I am sending the last Jazz Newsletter of 2025 earlier than usual, with some NYE events info.
Red Tractor Pizza is reopening on Monday, Dec 29, with a powerful new oven! The Alex Robilotta Trio will be playing for the party from 5 PM to 7 PM! Please drop by!
After the New Year, don’t miss the Comedy & Jazz Night at Last Best Comedy on Jan 3 by Rich Hall & The Platt-Kohler Trio!
Wish you all a very Happy 2026!
* 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 EVENING AT RED TRACTOR PIZZA IN BOZEMAN
Please come and join Red Tractor Pizza’s re-opening party today! They had a new oven installed and will be up and running from Monday! There will be some “EPIC” menu, and live music by Alex Robilotta Trio: Alex Robilotta on guitar, Isaac Winemiller on bass, and Austin Belluscio on drums from 5 PM to 7 PM, followed by The Dirt Farmers (Bluegrass), from 7 PM to 9:30 PM!
Red Tractor Pizza
1007 W Main St, Bozeman, MT
(406) 359-1999
Monday, December 29th, 5:00 p.m. –
TUESDAY NIGHT AT THE UNION IN HELENA
From Wilbur Rehmann!
12/30-The UNION Tuesday. Trio with Wilbur on saxophone, Fred Cobb, keyboard, and Todd Silas, acoustic bass, Jazz, Blues & Bossas with music from the Great American Jazz Songbook. Celebrate the end of 2025 as we usher in 2026!
The Union by Old Salt
361 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT
(406) 500-6328
Tuesday, December 30th, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
TUESDAY NIGHT AT CRAFT LOCAL IN BILLINGS
From Magic City Jazz Jam!
THIS TUESDAY, December 16th, Magic City Jazz Jam @ Craft Local! (7pm-9pm)
The house band will play a short set, and after that, the open jam will begin!!! This week, Sam Layton on drums, Jayden Ostler on piano, and Raphael Lopez on bass/guitar will host the jam!
FREE! Bring an instrument! Sign up to play a tune! Buy a drink! Tip the band & bar! Make some friends! Support OUR local community!!
Craft Local
2501 Montana Ave. Billings, MT
(406) 702-1458
Tuesday, December 30th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
NEW YEAR’S EVE!
THE ORIGINAL MONTANA CLUB IN HELANA
Step into the Roaring 20s this New Year’s Eve at The Original Montana Club, from 8 PM to 1 AM, for an elegant, black-tie celebration featuring live entertainment across two levels and a decadent lineup of seasonal bites.
Peripherals Jazz in the Club from 8 PM to 12 AM / Marly & The Pocket in the Rathskeller from 9:30 PM to 1 AM / Tickets: $75 (non-members) $65 (members).
Details and tickets: https://join.themontanaclub.com/event/48fff6e6-3236-452c-9e43-65f48c60149d
PLONK IN BOZEMAN
Ring in the New Year, celebrating at Plonk! A pre-fixe four-course menu with wine pairings from La Spinetta, live music from John Roberts y Pan Blanco, a balloon drop, and Champagne toast at midnight. $160/per person (with wine pairings) / $120/per person (without wine) By reservation only, please email bozemanreservations@plonkwine.com.
THE HELLGATE ELK’S LODGE IN MISSOULA
NYE party on the second floor of the Elks Club, ring in the new year at the Midnight Ball with Ed Norton Big Band! There will be a full bar, music, and dancing! Dress your best and be ready to dance the night away! Single Tickets $17, All Access pass $40, Kids 10 & under Free.
Details and tickets: https://artsmissoula.org/celebration/missoula-on-main/
FINLEN HOTEL & INN IN BUTTE
New Year’s Eve at the Cavalier Lounge! No cover. No pressure. No dress-code panic. The Platinum Street Jazz live from 9 PM to 1 AM! Free champagne toast at midnight. Come as you are — sparkles, boots, or bar-stool chic all welcome.
THURSDAY EVENING AT CARABINER LOUNGE AT THE SUMMIT HOTEL IN BIG SKY
Carabiner Lounge at the Summit Hotel has live music on Thursdays for the season, 4-6 PM. Alex Robilotta on guitar and Eddie T. on bass! Maybe this is not a place to just stop by, but if you know anyone staying or living nearby the hotel, please tell them to come and enjoy the music with the spectacular view of Lone Peak in the cozy hotel lobby.
Carabiner Lounge
60 Big Sky Resort Rd (Summit Hotel), Big Sky, MT
(406) 995-8078
Thursday, January 1st, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE OLD POST IN MISSOULA
Missoula’s most beloved pub, The Old Post, features live jazz every Thursday with 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, January 1st, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
FRIDAY NIGHT AT ZACC IN MISSOULA
From Loren Stillman!
We’re excited to share that Haymaker – Loren Stillman on saxophone, Tommy Sciple on bass, and John Wicks on drums – has found a new home at The ZACC. Starting Friday, January 2, from 5 -7 PM, we’ll be re-launching an every-other-Friday residency in The ZACC basement space. This room feels right—intimate, creative, and built for listening. We’re looking forward to settling in, stretching out, and letting the music evolve over time.
Each night will be a little different. Same band, same spirit—new paths.
We’d love for you to come along for the ride and help us shape this next chapter.
Zootown Arts and Community Center (ZACC)
216 W. Main St. Missoula, MT
(406) 549-7555
Friday, January 2nd, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
FRIDAY NIGHT AT GUTE LAUNE IN BOZEMAN
Friday Night Jazz at gute Laune (upstairs at the Rialto)! Come join Alex Robilotta Trio – Alex Robilotta on guitar, Rob Kohler on bass, and Adam Greenberg on drums. Enjoy their sounds with good beer, good food, and good vibes!
gute Laune
10 West Main Street, Bozeman, MT
(406) 404-7911
Friday, January 2nd, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
SATURDAY NIGHT AT LAST BEST COMEDY IN BOZEMAN
From Alex Platt!
The legendary Rich Hall headlines a special night of comedy and music at Last Best Comedy. Joined by The Platt-Kohler trio (Adam Platt, Alex Platt, and Rob Kohler), this will be a memorable night of jazz and comedy!
Rich is a comedian, writer, and musician, first coming to prominence as a sketch comedian in the 1980s. He wrote and performed for a range of American networks, in series such as Fridays, Not Necessarily the News, and Saturday Night Live. After winning a Perrier Comedy Award in 2000, using the character of Tennesseean country musician Otis Lee Crenshaw, Hall became popular in the United Kingdom, regularly appearing on QI and similar panel shows. He has created and starred in several series for the BBC, including comedies with Mike Wilmot, and documentaries often concerning cinema of the United States. Hall has also maintained a successful stand-up comedy career, as both Crenshaw and himself.
Tickets: $24 (18+) at https://www.lastbestcomedy.com/events/saturday-night-stand-up-with-rich-hall-4
Last Best Comedy
321 E Main, Alley Entrance, Bozeman, MT
(406) 219-3393
Saturday, January 3rd, 6:30 p.m. – (Door 6:00 p.m)
SUNDAY NIGHT AT DRAUGHT WORKS IN MISSOULA
From Draught Works!
Unwind and enjoy the sounds of jazz in our taproom every Sunday night from 6-8 PM this winter during our Winter Sunday Night Jazz Series! This week’s Jazz – Missoula Jazz Collective will be playing to make your Sunday night special!
Draught Works Brewery
915 Toole Ave, Missoula, MT
(406) 541-1592
Sunday, January 4th, 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!
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, January 4th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
UPCOMING JAZZ & MORE
THU, JAN 8TH AT ZACC IN MISSOULA
From ZACC!
Saxophonist Loren Stillman and pianist Dylan Bautista team up for an evening of inventive interplay and spirited improvisation, blending their original music with select jazz standards.
Zootown Arts and Community Center
216 W. Main St. Missoula, MT
(406) 549-7555
Thursday, January 8th, Doors 7:00 p.m. / Music 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter
For the details and tickets, please visit https://showroom.zootownarts.org/event/dylan-bautista-loren-stillman/zootown-arts-community-center/missoula-montana/
SAT, JAN 24TH AT ZACC IN MISSOULA
From ZACC!
One Stage. All Corners of Montana Meet. Pure Jazz Brilliance. This exceptional performance brings together a curated ensemble of premier jazz musicians from across the state. A bold, beautiful fusion of styles and shared passion, delivering a one-night-only experience of world-class artistry.
Zootown Arts and Community Center
216 W. Main St. Missoula, MT
(406) 549-7555
Saturday, January 24th, Door 7:00 p.m. / Music 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$30 Sliding Scale // $17 Student
For the details and tickets, please visit https://showroom.zootownarts.org/event/marie-smith-jazz-group/zootown-arts-community-center/missoula-montana/
SAT, JAN 31ST AT THE CIKAN HOUSE IN BOZEMAN
From Club Flamenco!
Club Flamenco performs classic and contemporary European and Western music arranged around traditional Flamenco palos or “styles.” Guitarist and Club Flamenco founder Geno Kreis is joined by April Kreis on bass. Percussionists Chrysti Smith, Doug Wales and Ben Simpson weave a tapestry of rhythms supporting the dialect. Flamenco performance is incomplete without the iconic flamenco dancer. Club Flamenco’s Nicole Loya brings years of dance experience, flair, and emotion to the set. Seating will be limited. Reserve your seat early for $30 at www.purplepass.com/clubflamenco
The Cikan House
31 Hitching Post, Bozeman, MT
Saturday, January 31st, 6:00 p.m. –
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If you feel like helping me with a little reward please donate from “Buy me a glass of wine page“. It is much appreciated!!!