Continuum Jazz Ensemble

Continuum Jazz Ensemble performs the most loved and recognizable jazz of all times as well as original scores. Continuum Jazz Ensemble has performed in numerous venues throughout Metropolitan Detroit, such as the historic Baker`s Keyboard Lounge, Royal Park Hotel, Cliff Bells, Jazz Cafe' inside of the Detroit Music Hall, Oakland University, and other jazz and music rooms.
Drummer Dave Cheney is founder and bandleader of Continuum Jazz Ensemble. A 25 year veteran of drums, Dave began his formal training as a teenager where he played in his high school band as well as in open class drum and bugle corps. He went on to study music education at Michigan State University where he performed in the marching band brumline, jazz band, symphony band, Latin combo, blues combo, competition drumline, and African drum and dance ensemble. In addition to his music educational experience, Dave has maintained a variety of professional gigs over the years. Cheney has played with the Heebie GB`s, Jive Dharma, Soulstice, Trancemitter, Jamie Sue Seal and the Icebreakers, The Last Hippie Band, The Geoff Brouhard Quartet, The Gratitude Steel Drum Band, The Mega 80`s, the Frank Zappa tribute band Ugly Radio Rebellion, and Midtown Underground. Dave`s diverse musical experience and extensive formal training len themselves well to his role of bandleader and musical director of Continuum Jazz Ensemble.
Ian Bigsby is an avid guitarist for nearly 30 years. Bigsby`s colorful chords and melodic lines give a smooth element to Continuum`s sound. After playing in various rock and blues projects in his younger years, the influence of artist like Pat Metheny, Miles Davis, and Bill Frisell began to creep into Ian`s playing giving it a jazzier sound. Over the years Ian Bigsby developed his playing by being a regular fixture at local blues jams in addition to playing with the bands Red Sky, Luke Warm, and backing blues harmonica player Robert Pierce. Between gigs with Continuum Jazz Ensemble Ian contributes to the electronic project Three Hives.
Saxophonist Keith Gamble began playing professionally at age 16, and since then has performed in a variety of musical settings including solo and duet performances, theater productions, concert groups, and a number of Detroit area bands. Some notables include The Unique Experience Band, the New Detroit Jazz Development Ensemble, under the direction of trumpeter Marcus Belgraves, Carl Carlton(aka Little Carl Carlton), pianist Jay Johnson, fusion guitarist Kim Heron, performance poet Ron Allen, percussionist Greg Williams and Vibrations, the Detroit Wind Symphony, and Motown recording artist Martha Reeves. Keith is also currently playing with the reggae band Basiks, and performance poetry ensemble Creative Tradition. Gamble`s unique and energetic style have earned him a spot among Detroit`s most elite musicians.
Bassist Miles Butterfield was born in Manhattan, New York in 1988, and is the foundation of Continuum Jazz Ensemble. Miles was brought up in New York where his father(a former professional jazz musician) guided him through his musical upbringing with training on piano and selected brass instruments.
Butterfield played orchestral bass in high school and also studied bass under Eddie Cohen. Miles Butterfield has played with a number of rock band, but his musical focus has always remained rooted in jazz and classical genres. Miles also runs his own studio called Create Laboratories where he produces music for Detroit area bands, as well as his own highly artistic electronic project called ThreeHives. Miles brings youthful energy to Continuum Jazz Ensemble`s sound.
Continuum Jazz Ensemble takes great pride in carrying the torch of Detroit Jazz forward.