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Nick Adams and the Aral Sea Divers Jazz Concert
Nick Adams and the Aral Sea Divers played on Thursday, February 23, 2017, at 8 p.m. at Detroit’s Cliff Bell’s. The group brought lively 1920s-style jazz to the city, reviving a sound originally formed by university students in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Nick Adams and the Aral Sea Divers channel the roaring ’20s jazz era when classical and military music traditions intertwined with fresh, raw African American energy. Founder Aaron Corte O’Brien describes it as a special American moment mixing rigid European styles with an exciting edge.
The group, inspired by Hemingway’s fictional adventurer Nick Adams, began among university students in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, playing festivals like Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival and Marquette Michigan Beer Festival. After relocating to Detroit, Aaron reassembled the band to keep playing this timeless jazz throughout the city.
The group, inspired by Hemingway’s fictional adventurer Nick Adams, began among university students in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, playing festivals like Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival and Marquette Michigan Beer Festival. After relocating to Detroit, Aaron reassembled the band to keep playing this timeless jazz throughout the city.
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Source: Cliff Bell’s ↗
Last successful source check: Sep 28, 2026, 8:01 PM


















