Week of May 23

I’ve received lovely inputs from readers of Big Sky Jazz newsletter! Jay shared an interesting article about a famous jazz club Birdland which was named after Charlie Parker’s nickname of course. And to Montana jazz musicians, DJ Montana Michael at KBMF 102.5 (Butte American Radio) is looking for more Montana jazz to play! Please scroll down for the details!
* 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.

TUESDAY NIGHT AT VALHALLA MEADERY IN BOZEMAN

Tuesday evening Django Jazz jam! Please join us at Valhalla Meadery for delicious mead (and food!) on Tuesday evenings. No cover. No cover. Musicians are welcome to join in. Most of their jam tunes can be found in the Django Fakebook. You can find a link to the book on Facebook event page.
Valhalla Meadery
875 Bridger Drive Unit B Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 577-2383
Tuesday, May 24th 6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Facebook event page

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! The Happy Hour is 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Levity Bar and Bistro
1027 Shiloh Crossing Blvd Suite 8, Billings, MT 59102
(406) 651-5985
Wednesday, May 25th 7:00 p.m. –
Levity Facebook page

THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE MURRAY HOTEL IN LIVINGSTON

This Thursday, May 26th at the Murray Hotel in Livingston, great jazz pianist and composer Bob Nell will be playing solo piano from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.! He is not only well known and respected musician in Montana but has played all over the country. Please come down to enjoy the beautiful sounds he creates in the Murray Hotel’s cozy lobby! No music charge.
The Murray Hotel
201 W Park St Livingston, MT 59047
(406) 222-1350
Thursday, May 26th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
https://murrayhotel.com/

THURSDAY NIGHT AT CRAFT LOCAL IN BILLINGS

FRIDAY NIGHT AT RED TRACTOR PIZZA IN BOZEMAN

Friday Live jazz at Red Tractor Pizza! Alex Robilotta on guitar, Bob Bowman on bass, and Adam Greenberg on drums will be making fantastic sounds! They will play some standards and originals. If the weather is nice enough, they will be playing outside. Please come down and enjoy your Friday night with live music and of course delicious pizza and beer/wine!
Red Tractor pizza
1007 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 359-1999
Friday, May 27th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page

FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE OLD POST IN MISSOULA

Please come and join Loren Stillman Quartet at The Old Post in Missoula! This Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  Loren Stillman on saxophone, David Horgan on guitar, Pete Hand on bass, and Ed Stalling on drums will be making fantastic sounds! If you are around Missoula this Friday, don’t miss the live music by the band with American Bistro pub food at one of Missoula’s most beloved pubs.
The Old Post
103 W Spruce St. Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 540-4433
Friday, May 27th 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Facebook event page

FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE INDEPENDENT IN BIG SKY

The Craig Hall Trio: Craig Hall on guitar, Michael Steele on bass, and Alex Platt on drums, will be playing at The Independent on Friday, May 20th in Big Sky. Formerly “Big Sky Theater,” The Independent is a family-centered, multifaceted community center. The performing time is 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Please join this wonderful trio and enjoy their beautiful sounds! No music Charge.
The Independent
50 Ousel Falls Road Big Sky, MT 59716
(406) 995-7827
Friday, May 27th 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE EAGLES IN BOZEMAN THE BRIDGER MOUNTAIN BIG BAND

Sunday night big band fun is back! Please join Bridger Mountain Big Band at Bozeman Eagles Club!
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.  To see more information and actual performance schedule, please check https://www.facebook.com/TheBridgerMountainBigBand/.
Bozeman Eagles Club & Ballroom
316 E Main St Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 587-9996
Sunday, May 29th 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

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FROM FRIENDS OF BIG SKY JAZZ

FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

Our friend and one of the biggest jazz fans in Bozeman Greg recommended npr show Fresh Air which features jazz pianist and composer Jessica Williams. Actually, he shared the link with me about a month ago. Sorry Greg, it took me too long! Jessica Williams passed on March 10th. Here is a message from Greg. “My jazz pick for this week is a Fresh Air episode which features the late Jessica Williams, and which aired this past Friday, April 15. The episode is all about jazz piano, and includes a lot of solo piano playing in-studio. It’s a real clinic, and has caused me to rethink jazz piano in significant ways. It has also returned me to the music, and the things about music, that I was most enthusiastic about all those decades ago when I first started digging jazz. I had the privilege of hearing Jessica blow several times during those years. Jazz has lost yet another giant.”
Here is “Remembering jazz pianist and composer Jessica Williams” on npr

FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE

Black Music Sunday: Let’s pay a visit to Birdland, the club named for Charles ‘Yardbird’ Parker
An interesting article about a famous jazz club Birdland which, of course, was named after Charlie Parker’s nickname. Jay sent me the article so I can share with Big Sky Jazz readers! “The comments are interesting and loaded with more recorded performances at Birdland.” Thank you for sharing, Jay!!!
Here is a link to the article on Daly Kos

KBMF 102.5 DJ MONTANA MICHAEL IS LOOKING FOR MONTANA JAZZ TO PLAY!

DJ Montana Jazz who is actually a reader of my jazz newsletter wrote me that he is looking for Montana jazz to play on his show: A Taste of Jazz (Sunday 12PM – 2PM on KBMF 102.5). Please check the schedule on https://www.butteamericaradio.org/ . You can send CDs to the station or send files/website to michaeldrums@outlook.com !
KBMF 102.5FM
156 W Granite
Butte, MT 59701

UPCOMING JAZZ & MORE

MARACUJÁ IN BILLINGS & BOZEMAN

BRAZILIAN AND LATIN AMERICAN MUSIC FOR THE SOUL
Vocalist/multi instrumentalist Caitlin Belem and guitarist Terrence Rosnagle take you on a trip through Latin America, playing music from Brazil to Cuba and everywhere in between – samba, bossa nova, cumbia, son, and more.
Maracujá website: http://www.maracujaband.com/
Thursday, June 2nd at Montana Gallery in Billings
2710 2nd Ave N, Billings, MT 59102. 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. $25 (senior & student $20)
Tickets are available @ montanagallery.net
Saturday, June 4th at the Cikan House in Bozeman
7:00 p.m. – Admission: $20 (student $10)
For more details, please contact music.maracuja@gmail.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 10TH AT THE CIKAN HOUSE

From Alex Platt!
“I’m excited to announce another special concert featuring the one-and-only Michelle Cobb! We’ve put together a nice trio to back her, too! Bob Bowman and myself will be there, of course … and joining us in the lineup will be the inimitable Erik Olson on piano!
Michelle doesn’t make it to town all that often (and neither does Erik, for that matter), and I’m personally very eager to hear this unique combination of sounds! As is the nature of jazz, you never know if this particular combination will happen again. And, as Yae says, “Live music only happens once!”
Seating is very limited, so reservations are highly recommended.“
The Cikan House in Bozeman
Friday, June 10th 7:00 p.m. –
Admission: $25
Reservations: plattalex@gmail.com