Hayden Cusmano is a Detroit based jazz guitarist, bandleader, and composer. An active presence in the Metro Detroit music scene, Cusmano has performed at notable venues including Dirty Dog Jazz Café, Cliff Bell’s, Aretha’s Jazz Café, and the Detroit Jazz Festival. Whether leading or accompanying, he brings a dynamic and responsive energy to every performance. He studied at Wayne State University under guitarist Chuck Newsome, where he had the opportunity to learn from respected Detroit artists such as Paul Keller, Vincent Chandler, and Scott Gwinnell, as well as internationally acclaimed musicians including Brian Blade, Karriem Riggins, and Jason Moran. These experiences helped shape his musical voice and broaden his artistic perspective. Deeply influenced by the jazz guitar tradition, Cusmano draws inspiration from legends such as Wes Montgomery, John Scofield, and George Benson. Their impact can be heard in his phrasing, harmonic approach, and stylistic versatility. His musicianship has been recognized at the national level, earning Outstanding Soloist honors at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music’s Essentially Ellington Festival (2017), the Savannah Jazz Festival (2019), and Middle Tennessee State University’s Illinois Jacquet Jazz Festival (2024). Cusmano leads his own trio, as well as a jazz fusion quartet named DICHI along with saxophonist Colin McCahill. He holds a weekly residency at The Ebenezer in Downtown Plymouth, where he continues to develop his sound and connect with audiences in an intimate setting.