Jazz-Funk Collective Club d’Elf to Bring Hypnotic Moroccan Grooves to The Spire This May!

By Mark Allen Wood Executive Writer, Plymouth Patch & Wood Media of Plymouth

If you’re looking to escape the daily grind without leaving Court Street, mark your calendars. Club d’Elf, the two-time Boston Music Award-winning jazz collective, is officially set to take the stage at the Spire Center for Performing Arts on May 8, 2026.

For nearly 27 years, Club d’Elf has built a reputation for creating "musical portals"—performances that blend traditional Moroccan trance with heavy doses of electronic funk, dub, and avant-garde jazz. It’s the kind of music designed to make you lose track of time, perfect for a Plymouth audience that appreciates world-class artistry in an intimate setting.

A Rotating Constellation of Talent

At the heart of the collective is bassist and composer Mike Rivard. One of the most intriguing aspects of Club d’Elf is its fluidity; no two shows are ever the same. Rivard pulls from a "constellation" of elite improvisers across the Boston and NYC jazz, DJ, and rock scenes, ensuring that the performance on May 8 will be a unique, one-night-only experience.
The band's accolades speak for themselves, having secured the Boston Music Awards Jazz Act of the Year in both 2022 and 2023. Their sound is a kaleidoscopic mashup that refuses to be boxed in, drawing from:

• Hip Hop & Electronica
• Progressive Rock
• Traditional Gnawa Music
• Dub & Avant-Garde

Honoring a Legacy

The upcoming performance carries deep emotional weight. The band’s signature Moroccan influence was fostered under the tutelage of longtime member Brahim Fribgane, who passed away in early 2024. While his physical presence is missed, his spirit is very much alive in Rivard’s mastery of the sintir—a traditional Moroccan three-stringed bass.
Fans can expect to hear selections from their critically acclaimed 2022 album, You Never Know, which hit #2 on the Relix charts. The record is a journey in itself, featuring covers of icons like Miles Davis and Frank Zappa, alongside original compositions inspired by Rivard’s own harrowing near-death experience in the Peruvian Amazon.

Ticket Information

Given the Spire Center’s reputation for stellar acoustics and the band's loyal following, this show is expected to be a hot ticket.

• Performance Date: May 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM
• Tickets On Sale: Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 6:00 AM
• Where to Buy:
• spirecenter.org
• Location: 25 ½ Court Street, Plymouth, MA

About The Spire Center:
The Spire remains a cornerstone of the South Shore arts scene. As a nonprofit venue, it continues to provide a "mecca for the arts," offering accessible parking and handicap-accessible facilities for all generations of music lovers.