Tariq Gardner & Evening Star

Evening Star is a Space Odyssey led by Detroit Drummer Tariq Gardner. The group has its roots in Detroit’s expansive musical tradition, blending the city’s rich Jazz legacy with its history of musicians being largely malleable to fit into a wide array of musical styles traveling to the different galaxies of music of the African Diaspora (jazz, neo-soul, Afro-Cuban, spirituals, hip-hop, etc.). Evening Star brings listeners light years into the cosmos while staying true to the roots of the Motherland. The band has an afro-futuristic aesthetic with the mission that simply makes music the forefront of positive outlets with original compositions as well as arrangements on popular songs from the Black American Canon. In 2025, they became finalists in NPR Detroit’s ( WDET) Sounds Like Detroit contest and music Showcase.

Evening Star currently has two releases: Their 2023 freshman project, “Gateway Drug,” and their 2024 Sophomore project, “Vice Tape,” featuring poet Joel “Fluent” Greene. They are currently performing festivals nationwide and looking forward to the recording of their third release.

Tariq Gardner - Drums
Caelin Amin - Bass
LeRoy Mickens - Piano
Max Bowen - Guitar
Jeffrey Trent - Tenor Sax
Coleman Ward - Vocals

You may also like the following events from Blue LLama Jazz Club and Restaurant:

• This Sunday, 10th August, 05:00 pm, Marquis Hill Quintet ft. Makaya McCraven & Greg Ward in Ann Arbor
• Next Thursday, 14th August, 07:00 pm, Chris Glassman & The Technocats ft. Walter Blanding in Ann Arbor
• Next Saturday, 16th August, 06:00 pm, Sean Dobbins Organ Trio in Ann Arbor

Also check out other Music events in Ann Arbor, Entertainment events in Ann Arbor, Performances in Ann Arbor.