Ann Tappan won the 2024 Jazz Hero award by The Jazz Journalists Association with other heroes from different parts of the U.S.! The Jazz Hero award is sent to jazz advocates who have had significant impact in their local communities. Congratulations, Ann!! Ann and MJ Williams who is also a recipient of 2021 Jazz Hero will have a house concert at The Cikan House this Saturday! Please join the great duo and enjoy their beautiful sounds!
* 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 EVENING AT CARABINER LOUNGE AT THE SUMMIT HOTEL IN BIG SKY
Carabiner Lounge at the Summit Hotel has live music on Tuesdays for the season, 3-5PM. Alex Robilotta on guitar, Eddie T on bass, and Chris Naro on drums! Probably this is not a place to just stop by, but if you know anyone staying or living close by the hotel, please tell them to come and enjoy the music with the spectacular view of Lone Peak.
Carabiner Lounge
60 Big Sky Resort Rd (Summit Hotel), Big Sky, MT
(406) 995-8078
Tuesday, April 23rd 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
TUESDAY NIGHT AT VALHALLA MEADERY IN BOZEMAN
The Valhalla Meadery Django Jazz Jam on Tuesday, April 23rd is ON! Newcomers, listeners and dancers welcome. The jam lasts from 6:15-8:30 pm.
Valhalla Meadery
875 Bridger Drive Unit B Bozeman, MT
(406) 577-2383
Tuesday, April 23rd 6:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Facebook event page
TUESDAY NIGHT AT DRAUGHT WORKS BREWERY IN MISSOULA
Get ready to unwind and enjoy the soulful sounds of jazz EVERY Tuesday night during Tuesday Jazz Series by Draught Works Brewery!
This week, Johan Quartet: Johan Eriksson on saxophone, Tommy Sciple on bass, Owen Ross on guitar, and Sam Purvis on drums will be playing. Please Join the band for a night of beautiful music, craft beer, and the brewery’s warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Draught Works Brewery
915 Toole Ave, Missoula, MT
(406) 541-1592
Tuesday, April 23rd 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY EVENING AT CARVERSS BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE IN BILLINGS
From Elana Hayden!
The Elana Hayden Trio returns to the fabulous Carverss Brazilian Steakhouse! Join them for LIVE MUSIC and enjoy familiar songs that span the decades while dining on authentic Brazilian cuisine! Featuring Elana Hayden on vocals, Jeff Troxel on guitar, Mike Leslie on bass.
Carverss Brazilian Steakhouse
1390 S 24th St W, Billings, MT
(406) 200-7910
Wednesday, April 24th 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 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, featured musician Jack Klein and the house band – Joe Sullivan, Lloyd Marsh, and Robin Martinez will be hosting the jam session! 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, April 24th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Levity Facebook page
JAZZOULA 2024 WED – SAT AT ZACC IN MISSOULA
It’s Jazzoula 2024! Celebrating 20+ years of Jazz in the Missoula community – presenting nearly 20 jazz combos, big bands, vocalists, and multi-instrumentalists over four days, April 24, 25, 26, and 27.
Doors at 5:30 // Show at 6:30 PM // $20 // $17 Students & Seniors (50+)
Tickets are available at https://showroom.zootownarts.org/
Wednesday, April 24 Line-up:
Andrea Harsell, Owen Ross, Kyle Curtis Trio, C.Florence/D.Horgan/B.Lo Trio
Thursday, April 25 Line-up:
Bill Kautz’s Golden Mean, Night Blooming Jasmine, Connor Racicot, Absent Wilson Conspiracy, 8 Ball (Boyd B)
Friday, April 26 Line-up:
Naomi Moon Siegel MSO Quintet, Verne Stimpling Project, Bob Packwood, Basement Boyz, Jolene Green & the Sunshine Deity
Saturday, April 27 Line-up:
All City Jazz, Patti Nolan & the Undeniables, Ali Fradkin, Canta Brasil, Dylan Bautiste Trio
Zootown Arts Community Center
216 W. Main St. Missoula, MT
(406) 549-7555
Wed, April 24th to Sat, 27th
Facebook event page
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, April 25th 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
THU, FRI, SAT JOHN ROBERTS Y PAN BLANCO
John Roberts y Pan Blanco will perform in Polson, Libby, and Helena this week!
- Thursday, April 25th 7:00 p.m. at Polson High School (1712 2nd St W, Polson, MT).
Mission Valley Live concert. Tickets: $15 available at https://missionvalleylive.com/ - Friday, April 26th 7:00 p.m.- at Libby Memorial Events Center (111 E Lincoln Blvd, Libby, MT)
Kootenai Heritage Council. Tickets: $20 at the door. $15 presale tickets available at https://libbymemorialcenter.org/ - Saturday, April 27th 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at Lewis & Clark Tap Room (1535 Dodge Ave. Helena, MT) $5 Cover. https://www.lctaproom.com/
THURSDAY NIGHT AT CRAFT LOCAL IN BILLINGS
Jazz Jam at Craft Local Every Thursday 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. hosted by Raphael Lopez and Sam Woodis! House Band: Mark McGibbony on drums, Raphael Lopez on bass, Sam Woodis on keyboard, and featured musician. (The house band will play a short set and after that, the open jam will begin!!!)
Bring an instrument! Sign up to play a tune! Buy a drink! Tip the band & bar! Make some friends!
Craft Local
2501 Montana Ave. Billings, MT
(406) 702-1458
Thursday, April 25th 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
FRIDAY NIGHT AT RED TRACTOR PIZZA IN BOZEMAN
Friday Jazz at Red Tractor Pizza! This week Bob Nell on piano, Mike Carey on bass, and Austin Belluscio on drums will be making fantastic 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, April 26th 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Facebook event page
FRIDAY NIGHT AT KIRK’S GROCERY IN BILLINGS
From Alex Nauman!
It’s the glorious return of PATTERN ADDICTS at Kirks’ Grocery! A project where we open up the composition notebook and play nothing but 100% fresh, new, never-before-performed music! I guarantee this will be an exciting way to spend an evening. This time around we’ve got an incredible band featuring Parker Brown on bass and (new-to-town!) Sam Mckenzie on the drums, along with poetry collaborations with the legendary Dave Caserio!!! Kirks is a fun listening environment, but has a very small seating capacity so reservations are HIGHLY recommended (venmo/cashap/paypal ahead of time to confirm your seats!).
$10 advance (before 5pm day of), $12 at door.
Reservations:
Venmo/Cash App: @kirksgrocery
PayPal: Kirksgrocery@gmail.com
Or pay in-store.
Kirk’s Grocery
2920 Minnesota Ave, Billings, MT
(503) 209-2394
Friday, April 26th 7:15 pm. –
SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE CIKAN HOUSE IN BOZEMAN
Join Ann Tappan and MJ Williams at the Cikan’s for a journey through the landscape of new and revitalized songs from wide ranging sources. These two players have put in a lot of time exploring what can happen in the well attuned duo.
The Cikan House
Bozeman, MT
Saturday, April 27th 7:00 p.m.-
Suggested donation: $20
Reservations: (406) 539 – 1986
About the artists:
MJ Williams has been playing and studying music since she was six years old. She was presented with the Montana Governor’s Arts Award in 2016 and was named a Jazz Hero by the National Jazz Journalist’s Association in 2021. While most of her music life has evolved in Montana she has performed on stages from Paris to New York to Seattle. She is a singer and trombonist and is currently learning to play the ukulele. She feels a profound gratitude for living a life in music which she believes is the language that has the power to unite us all.
Ann Tappan is a busy performer, educator, and composer from the New York City area. She has performed frequently in the Northwest and Europe and has made eight recordings with Montana artists since moving to Montana. Many of her private studio students have entered conservatories and became successful professional musicians. She is excited to play a duet with her longtime collaborator, MJ Williams.
SATURDAY NIGHT AT TUNE UP BAR IN BOZEMAN
From Elana Hayden!
New York vocalist, Elana Hayden returns to the Tune Up Bar in Bozeman! She’ll be joined by Mike Leslie on bass, Chris Naro on drums, Sam White on saxophone, and Jeff Troxel on guitar. Enjoy familiar songs from Hoagy Carmichael to Patsy Cline, Ben E. King to Carole King, Etta James to Norah Jones, and John Prine to Elvis Presley. No cover.
Tune Up Bar (Kimpton Armory Hotel)
24 W Mendenhall St, Bozeman, MT
(406) 551-7702
Saturday, April 27th 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE EAGLES IN BOZEMAN
Sunday night big band fun! Please join The WD40’s Big Band at Bozeman Eagles Club!
The WD40’s perform at The Eagles every other Sunday. No cover. Dancers are welcome!
Bozeman Eagles Club & Ballroom
316 E Main St Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 587-9996
Sunday, April 28th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
UPCOMING JAZZ & MORE
MAY 1ST – 4TH THE AIRMEN OF NOTE TOUR IN MONTANA
The United States Air Force band, The Airmen of Note will be touring in Montana. They will perform “an eclectic program ranging from big band hits of the 1940’s to brand new compositions written for this tour.” All concerts are free with general admission. For more information, please visit https://www.music.af.mil/USAFBand/Events/National-Tours/Airmen-of-Note/
- Wednesday, May 1st 7:00 p.m. at Sentinel High School (901 South Ave. W., Missoula)
- Thursday, May 2nd 7:00 p.m. at Butte Civic Center (1340 Harrison Ave Butte)
- Friday, May 3rd 7:30 p.m. at The Willson Auditorium (404 W Main St. Bozeman)
- Saturday, May 4th 7:30 p.m. Billings West High School (2201 St Johns Ave Billings)
FRI, MAY 3RD AT TUNE UP BAR IN BOZEMAN
From Alex Platt!
I’m delighted to introduce a brand new group under the working title “FazzJunque”, a funky jazz quartet consisting of myself, Isaac Winemiller on bass, Michael Testagrossa on guitar, and the awesome Ben Klein on flute! Ben is back on the scene after a hiatus, and if you haven’t heard him play, get ready! We’ll be getting into the funkier side of jazz at Tune Up, one of Bozeman’s finest listening rooms. The show starts at 9 PM and goes till we’re done! No cover charge, all ages! (Minors must be accompanied by an adult.)
Tune Up Bar (Kimpton Armory Hotel)
24 W Mendenhall St, Bozeman, MT
(406) 551-7702
Friday, May 3rd 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
WED, MAY 15TH AT LAST BEST COMEDY IN BOZEMAN
It’s a hit! So we’re gonna keep doing “Bits and Beats” at Last Best Comedy! For those of you who haven’t heard of this, we’re bringing it back to NYC in the 1950’s and 60’s, when modern-day stand-up comedy was born at the same time as modern jazz … under the same roof, on the same night! This is a super-fun event, with jazz musicians trading sets with comedians, and we’ve pretty much sold out every show we’ve done. Our band lineup this time around is pretty spectacular … Jake Fleming on sax, Rob Kohler on bass, myself on drums, and the wonderful Cheyenne John-Henderson on keys!
Comedians for the evening include Kyle Kulseth, Jackie Rapetti, Zach Jarvis … and of course our host, the jazziest comedian in Montana, Nick Banish (did you know he can play the drums too? We might make him sit in with the band!). Last Best Comedy, 321 E. Main (alley entrance), ages 18+, doors at 7 PM, and get your tickets now. This is a popular event, and we anticipate selling most of our tickets before the show! Buy tickets here ($20): https://www.lastbestcomedy.com/events/fast-loose-wednesdays-bits-beats
Last Best Comedy
Alley Entrance, 321 E Main St, Bozeman, MT
(406) 219-3933
Wednesday, May 15th 8:00 p.m. (Doors 7:00 p.m.)
FRI, MAY 17TH NIGHT AT THE CIKAN HOUSE IN BOZEMAN
Please save the date for a house concert by Naomi Moon Siegel’s Seattle Sextet, May 17th 7PM at Cikan House in Bozeman!
Naomi Moon Siegel – trombone / Marina Albero – piano / Ray Larsen – trumpet / Andy Coe – guitar / Tommy Sciple – bass / Christopher Icasiano – drums
Touring in support of their forthcoming album, “Shatter The Glass Sanctuary,” produced by Allison Miller and slated for release on Slow & Steady Records in October 2024.
The Cikan House
Bozeman, MT
Friday, May 12th 7:00 p.m.-
Suggested donation: $30. * Folks will not be turned away due to lack of funds
Reservations strongly recommended. And please BYOB!
Reservations via management@naomimoonsiegel.com
Facebook event page
SAT, JUN 15TH NIGHT AT THE CIKAN HOUSE IN BOZEMAN
Direct from New York, vocalist Elana Hayden returns to the beautiful Cikan home for a private house concert in Bozeman, MT. This is Elana‘s second show at Cikan House, so don’t miss this very special, intimate house concert where she’ll be joined by some of Montana’s most renowned musicians, including Mike Leslie (bass), Erik Olson (piano), Zach Paris (drums) & Sam White (sax). Enjoy music that spans the decades, from Hoagy Carmichael to Patsy Cline, Ben E. King to Carole King, Etta James to Norah Jones, and John Prine to Elvis Presley.
To reserve your seats, email Elana at elanahayden@gmail.com or text her at 516-474-4332 with your full name and how many tickets you’d like to reserve.
The Cikan House
Bozeman, MT
Saturay, June 15th 7:30 p.m.-
Suggested donation: $30. Payment is CASH ONLY at the door OR via Venmo (@elanahayden) or Paypal (elanahayden@gmail.com)
Facebook event 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!!!