In celebration of the centennial of John Coltrane, saxophonist Marcus Elliot presents Africa/Brass, a bold celebration of one of Coltrane’s most visionary works for The Alluvion Jazz Series. Rather than recreating the original album, this project reinterprets its spirit through newly commissioned arrangements of five selections from Africa/Brass, created by acclaimed Detroit composer, arranger, and conductor Kris Johnson. This rare performance will be played by an outstanding nine-piece band.
All ages - General Admission
Seated Listening Room Style Show
Doors & bar open at 7:00 PM - Show starts at 7:30
Tickets $30 in advance - $35 at the door
Tickets on sale for Deep End members only until July 9
MARCUS ELLIOT
Multifaceted saxophonist and composer, Marcus Elliot, has emerged as one of the leading voices of the Detroit music scene. The New York Times has called him "convincing and confident, evolved in touch and tone...", and the Detroit Free Press has said, "Marcus Elliot represents next generation of jazz". Marcus creates music with the hope of “reminding myself and listeners that we are human beings, and what a gift that is.” He is a recipient of the Joyce Awards (2024), a prestigious award for innovative new projects by pioneered by artists spanning the visual, performing, and multidisciplinary arts that engage diverse communities in the Mid-West. He is also a recipient of the Kresge Fellowship(2020), awarded to artist that are recognized for their creative vision and commitment to excellence within a wide range of artistic disciplines.
Marcus is instructor of jazz saxophone at Wayne State University and is director of the Creative Arts Orchestra at University of Michigan. Marcus has performed and/or collaborated with Terence Blanchard, Karriem Riggins, Talib Kwali, Marcus Belgrave, Brian Eno, Shigeto, Robert Hurst, Anthony Davis, Jeff Tain Watts, and many others.
KRIS JOHNSON
Kris Johnson is a Detroit-based trumpeter, composer, arranger, film composer, and educator whose work spans orchestral commissions, musical theatre, film scoring, and contemporary jazz. His recent commission from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Marlowe’s Wings, premiered in 2025 with Kris as featured soloist. He has composed multiple musicals—including Jim Crow’s Tears and Hastings Street: The Musical—scored films such as the Emmy-nominated series King Ester, and produced a range of personal creative projects including The Kris Johnson Group and #looptherapy. He is also the founder and director of the Paradise Theatre Big Band in partnership with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
As a performer and arranger, Kris has contributed to seven GRAMMY-nominated albums, including the 2024 GRAMMY-winning Basie Swings the Blues by the Count Basie Orchestra. From 2008–2019, he toured internationally with the Basie Orchestra as both soloist and arranger, performing at major venues such as the Apollo Theater, Hollywood Bowl, Sydney Opera House, and the Kennedy Center. His collaborative work extends to artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Tony Bennett, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Leslie Odom Jr., Wycliffe Gordon, and others. From 2023–2024 he toured globally with Endea Owens and The Cookout, further highlighting his versatility across musical settings.
Kris currently serves as Assistant Professor of Jazz Trumpet at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. A graduate of Michigan State University, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Jazz Studies, he has held leadership and teaching roles across the country. His previous positions include Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Utah, Project Director for a U.S. Department of Education AEMDD Grant with the Pontiac School District, Education and Digital Programming Manager for the Motown Museum, and Executive Director of the MSU Community Music School–Detroit. He has also served on the faculties of The Ohio State University, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Youth Ensembles, and as Artistic Liaison for JazzEd Detroit through ArtOps and the Erb Family Foundation.
Tickets on sale for Deep End members only until July 9
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