Bob and I have just got back to Montana from Kansas City, MO after all day and night drive. Bob played at several wonderful gigs. One was at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the iconic concert hall sits in the middle of KC. He joined to play with Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s Christmas Concert. Originally we just planned to go there to see the performance but he was asked to sit in to play “Three & One” composed and arranged by jazz legend Thad Jones. Since Bob played in Thad Jones and Mel Lewis Big Band Mr. Ashlock who leads the orchestra also Bob’s friend invited him to join the band. To be asked to sit in at Kauffman Center is an honor. The concert was just wonderful and I really enjoyed to see Bob with KCJO. Here is a quote from KC Arts beat “~ Mr. Bowman’s performance was a wonderful surprise and also the heart and soul of the concert. He epitomized how musicians in Kansas City are a family, a family Mr. Ashlock spoke of fondly several times throughout the evening.”
* 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 JAZZ JAM SESSION AT LEVITY IN BILLINGS
On this Tuesday, December 17th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. there will be a jazz jam session at Levity Bar and Bistro in Billings! Jeff Long, Joe Sullivan, Robin Martinez, and Lloyd Marsh will host the jam session. Bring your instruments and join them on your favorite tune. (or tunes!)
Levity Bar and Bistro
1027 Shiloh Crossing Blvd Suite 8, Billings, MT 59102
Tuesday, December 17th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
JIM ROTONDI AT CIKAN HOUSE WITH BOB BOWMAN AND CHEYENNE JOHN HENDERSON
“(His) solos are a near-perfect amalgam of power, finesse and logic.” – David A. Orthmann, allaboutjazz.com
“Rotondi has the passion and focus to find a place for the music in the new millennium.”-The New Yorker
Montana native and internationally known trumpeter Jim Rotondi will have a concert at Cikan House on Wednesday, December 18th with Bob Bowman on bass and Cheyenne John Henderson on piano. Both Rotondi and a true jazz veteran Bowman studied at the University of North Texas also played in Grammy-winner Toshiko Akiyoshi’s band at different times. They have played nationally/internationally and dedicated deeply to jazz music. Bozeman jazz fans must have listened to splendid sounds of Cheyenne John Henderson who studied in west coast and now teaching at MSU at concerts around the town.If you are a jazz fan or simply want to experience world class jazz this trio is definitely you don’t want to miss!
Here is Jim Rotondi’s bio :
Trumpeter Jim Rotondi has been a major figure in the world of jazz for over 30 years, both in New York and on the international scene. His sound, soul, and sense of swing have been in demand as leader and sideman all over the world.A Montana native raised in a musical family, Jim started with the piano at eight years old and switched to trumpet at age twelve. Two years later Jim heard a recording of Clifford Brown and he was on his way. A product of the prestigious music program at the University of North Texas, Jim won first place in the International Trumpet Guild’s Jazz Trumpet Competition in 1984.After relocating to New York, Jim toured and recorded with a host of jazz luminaries, including the big bands of Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, Grammy-winner Toshiko Akiyoshi, Bob Mintzer, and the small groups of Charles Earland, Lou Donaldson, Curtis Fuller and Joe Chambers. Jim currently leads two of his own groups, a quintet featuring vibraphonist Joe Locke in the front line, as well as an electric group, Full House, which also features pianist David Hazeltine. He is also a founding member of the collective sextet One For All, which features a front line of saxophonist Eric Alexander and trombonist Steve Davis, as well as the aforementioned Hazeltine, drummer Joe Farnsworth and bassist John Webber in the rhythm section. This all-star group is featured in the June 2009 issue of Jazztimes magazine.Jim currently resides in Graz, Austria, where he is Professor of Jazz Trumpet at the University of Music and Dramatic Arts, after having been active professionally in the New York City area for 25 years. (https://www.jimrotondi.com/)
Cikan House
in Bozeman, Bozeman, MT 59715-9241
Wednesday, December 18th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Admission : $20 (student $10)
Facebook event page
Reservations : yaezo1027@gmail.com
ON THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE MINT IN BELGRADE
Sweet live jazz with delicious food and drink will warm up your heart and body! Please come down to The Mint in Belgrade on Thursday, Dec 19th and enjoy sweet and lovely sounds by Krista Barnett Trio featuring Krista Barnett on vocals, Cheyenne John Henderson on keyboards, and Bob Bowman on bass. They will play jazz standards and some of the tunes will make you want to dance! No music charge.
The Mint Cafe and Bar, Belgrade
27 E Main St, Belgrade, Montana 59714
Thursday, December 19th 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 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 December 20th Bob Nell on piano and Bob Bowman on bass will be making beautiful sounds that you don’t want to miss! Please come down and enjoy your Friday night with good live music and of course delicious pizza and beer/wine!
Red Tractor pizza
1007 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715
Friday, December 20th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
ON SATURDAY NIGHT AT CRAFT LOCAL IN BILLINGS
On this Saturday, December 21st John Roberts y Pan Blanco will be hosting Winter Solstice Concert at Craft Local! The event starts with dance lesson at 7:00 p.m. Then the band will make you wanna keep dancing with their fantastic sounds from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. ! Come down celebrate Winter Solstice! Music charge $10 (Student $5 with ID)
Craft Local
2413 Montana Ave., Billings, MT 59101
Saturday, December 21st
Dance lesson 7:00 p.m. / Music 8:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Facebook event page
ON SATURDAY NIGHT AT ST. PAUL’S METHODIST IN HELENA
Come to the Winter Solstice Concert and Celebration Saturday, Dec. 21 at St. Paul’s Methodist. The Wilbur Rehmann Quartet with special guest, vocalist Sarah Elkins will be performing. There will also be the Cohesion Dance project in performance to live jazz music. And, the Native American drum and singing group, Magpie Drummers and Singers will perform. Please come to this celebration of the longest night and the shortest day with some of Helena’s favorite artists. the Celebration starts at 7:00p usually lasts approx an hour. Come in out of the cold!
St. Paul’s UMC Helena, MT
512 Logan St, Helena, MT 59601
Saturday, December 21st 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
ON SATURDAY AT BIG SKY RESORT IN BIG SKY
On this Saturday, December 21st Big Sky Resort will be celebrating Big Sky’s Winter SOULstice Party. Join the barty and celebrate the first full day of winter in soulful style with live DJ, drink specials and more! Tsunami Funk will be performing at Big Sky Resort on the big concert stage at Montana Jack from 9:00 p.m. to midnight!
Big Sky Resort
50 Big Sky Resort Rd, Big Sky, MT 59716
Saturday, December 21st 9:00 p.m. – Midnight
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, December 22nd 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 Jazz night through 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Walkers features some of the very best jazz cats in the Rocky Mountain region and is well known for its depth of musicians. This week John Roberts’ Soul Thang featuring John Roberts on vocals, trombone and rhodes, Will Honaker on bass, Bill Honaker on drums, and Raphael Lopez on guitar will be making soulful & funky sounds! 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, December 22nd 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
https://walkersgrill.com/
UPCOMING JAZZ & MORE CONCERTS
WAYNE SHORTER TRIBUTE AT CIKAN HOUSE
Join young and old jazz veterans Philadelphia vibraphonist Silas Stewart, New York tenor saxophonist Will Brown, and Bozemanites guitarist Craig Hall, upright bassist Michael Steele and drummer Josh Poole at The Cikan House Saturday, December 28 at 7 PM. The group will play all the songs, in order, from Wayne Shorter’s 1966 historic Blue Note recording “Speak No Evil,” followed by a scrumptious and libatious intermission and then some original music. Seating is limited. Tix ($25) available at Eventbrite.com
Cikan House
in Bozeman, Bozeman, MT 59715-9241
Saturday, December 28th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Admission : $25
Facebook event page
December 27th @ Red Tractor Pizza in Bozeman
Adam Platt on piano, Alex Robilotta on guitar, Bob Bowman on bass, and Alex Platt on drums
December 28th @ Cikan House in Bozeman
Will Brown on saxophone, Craig Hall on guitar, Silas Stewart on vibraphone, Michael Steele on bass, and Josh Poole on drums
December 29th @ Walkers in Billings
My Favorite Sons
December 31st @ Starlite Bozeman in Bozeman
Swing into the 20’s by Downbeat Vintage Swing Society(live music by Montana Manouche)
December 31st @ Squire House in Bozeman
David Charles on keyboards, Bob Bowman on bass, and Michel Gillan on drums w/TBA
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If you feel like helping me with a little reward please donate from “Buy me a glass of wine page“. It is much appreciated!!!