On November 2nd we lost wonderful drummer and a dear friend Brad Edwards. Many local jazz fans have known Brad from many performances he had played and as Afternoon Jazz Show DJ for Yellowstone Public Radio. He loved jazz and shared his deep knowledge about music also experiences with jazz veterans generously with anyone who are interested. Brad was my late husband Kelly Roberti’s long time friend and they played so many gigs together all over the US. Kelly, Brad, and pianist Bob Nell (of course!) have been very important jazz figures in Montana. I hope Brad and Kelly are having fun playing, talking, drinking wherever they are now. One more thing. November 13th is Kelly Roberti’s Birthday. Cheers to Kelly and Brad.
* To musician friends, if you would like to add your message or on going projects like new albums on this website or news letter please contact me!
* Detail of these concerts can be changed due to artists/venues’ circumstances.
ON TUESDAY NIGHT AT DEVIL’S TOBOGGAN IN BOZEMAN
Join Montana Manouche for Gypsy Jazz and American Swing at fantastic Devil’s Toboggan! An elegant 1930-style speakeasy lends the perfect ambiance for the band’s music. Feel free to dress vintage, you’ll fit right in! Delicious hand-crafted cocktails and tapas served. Dancers welcome! No cover. The venue’s Happy Hour is 4-6PM. *This event is 21+ Only
Devil’s Toboggan
113 East Oak, Suite 2B (Cannery District)
Tuesday, November 12th 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Facebook event page
ON TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ JAM SESSION AT LEVITY IN BILLINGS
On Tuesday, November 12th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. there will be a jazz jam session at Levity Bar and Bistro in Billings! Joe Sullivan, Robin Martinez, Jeff Long, and Luke Kestner will host the jam session. Bring your instruments and join them!
Levity Bar and Bistro
1027 Shiloh Crossing Blvd Suite 8, Billings, MT 59102
Tuesday, November 12th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
ON THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE MINT IN BELGRADE
On Thursday, November 14th at The Mint Cafe and Bar in Belgrade from 7:00p.m. to 9:30p.m. guitarist Alex Robilotta, bassist Eddie Tsuru, and drummer Adam Greenberg will be performing! Please don’t miss this excellent trio! Come to The Mint to enjoy the live music with great foods, drinks! No charge.
The Mint Cafe and Bar, Belgrade
27 E Main St, Belgrade, Montana 59714
Thursday, November 14th 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Facebook event page
ON THURSDAY NIGHT AT CRAFT LOCAL IN BILLINGS
On Thursday, November 14th from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sam White Trio featuring Sam White on saxophone, Bill Honaker on drums, and Erik Olson on organ will be performing at Craft Local! The trio will play some soul jazz, R&B, plus Sam’s original tunes. Please come down and enjoy local art, local brews, and of course live music by local musicians at Craft Local! No cover.
Craft Local
2413 Montana Ave., Billings, MT 59101
Thursday, November 14th 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
ON THURSDAY NIGHT AT OPEN RANGE IN BOZEMAN
On every Thursday from 9:00 – 11:00PM there will be live jazz at Open Range in Downtown Bozeman. On this Thursday, November 14th guitarist Alex Nauman and bassist Bob Bowman will be dedicating the music for drummer and their dear friend Brad Edwards who passed away on November 2nd. Brad was scheduled to play at Open Range on the day with Alex and Bob. Please come join them and send love to Brad Edwards. No charge.
Open Range
241 E Main St Bozeman, MT 59715
Thursday, November 14th 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
ON FRIDAY NIGHT AT RED TRACTOR PIZZA IN BOZEMAN
Every Friday, there is a Jazz Night at Red Tractor Pizza in Bozeman from 7:00p.m. to 9:00 p.m. On this Friday, November 15th Bob Nell on piano and Bob Bowman on bass will be making beautiful sounds for their friend and drummer Brad Edwards who passed away recently. Nell has played with Edwards and bass player Kelly Roberti who also passed away in 2016 so many times all over the US as a trio also with jazz giants. Bowman met Edwards, Nell, and Roberti in 1988 in Kansas City, MO. Since Bowman moved to Montana he has played with Nell and Edwards many times. Please come down and join them to send love to Brad. No music charge.
Red Tractor pizza
1007 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715
Friday, November 15th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
ON SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE EAGLES THE BRIDGER MOUNTAIN BIG BAND
The Bridger Mountain Big Band or small combo performs at The Eagles on every Sunday led by a drummer Adam Greenberg. No cover charge but there will be a tip jar so be generous. For more information please check https://www.facebook.com/TheBridgerMountainBigBand/.
Bozeman Eagles Club & Ballroom
16 E Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715
Sunday, November 17th 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Facebook event page
ON SUNDAY NIGHT AT WALKERS IN BILLINGS
On every Sunday American Grill & Tapas Bar Walkers in Billings has live music through 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This week Arterial Drive will be performing!! Arterial Drive performs original music and fresh arrangements of classic songs from many decades. Please come down to enjoy the music with delicious food and drinks! No charge.
American Grill & Tapas Bar Walkers
2700 1st Ave N, Billings, Montana 59101
Sunday, November 17th 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
https://walkersgrill.com/
UPCOMING JAZZ & MORE CONCERTS
MSUB WINTER JAZZ CONCERT!
From Montana State University – Billings John Roberts “I remember when I was a freshman at MSU Billings (EMC), playing piano in the jazz band and combos, and this incredible drummer came into classroom to work with us and perform for us. Fresh off the Hiline, from Malta, I’d never heard anything like this! He, of course, blew the doors off, and was an EMC (MSUB) alumnus himself….regaling with his stories of his trips to Europe and around the U.S. He was the first guy to invite me down to the “Casey’s Golden Pheasant Blues Jam” to play piano. Nostalgically, this upcoming Jazz Concert at MSU Billings was to feature Brad Edwards as a guest artist, and I couldn’t wait to have him back in the rehearsal room to lay the smack down on the current drummers (in kindly Brad fashion, of course)! Now, this concert is in his honor, one of the most influential musicians to grace the halls of the MSU Billings music department. Thanks for setting the bar, Brad!”
MSU-Billings Cisel Hall
1500 University Dr, Billings, MT 59101
Thursday, November 21st 7:30 p.m. ~
MSU JAZZ ENSEMBLES SET MITTEN AND GLOVE DONATION AT NOV. 26 THANKSGIVING CONCERT
The Montana State University jazz ensembles’ Thanksgiving concert, “Music for Mittens,” featuring New York jazz vocalist Milton Suggs, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Crawford Theater at the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture.
Donations of gloves and mittens will be collected both before the concert in the MSU School of Music office in Howard Hall and in the Emerson theater’s lobby the night of the event. They will be donated to the Bozeman Warming Center, according to Ryan Matzinger, MSU jazz professor and producer of the event.
“(The concert will be) a musical celebration of the compassionate community of Bozeman and the jazz program’s focus on a culture of giving,” Matzinger said. “We are asking our audience to share the warmth.”
Suggs comes to Bozeman after recent performances with Wynton Marsalis and with the Lincoln Center Orchestra, among others. Born in Chicago and raised in Atlanta, Suggs is a third-generation musician who played several instruments while he was growing up. Returning to Chicago after high school, he studied piano with the legendary Willie Pickens while honing his craft as a vocalist and performer. Now living in New York City, he has released four albums, performs internationally and is frequently at the top of Downbeat magazine’s annual critics’ poll.
The MSU Advanced Jazz Quartet, The Royal We, featuring special guest Adam Greenberg on the drums, and Matzinger, a jazz saxophonist, will also perform.
Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for general admission. They can be purchased at the door or online at ticketpeak.com/msumusic.
Emerson Center for Arts and Culture
111 S Grand Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715
Tuesday, November 21st 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
November 21st @ Open Range in Bozeman
Michelle Manzo Cobb on vocals, Cheyenne John Henderson on keyboards, and Bob Bowman on bass
November 22nd @ Red Tractor Pizza in Bozeman
Alex Robilotta on guitar, Bob Bowman on bass, and Adam Greenberg on drums
November 24th @ Walkers in Billings
Parker Brown, Erik Olson and Bill Honaker
November 29th @ Red Tractor Pizza in Bozeman
Michelle Manzo Cobb on vocals, Cheyenne John Henderson on piano, and Bob Bowman on bass
November 30th @ Craft Local in Billings
Soul Jazz w/John Roberts and Co.
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