Bob, our beloved dog Budsie, and I are still in Kansas City being pretty busy for Bob’s gigs!
Wonderful news from Garrett Stannard, band director of Park High School in Livingston. For the month of May, Garrett is hosting Jazz Jam Sessions, Monday nights at Engine Room Pizza. 6:30-8:30 p.m.! He will bring the piano, bass amp, and drum set. Please come down and join the jazz jam or enjoy the music!
* 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 NIGHT AT VALHALLA MEADERY IN BOZEMAN
The Valhalla Meadery Django Jazz Jam on Tuesday, April 30th 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 30th 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, Owen Ross Quartet: Owen Ross on guitar, Dylan Bautista on keys, Connor Raccicot on bass, Llwyn Clark-Gaynor on drums will be playing mostly Owen’s original compositions. 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 30th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
TUESDAY NIGHT AT NELSON PERFORMING ARTS AUDITORIUM IN POWELL, WY
This is not in Montana but Zach Paris who has performed in MT quite often will have Percussion Recital to celebrate his solo percussion album, “Snapshots”.
He will be performing many works from the album as well as showcasing his new piece for solo marimba, entitled “Far Above Rubies”
Zach will have cd’s available for purchase.
Nelson Performing Arts (Northwest College)
231 W 6th St, Powell, WY
(307) 754-6425
Tuesday, April 30th 7:00 p.m.-
Facebook event page
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT ON BROADWAY IN HELENA
Enjoy live Hot Club Jazz at On Broadway in Helena this Wednesday! Cottonwood Club play an irresistible mix of string jazz with roots in the ‘Hot Club’ style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. Enjoy the energetic rhythms of three Cottonwood Club with delicious food and drink at Helena’s historical restaurant!
On Broadway
106 E Broadway St, Helena, MT
(406) 443-1929
Wednesday, May 1st 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
WED TO SAT – 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)
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. The house band – Joe Sullivan, Lloyd Marsh, Robin Martinez, and featured musician Sam Woodis 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, May 1st 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Levity Facebook page
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT TUNE UP BAR IN BOZEMAN
Jazz Night at Tune Up Bar hosted by Eddie T! This week, Cheyenne John-Henderson on keyboard, Orin Gunderson on trumpet, Alex Platt on drums, and Eddie T. on bass will be making fantastic sounds! Come down to the cozy bar lounge and enjoy their fantastic sounds! 8PM to 10PM. No cover. They serve food too!
Tune Up Bar (Kimpton Armory Hotel)
24 W Mendenhall St, Bozeman, MT
(406) 551-7702
Wednesday, May 1st 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
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, May 2nd 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
THURSDAY NIGHT AT CRAFT LOCAL IN BILLINGS
Come and join Jazz Jam at Craft Local Every Thursday 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.! House Band: Mark McGibbony on drums, Raphael Lopez on bass, Sam Woodis on keyboard, and this week’s featured musician Marie Smith on vocals. (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, May 2nd 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Facebook event page
THURSDAY NIGHT AT EST. 1864 IN BOZEMAN
Please join jazz duo at Est. 1864 in downtown Bozeman this Thursday! David Charles on keyboard and Isaac Winemiller on bass. Enjoy their music with superb cuisine and cocktails!
est. 1864
233 E Main St. Level -1, Bozeman
(406) 404-1066
Thursday, May 2nd 8:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m.
THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE FILLING STATION IN BOZEMAN
Blaise Arsenault, Ben Klein, Doug Wales and Loren Block bring Afro-pop, Cuban and Latin tunes to life at the Filling Station May 2nd with Loren Block and Jelani Mahiri’s duo, Trygh, getting the show started!
Cover : $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
Tickets are available at https://fillertickets.com/
The Filling Station
2005 N Rouse Ave, Bozeman, MT
(406) 587-0585
Thursday, May 2nd 8:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. (Doors 7:00 p.m.)
Facebook event page
FRIDAY NIGHT AT RED TRACTOR PIZZA IN BOZEMAN
Friday Jazz at Red Tractor Pizza! This week Jeremy Shanok on keyboard, Mike Carey on bass, and Mike Gillan 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, May 3rd 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Facebook event page
FRIDAY NIGHT AT THIRSTY STREET BREWING CO. 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. They bring a deep, infectious swing beat and fiery improvisations, this band is sure to keep you moving! There will be swing dance lessons at 6PM. Music 7PM. $10/ticket available at https://www.thirstystreet.com/
Thirsty Street Brewing Co.
2123 1st Ave N, Billings, MT
(406) 534-6332
Friday, May 3rd 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Swing dance lessons 6:00 p.m.)
Facebook event page
FRIDAY NIGHT 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
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, May 5th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
UPCOMING JAZZ & MORE
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!!!