Golden Mean w/ Look Busy
Saturday, January 3rd // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10-$20 Artist Supporter Golden Mean features original compositions by Bill Kautz inspired by questions, conversations, harmony, discord and the search for authenticity. The music features thoroughly composed melodies while integrating improvisation in various structures. Golden Mean is Bill Kautz, trumpet and cornet; Steve Kalling, double bass; Aria Peters, violin; Hannah Ransom, percussion and Jake Ransom, vibraphone. Shuffled and reshuffled from an endless stack of blank paper, scribbled with a thousand thoughtless notes, and emerging from a dramatic cloud of chalk dust, Missoula’s LOOK BUSY (Ken Grinde, Matt Riley, Johannah Kohorst, Drew Fetherolf) meld driving pop and lofty ballads to achieve new dimensions of appearing businesslike and occupied.
Marie Smith Jazz Group
Saturday, January 24 // Doors at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $20-$30 Sliding Scale // $17 Student 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. Craig Hall, guitar | Scott Jeppesen, sax | Rob Tapper, Trombone | Tommy Sciple, bass | Roxanne Jeppesen, drums | Marie Smith, vocals
Dylan Bautista & Loren Stillman
Thursday, January 8 // Doors at 7:00 // Show at 7:30 // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter 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.
Holiday Groove with the Missoula All-City Jazz Program
Monday, December 15 // Doors at 7:30 // Show at 8:00 // Free & Open to the Public! Join the Missoula All-City Jazz Program for their first performance of the 2025-26 year with an evening of great jazz. The Middle School and High School musicians will be joined by members of the UM Jazz Program performing new and old standards from the history of jazz.
THE BRAD LEALI QUARTET with the Missoula Jazz Orchestra
Friday, January 16 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $30 // $20 for Students & Seniors The UM Jazz ProgramAND UM JAZZ ARTIST SERIES Proudly PresentsTHE BRAD LEALI QUARTET With the Missoula Jazz OrchestraMissoula welcomes back saxophonist Brad Leali (Harry Connick & Lyle Lovett) and his roster of All-Stars for an evening of classic and original small group and big band music. Brad will be joined by pianist Ben Markley and Eric Tapper (dr)and Tommy Sciple (bass) along with the Missoula Jazz OrchestraJoin us for this incredible collaboration.Get your tickets early as this performance will be sure to sell out!
There’s a Rhythm… An Evening of Contemporary Percussion
Tuesday, December 2nd // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // Free & Open to the Public! There’s a Rhythm is the master’s recital of Delaney Wirtala. This event will feature a variety of fun contemporary percussion works by Bobo, Psathas, Jarrett/Burton, Nate Smith, Perez and more. Many of these works also include electronic accompaniment! This event will also feature musicians Simon Hickey, Sam Purvis and Owen Clearly. Following the percussion event, the Bucketseats band will play a high energy set to celebrate the completion of the masters recital!
Patti Nolan & The Undeniables
Wednesday, December 17 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $12 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Patti Nolan, born in Seattle, WA, and raised in Missoula MT, called New York City her home for most of her adult life. She also spent 4 years in San Francisco, CA, 2 years in Monterey, CA and 1 year in Catania, Sicily. Before leaving Missoula, she could be seen doing hootenannies around town accompanying herself on the guitar. During the early years in New York, Patti sang at clubs, including The Bushes and Catch a Rising Star, while working under the musical direction and tutelage of Danny Holgate. In addition, she was one of the founding members of the jazz fusion group, Afra Venture, which performed original material. Patti’s musical education credits include studies at the San Francisco and Brooklyn Conservatories of Music, and the Borough of Manhattan Community College. While living in the Monterey Bay area, Patti appeared regularly at the Café Monterey in the Grand Hyatt Regency, working with Eddie Mendenhall, Bobby Phillips, Lee Durley and the late Ace Hill. Patti, also, appeared at the Monterey Café, Morgan’s, with Don Pendergrast. After her stay in California, she returned to New York City and reestablished her position in the New York City Music Community. She appeared at Charlie O’s, on 45th St and 8th Ave in Manhattan. She was accompanied by the well-known and respected Donald Smith and his trio. She also performed at Café Creole, 118th St. and 2nd Ave in Manhattan, with the Alan Rosenthal Trio. Patti worked at perfecting her craft performing at open mikes at Cleopatra’s Needle and Porters in Manhattan. She could also be seen sitting in with the great Harry Whitaker at Arturo’s in the Village. Since returning to Missoula to live, Patti sat in with the Big Sky Mudflaps at Plonk and appeared at the Jodi Marshall Tribute in St Anthony’s Parrish, Aug 9th, 2017. Patti had previously worked with Jodi on a jazz demo. In March of 2019 she performed a jazz show at the Downtown Dance Collective to a sold-out crowd with the Jim Driscoll trio. The show was recorded and a live demo was created. Now that she is back in Missoula, Patti appeared many times at the Top Hat for their Jazz Wednesdays and has established a strong following. She is continuing to work with other musicians. Patti’s goal is to keep the jazz classics and standards alive and vibrant, and not ever forget the forefathers of this genre In September of 2022 Patti met pianist and arranger Ben Schuberg. Ben’s experience in a variety of genre’s supported and enhanced Patti’s vision of a jazz fusion group. They have performed primarily at the ZACC, a fabulous showroom for music and entertainment on Main Street in downtown Missoula, MT. Even though jazz is Patti’s preferred genre to perform, the musical influences in her life are varied and have their impact on her performance choices. It became obvious that Patti had to find musicians who could play many types of music so when Patti was introduced to Ben Schuberg, a fine pianist who plays in several groups of different genres, her vision became a reality. Then Ben brought in a saxphonist, Graeme Pletscher. Pete Hand on bass and Ed Stallings on drums, joined the group. Patti had worked with Ed and Pete since 2019. Patti Nolan and the Undeniables came into existence. They were part of a very successful fundraiser for KUFM of NPR and have done many other gigs in and out of Missoula, private and public. Patti Nolan and the Undeniables will continue to play new and innovative music around Missoula and beyond. The most recent demo can be heard at pattinolan.bandcamp.com.
Devin Gray w/ Loren Stillman & Bill Kautz’s Golden Mean
Sunday, September 28 // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $20 Devin Gray (1983, Portland Maine, USA) is a distinguished drummer, composer, and bandleader known for his innovative contributions to contemporary jazz. Since relocating to New York City in 2006, Gray has become a prominent figure in the jazz community, collaborating with esteemed musicians such as David Liebman, Gary Thomas, Tony Malaby, and Nate Wooley. He currently divides his time between Brooklyn and Berlin, engaging with diverse musical scenes. Gray’s discography as a leader showcases his versatility and commitment to pushing musical boundaries. His debut album,”Dirigo Rataplan”(2012), featured notable artists Ellery Eskelin, Dave Ballou, and Michael Formanek, and was praised for its complex and intimate compositions. He continued this trajectory with “RelativE ResonancE”(2015), collaborating with Chris Speed, Kris Davis, and Chris Tordini, further establishing his reputation as a forward-thinking composer. In 2021, Gray released “Melt All the Guns,” a politically charged trio album featuring trumpeter Ralph Alessi and pianist Angelica Sanchez, addressing the pressing issue of gun violence in the United States. The following year, he presented “27 Licks,” a duet with fellow drummer Gerald Cleaver, highlighting his adventurous spirit and deep musical rapport. In 2023 Gray released “Most Definitely” as his first solo drum recording showcases his innovative approach to percussion, blending acoustic drumming with electronic elements to create a dynamic and immersive listening experience. The album reflects on modern themes, as seen in tracks like “Bad WiFi,””Doom Scrolling,” and “Crypto Punks,” which mirror contemporary digital experiences. Critics have praised “Most Definitely”for its rapid turnover of ideas and broad spectrum of extremes. The album’s strength lies in its eloquent orchestration of blended electronics balanced with Gray’s high-level improvisational performances. This release marks a significant milestone in Gray’s career, highlighting his growth as a forward-thinking creative artist committed to pushing the boundaries of percussion and improvisation. Gray’s most recent project,”Melt All the Guns II”(2024), continues his exploration of socially conscious themes, this time featuring Ralph Alessi and French pianist Myslaure Augustin. The album comprises tracks like “East Berlin 2024” and “Audre Lorde Straße,” reflecting his engagement with contemporary issues and global perspectives. Throughout his career, Gray has maintained a dynamic presence in the international jazz scene, performing at venues and festivals worldwide. His collaborations span a wide range of artists, including Sylvie Courvoisier, Tim Berne, Michael Formanek, Zoh Amba, and Micah Thomas, among others. As a sideman, he has contributed to projects with Andrea Parkins, Satoko Fujii, Marc Ducret, and Eve Risser, showcasing his adaptability and commitment to musical innovation. Gray’s work is characterized by a relentless pursuit of quality and sincerity, as well as an exciting energy that propels him toward diverse musical directions. His compositions are noted for their complexity and engagement, often described as both brainy and intimate. As he continues to evolve as an artist, Devin Gray remains a compelling force in modern jazz, sharing his unique musical vision with audiences around the world.
NYChillharmonic
Tuesday, September 9 // 8 PM // Doors at 7 PM // $18 ADV // $22 DOS // $15 Student The NYChillharmonic is a Brooklyn-based, 18 piece, progressive-jazz orchestra. The music fuses multiple genres including rock, pop, classical, and jazz while sonically embracing unconventional textures, arrangements, and harmonies – ultimately creating an ensemble sound like nothing you’ve ever heard before.
Connor Racicot: A Farewell Show
Sunday, July 27 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Connor Racicot got his musical start here in Missoula, and it is time to say farewell!. You may be familiar with Connor from Jazzoula, weekly sets around town, or the University where he currently teaches Jazz piano. This night, Connor will be playing a set of Jazz standards and adjacent tunes with a small group of his closest collaborators. Shortly after this show, Connor will be saying goodbye to Missoula before moving to Amsterdam to pursue his musical career. We hope to see you there! Wij zullen jij daar zien!
