I took a week off from the newsletter last week as my New Year’s holiday. Hope you had a lovely New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Well, lots of craziness are still going on but when I step outside in the crispy winter air, walk in the woods, look up the big sky in sagebrush field now covered with snow, the majestic beauty soothes my thoughts and enrich my spirit.
As I mentioned in my last newsletters, I printed a small amount of my first photo book. My first baby steps. It’s called “雪景 – Sekkei. 空景 – Kukei.” If you are interested, please scroll down.

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, January 13th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page

ON FRIDAY NIGHT – NEW STREAMING CONCERT SERIES BY ALEX NAUMAN

Billings guitarist and our friend Alex Nauman will start a new live streaming series on Friday, Jan 15th! He is going to play with also our friend Erik Olson to start the series! Here is a message from Alex :
“Extremely excited to announce the start of a new live-streaming concert series I’m hosting on my YouTube channel! “The Hang!” will be streaming every other Friday over on my YouTube channel at 8pm. I’ve invited some of my very best friends and musical inspirations to come and play. It’s been a long, dark time for a lot of musicians so hopefully this will be a way for us to push through the winter with some positive energy! The shows will be relying on your donations and virtual tips to continue. Links will be posted here and during the streams. If you’d like to become a sponsor of the entire series, contact me for more info! Gigs are still few and far between for most of us, so I’m really looking forward to getting back to sharing some joy and connection with you all! Much love everyone!”
Alex Nauman’s YouTube Channel
Friday, January 15th 8:00 p.m. – w/ Erik Olson
Please donate or tip to the musicians!

FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

Our friend and one of the biggest jazz fans in Bozeman Greg recommended a singer Belen Perez Muniz who is “renowned for her commitment to popular music such as bossa nova & jazz and is considered as a distinguished artist performing these genres in the local scene”. (from her bio on spotify) She has performed mainly in Brazil, Argentine, and Spain. Here is Belen Perez Muniz‘s performance on YouTube!

The other night, Bob and I watched “Maiden Voyage” performed by Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams, and Bobby Hutcherson at Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival in 1987 and we really like their sound! Here is the link to the video “Maiden Voyage” on YouTube.

And another link to a video, Bob’s great fried and wonderful trumpeter Clay Jenkins plays tune called “Grizzly” composed by great bassist John Clayton. Featuring Clay Jenkins on trumpet, John Clayton on bass, Larry Koonse on guitar, Gene Bertoncini on guitar, and Joe La Barbera on drums.

PHOTO BOOK “SEKKEI. KUKEI”

My photo book “雪景 – Sekkei. 空景 – Kukei.” for sale!
To friends who bought my 2021 calendar, thank you so much for your support! I printed a small amount of my first photo book which are my first baby steps.
About the title. Japanese “Sekkei” means snowscape. “Sekkei” is combination of these words: Yuki (snow) and Kei (scenery, landscape view, scene.) ”Kukei”, I made up this word to go with “Sekkei”. I used a combination of the words: Ku (sky, space) and Kei to title my photos of sky.

So here are my humble works, “Sekkei. Kukei”. (11.5 x 8.5 inch, 22 pages)
$28 include shipping (U.S. only)
Please order via PayPal or Venmo. Don’t forget to add your shipping address.
PayPal : https://py.pl/16uBzE
Venmo : @Yae-Inoue
If you prefer sending a check or cash, please contact me a via Contact page.


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!!!