I am looking at our bird feeder. Chickadees, Nuthatches, and Juncos are the regulars of our humble feeder. It still amazes me that such small birds survive the winter in the snowy mountains. Fearless super feather balls!
* 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.
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 on keyboard, Lloyd Marsh on drums, Robin Martinez on bass, and featured musician Mark Fenderson on trumpet 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, December 11th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT LAST BEST COMEDY IN BOZEMAN
From Alex Platt!
For our end-of-the-year Bits & Beats event, we are bringing back the original quartet to this super fun thing we’ve started! Sometimes called the “Double Helix Quartet” (a pun on the fact that there are two Alex’s … we’re open to name suggestions), this group features myself, Jake Fleming on sax, Alex Robilotta on guitar, and Isaac Winemiller on bass!
AND did I mention? One of our featured comedians is Chace McNinch! Just a few words about this amazing lady. Not only is she absolutely hilarious, but she’s a tremendous keyboardist and singer as well. And she loves to sit in with the band (and we love it too)! This is gonna be a party on December 11th!
Tickets: $20 available at https://www.lastbestcomedy.com/
Last Best Comedy
Alley Entrance, 321 E Main St, Bozeman, MT
(406) 219-3933
Wednesday, December 11th, 7:00 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 Chuck Florence on tenor saxophone, David Horgan on guitar, and Beth Lo on bass. 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, December 12th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT BOZEMAN PUBLIC LIBRARY
The weekly Improvised Music at the Library hosted by guitarist Craig Hall on Saturdays from 2:00 – 4:00 PM, upstairs at the Bozeman Public Library. Craig will be joined by a different area player each week. This Saturday, Craig will play with pianist Ann Tappan! Don’t miss this wonderful duo!
Bozeman Public Library
626 E. Main Street. Bozeman, MT
(406) 582-2400
Saturday, December 14th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
SATURDAY EVENING AT ARTS COUNCIL OF BIG SKY
The Arts Council of Big Sky has purchased the building at 77 Lone Peak Drive (formerly Choppers restaurant), with the goal of transforming the space into an arts center. They will host an open house at the Christmas Stroll in the Town Center on Saturday, December 14, from 5 PM to 8 PM. Please stop by and say hello! Alex Robilotta Trio: Alex Robilotta on guitar, Eddie T. on bass, and Adam Greenberg on drums will be playing for the open house!
Arts Council of Big Sky
77 Lone Peak Drive, Big Sky, MT
Saturdary, December 14th, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
SATURDAY NIGHT AT CRAFT LOCAL IN BILLINGS
From JK and The Northern Lights Big Band!
Take a break from your shopping and fill your face with a smile at Craft Local!
Free Swing Dance lessons with Arica Lipp from 7-8 the JK and the Northern Lights will swing your socks off from 8-10 with some of the greatest cats around! Matt Devitt, Erik Gothberg, John Roberts, Aaron Schendel, Thomas Burke, Scott Jeppesen, Konnor Stiles, Shay Robertus, Jack Klein, and Amy Schendel.
Craft Local
2501 Montana Ave. Billings, MT
(406) 702-1458
Saturday, December 14th, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
SUNDAY EVENING AT RED TRACTOR PIZZA IN BOZEMAN
From Alex Platt!
We’re at it again with another jazz jam at the wonderful Red Tractor Pizza. This time, as an incredibly cool holiday gift, the great Bob Bowman on bass will be joining us in the house rhythm section alongside Alex Platt (drums) and David Charles (keys). Don’t miss this one! Bring your instrument (keyboard and drums are provided) and jam with us! (Vocalists welcome; please limit 2 songs per vocalist and bring charts in your key!) Hope to see you there!
Red Tractor Pizza
1007 W Main St, Bozeman, MT
(406) 359-1999
Sunday, December 15th, 5:00 p.m. –
Facebook event page
SUNDAY NIGHT AT DRAUGHT WORKS IN MISSOULA
Unwind and enjoy the soulful sounds of jazz at Draught Works in Missoula every Sunday night from 6-8 PM this winter during their Winter Sunday Night Jazz Series!
This Sunday, Chuck Florence Trio: Chuck Florence on saxophone, David Horgan on guitar, and Beth Lo on bass will be playing in the cozy taproom!!
Draught Works Brewery
915 Toole Ave, Missoula, MT
(406) 541-1592
Sunday, December 15th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
SUNDAY NIGHT AT ART HOUSE IN BILLINGS
From Art House Billings!
Returning to Art House Cinema & Pub for one night only, Erik Olson returns from Georgia for an intimate concert showcasing original music and classic jazz standards. Erik Olson, Alex Nauman, Bill Honaker and Parker Brown are some of Billings’ finest musicians, and are thrilled to be reunited at one of their favorite places to play live music!
Tickets $30 are available at https://arthousebillings.com/cinema-and-pub/
Art House Billings
109 N 30th St, Billings, MT
(406) 601-1241
Sunday, December 15th, 6:30 p.m. –
SUNDAY NIGHT AT EAGLES IN BOZEMAN
From Bob Nell!
SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!!! December 15th the Bob Nell Trio with Mike Carey and Adam Greenberg will be playing at the Eagles at 7 pm. In lieu of big band due to holiday musical performance obligations for many horn players. Please come join us. Regular gig. Jazz piano trio.
Bozeman Eagles Club & Ballroom
316 E Main St Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 587-9996
Sunday, December 15th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
UPCOMING JAZZ & MORE
SAT, DEC 21ST AT ST. PAUL’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN HELENA
From Wilbur Rehmann!
The Wilbur Rehmann Quintet with special guest MJ Williams on vocals & trombone will perform the annual Solstice Concert, 12/21 at St Paul’s United Methodist Church at 7:00p. Additional guests this year include folksinger Judy Fjell and the Helena Women’s Chorus, Dan Pocha and the Magpie Drummers & singers, Cohesion Dance Company and Cuban Dancers Adonis and Mailee. Gayle Sandholm will mc the event.
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
512 Logan St, Helena, MT
(406) 442-5643
Saturday, December 21st, 7:00 p.m.-
SAT, DEC 28TH AT LAST BEST COMEDY
From Alex Platt!
I’m excited to announce an upcoming concert by the Platt-Kohler Trio on Saturday, December 28th, at 7:30 PM! Last Best Comedy (321 E. Main St., Alley Entrance) has graciously offered to host this music-only event … and with a little luck, there may be more of these to come! Having been an established trio since 1990, the band was recently featured in an Emmy-nominated episode of the Montana PBS show “11th and Grant”. Adam Platt (piano) returns from his home in New York City to Bozeman to join myself (drums) and Rob Kohler (bass) to perform a collection of originals and standards spanning over three decades of collaboration, plus some new additions!
Tickets: $24 available at https://www.lastbestcomedy.com/
Last Best Comedy
Alley Entrance, 321 E Main St, Bozeman, MT
(406) 219-3933
Saturday, December 28th, 7:00 p.m. –
BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT…A JAZZ NATIVITY
Bending Towards The Light, A Jazz Nativity 2023 in Bozeman was great! They will perform in Greensboro, NC. on Dec 13th, Chicago, IL. on Dec 15th, NYC, NY. on Dec 16th, and Tucson, AZ on Dec 22nd & 23rd this year! (Unfortunately, not in MT) So, if you will be in these area on these dates, please catch the shows! If you will stay in MT, the shows will be available on streaming!
Please visit https://www.jazznativity.org/ for more details.
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