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.
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.
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!
Bryan Kostors & Loren Stillman Trio
Saturday, May 10 // Doors at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 // $10 // $15- $20 Artist Supporter Ticket Saxophonist and composer, Loren Stillman, has garnered widespread acclaim for his contributions to the realm of modern jazz, earning praise from esteemed publications such as The New York Times, Downbeat Magazine, Jazziz, Jazz Times, and National Public Radio. Trained under the tutelage of jazz luminaries Lee Konitz, David Liebman, and Ted Nash, Stillman has established himself as an innovative and influential voice in the genre. With an extensive performance history spanning the United States, Europe, and Japan, Stillman’s artistry extends beyond the stage. His impressive portfolio includes collaborations with The Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra, Paul Motian Trio 2000+2, Carla Bley, John Abercrombie, and Michael Formanek: Ensemble Kolassus, among others. Bryan Curt Kostors is a composer, performer, producer, teacher, conductor, and media creator. his work explores place and landscape as a compositional force, and uses diverse stylistic voices to create evocative and dynamic music for the concert stage, film, dance, and commercial works. Collaborative music-making and multimedia are a central component of his practice. Bryan’s music has been performed internationally by ensembles such as the Lyris Quartet, the Wuhan Philharmonic, NOW Ensemble, the Mivos Quartet, Hocket, the USC Thornton Symphony Orchestra, and the Downey Symphony Orchestra. His collaborations with choreographer Laurie Sefton have been recently performed in New York, San Fransisco, and in Los Angeles with premieres at Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Nate Holden Theatre. He has written scores for award-winning short films and commercials, working collaboratively with filmmaker Danny Corey on numerous projects.
The Skyler Mendell Sextet
Sunday, June 1 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 or $20 Artist Supporter The Skyler Mendell Sextet performs captivating, creative, and forward-thinking compositions. They will perform music from their upcoming album, “Purpose,” which revolves around a suite of music dedicated to finding a place in a world that seems to be falling apart.
In Tune Missoula 2025
Thursday, April 17 // Door at 6:00 PM // $50 In Tune Missoula is dedicated to ensuring that family income is not an obstacle to middle school students learning how to sing or play a musical instrument. Music by Connor Racicot Jazz Quartet and The Western Front Band. Catering by Biga Pizza. A silent auction … a celebration of music educators … a great time for a great cause! Purchase tickets at https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1864/
Jazzoula
Friday, April 25 // Door at 6 PM // Show at 6:30 PM // $25 // $15 Student // $80 4-day Pass It’s Jazzoula ‘25 Celebrating 20+ years of Jazz in the Missoula community – presenting16 plus jazz combos, vocalists, and multi-instrumentalists over four days, April 23, 24, 25, and 26. Providing a complete variety of the only original form of American music: jazz. Jazzoula gives the listener a chance to experience Montana’s finest jazz performers showcasing their individual talents with their groups, and as soloists. With artist such as Owen Ross, Craig Hall , Johan Eriksson, Connor Racicot, Missoula’s favorite Basement Boyz to name a few. Enjoy short sets and a fantastic variety of awesome jazz music. Wednesday, April 23 Line-up (MTPR Recording): Basement Boys Patti Nolan & the Undeniables Owen Ross Trio Big Sky Mudflaps Thursday, April 24 Line-up Absent Wilson Conspiracy Melody Anderson One Word/Dylan Bautiste Trio Ally Fradkin Quartet Friday, April 25 Line-up All City Jazz Owen Thayer Marie Smith Quintet Missoula Conduction Band Saturday, April 26 Line-up Boyd Combo Craig Hall & Alex Nauman Zoolectic Band “Fusion Tribute” (Johann Eriksson, John Wicks, Owen Ross, Tommy Sciple) . Connor Racicot Trio
Jazzoula
Wednesday, April 23 // Door at 6 PM // Show at 6:30 PM // $25 // $15 Student // $80 4-day Pass It’s Jazzoula ‘25 Celebrating 20+ years of Jazz in the Missoula community – presenting16 plus jazz combos, vocalists, and multi-instrumentalists over four days, April 23, 24, 25, and 26. Providing a complete variety of the only original form of American music: jazz. Jazzoula gives the listener a chance to experience Montana’s finest jazz performers showcasing their individual talents with their groups, and as soloists. With artist such as Owen Ross, Craig Hall , Johan Eriksson, Connor Racicot, Missoula’s favorite Basement Boyz to name a few. Enjoy short sets and a fantastic variety of awesome jazz music. Wednesday, April 23 Line-up (MTPR Recording): Basement Boys Patti Nolan & the Undeniables Owen Ross Trio Big Sky Mudflaps Thursday, April 24 Line-up Absent Wilson Conspiracy Melody Anderson One Word/Dylan Bautiste Trio Ally Fradkin Quartet Friday, April 25 Line-up All City Jazz Owen Thayer Marie Smith Quintet Missoula Conduction Band Saturday, April 26 Line-up Boyd Combo Craig Hall & Alex Nauman Zoolectic Band “Fusion Tribute” (Johann Eriksson, John Wicks, Owen Ross, Tommy Sciple) . Connor Racicot Trio
