There will be special events on top of always fantastic regular jazz events this week! From Brazilian music to Jazz Nativity by wonderful Montana musicians, our friend and wonderful saxophonist Loren Stillman’s album release concert, Erik Olson Trio’s house concert, Holiday Ball by Big Band, etc!!
* 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 & THURSDAY THE YARDBIRD QUARTET IN HELENA
The Yardbird Quartet are having two performances in Helena this week! On November 27th at Silver Star Steak Co. and Nov 30th at On Broadway! Matt Austin on saxophone, Nicole Austin on bass, Rob Kohler on guitar, and Jeremy Slead on drums. Enjoy live jazz, some of the finest food in the area, and amazing drinks! No cover.
Silver Star Steak Company
833 Great Northern Blvd Helena, MT. (406) 495-0677
Monday, November 27th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
On Broadway
106 E Broadway St, Helena, MT. (406) 443-1929
Thursday, November 30th 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
TUESDAY NIGHT AT VALHALLA MEADERY IN BOZEMAN
The Valhalla Meadery Django Jazz Jam on Tuesday, November 28th is ON! Jammers, please visit www.montanamanouche.com/jam to see a list of the tunes most often played. The jam lasts from 6:15-8:30 pm. If you have questions about the jam, please contact Montana Manouche: info@montanamanouche.com.
Valhalla Meadery
875 Bridger Drive Unit B Bozeman, MT
(406) 577-2383
Tuesday, November 28th 6:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Facebook event page
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT LEVITY IN BILLINGS
Every Wednesday, Levity features Jazz Jam starting at 7:00 p.m. It’s a Jam Session with local jazz musicians. This week singer Elana Hayden will be hosting the jam with Joe Sullivan, Lloyd Marsh, and Robin Martinez! 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
(406) 651-5985
Wednesday, November 29th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT ZACC IN MISSOULA
From drummer Ed Stalling!
Put a smile on your face. Come in out of the cold and let me personally show you why I love the joyous music and rhythms of Brasil. Special guest Dexter Payne (https://dexterpayne.com) will be joining vocalist Magda Chaney, David Horgan guitar, Beth Lo bass, Graeme Pletscher saxophone, Naomi Siegel trombone, and percussionists Pedro Marques and myself.
Come and join Canta Brazil- Missoula’s only band specializing in the music of Brazil – from romantic Bossa Nova to Hot Samba, and beyond!
Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket
Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC)
216 W. Main St. Missoula, MT
(406) 549-7555
Wednesday, November 29th 7:00 p.m.-
ZACC Website
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT TUNE UP BAR IN BOZEMAN
Jazz Night at Tune Up Bar in Kimpton Armory Hotel hosted by Eddie T! This week “p0lite s0ciety” will be making fantastic sounds! The band – Alex Robilotta, Orin Gunderson, Drake Pannell, Eddie T, and Josh Poole will play original compositions and arrangements by Alex Robilotta. Come down to the cozy bar lounge and enjoy their fantastic sounds! 8PM to 10PM. No cover charge.
Tune Up Bar (Kimpton Armory Hotel)
24 W Mendenhall St, Bozeman, MT
(406) 551-7702
Wednesday, November 29th 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
THURSDAY & SUNDAY AT HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH IN BOZEMAN
BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT – A JAZZ NATIVITY is the Christmas story told through the medium of jazz since its premiere in 1985. It is a fusion of holiday joy, spirituality, and jazz history. It has been referred to as a “jazz opera” and the “Peter and the Wolf” of jazz.
Year after year, since the premiere, the greats of the world of jazz … Dave Brubeck, Tito Puente, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Al Grey, Jon Faddis, Phil Woods, Paquito D’Rivera, Candido, the tap-dancing Kings, Honey Coles, Harold Nicholas, Jimmy Slyde, have performed at Avery Fisher Hall, The Lambs Theater, Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Birdland, BBKing’s and even The Stephen Wise Free Synagogue!
And this year, the show will be played in Bozeman featuring these wonderful Montana musicians!!!
Jeni Fleming as Mary
Lilian Doyle as the Spirit of Mary
Anna Milburn as the Archangel
Sharon & Michael Beehler as The Guardian Angels
Jake Fleming and Noah Bromberg Kings – Sam Simonich Quing
Maddisen Sheedy as the Child Shepherd, Reggie Mead and Jesse lagos Shepherds
Cheryl Sheedy, Coco Douma, Clayton Oberquell & Bryan Adams, Big Sky Voices
Ryan Matzinger & members of the MSU One ‘clock Concert Jazz Ensemble
Stefan Stern, piano
Michael Steele, bass
Craig Hall, guitar
Michael Gillan, percussion
Chris Naro, drums
Lori Rosolowsky and Shane Doyle, special guests
Produced and Directed by Beth Ann Kennedy
For more information and tickets, please visit Jazz Nativity website.
Hope Lutheran church
2152 Graf Street, Bozeman, MT
Thursday, November 30th 7:00 p.m. –
Sunday, December 3rd 4:00 p.m. –
Jazz Nativity website
THURSDAY NIGHT AT ZACC IN MISSOULA
Loren Stillman will have an album release concert at ZACC on Thursday, November 30th! Please join the band to celebrate Loren’s new album “Time and Again”.
“Over the past two decades, Stillman has become one of jazz music’s leading alto saxophonists. But he has long felt that he was a tenor saxophonist playing the alto. So, when the pandemic reared its head, Stillman used the time to woodshed the larger horn, trying to extend his sound fluidity through his alto, soprano, and tenor without leaning into the sound cliches of any of the three.”
Loren Stillman on saxophone, Tommy Sciple on bass, John Wicks on drums.
Doors at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 // $12 // $10 for Students & Seniors
Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC)
216 W. Main St. Missoula, MT
(406) 549-7555
Thursday, November 30th 7:00 p.m.-
ZACC Website
THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE OLD POST IN MISSOULA
Missoula’s most beloved pub The Old Post have live jazz on every Thursday by local musicians. This week Chuck Florence on tenor saxophone, David Horgan on guitar, and Beth Lo on bass will be performing. If you are around Missoula this Thursday, drop by The Old Post to enjoy the live music with American Bistro pub food and some drinks!
The Old Post
103 W Spruce St. Missoula, MT
(406) 540-4433
Thursday, November 30th 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
THURSDAY NIGHT AT CRAFT LOCAL IN BILLINGS
Erik Olson & Alex Nauman Present: Jazz Jam Session EVERY Thursday at Craft Local. That’s right, EVERY Thursday! As usual, No cover. All ages welcome. Bring your instrument and sit in! Thank you for supporting local art, local brews and your local live music scene.
Craft Local
2501 Montana Ave. Billings, MT
(406) 702-1458
Thursday, November 30th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Craft Local Facebook page
FRIDAY NIGHT AT RED TRACTOR PIZZA IN BOZEMAN
Friday Jazz at Red Tractor Pizza! This week Alex Robilotta Trio – Alex Robilotta on guitar, Eddie T. on bass, and Chris Naro on drums will be making wonderful sounds! Please come down and enjoy your Friday night with live music and of course delicious pizza and beer/wine!
Red Tractor Pizza
1007 W Main St, Bozeman, MT
(406) 359-1999
Friday, December 1st 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Facebook event page
FRIDAY NIGHT AT CRAFT LOCAL IN BILLINGS
MSU Billings Commercial Ensembles will be performing at Craft Local this Friday! There will be something for everyone!
Jazz Combos led by Alex Nauman and Scott Jeppesen
Blues Bands led by John J. Roberts
Supersax Ensemble led by Scott Jeppesen
Flamenco and Spanish Guitar with Juan Diego Charlet-Pons
Soul and Neo-Soul guitar with Gavin Russell
5$ cover. Free with MSU Billings ID.
Craft Local
2501 Montana Ave. Billings, MT
(406) 702-1458
Friday, December 1st 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT BOZEMAN PUBLIC LIBRARY
The weekly Improvised Music at the Library hosted by guitarist Craig Hall on Saturdays from 2 to 4 PM, upstairs at the Bozeman Public Library. Craig will be joined by a different area player each week. “We’ll play jazz, folk, pop and some electric space music.” ~ Craig. This week Craig will have guitarist Michael Testagrossa! The music will be audible for browsers throughout the library plus some seating will be available upstairs.
Bozeman Public Library
626 E. Main Street. Bozeman, MT
(406) 582-2400
Saturday, December 2nd 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE CIKAN HOUSE IN BOZEMAN
From Erik Olson!
Please join us at the Cikan House on Saturday, December 2nd!
Expect to hear the debut of several original songs written by Erik as well as arrangements of jazz standards. Reservations: Erik Olson at erikjolson99@gmail.com
Erik Olson – Piano
Parker Brown – Bass
Zach Paris – Drums
The Cikan House in Bozeman
Saturday, December 2nd 7:00p.m.-
Suggested donation: $20
Facebook event page
SATURDAY NIGHT AT WILD GINGER IN BILLINGS
If you are around Billings this Saturday night and want to enjoy live music, please come down to Wild Ginger!! Montana Ave. Jazz Exchange: Marie Smith on vocals, Scott Jeppesen on saxophone, Joseph Sullivan on piano, and Erik Gothberg on bass, and Roxanne Jeppesen on drums will be playing jazz standards! Enjoy their music with delicious Asian cuisine and drinks. No music charge.
Wild Ginger
2713 Montana Ave Billings, MT 59101
(406) 252-4486
Saturday, December 2nd 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
SUNDAY NIGHT AT ZACC IN MISSOULA
Get into the holiday spirit with an Ed Norton Big Band Holiday Ball! The Ed Norton Big Band was founded around 1987 after trombonists Tom Wogsland and Scot Ray performed in the pit Orchestra for Missoula Children’s Theatre’s first production of The 1940’s Radio Hour – and didn’t want to stop. Since then the 18 piece band, made up of Missoula musicians from multiple generations, has been a staple of traditional and modern big band music throughout western Montana. Ed Norton Big Band has a long history of entertaining audiences of all ages from birthday parties, fundraisers, Out to Lunch, Second Sunday Jazz, and First Night (now Missoula on Main & Beyond).
Door at 7 PM // Music & Dancing begins at 7:30 PM // $15
Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC)
216 W. Main St. Missoula, MT
(406) 549-7555
Sunday, December 3rd 7:30 p.m.-
Faebook event page
SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE EAGLES IN BOZEMAN
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 Sundays. No cover charge but there will be a tip jar so be generous. * Please call the venue to check the schedule.
Bozeman Eagles Club & Ballroom
316 E Main St Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 587-9996
Sunday, December 3rd 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
UPCOMING JAZZ & MORE
DEC 8TH, 9th, & 10TH AT BABCOCK THEATRE IN BILLINGS
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live!
Live jazz music over a holiday classic! The Art House tradition returns to the Babcock as Parker Brown, Erik Olson, and Zach Paris perform over A Charlie Brown Christmas for a holiday event you and your family will cherish. Tickets $10.
Babcock Theatre
2810 2nd Ave N, Billings, MT
(406) 601-1241
Friday, December 8th 7:00 p.m.-
Saturday, December 9th 2:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 10th 2:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.
Arthousebillings.com
FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE
Big Jazz fan in Bozeman Greg sent his pick! Thank you so much for your input, Greg!!!
~ Sheila Jordan turned 95 years old on Saturday, November 18. Sheila is still working regularly and even touring internationally. Musically speaking, she really hasn’t lost much at all!
… There are many entries for her on YouTube, and I can recommend anything that she has ever done. But I would like to call special attention to Live at Mezzrow, which was apparently recorded only seven months ago (or at least posted on YouTube seven months ago, by saxophonist Cory Weeds FWIW, but the performance is recent), with Harvie S on bass and Alan Broadbent on piano. It’s very tasty stuff, and an opportunity to see and hear what 95 looks like.
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!!!