Phil Ogilvie's Rhythm Kings are a real 1920's and 30's style dance orchestra playing the original arrangements of the famous bands of the Jazz Age. Hearing the Rhythm Kings is like being transported to another time and place.

Composed of Michigan's finest musicians, the Rhythm Kings are one of few bands in the country that can truly claim to be the tops in their class. They have a devoted following of music lovers and dancers who line up every Sunday afternoon to hear and enjoy this wonderful music presented in the Rhythm King's unique fashion.

Far more than a footnote in history, the music performed by the Rhythm Kings is varied, exciting, beautiful and energetic. Early jazz masters Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, King Oliver, Benny Moten, Fletcher Henderson, as well as the lesser-known avant garde musicians of the period, especially reedman/composer/arranger "Fud" Livingston.

Grammy-nominated bandleader James Dapogny is the pianist and musical director of the group, bringing his knowledge, expertise and enormous music library. Sousaphonist and band manager Chris Smith is one of Michigan's leading brass players, and gives the Rhythm Kings authenticity and powerful drive with his buoyant bass sound. Other band members are stars in their own right, having toured nationally and internationally.

The band's current personnel is as follows: Paul Finkbeiner- trumpet Ingrid Racine- trumpet Gene Bartley- trombone Andrew Bishop- alto sax, clarinet Mike Jones- alto sax, clarinet Tom Bogardus- tenor sax, clarinet Steve Fentriss- drums, percussion Rod McDonald- guitar, banjo James Dapogny- piano, music director Chris Smith- tuba, band manager.

Opened in 2000, the Firefly Club is an award-winning, intimate jewel-box of a jazz and blues room.

It has received such honors as 2003 "Best Jazz Club" by HOUR Detroit magazine, 2004 "Best Jazz Club in Metro Detroit" by The Detroit Free Press, 2004 "Best Blues Venue" by the Detroit News Reader's Poll, "Best Jazz Club to See a Grammy Winner" by the Detroit METROTIMES, and was voted both "Best Jazz Club" and "Best Blues Club" by Ann Arbor's CURRENT Magazine annually from 2004 to 2007.

Additionally the club has received AOL's "City's Best" Award for three years running and was included in Downbeat Magazine's presti-gious list of the "100 Great Jazz Clubs of the World" for 2007!

The Firefly Club features live music seven nights a week, offering the full spectrum of jazz from Dixieland to avant garde, Latin jazz to swinging big band sounds, as well as authentic electric and roots blues. It has hosted such luminaries as Arturo Sandoval, Maynard Ferguson, Wynton Marsalis, Larry Coryell, Brian Auger, Mulgrew Miller, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Big Bill Morganfield, Buster Williams, Karrin Allyson, Janis Siegel, Hank Jones, Mose Allison, Patricia Barber, David Liebman, Maria Muldaur, Cyrus Chestnut, Cedar Walton, and many more.

Stellar local and regional performers such as Paul Keller, Ellen Rowe, Marcus Belgrave, Rick Roe, Rodney Whitaker, Johnnie Basset, Tom Saunders, Claudia Schmidt, Sunny Wilkinson, Alberta Adams, Mr B (Mark Braun), and James Dapogny regulary grace our stage.

Seating 195 people, the Firefly Club offers a cozy, "deep purple" listening-room setting for the enjoyment of jazz, blues and cocktails. Our spacious dance floor provides ballroom and Latin style dancers a marvelous platform to showcase their skills. The bistro-style kitchen offers a delightful menu of appetizers, homemade soups and salads, sandwiches and desserts, and can also provide buffets - from simple or elegant appetizers to full dinners. The full-service bar provides an extensive array of specialty martinis, domestic and imported beers, and a wide selection of single malt scotches, top-shelf tequilas, whiskeys, cognacs and vodkas.

The club is available for private event rentals and regularly hosts birthday and anniversary parties, intimate wedding receptions, as well as corporate parties, film locations and business seminars.