Sean Dobbins and the Modern Jazz Messengers

Sean Dobbins started young as a sought-after jazz drummer in the Detroit area, playing regularly with Blue Note artist Louis Smith early in his career. He’s collected many awards like the Woody Herman Jazz Award and the Louis Armstrong Scholarship. His style is a hard-driving rhythm combined with a crisp melodic sensibility, influenced by greats such as Art Blakey and Elvin Jones.

The concert was held in two separate seatings at Cliff Bell’s, a well-known jazz venue in Detroit, allowing fans to catch the intense performance. Alongside his performing career, Sean is a dedicated educator and band director involved with the Ann Arbor Public Schools summer jazz program, nurturing the next generation of jazz artists.

Though the event has passed, Sean Dobbins and the Modern Jazz Messengers brought a vibrant mix of expertise and energy to that night’s shows.