A few nights ago, as I was scrolling through Facebook, I came across a flood of posts mourning the passing of Joe Kirchner. Joe was a rock legend in Montana (Pinky & Floyd, MOTH, and Dead Sky). About ten years ago, shortly after I moved to Bozeman from Japan, I met Joe at PLONK. I didn’t know about Joe, but my late husband Kelly Roberti told me he was a musician. When I asked Joe about the kind of music he played, he asked if I knew Pinky & Floyd. Well, of course! Joe then revealed that he was the one with the tall pink head, to which I exclaimed, “Oh my! I’ve seen YOU!!!” We had a short but pleasant chat, and I remember him being very kind. Alex Platt shared touching words for Joe. “There are no words. Where words fail, music speaks. And sometimes, even music is no substitute for tears. Joe Kirchner. My dear, dear friend. I will miss you terribly. We all will.”
Please send many positive vibes to his wife, Bridget Wermers Kirchner, who is currently in the ICU. There will be a fundraiser concert by 710 Ashbury at the Filling Station this Saturday to support her.
* Musician friends, if you would like to add your message, ongoing 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 ENGINE ROOM PIZZA IN LIVINGSTON
Monday Jazz Jam, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at Engine Room Pizza in Livingston hosted by Garrett Stannard! Drums, Piano, Bass Amp, and Guitar Amp provided. “For Listeners AND Players! Call any tune or let’s just vamp a J Dilla beat, Montuno, or go Modal.” ~ Garrett.
Engine Room Deep Dish Pizza
113 W Park Street, Livingston, MT
(406) 595-8202
Monday, September 23rd, 6:30 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 Naomi Moon Siegel band will be making great sounds! Please Join them 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, September 24th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
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 the house band – Joe Sullivan, Lloyd Marsh, and Robin Martinez with featured musician Marie Smith on vocals will be hosting the jam session! There are always familiar faces, but it’s open to anyone who 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, September 25th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
THURSDAY NIGHT AT MURRAY HOTEL IN LIVINGSTON
This Thursday, September 26th at the Murray Hotel in Livingston, Matt Ridgeway will be playing piano solo from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.! If you are looking for a lovely relaxing time with live music, please join Matt and enjoy his beautiful sounds!
The Murray Hotel
201 W Park St Livingston, MT 59047
(406) 222-1350
Thursday, September 26th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
https://www.murrayblock.com/
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. A special guest, singer Marie Smith will sit in for few tunes! 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, September 26th, 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.! The Jazz Jam will be hosted by Raphael Lopez on bass, Sam Woodis on keys, Sam Layton on drums with a guest musician Scott Jeppesen on saxophone. 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, September 26th, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Magic City Jazz Jam FB page
FRIDAY NIGHT AT EMERSON CENTER IN BOZEMAN
Jo Anne Troxel is celebrating her 91st birthday by supporting community radio and the arts at Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture on September 27th! Poetry, music, theatre, and a silent art auction to benefit KGVM (Gallatin Valley Community Radio). This is a public event, so you all are invited!
“Shelly Saunders, professional photographer with props, taking playful photos…
There will be an art auction…Yes, nice stuff.
Local authors books…75cents…bring change
A poetry reading by…think of Greggie Keeler and friends. Acerbic wit and expressions that touch your hearts as well as the stars……
Susan Platt, jazz vocalist breaking your heart with her soulful sound…accompanied by the elegant Jeremy Shanok, jazz pianist…
Actor John Hosking will be present to give a reading…
An honoring and recognition of local heroes…Think of folks like George and Bev Mattson and Sweet Pea…
The will be snackies and cake and champagne.”
Emerson Center, Weaver Room (2F)
111 S Grand Ave, Bozeman, MT
Friday, September 27th, 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY NIGHT AT MADHOUSE BAR & GRILL IN BILLINGS
From Elana Hayden!
They’re back and better than ever! New name, new chef, and delicious new menu items! So join Elana Hayden and Joe Sullivan for LIVE MUSIC and a MAD good time at the funky MadHouse Bar & Grill.
Enjoy familiar songs by Hoagy Carmichael to Patsy Cline, Ben E. King to Carole King, Etta James to Norah Jones, and John Prine to Elvis Presley. *Reservations recommended for this cool venue!
Madhouse Bar & Grill
926 Grand Ave, Billings, MT
(406) 534-4822
Friday, September 27th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
SATURDAY BRUNCH AT BRIGADE IN BOZEMAN
Jazz Brunch at Brigade in Bozeman! Every Saturday from 11AM to 1PM, Brigade on the Main Street of Bozeman will have jazz duo. This week guitarist Michael Testagrossa and bassist Isaac Winemiller will be playing to make your brunch special!
Brigade
233 East Main Street Suite 201, Bozeman, MT
(406) 624-6161
Saturday, September 28th, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
SATURDAY NIGHT AT PRICKLY PEAR LAND TRUST IN HELENA
John Roberts y Pan Blanco will be playing at Harvest Moon Banquet and Auction 2024 by Prickly Pear Land Trust this Saturday. A Night Of Conservation And Community!
From PPLT “Let’s celebrate conservation and community with good food, great company, and some very feisty paddle-raising. You can look forward to one-of-a kind auction items and live music from John Roberts y Pan Blanco.”
For the details, please visit https://pricklypearlt.org/events/harvestmoon2024/
Prickly Pear Land Trust
40 W. Lawrence Street, Suite A, Helena, MT
(406) 442-0490
Saturday, September 28th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Door 5:00 p.m.)
SUNDAY NIGHT AT 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, September 29th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
UPCOMING JAZZ & MORE
THURSDAY, OCT 3RD AT DELTA HOTEL IN HELENA
Wilbur Rehmann Trio will perform for Friends of Head Start Extravaganza fundraiser event on Thursday, October 3rd at Delta Hotel! Wilbur Rehmann on saxophone, Fred Cobb on piano, and Jeremy Slead on drums.
FOHS Extravaganza hosts live music, live and silent auctions, refreshments, and hors d’oeuvres with special emphasis on sales of potted plants in vessels created and donated by local artists. Funds that Friends of Head Start earn through Extravaganza specifically support the local high-quality Rocky Head Start Program through: School to Home Projects, Bookshelf Builds, Classroom and Program Needs.
Tickets: $30 available at https://www.rmdc.net/events/friends-of-head-start-copy.html
Delta Hotels by Marriott Helena
Colonial 2301 Colonial Dr, Helena, MT
Thursday, October 3rd, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCT 6TH AT CISEL HALL IN BILLINGS
From Marie Smith!
Join the Montana Ave Jazz Exchange, hosted by the Yellowstone Chamber Players, for an afternoon of jazz standard ballads, swing, and bossa nova!
Marie Smith, vocals | Scott Jeppesen, Sax | Joseph Sullivan, piano | Erik Gothberg, bass | w/ special guest Mark Fenderson!
General seating | Open to the public | $15 per person
MUS Billings Cisel Recital Hall
1500 University Dr, Billings, MT
Sunday, October 6th, 3:00 p.m.-
Tickets: $15
Facebook event page
WEDNESDAY, OCT 9TH AT ZACC IN MISSOULA
Loren Stillman & Haymaker at ZACC!
Loren Stillman on saxophone & songs, Tommy Sciple on bass, and John Wicks on drums.
“One of the greatest challenges in music is making complexity feel natural and effortless. Saxophonist Loren Stillman continues to push his compositional boundaries, creating free-flowing pieces that draw from the past 60 years of American jazz—embracing its wide range of styles and temperaments: soft and loud, fast and slow, in tempo and out, free and composed, cluttered and sparse, swinging and non-swinging. His compositions challenge musicians to navigate these intricate musical landscapes while driving the music forward. To bring this vision to life, Stillman partners with collaborators, bassist Tommy Sciple and drummer John Wicks, performing a dynamic repertoire of new works.”
Zootown Arts Community Center
216 W. Main St. Missoula, MT
(406) 549-7555
Wednesday, October 9th, 7:30 p.m. (Door 7:00 p.m.)
$12 Advance // $15 Day of Show (https://www.zootownarts.org/)
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!!!