It seems finally we are having real snow here and there in Montana! A big jazz event is happening in Missoula this week: Jazzoula Fall 2022 at ZACC starts on Thursday and lots of bands will perform for 3 days! Wish I could be there! In Bozeman, live jazz starts at Blackbird with Alex Robilotta, Aaron Banfield, and Isaac Winemiller. If you are in Billings, John Roberts will be playing with the West High School Jazz Ensemble as a guest soloist tomorrow, on Tuesday.
* 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.

MONDAY NIGHT AT BLACKBIRD IN BOZEMAN

Monday night live jazz at Blackbird in Bozeman. Alex Robilotta on guitar, Aaron Banfield on guitar, and Isaac Winemiller on bass. Please come and join the trio and start your week with good vibe! Music 6-9PM. No music charge.
Blackbird
140 E Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 586-0010
Monday, November 7th 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page

TUESDAY NIGHT AT VALHALLA MEADERY IN BOZEMAN

From Django Jazz Jam host Nancy! “The November 8th Valhalla Meadery jam is ON. We meet most Tuesdays from 6:15-8:30 pm. Musicians, listeners and dancers are welcome. Hope to see you there!”
Most of their jam tunes are on the Django Fakebook which 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, November 8th 6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Facebook event page

WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT TUNE UP BAR IN BOZEMAN

Join Eddie T Trio at Tune Up Bar in Kimpton Armory Hotel in Bozeman this Wednesday! Bassist Eddie T is hosting a Live Jazz Series on Wednesdays at the Tune Up Bar. This week’s lineup is: Jake Fleming on saxophone, Alex Robilotta on guitar, Alex Platt on drums, and Eddie T on bass. Come down to the cozy bar lounge and enjoy their sounds. This week the music is 8:30 to 10:30 pm. No cover charge.
Tune Up Bar (Kimpton Armory Hotel)
24 W Mendenhall St, Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 551-7702
Wednesday, November 9th 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Facebook event page

THURSDAY TO SATURDAY AT JAZZOULA FALL 2022 IN MISSOULA

Jazzoula Fall Line Up!
The ZACC & Rockin’ Rudy’s Present JAZZOULA FALL ’22
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday // November 10, 11, 12 // Doors at 5:30 // Show at 6:30 PM // $20 // $17 Students & Seniors (50+)

11/10: Ryan Belski Quartet, Milan House Trio, Jeff Troxel and Friends, SG Modern Jazz Project, U of M Boyd Combo
11/11: Canta Brasil, Naomi Siegel Quartet, Basement Boys, MJ Williams/Ann Tappan/Rob Kohler, Skyler Mendell Sextet
11/12: Night Blooming Jasmine, Conor Racicot Trio, Katie & the Dewdroppers, Airmail Special featuring Chuck Florence and David Horgan, Bob Packwood & Tommy Sciple!

Celebrating 20 years of Jazz in the Missoula community – presenting 20 plus jazz combos, big bands, vocalists, and multi-instrumentalists over three days, November 10, 11, and 12. Providing a complete variety of the only original form of American music: jazz. Jazzoula gives the listener a chance to experience Missoula’s eclectic jazz performers showcasing their individual talents with their groups, and as soloists. With combo jazz, trios, big band, vocalists, student groups, and various musical incarnations. Enjoy short sets and a fantastic variety of awesome jazz music. See you there.
Jazzoula Fall 2022 at Zootown Arts Community Center / ZACC
216 W Main St, Missoula, MT
(406) 549-7555
Tickets on sale at: https://showroom.zootownarts.org/…/series/jazzoula-fall-22
Zassoula Facebook page

THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE MURRAY HOTEL IN LIVINGSTON

This Thursday, November 10th at the Murray Hotel in Livingston, Mike Koziel will be playing solo piano from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.! If you are looking for a lovely relaxing time with live music, please join Mike and enjoy his beautiful sounds!
The Murray Hotel
201 W Park St Livingston, MT 59047
(406) 222-1350
Thursday, November 10th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
https://www.murrayblock.com/

THURSDAY NIGHT AT CRAFT LOCAL IN BILLINGS

Erik Olson & Alex Nauman Present: Jazz Jam Session EVERY Thursday at Craft Local. That’s right, EVERY Thursday! No cover. All ages welcome. Bring your instrument and sit in! Thank you for supporting local art, local brews and your local live music scene.
Craft Local
2501 Montana Ave. Billings, MT 59101
(406) 702-1458
Thursday, November 10th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page

THURSDAY NIGHT AT KITTY WARREN IN BOZEMAN

It is great to see another venue that has live jazz! “Kitty Warren is nestled under Bozeman’s historic Main Street. Our dwellings step back into a time of debauchery and chaos, where Miss Warren and her doxies rule the kingdom.” Well, guitarist Alex Robilotta, bassist Isaac Winemiller, and drummer Josh Poole are playing at Kitty Warren this Thursday 9-11PM. If you haven’t been to the venue, it might be a bit tricky to find it. Visit their website to see how to get there: https://www.kittywarrensocialclub.com/ .
Kitty Warren Social Club
211 E Main Bozeman, MT 59715
(406)577-2616
Thursday, November 10th 9:00 p.m – 11:00 p.m.
Facebook event page

FRIDAY NIGHT AT RED TRACTOR PIZZA IN BOZEMAN

Friday Live jazz at Red Tractor Pizza! Alex Robilotta on guitar, Eddie Tsuru on bass, and Mike Gillan on drums will be making fun and exciting music! Please come down and enjoy your Friday night with live music and of course delicious pizza and beer/wine! Winter time 6-8PM. No cover.
* Friday night at RTP is getting busy. If you are coming with a group, reservations are recommended.
Red Tractor Pizza
1007 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 359-1999
Friday, November 11th 30th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Facebook event page

FRIDAY AT JAZZOULA FALL 2022 IN MISSOULA

Williams/Tappan/Kohler celebrate the release of their 2022 CD release Return (The Turning Point) with performances at Jazzoula Fall 2022 this Friday at 8:30 p.m.!
– We have developed our sound together for over 25 years. Recording new material gives us a chance to focus intently on nuance and building an arc of sonic coloration, in a way, like choreographing a long piece. We strive to be a “chamber trio” with the ability to stretch all boundaries, finding inspiration in diverse sources from Pat Metheny to Bill Evans to Sun Ra. We are always looking for ways to create a unique blend of voices.
JazzScene (Portland) wrote about their first album, “What We Had in Mind” (1995), “This is a very engaging trio and the group’s first CD should silence the skeptics who think that the only good jazz in America is born in urban settings”.
Rick Newby, Drumlummon Institute (Helena MT) writes in 2022:
“The same qualities that distinguished their earlier recordings hold true for Return (The Turning Point), but with a marvelous increase in power, subtlety, and grace. I’ve had the chance to listen to the eleven cuts on the album, and this disc is truly the finest documentation of the trio’s work to date.” – Made possible with support from Montana Arts Council
From pianist Ann Tappan! “If you are in Missoula next weekend come to this fantastic festival. We’ll be there!”
Jazzoula Fall 2022 at Zootown Arts Community Center / ZACC
216 W Main St, Missoula, MT
(406) 549-7555
Tickets on sale at: https://showroom.zootownarts.org/…/series/jazzoula-fall-22
Williams/Tappan/Kohler Facebook page

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

Sunday night big band fun! 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, November 13th 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

UPCOMING JAZZ & MORE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH AT CISEL HALL IN MSU-BILLINGS

On November 17th at 7:00 PM, the MSU Billings Jazz Ensemble will present a concert of Horace Silver, Tower of Power, Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite, and more! This concert will also feature guest guitarist, Alex Nauman.
Admission is $5, and free with MSU Billings ID.
MSU-Billings Cisel Hall
1500 University Dr Billings, MT 59101
Music Department Office (406)657-2350
Thursday, November 17th 7:00 p.m. –
Facebook event page

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH AT THE SHRINE IN BILLINGS

The Last BEST Big Band Bash @ The Shrine will feature performances by The 2nd Ave Stompers, MSUBillings Jazz Band, The Hangar Band and The Magic City Jazz Orchestra. There will be a no host bar.
Tickets are $10 at the door.
Jazzy fun times to be had!
The Shrine
1125 Broadwater Ave, Billings, MT 59102
(406)259-4384
Saturday, November 19th 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Facebook event page

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH AT YELLOWSTONE CELLARS & WINERY IN BILLINGS

Classic jazz standards by some of the best musicians in town!
Marie Smith – vocals, Scott Jeppesen – sax, Joseph Sullivan – piano, Erik Gothberg – bass, Roxanne Jeppesen – drums. No cover. All ages.
Yellowstone Cellars & Winery
1335 Holiday Cir, Billings, MT
(406) 281-8400
Saturday, November 19th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH AT WALKERS GRILL IN BILLINGS

John Roberts began playing the piano at the age of 5 while living on an isolated ranch in Southeastern Montana. There was no TV, but there was a piano. From age 11-18, in Malta, MT, he was in band (trombone) and choir in the Malta, MT schools. After graduating in 1996 from Montana State University-Billings with a BA in Music Performance, John moved to Los Angeles to earn his Master of Fine Arts in Western Orchestral Performance from California Institute of the Arts. Roberts is now on faculty at Montana State University-Billings as a Jazz, music theory, low brass and world music instructor. He is also band leader of Pan Blanco, the region’s premier salsa and African band. John has a knack for inspiring the audience to dance and enjoy life! As always, no cover! 7-10 pm. 
Walkers Grill
2700 1st Ave N, Billings, MT
(406) 245-9291
Sunday, November 20th 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Facebook event page


  • Monday, November 14th 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. @ Blackbird in Bozeman
    Live jazz curated by Alex Robilotta
  • Thursday, November 17th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. @ The Murray Hotel in Livingston
    Ann Tappan solo piano
  • Friday, November 18th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. @ Red Tractor Pizza in Bozeman
    Alex Robilotta on guitar and Bob Bowman on bass
  • Friday, November 25th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. @ Red Tractor Pizza in Bozeman
    Montana Manouche

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!!!