Bob and I will be traveling to the Midwest tomorrow for his gigs! Most of them are outside like on a porch, drive way, in a park. They will be lovely music events that audience can enjoy beautiful autumn weather and music at the same time! Some of musicians Bob will play with have been to Montana, like Peter Schlamb, Matt Villinger, Kelley Gant, John Kizilarmut, Brian Steever. They all are not only great musicians but super nice, supportive, and very respectful to each other’s playing. It will be a fantastic musical trip for us before it gets cold and difficult to have outside concerts!
* To musician friends, if you would like to add your message, on going projects like new albums, etc. on BigSkyJazz.net please contact me!
* Details of these concerts can be changed due to artists/venues’ circumstances.

ON TUESDAY NIGHT AT DEVIL’S TOBOGGAN IN BOZEMAN

On this Tuesday, September 29th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Craig Hall on guitar and Michelle Manzo Cobb on vocals will be performing at Devil’s Toboggan. With Craig’s exquisite playing and Michelle’s lovely and warm voice, this will be absolutely sweet night of music! If you plan to attend it would be helpful to contact the venue so they can arrange the limited seating.
Devil’s Toboggan
113 East Oak, Suite 2B (Cannery District) 
(406) 587-4829
Tuesday, September 29th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page

ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT LEVITY IN BILLINGS

Every Wednesday Night, Levity features Live Jazz starting at 7:00 p.m. It’s a Jam Session with Local Jazz Musicians. There are always familiar faces, but it’s open to anyone that can play. All you need is raw talent and your instrument!
Levity Bar and Bistro
1027 Shiloh Crossing Blvd Suite 8, Billings, MT 59102
Wednesday, September 30th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
(406) 651-5985
Facebook event page

ON FRIDAY NIGHT 6-8PM AT RED TRACTOR PIZZA IN BOZEMAN

Friday Live jazz at Red Tractor Pizza! New performance time since a day is getting shorter. The live music on the patio is 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Friday, October 2nd from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. guitarist Alex Robilotta and bassist Eddie Tsuru will be making exciting and excellent sounds on the patio! Please come down and enjoy your Friday night with good live music and of course delicious pizza and beer/wine!
* The live performance is weather permitting.
Red Tractor pizza
1007 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 359-1999
Friday, October 2nd 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Facebook event page

ON SATURDAY NIGHT AT CRAFT LOCAL IN BILLINGS

On this Saturday, October 3rd from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. John Roberts with Blanquito will be making fabulous sounds at Craft Local! They are playing a mix of latin jazz, soul and blues tunes. Matt Devitt on Drums, Tony Roberts on Bass and Tres, Scott Jeppesen on flute and sax and John Roberts on vocals, tbone and keys. Please come down and enjoy local art, local brews, and of course wonderful live music by local musicians at Craft Local!
Craft Local
2413 Montana Ave., Billings, MT 59101
(406) 702-1458
Saturday, October 3rd 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Facebook event page

FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

Bob and I were listening to “Astrud Gilberto’s Finest Hour” as he cooks a dinner. Her voice is so soothing! So here is “Tristeza” by Astrud Gilberto on YouTube. Then we moved to Herbie Hancock’s album “The Prisoner” released in 1969. We keep the CD in our car for our road trip. Here are couple of tunes from the album which I think pretty timely : “I Have a Dream” and “The Prisoner”. (Piano: Herbie Hancock, Flugelhorn: Johnny Coles, Trombone: Garnett Brown, Bass Trombone : Tony Studd, Flute: Hubert Laws, Tenor Saxophone: Joe Henderson, Bass : Buster Williams, Drums : Albert “Tootie” Heath)

FROM BOB BOWMAN

I really enjoy Astrud Gilberto. No rough edges and nothing forced. I did audition for Stan Getz, who’s responsible for Astrud’s introduction to the USA. He said I sounded “Lovely”. I was living in Kansas at the time so I was staying with Billy Ward, who is one of best drummers I’ve ever played with and also helped me get the gig with the Thad Jones – Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, in NYC. I didn’t hear from Stan Getz for over a week so I headed back to Kansas and apparently Stan called Billy’s apt and asked to speak to me and Billy said that I went back to KS. Stan responded “Kansas?! I need him to start rehearsing today!?” and hung up. Never told me I had the gig. Same thing happened with Carmen McRae in LA. When her pianist called me two weeks after auditioning to see when we could rehearse I asked “For what?”,  but I was living in LA at the time so it worked out. Glamorous life ain’t it? Herbie Hancock’s “The Prisoner” (pretty timely as Yae noted) is a bit obscure. It’s a favorite of mine because Joe Henderson is off the charts and I love the hook up with bassist, Buster Williams (same bday as mine) and drummer, Tootie Heath. I’d met all  the Heath brothers, Percy, Tootie and played with Jimmy. All of them were very kind folk. Apparently Tootie is still among the living at 85 yrs young. More jazz folklore to come.


BigSkyJazz.net and news letter Jazz this week are non-profit. I am doing this to be a little help for jazz community around Bozeman while I work as a website/graphic designer.
If you feel like helping me with a little reward please donate from “Buy me a glass of wine page“. It is much appreciated!!!