We had a long power outage yesterday so we kept our fireplace going good all day. So I worked on this week’s newsletter in the bed last night and this morning with many cups of coffee!
As I’ve mentioned, I made 2023 calendar with photos I took in/around Montana. Please check 2023 calendar page if you are interested. Your contribution will support Big Sky Jazz!!
* 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, December 12th 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
TUESDAY EVENING AT CARABINER LOUNGE AT THE SUMMIT HOTEL
If you are around Big Sky this Tuesday, please come down to Carabiner Lounge at the Summit Hotel to catch this wonderful duo: Alex Robilotta on guitar and Eddie Tsuru on bass! It seems this will be another weekly live jazz! Enjoy live jazz by Eddie and Alex with spectacular view of Lone Peak and cuisine the venue offers. Music 4 -6PM.
Carabiner
60 Big Sky Resort Rd (Summit Hotel), Big Sky, MT
(406) 995-8078
Tuesday, December 13th 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
TUESDAY NIGHT AT VALHALLA MEADERY IN BOZEMAN
The December 13th Valhalla Meadery jam is ON. They 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, December 13th 6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Facebook event page
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT CRAFT LOCAL IN BILLINGS
Join Elana Hayden and friends on Wednesday, Dec. 14th (6-8pm) at Craft Local for a night of music that spans the decades from. From Ben E. King to Carole King, Etta James to Norah Jones, and John Prine to Elvis Presley. Elena Hayden on vocals, Mike Leslie on bass, and Alex Nauman on guitar.
Craft Local
2501 Montana Ave. Billings, MT 59101
(406) 702-1458
Wednesday, December 14th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT TUNE UP BAR IN BOZEMAN
Tune Up Bar (Kimpton Armory Hotel)
24 W Mendenhall St, Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 551-7702
Wednesday, December 14th 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE MURRAY HOTEL IN LIVINGSTON
This Thursday, December 15th at the Murray Hotel in Livingston, pianist Matt Ridgeway, bassist Tony Roberts, and percussionist Chris Naro will be playing Cuban and Brazilian jazz from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.! Please come down to enjoy the beautiful sounds the trio make in the Murray Hotel’s cozy lobby! No music charge.
The Murray Hotel
201 W Park St Livingston, MT 59047
(406) 222-1350
Thursday, December 15th 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, December 15th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Craft Local FB page
THURSDAY NIGHT AT KITTY WARREN IN BOZEMAN
Live jazz at a speakeasy bar hidden on the Main Street of Bozeman. “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.” Guitarist Alex Robilotta, bassist Isaac Winemiller, and drummer Josh Poole are playing at the bar 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, December 15th 9:00 p.m – 11:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
FRIDAY NIGHT AT SPEAKEASY FORTY ONE IN HELENA
Please come and join The Yardbird Trio at Speakeasy Forty One Brewing Co. this Friday! Matt Austin on saxophone, Rob Kohler on guitar, and Nicole Austin on bass will be playing 5 – 8PM! Enjoy their fantastic sounds with delicious beer at a neighborhood brewery!
Speakeasy Forty One
685 Barney St Suite A, Helena, MT 59602
(406) 422-1841
Friday, December 16th 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Speak easy Forty One Facebook page
FRIDAY NIGHT AT RED TRACTOR PIZZA IN BOZEMAN
Winter time 6-8PM. No cover.
* Friday night at RTP is 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, December 16th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
FRIDAY NIGHT AT BENNY’S BISTRO IN HELENA
This Friday, December 16th, Wilbur Rehmann on saxophone and Fred Cobb on keys will be playing at Benny’s Bistro, 6:00-8:00pm for your listening and dining pleasure. Always great food and fine wines along with jazz. Ballads, Be-bop, and Bossas by these two talented players …” grab your coat and get your hat, leave your troubles on the doorstep”.
Benny’s Bistro
108 E 6th Ave Helena, MT 59601
Friday, December 16th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
https://bennyshelena.com/
FRIDAY NIGHT AT BLEND – A BOZEMAN WINERY
Downbeat Vintage Swing Society is hosting an “Holiday Swing Out” at Blend – A Bozeman Winery this Friday and Gypsy Jazz band Montana Manouche will be playing!! Join them for a night of live music and dancing at Blend – A Bozeman Winery! Montana Manouche will be performing and Blend will be pouring wine – so come dressed to impress in your holiday best and celebrate the holidays with some vintage swing dancing! Tickets are $20 per person/$18 for members, and each ticket includes a glass of wine and bites. Tickets available at eventbrite
Blend – A Bozeman Winery
31 S Willson, Bozeman, MT
(406) 414-9693
Friday, December 15th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Downbeat Vintage Swing Society Facebook page
AMP CAMP FUND RAISER SHOW AT CRAFT LOCAL IN BILLINGS
Please consider making a year end tax-deductible donation to the camp. Amp Camp is a growing community driven non-profit music education program that needs your support! Scan the QR code on the poster to make a donation today and come out to the fundraising concert Dec 16th at Craft Local in Billings featuring camp faculty, past students, and a lineup of very special guests! All proceeds go directly to scholarships and operational camp costs. Much gratitude!
Craft Local
2501 Montana Ave. Billings, MT 59101
(406) 702-1458
Friday, December 16th 7:00 p.m. –
Tickets: $20
Amp Camp Facebook page
SUNDAY EVENING AT RED TRACTOR PIZZA IN BOZEMAN
From Alex Platt! “Let’s all be on our best behavior, otherwise Krampus will personally stuff you in a sack and beat you with a bundle of sticks … oh who am I kidding, let’s get BAD. David Charles, Eddie Tsuru, Alex Platt. Bring your instrument and get down, or just show up and dig it! Bonus points to anyone who shows up dressed as Krampus!”
Red Tractor Pizza
1007 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 359-1999
Sunday, December 18th 5:00 p.m. –
Facebook event page
SUNDAY NIGHT AT WALKERS GRILL IN BILLINGS
Billings’ only hot swing ensemble, the Rimrock Hot Club, performs music rooted firmly in the French Sinti tradition of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli as well as a myriad of modern influences. The band features Trevor Kreiger on violin, Alex Nauman on guitar, David Banuelos on guitar, Mark Bryan on upright bass and the fabulous Jessica Fiveland on vocals. Bringing a deep, infectious swing beat and fiery improvisations, this band is sure to keep you moving in your seat! As always, no cover. 7pm-10pm
Walkers Grill
2700 1st Ave N, Billings, MT
(406) 245-9291
Sunday, December 18th 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Facebook event 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, December 18th 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE
Our friend and a huge jazz fan Greg sent me this week’s recommendations!
“Se Todos Fossem Iguais a Você” by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Performed by Gal Costa and All Star Tribute to Jobim (Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Harvey Mason, Paulo Jobim, Alex Acuña). Here is a link to YouTube video.
The whole concert is available on YouTube on bassist Ron Carter’s channel. You will find more great musicians like Gonzalo Rubalcaba, John Hendricks, Shirley Horn, and Antonio Carlos Jobim himself! Here is the video of the concert Antonio Carlos Jobim – An All-Star Tribute.
Thank you, Greg!!
UPCOMING JAZZ & MORE
DECEMBER 21ST AT ST. PAUL’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN HELENA
From saxophonist Wilbur Rehmann: “Please save the date of winter solstice, Dec. 21, Wednesday, 7:00pm at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for the Annual Winter Concert Celebration.
Wilbur Rehmann Quartet with special guest MJ Williams on vocals and trombone, Judy Fjell on vocals and guitar, Dan Pocha and Native Dancers, drums and singing, Cohesion Dance Co., Jewish Reflections on the Solstice-Janet Tatz.”
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
512 Logan St Helena, MT 59601
(406) 442-5643
Wednesday, December 21st 7:00 p.m.-
Facebook event page
DECEMBER 28TH & 29TH AT THE CIKAN HOUSE IN BOZEMAN
From guitarist Craig Hall!
Hi guys, announcing the 2022 occurence of the Roughly Annual Bozeman Jazz Cats Some Of Whom Live Elsewhere Home For The Holidays Christmas Concerts at the cozy home of Frank and Jirina Cikan, 7 PM December 28 and 29. Tix $30. Reservations obtainable by emailing craig@craighallmusic.com. (Specify 28th or 29th or ‘you tell us.’) Payment by cash or check at the gig or Venmoing Craig-Hall-13. Email me with any questions (good luck with that) and MAAAAAAAAEEERRRY Christmas Season!!!! wwwWWWEEEEEEEeee!!!
The Cikan House (Bozeman)
December 28th (Wed) / 29th (Thu) 7:00 p.m. –
Tickets: $30
Reservations: craig@craighallmusic.com
NEW YEAR’S EVE AT BLACKBIRD IN BOZEMAN
If you are looking for delicious dinner with fine music on New Year’s Eve, guitarist Alex Robilotta and bassist Isaac Winemiller will be making beautiful sounds from 6:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m.!
From Alex: “I believe you can make reservations 2 weeks in advance. So keep this in mind because I’m sure they will get booked pretty quick.”
Blackbird
140 E Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 586-0010
Monday, December 31st 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Monday, December 19th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. @ Silver Star in Helena
Yardbird Quartet: Matt Austin on saxophone, Nicole Austin on bass, Rob Kohler on guitar, Jeremy Slead on drums - Thursday, December 22nd 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. @ The Murray Hotel in Livingston
Bob Nell solo piano
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!!!