To Bozeman jazz fans. Devil’s Toboggan will not have live Jazz on Tuesdays till things settle down. We respect the decision and we all agree, include musicians, that this is the right move. I appreciate Devil’s Toboggan for having had live jazz in such a difficult time. Of course the venue is still open with social distancing and face masks. Live Jazz will be back at DT, Red Tractor Pizza, and other venues! Stay safe!!
* 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 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, December 9th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
(406) 651-5985
Facebook event page
FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE
Billings guitarist Alex Nauman with Matt Smiley on bass, and Dru Heller on drums released an album “Apocalypse Scorpion” on December 4th. The name of the bad is Endgame Trio. You can purchase by downloading the album and they even have limited edition vinyl on Bandcamp! Here is the link to “Apocalypse Scorpion”. Purchasing music on Bandcamp is a good way to support musicians because the money go to musicians quickly and you can pay more than listed price if you would like to show your support.
We recently put on Bob’s Christmas Live album which was recorded in 1999 in Kansas City on Bandcamp as well. It’s called “Live at Unity Temple on the Plaza Millennium Christmas Concert 1999” by KC’s legendary jazz band INTERSTRING. Bob Bowman on bass, Danny Embrey on guitar, Rod Fleeman on guitar, and Todd Strait on drums. You will enjoy some traditional Christmas songs like “What Child Is This?”, “Oh Christmas Tree”, and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” among joyous “Christmas Time Is Here”, “Linus and Lucy”, and “Skating” from Peanuts”. There are some Christmas tunes by Rod because he is a “Christmas nut”! Here is the link to the Christmas Live album by INTERSTRING.
If you are looking for really really good piano trio, Bob’s long time friend and one of the busiest drummer in KCMO Todd Strait released an album called “Savor” with great pianist Randy Porter and bassist John Wiitala. Most of the tunes are by Randy Porter and they are all beautiful! You can purchase the album also his previous album “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” by Todd Strait on drums, Bill Mays on piano, Danny Embrey on guitar, and Bob Bowman on bass on, again, Bandcamp! Here is Todd’s Badncamp page where you can find these albums.
FROM BOB BOWMAN
“Live at Unity Temple on the Plaza Millennium Christmas Concert 1999” came about in this manner. I scheduled the concert of Christmas music with these three awesome musicians when my mother was still alive. She loved beautiful music and was a violinist, but she was picky. No pulling the wool over her eyes or ears. No showing off. Get to point, which in this case is music. She particularly loved “tasteful” Christmas music during the season. However she was hospitalized a few days prior to this concert and I knew how much she wanted to be in attendance. So I asked a recording engineer and friend if he would record it. He wouldn’t take any money since it was for my mother and she drew deep respect from everyone that knew her. However in her usual resilience and perseverance she made it to this concert. I nor my sisters were surprised. Don’t know if she snuck out of the hospital. Both my parents (dad played euphonium) were supportive yet not pushy of all my musical endeavors. More so than any other musician friends I’ve had. They weren’t professional musicians. So this recording was rereleased and remastered in 2010 and dedicated to the beautiful memories of Carl and Jean Bowman. A note about the musicians, Todd, Rod and Danny. Not only are they virtuosos, but so empathetic. I’ve never played in quartet that sounded so much like one instrument. There are really no arrangements to the songs. Just listening, eye contact and humility. Happy Holidays!
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!!!