Jazz? Really?

Detroit veteran indie rocker Chris Plum (Mood Elevator, Brendan Benson and the Wellfed Boys) embarks on a new adventure with his jazz album debut, The Small Hours. The record finds Plum, a lifelong fan of mid-century nightclub jazz combos and crooners (as well as a show tune or ten), to have evolved into a genre-flexing songwriter and blue balladeer.

Retained in this collection are all of the catchy musical phrases, harmonies, lyrical humor and sincerity of his indie rock days. Self-produced and recorded at his home studio with Zach Shipps (RV Audio Lab), Plum called upon the talents of old bandmates, Detroit jazz scene veterans, and local students to bring his songs and sonic vision to life, resulting in a rich, fun and sophisticated work. 

2023 will see a vinyl release and live dates with Plum’s ensemble which includes Aric Karpinski on piano, Keith Malinowski on bass, Jeff Hupp on drums, and Hayden Cusmano on guitar, Kristin von Bernthal and Korin Visocchi on backup vocals, and Aaron Snyder and Quentin Jensen on brass. Additional players may include Oliver Mayman on vibraphone, Tracy Kash on flute, and Gibron Lockhart on trumpet.