THE YOUNG LIONS COLLECTIVE AT KERRYTOWN CONCERT HOUSE
FASCINATING RHYTHM
Sunday, October 3rd @ 2:00 PM
The Young Lions Collective at Kerrytown Concert House represents the best and brightest of Michigan’s next generation of jazz musicians. In this performance, the YLC will feature the pulse of jazz – the drums! Led by acclaimed Detroit drummer, David Alvarez III, this collaboration of wildly talented young musicians (Stephen Grady, Jr., tenor sax; Allen Dennard, trumpet; Brandon Rose, bass; Eli Bucheit, piano) will take audiences on a journey through an extensive history of jazz rhythmists. Alvarez’s encyclopedic knowledge of jazz drumming and deep dedication to the artform is second to none. This performance will be a truly unique and memorable tribute to the tremendous legacy of jazz drumming.
COVID-19 Safety Policy for Indoor Concerts
- Moving forward, all patrons and artists who wish to attend or present performances indoors at KCH must provide a valid, complete COVID-19 vaccination card OR proof of a negative COVID-19 test performed within the previous 72 hours prior to entry. Such proof must be presented at concert check-in, may be displayed on a smartphone OR presented as a physical copy, and must also be accompanied by a matching, valid ID for verification.**
- Additionally, according to current CDC recommendations, masks are required for audiences inside the House and can only be removed when seated with a beverage (when available). When performing, artists may wear a mask, or not, at their own discretion.
**Proof of vaccination exceptions will be made for children under 12 and people with a medical condition or closely held religious beliefs that prevent vaccination. These guests must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours prior to entry.
David Alvarez III is a jazz drummer, composer, arranger, and music educator in Detroit, Michigan. He was introduced to the drum set at age five where he grew up playing in church. At age nine, he began his jazz education through a summer program called The Arts League of Michigan. For eight years, he was part of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Youth Ensemble jazz program where he was mentored by professors and students from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. During his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, he was selected to be a member of the 2015 Disney All-American College Band; through this opportunity, he gained professional performance experience and participated in music entrepreneurship masterclasses. In 2017, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts in Jazz Studies with Teacher Certification. Since then, he toured nationally with the Benny Green Trio and is currently a member of the Clayton Brothers Quintet. For the past three years, he has performed with both of these groups on The Jazz Cruise. David freelances and teaches music in Southeast Michigan.
As part of the next generation of Detroit-grown musicians, Stephen Grady Jr. is building a name by performing with such greats as Marcus Belgrave, James Carter, Geri Allen, Bob Hurst, Kareem Riggins and many others. He has also received the National Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, the first annual JC Heard Youth Jazz Award and the James Tatum Scholarship. Recently, he attended the Stanford Jazz Residency through a full scholarship program. After graduating from University of Michigan in 2016 with a bachelor degree in Jazz Studies, he’s currently attending Michigan State University under a full Graduate Assistantship and regularly performing with The Rodney Whitaker Septet and Detroit Carr Center’s Gathering Orchestra, among others.
Allen Dennard is a trumpeter, composer and bandleader who was born and raised in the city of Detroit, Michigan. Around his senior year of high school Allen had the privilege of being mentored by the great Marcus Belgrave, one of Detroit’s own legendary trumpeters. From then on Allen’s involvement in jazz increased exponentially. After high school, Allen decided to attend the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor where he received a full ride from the university’s jazz department. From then on he obtained other pivotal opportunities that would further him in his music career. Allen has made three appearances as a sideman in the Detroit Jazz Festival. In January 2019, Allen was chosen by the Detroit MetroTimes as one of ten artist they thought would become famous in that year. Soon after that Allen was approached with many interview requests, one being with Detroit Public Television/ PBS and the other being with Honeysuckle Magazine, a New York City based magazine company. Aside from that Allen has worked with several artist from the Detroit Music Factory label, such as Gayelynn Mckinney, De’Sean Jones and Sean Dobbins. He has also worked with Detroit saxophonist David McMurray from the Blue Note record label. Adding to that, Allen also got the opportunity to share the stage with New York based saxophonist J.D Allen, who is with HighNote Records.
Brandon Rose began playing the bass guitar at the age of 5. He asked his father to buy him a bass guitar for Christmas while on stage at Word of Faith Christian Church in Southfield, Michigan. Brandon began working with Henry Roberson, the church bass player and after one lesson Mr. Roberson proclaimed, “this kid is a natural!” Brandon continued his studies and eventually honed his skills playing bass for the youth choir at Word of Faith.
Over the years, as Brandon’s talent developed, he was invited to Los Angeles on several occasions to play his bass in vendor’s booths at the NAMM show and for Bass Player Live sponsored events. He is endorsed by Fender Bass Guitars, SWR Bass Amps and D.R. Strings.
Brandon has played with and for bass greats such as Marcus Miller, Stanley Clark, Ricky Minor, Ralphe Armstrong, Jeff Berlin, Christian McBride and Rodney Whitaker. He has appeared in Bass Player Magazine, performed on the Bobby Jones Gospel Show and made it to the third round of tryouts for NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Most recently Brandon auditioned and was accepted as a Geri Allen Fellow with the Carr Center. He is now a member of The Gathering Orchestra where he will continue his professional development for the next two years.
Eli Bucheit is a jazz pianist currently studying with Benny Green at the University of Michigan. Eli is rooted in modern jazz but often plays music of other genres. Although he lives in Ann Arbor he still considers Madison, WI his home.
