TASCHNER
2025-12-01 18:45 - 21:45 (America/Detroit)
Keyboard specialist Chris Codish has steadily made himself a vital part of the Detroit musical community. A perennial winner at the Detroit Music Awards over the past fourteen years, he has received multiple honors for his vocal and songwriting skills as well as his keyboard mastery. He formed the multi award winning funk/jazz/jam band The Brothers Groove, produced the last two albums for the late, great Detroit bluesman Johnnie Bassett on Sly Dog Records (Mack Ave. Records), and toured globally with Hiram Bullock, Harvey Mason, Alexander Zonjic, Larry McCray and Lucky Peterson. He’s performed and/or recorded with Don Was, Roy Ayers, Ronnie Laws, Jim “Moose” Brown, Sponge, The Motor City Horns, The Dead String Brothers, Kenny Tudrick, Dave McMurray, Thornetta Davis, Kenny G, Bob James, Jeff Lorber, and countless others. When not on tour, Chris performs on piano, organ and keyboard throughout the Metro Detroit area, as well as at God Land Unity Church in Detroit every Sunday morning.

DANA MARIA DUO
2025-12-10 18:30 - 21:30

JOHN T-BONE PAXTON QUARTET
2025-12-31 20:30 - 2026-01-01 00:30
John “Tbone” Paxton is a veteran trombonist and vocalist professionally active in Southeastern Michigan for many years. He is the featured singer and trombone soloist with the award-winning jazz ensemble, the Planet D Nonet. John is a 2nd generation musician and a son of the “Jazz Age.” His soulful sense of swing, phrasing, and his ability to interpret and bring personal meaning to a lyric allows him to connect to his audience at an emotional level, both as a vocalist and as an instrumentalist.
John was integral member of the Sun Messengers band for decades, leaving to develop his own career as a jazz singer and trombonist. He has had long associations with many of the great Detroit area bandleaders like Paul Keller, Eddie Nuccilli, Scott Gwinnell and piano master Mr B. Tbone has also played with a lot of great blues and R&B men as well, including Earl King, Johnny Adams, Sir Mac Rice, Pinetop Perkins and even Latin Jazz Great Eddie Palmieri! His repertoire reflects all of these influences, most notably, growing up in a musical home influenced by his father Fred, who was an accomplished pianist working all the major rooms in the area. In fact, a regular pianist at the London Chop House for fifty years! His repertoire features both hits and obscure rarities by such artists as Fats Waller, Frank Sinatra, Danny Barker, Nat Cole and Louis Jordan, creating his own personal take on the Great American Songbook.
John draws the audience in and brings passion, soul, a unique repertoire, joy and authenticity to his performances everywhere and every night!! Look for his upcoming recording “Back in Your Own Backyard” with the RJ Spangler Quartet.

PAUL KELLER QUARTET w/ SARAH D'ANGELO
2026-01-08 18:30 - 21:30
Sarah D’Angelo does it with verve, class, confidence, poise, perfect intonation, spot-on phrasing, terrific dynamic, personal expression and loads of love. She’s an incredible team player with her own exquisite persona.” Linda Yohn, WEMU 89.1

COLTON WEATHERSTON QUARTET
2026-01-09 18:30 - 22:30

CARY KOCHER QUARTET
2026-01-22 18:30 - 22:30
Vibraphonist and voclisr Cary Kocher trained at the University of Michigan under Michael Udow, the late Charles Owen, and Salvatore Rabbio. Kocher plays with Latin jazz group Los Gatos and co-leads a classic vibraphone quartet with bassist Paul Keller.

CHRIS CODISH TRIO
2026-01-23 18:45 - 21:45, 2026-03-06 18:30 - 22:30

DUNCAN McMILLAN with VANESSA RUBIN
2026-02-05 18:30 - 21:30, 2026-02-06 18:30 - 21:30
Duncan Williamson McMillan began studying piano at age 5. His musical studies continued with Frederic Dehaven at Christ Church in Grosse Ponte, singing in the boys choir (1980-1987). From 1989-1992, Duncan studied jazz piano and music theory with James Hohmeyer, Bess Bonnier and Matt Michaels. Upon graduation from Western Michigan University in 1997 (B.M. piano/jazz studies), Duncan has established a reputation as a versatile musician, working with such diverse artists as Jon Hendricks, Aretha Franklin, Rodney Whitaker, Ira Sullivan, Marcus Belgrave, Eric Marienthal, Nelson Rangell, Chris Standring, and The Four Freshman. In demand as both a pianist and organist, he regularly performs in the Midwest region with bassist Paul Keller, vocalist Sarah D’Angelo, The Paul Keller Orchestra, and The Randy Napoleon Sextet. In addition, Mr. McMillan is a respected musical director/arranger for regional thea-ters, church organizations and local bands. His arrangements have been performed by The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, University of Michigan (Flint) Jazz Ensemble, Midland-Odessa Symphony Orchestra, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Jazz Orchestra, Flint Symphony Orchestra, Theatre Bizarre Orchestra, & The Planet D Nonet. More information is available through Musa Canta Music, a collaborative business venture with saxophonist/educator/arranger, Joshua James. www.musacantamusic.com Selected Discography:“Room with a View” – Duncan W. McMillan (2019)“My Blue Heaven” – The Paul Keller At Sundown Quintet (2017)“Brother, Brother” – Tom Douvan (2014)“This is what we do” – The R.J. Spangler Trio (2012)“At Sundown” – The Paul Keller Quartet (2012)“Your Soul” – The Ben Jansson Trio (2012)“The Jukebox Crowd” – Randy Napoleon Sextet (2012)”Organic Roots” – The Pete Siers Quartet (2009)”The Gentleman is back” – Johnnie Bassett & The Blues Insurgents (2009)”A week in the life of The Firefly Club” – Paul Keller Orchestra (2008)”The Easy Life” – The Odessa Harris Group (2003

DUNCAN McMILLAN
2026-02-24 18:30

Olivia Van Goor Duo
2026-02-25 18:30 - 21:30, 2026-03-11 18:30 - 21:30

PAUL KING QUARTET
2026-02-27 18:30 - 21:30, 2026-02-28 18:30 - 21:30, 2026-03-07 18:30 - 21:30, 2026-03-14 18:30 - 2026-04-11 22:30, 2026-03-21 18:30 - 22:30
Influenced heavily by the great jazz, swing and soul crooners, Paul King has created a classic sound of his own. Known for his smooth tone and sophisticated style, Paul and his band have a gift for making your evening special. His interesting song choices and wonderful vocal phrasing have been making dancers, jazz heads and casual listeners happy for decades.

PAUL KING QUARTET w/ CHELSEA PACKARD
2026-03-05 18:30 - 21:30

PHIL KELLY
2026-03-17 18:30 - 21:30

PAUL KELLER QUARTET featuring: PAUL KING
2026-03-19 18:30 - 21:30

KEITH FERGUSON
2026-03-24 18:30 - 21:30
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan . The smooth sounds of Keith Ferguson will leave you relaxed and energize. His style of music ranges from Jazz to Motown. Keith is presently the musical director for “The Spinners”. He has also played with the late great Ms. Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Anita Baker, Kem,Cheryl Lynn just to name a few. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed after listening to Keith.

CHRIS CODISH
2026-03-30 18:30 - 21:30
…He formed the multi award winning funk/jazz/jam band The Brothers Groove, produced the last two albums for the late, great Detroit bluesman Johnnie Bassett on Sly Dog Records (Mack Ave. Records), and toured globally with Hiram Bullock, Harvey Mason, Alexander Zonjic, Larry McCray and Lucky Peterson. He’s performed and/or recorded with Don Was, Roy Ayers, Ronnie Laws, Jim “Moose” Brown, Sponge, The Motor City Horns, The Dead String Brothers, Kenny Tudrick, Dave McMurray, Thornetta Davis, Kenny G, Bob James, Jeff Lorber, and countless others. When not on tour, Chris performs on piano, organ and keyboard throughout the Metro Detroit area, as well as at God Land Unity Church in Detroit every Sunday morning.

HANNAH FRANCIS DUO
2026-04-01 18:30 - 21:30

PAUL KELLER QUARTET featuring: MARY RADEMACHER
2026-04-02 18:30 - 21:30

PAUL KELLER QUARTET
2026-04-03 18:30 - 21:30
Paul is well known for his associations with pianist/vocalist Diana Krall and guitarist Russell
Malone. Paul has performed with jazz greats Joe Williams, Cab Calloway, Marian McPartland,
Barry Harris, Jeff Hamilton, Benny Golson, Benny Green, Jon Hendricks, Wycliff Gordon,
Mulgrew Miller, Jay McShann and James Moody. He has played on over 50 CDs with artists
such as Larry Vuckovich, Eddie Higgins, and Marcus Belgrave.
Paul was honored by the West Michigan Jazz Society as their 2001 Jazz Musician of the Year
and by the Detroit Music Awards as the 2002 Outstanding Jazz Instrumentalist. Keller is on the
faculty of the Wayne State University jazz department in Detroit. He travels frequently, giving
jazz concerts, workshops and clinics and is well-respected as an innovative and enthusiastic
jazz educator.

Olivia Van Goor Quartet
2026-04-04 18:30 - 21:30

CHRIS CODISH
2026-04-06 18:30 - 21:30

TONY VIVIANO
2026-04-07 18:30 - 21:30
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Tonys’ formal classical training began at the age of 7. His involvement with music led him to study at Sienna Heights University, concentrating on jazz and classical piano, theory and composition. Along with his studies and as keyboardist/composer for various groups he also found time to study with Toledo jazz legend Gene Parker.
His versatility also earned him an adjunct faculty position at Washtenaw Community College in Ypsilanti , Michigan. Under then departmental head Morrice J. Lawrence Jr. he taught classes in theory and jazz/blues piano. During this time Tony mentored under the remarkable pianist/keyboardist Pittsburgh native, Eddie Russ.
From 1989-90 American/European Express, a luxury train that traveled between Chicago, Washington D.C. and New York, contracted Tony for several months to perform in the “club car”. Always ready for something new and challenging in 1991-92 Tony then traveled to Japan to work for the Biwako Kissen Company of Otsu,. There he performed on the “Bianca”, a prestigious dinner boat that sailed along the coastline of Lake Biwa.
Upon his return from Japan, Tony played for several seasons with the Grand Hotel Orchestra on historic Mackinac Island, Michigan. Acting as headliner for the month of June 1999 then staying on as guest artist accompanying other headliners such as, Detroit saxophone legend George Benson, Grammy nominee jazz vocalist Betty Joplin and New Orleans vocalist John Boutea. Tony was also an opener for The John Pizzarelli Trio, Chic Corea, Herbie Mann, Auturo Sandoval, and Straight Ahead.
For 7 years Tony took to the high seas and was employed as solo pianist on the Disney Dream and Magic cruise ships. Then was contracted as leader of jazz quartets aboard Royal Caribbean/Celebrity Cruise lines new “Solstice” class ships. On board he performed originals and jazz standards while sailing throughout Alaska, Mexico, Caribbean, Baltics, Bahamas and the Mediterranean.
Currently Tony is still active in the Michigan music scene and travels throughout the state and nationally performing with various artists from vocalists to instrumentalist.

JARROD CHAMPION DUO
2026-04-08 18:30 - 21:30
His roots are deep in Detroit, but when he sits in front of the keys, Jarrod Champion’s sound makes its way to the south, over in the dixieland and delta. Ask anyone, he’s one of the best in the city. If it’s top notch Detroit made music you seek, look no further.
Travis Wright, WDET
