In last week’s newsletter, I included the wrong link to the ticket page for The Platt-Kohler Trio concert at Last Best Comedy. If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, the correct link is provided in this newsletter. Don’t miss this special concert!
As many of you know, our dear friend and supporter of music and art, Frank Cikan, passed away last month. There will be a memorial concert at the Cikan residence next week for family and close friends. To keep it intimate and private, this will be an invitation-only gathering. A big memorial concert for Frank open to the general public will be in late March/early April at The Ellen. This event will feature performances by many musicians who admire and love Frank and Jirina Cikan. A big thanks to Eric Funk for organizing these events!
* 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 Marian Booth Green 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, December 18th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
THURSDAY NIGHT AT SILVER STAR STEAK COMPANY IN HELENA
From Cottonwood Club!
“A very Cootonwoody Christmas – Swing into the Holidays with some live Django style jazz arrangements of Christmas classics!”
The band will be playing at Silver Star Steak Company this Thursday, 6 – 9 PM! Please join them with at Helena’s favorite steak house!
Silver Star Steak Company
833 Great Northern Blvd, Helena, MT
(406) 495-0677
Thursday, December 19th, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE WINE CELLAR IN BUTTE
The Duo from Platinum Street Jazz will be playing at The Wine Cellar in Butte this Thursday! Mark Hayden on Guitar and Andrew McFarland on bass. They play “golden oldies, jazz standards, show tunes, top hits, and deep cuts from the ‘30s to the ’70s”. If you are around Butte, join them, enjoy their music with a glass of wine, beer, and sake the cellar offers!
The Wine Cellar
219 W Park St, Butte, MT
(406) 299-2847
Thursday, December 19th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
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 19th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
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 fantastic sounds! Please come down and enjoy your Friday night with live music and delicious pizza! *The jazz night is the first and the third Fridays.
Red Tractor Pizza
1007 W Main St, Bozeman, MT
(406) 359-1999
Friday, December 20th, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Facebook event page
FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE WINDMILL & BAR 51 IN BILLINGS
From Elana Hayden!
Join Elana Hayden (vocals), Mike Leslie (bass), and Joe Sullivan (piano/vocals) for live music and good eats at the Windmill & Bar 51!
The Windmill & Bar 51
3429 Transtech Way, Billings, MT
(406) 252-8100
Friday, December 20th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 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 2:00 – 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 bassist Colleen Schmidt! Don’t miss this wonderful duo!
Bozeman Public Library
626 E. Main Street. Bozeman, MT
(406) 582-2400
Saturday, December 21st, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
SATURDAY NIGHT 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.-
SATURDAY NIGHT AT BUFFALO BLOCK PRIME STEAKHOUSE IN BILLINGS
From Elana Hayden!
Join the Hayden Trio for a mix of jazz, blues, country – and holiday favorites – at the fabulous Buffalo Block Prime Steakhouse. Feat. Elana Hayden (vocals), Jeff Troxel (guitar) & Mike Leslie (bass).
* Reservations recommended (406) 245-7477
Buffalo Block Prime Steakhouse
2401 Montana Ave, Billings, MT
(406) 245-7477
Saturday, December 21st, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
SATURDAY NIGHT AT YELLOWSTONE CELLARS & WINERY IN BILLINGS
From YCW!
A perfect pairing for our Solstice Party!
Rhythm and Vibe brings the best of R&B, soul, and Motown to the Cellars stage! Frontman Clark Sturgis, with his killer pipes, and all his bandmates have the grooviest sound in town! No cover charge!
Yellowstone Cellars & Winery
1335 Holiday Cir, Billings, MT
(406) 281-8400
Saturday, December 21st, 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 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, Connor Racicot and his band will be playing in the cozy taproom!!
Draught Works Brewery
915 Toole Ave, Missoula, MT
(406) 541-1592
Sunday, December 22nd, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
SUNDAY NIGHT AT EAGLES IN BOZEMAN
Sunday night big band fun! Please join The WD40’s Big Band at Bozeman Eagles Club! This week, Adam Greenberg will join the band!
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, December 22nd, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
SUNDAY NIGHT AT WALKERS GRILL IN BILLINGS
From Walkers Grill!
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. The band features Trevor Krieger on violin, Alex Nauman on guitar, David Banuelos on guitar, Mike Leslie on bass, Scott Jeppesen on clarinet and the fabulous Jessica Fiveland on vocals. Bringing a deep, infectious swing beat and fiery improvisations, this band is sure to keep you moving in your seat! As always, no cover. 7pm-10pm
Walkers Grill
2700 1st Ave N, Billings, MT
(406) 245-9291
Sunday, December 22nd, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
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.
UPCOMING JAZZ & MORE
THU, DEC 26TH AT ONE LEGGED MAGPIE IN RED LODGE
From One Legged Magpie!
Experience an evening of live music, great food, and familiar faces. Immerse yourself in a dinner-and-a-show experience as the smooth sounds of soul fill the room. Reserve your table now to enjoy an unforgettable night of music and flavor. Spaces are limited, so secure your dinner reservations today.
John Roberts on vocals, piano, trombone / Matt Devitt on percussion / Mike Gillan on percussion / Erik Gothberg on bass / Raphael Lopez on guitar
One Legged Magpie
19 Broadway Ave N, Red Lodge, MT
(406)445-3322
Thursday, December 26th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
FRI, DEC 27TH AT ONE LEGGED MAGPIE IN RED LODGE
Dinner & Jazz – Alex Nauman Trio
From Alex Nauman!
Very excited to announce my trio with Parker Brown and Sam McKenzie will be back in Red Lodge on December 27th, performing at the One Legged Magpie! It’s a free show but dinner reservations are required. This is probably the best place to see live jazz music in the entire state. Incredible food and drink, amazing staff, and best of all a great listening space!! Don’t be left out in the cold, make your reservations today!!
Alex Nauman on guitar, Parker Brown on bass, and Sam Mckenzie on drums.
One Legged Magpie
19 Broadway Ave N, Red Lodge, MT
(406)445-3322
Friday, December 27th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
SAT, DEC 28TH AT LAST BEST COMEDY IN BOZEMAN
From Alex Platt!
A longtime staple of the Bozeman jazz scene, the Platt-Kohler Trio will reunite on December 28th for a special music-only concert! 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” hosted by Eric Funk. Adam Platt (keyboards) returns from his home in New York City to Bozeman to join his brother Alex Platt (drums) and Rob Kohler (bass) to perform a collection of originals and standards spanning over three decades of collaboration.
*Minors are allowed at this concert, provided they are accompanied by an adult.
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. –
Facebook event page
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