Who We Are

Seven of Detroit’s top players, including Andy Wickstrom (trumpet), Bob Maitland (trombone), Jim Wilpula (saxophones), Tony Suhy (bass), Dave Marcaccio (drums), Kurt Schreitmueller (piano) and Armado Vega (Latin Percussion/Vocals)

Testimonials

My wife and I were at your show last night at the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe. The band was/is absolutely fantastic!!! Smooth, slick, clean, cool Latin Jazz. Great arrangements. Great dynamics. Great grooving. Great soloing. Great musicianship. We were in front and at one point we turned around to see THE ENTIRE ROOM dancing behind us in between the tables!!! Can't wait to see you guys again!!!!!!!!  - Steve Tocco

"Man, what a show!!!!  I showed up at Bakers, didn't know who was playing but WOW what a pleasant surprise!!!! LOVED the show!" - Kimberly Harris from Facebook

"Thank YOU for a great performance"-  Craig Strain, after the Michigan Jazz Festival

"Wonderful time, wonderful people, wonderful band... Great dancing! - "Mambo Marci", YA Salsa Dance Club

"Just finished listening to the audio recording. Fantastic! ... keep us posted!"- Philip B.

The LL7 "Latin Jazz Machine"

LL7 adds energy and excitement to Jazz!  This 7-piece group presents an exciting mix of both Latin and straight-ahead jazz, with an emphasis on tight, creative arrangements.   

LL7 Features Sax, Trumpet, Trombone and vocals, driven by the rhythmic pulse of piano, acoustic bass, drums and Latin percussion.

We’ve been heard…

The band played to a capacity crowd when featured on the Chase Main Stage of the 2010 Detroit International Jazz Festival, and five years in a row at the Michigan Jazz Festival. We play club dates in some of the best-known Detroit jazz clubs, including Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, Cliff Bell’s and Ann Arbor's Blue Llama. The band has been featured on the Music Hall Discovery Series radio program hosted by Judi Adams, carried on WVMV-FM, 98.7 FM in Detroit.

Where We Play:

• Jazz Clubs
• Concerts and Festivals
• Latin Dance Parties
• Any special occasion that can use some hot Jazz!

---

Armando Vega- Percussion / Lead Vocals

LL7 Latin Jazz proudly welcomes Armando, sonero y conguero! Armando grew up immersed in Latin music and culture in Detroit's Puerto Rican barrio. Beginning to sing Salsa at seventeen, he received early mentoring from Herman Olivera, famed Grammy nominated singer with Eddie Palmieri, The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and many others. Years later Armando performed with Olivera before a crowd of 30,000 at the Cleveland Puerto Rican Festival. He has promoted his own CD touring Puerto Rico, opening for Latin greats El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, and many other prominent PR artists. He has also performed with Elias Lopes, one of Puerto Rico's most influential Latin Jazz trumpeters. He has toured and headlined with Tito Puente, Jr., and recorded his own CD produced by Latin jazz saxophonist Luis Disla. Armando has established an enthusiastic following in and beyond Detroit.

Kurt Schreitmueller - Piano

Initially trained in jazz and classical piano from the late professor Matt Michaels of Wayne State's music department, Kurt has been playing in and around the Detroit Metro area for over 35 years in various stylistic configurations ranging from solo piano and contemporary pop to jazz, blues, rock and gospel. In addition to performing live with many different artists of different genres, he also has an extensive studio and production background, composing and producing arrangements for radio and television underscores and jingles for over two decades. He is currently music director for Oakpointe church, located in Novi, MI

Dave Marcaccio - Drums

Dave has enjoyed an extensive musical career. His attention to the groove has made him a current favorite of many great Detroit-based artists and groups.  In addition to LL7, Dave can be seen freelancing, and backing up artists such as blues vocalist Thornetta Davis, The MillionAires, jazz singer-songwriter Tracy Kash Thomas, the Rick Stel Project, and guitarist Jim McCarty.

Andy Wickstrom - Trumpet / Vocals

Andy has been playing professionally in the Detroit area for over 25 years.  An active free-lance musician, he has toured with Motown acts, such as the Temptations Review and the Contours.  Andy has played First Trumpet for Victor Borge, Leslie Gore, and played for The Earl Klugh Orchestra, and The O’Jays.  Andy is one of the founders of Artistry in Brass, a successful brass quintet, and served as Principal Trumpet in the Lake St. Clair Symphony Orchestra.  Andy keeps a busy schedule of performing and arranging throughout the year.

Tony Suhy - Bass

Tony started laying down the groove in the Detroit area to an early wave of Surf groups, Detroit garage bands, Rock & Roll, Motown, Soul and R&B. With over 30 years’ experience as an Acoustic and Electric bassist, he has performed and recorded with Mitch Ryder, Josh White Jr. and Stewart Franke.  In addition to playing with LL7, he leads his own band King Sweat, and is in demand locally as a session musician. With Tony, it’s about the music first, the groove, and the vibe.  He likes to say: "Music is sound blending with soul and delivered with intention".

Jim Wilpula - Saxophones

Jim is a native of Ashtabula, Ohio and now calls the Metro Detroit area home. Jim graduated from Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio, where he majored in Jazz Studies/Music Education. In college, he played with professional groups that included The Don Burns Orchestra, The Angelo Lacivida Orchestra, The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, The House Band, and other various groups throughout Northeast Ohio. During the summers from 1995 – 2000, Jim could be seen at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, playing in some of the live shows that the park offered. After earning his degree from YSU, Jim toured with The World-Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra where he performed in 23 states, the Caribbean, as well as a six-week tour of Japan. In 2010 Jim formed Mainstreet Soul and in 2015 formed the Metro Detroit Jazz Orchestra.

Bob Maitland - Trombone

Bob's music career got a jump start after his first couple years of college when he joined the Air Force. He played with the 661st A.F. Band of Flight full time for four years. Since then he has played with various big bands, small bands, shows, and concerts. Bob also served as principal trombonist with the Lake St. Clair Symphony Orchestra, and the Rochester Symphony Orchestra.  In addition to the trombone, he is also a church musician on guitar and vocals, leading contemporary worship, and especially loves to help area churches spice up their worship with the occasional horn section.