Owen Cleary & Sean Stineford
Sunday, March 23 // Door at 2:30 PM // Show at 3:00 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket Presenting vibrant sets of original and arranged music, graduating UM jazz students Sean Stineford and Owen Cleary are sharing their capstone jazz performances. Featuring a full big band and jazz combo with the Connor Racicot Trio, this afternoon performance is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy some great live music!
Jazzoula 4-Night Package
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
UM Jazz Small Groups
Monday, March 3 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // Free and Open to the Public! Join the UM Small Group program for an evening of jazz standards, contemporary tunes and originals from the University of Montana musicians as they prepare for the 45th Annual UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival.
Missoula Collective Music Ensemble, Conducted by Naomi Moon Siegel
Monday, February 10 // Doors at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $5-$25 Sliding Scale Admission Featuring the entire ensemble under conduction/direction by Siegel, these collective improvisations and compositions feature “conduction”, a jazz technique utilized to organize, expand and inspire improvisation in a large group setting. “Conduction” was created by the late Lawrence “Butch” Morris and is now used throughout the world. Siegel learned Conduction from playing in Wayne Horvitz’s ensemble for many years. The first set will be an open rehearsal, and then second set will be a performance utilizing the Conduction techniques practiced in the open rehearsal. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Big Mosquito, w/ Evergreen, Punisher, & Heavyweight
Friday, February 28 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Big Mosquito is a local Missoula ska outfit bringing a mix of authentic ska and high energy, with renditions and covers of such classics as The Skatalites, The Specials, laurel Aitkens, Phyllis Dillon/Freddy McKay, ect. Plus originals and more lively tunes like Murphy’s law’s 1%. Big Mosquito’s goal is to bring authentic ska and love for roots music to the forefront of our rising youth movement in Missoula and beyond. Big Mosquito is made up of Zane Lambert, Cameron Doucette, Evan Wright, Spencer Nelson, Nick Mogensen, Jacob Tirado, Rhett Matthew, and Danny Boatwright. Starting as a jazz combo through the University of Montana, the members of Evergreen decided they all liked each other’s company and wanted to keep playing music together. Rooted in jazz, the band is not afraid to dive into other territory, such as funk, hip hop, and fusion. Groove and improvisation is the name of the game, and Evergreen is here to have a good time playing. Punisher finds beauty in the unexpected—unapologetically exploring grooves that wobble on the edge of collapse before veering into surprising cohesion. Stillman’s saxophone spits and whispers, Doucette’s trombone slides and growls, and Wicks’ drumming creates a humorous, tuneful backbone, crafting a sound that feels full even without a bassist. Whether riffing downtown soul or diving headfirst into dissonant explorations, the group is hell-bent on pushing boundaries with joyful abandon. This is music that dares you to laugh, think, and lose yourself in its unconventional charm. We are Heavyweight. We are from Missoula and all students at the U. Owen Meador on Sax, Evan Nesbitt on Bass, Simon Hickey on Keys, and Danger Gersh on Drums. Our sound blends hip-hop, jazz, pop, and soul into a fun, backbeat oriented jazz. We were inspired by artists such as Nate Smith, Jamiroquai, PJ Morton, D’Angelo, Louis Cole, George Duke and so many others!
Missoula Collective Music Ensemble, Conducted by Naomi Moon Siegel
Monday, January 27 // Doors at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $5-$25 Sliding Scale Admission Featuring the entire ensemble under conduction/direction by Siegel, these collective improvisations and compositions feature “conduction”, a jazz technique utilized to organize, expand and inspire improvisation in a large group setting. “Conduction” was created by the late Lawrence “Butch” Morris and is now used throughout the world. Siegel learned Conduction from playing in Wayne Horvitz’s ensemble for many years. The first set will be an open rehearsal, and then second set will be a performance utilizing the Conduction techniques practiced in the open rehearsal. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Sunshine Deity w/ Heavyweight & Verne
Wednesday, November 20 // Doors at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Sunshine Deity is based out of Missoula, MT. The band has Connor Racicot on keys, Llwyn Clark-Gaynor on drums, Evan Nesbitt on bass, Cameron Kinney on guitar, Cade Chastain on alto sax, Sean Stineford on trombone and Jolene Green on vocals/tenor sax. The band was started by its frontwoman, Jolene, and plays her original music which is a blend of jazz, low-fi, soul, hip hop, and metal. The band members are all former or current top music students at the University of Montana and use their formal training to create a sound that is new, unique, and informed. We are Heavyweight. We are from Missoula and all students at the U. Owen Meador on Sax, Evan Nesbitt on Bass, Simon Hickey on Keys, and Danger Gersh on Drums. Our sound blends hip-hop, jazz, pop, and soul into a fun, backbeat oriented jazz. We were inspired by artists such as Nate Smith, Jamiroquai, PJ Morton, D’Angelo, Louis Cole, George Duke and so many others! Verne is a Missoula born and raised musician who loves playing saxophone, and writing original music. Their current music involves songwriting with a looper. Layering guitar, vocals, saxophone, and piano, the resulting songs are inspired by modern jazz, alternative rock, and folk music. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Missoula Collective Music Ensemble, Conducted by Naomi Moon Siegel
Monday, November 18 // Doors at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $5-$25 Sliding Scale Admission Featuring the entire ensemble under conduction/direction by Siegel, these collective improvisations and compositions feature “conduction”, a jazz technique utilized to organize, expand and inspire improvisation in a large group setting. “Conduction” was created by the late Lawrence “Butch” Morris and is now used throughout the world. Siegel learned Conduction from playing in Wayne Horvitz’s ensemble for many years. The first set will be an open rehearsal, and then second set will be a performance utilizing the Conduction techniques practiced in the open rehearsal. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Jazzoula Presents: Guitar Night
Saturday, November 16 // Door at 6 PM // Show at 6:30 PM // $25 General Admission Jazzoula Presents: Guitar Night – a very special evening featuring some of Montana’s finest guitarists including Louie Bond, Craig Hall, DR Halsell, David Horgan, Owen Thayer, & The University of Montana Guitar Trio. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Patti Nolan & The Undeniables + The Mitchell Bailey Large Ensemble
Tuesday, October 22 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $15 Patti Nolan & The Undeniables perform their unique and spirited blend of jazz classics and standards, with Patti on vocals, Ben Schuberg on piano, Pete Hand on bass, Graeme Pletscher on saxophone, and Ed Stalling on drums. The Mitchell Bailey Large Ensemble is a 17-piece jazz big band, featuring a plethora of creative musicians from the Missoula Music Scene. The band plays original music and arrangements by Mitchell Bailey, along with other members of the band and modern big band writers. Although listeners will hear nods to titans of music such as Thad Jones, Wayne Shorter, and Charlie Parker, the band is also heavily influenced by contemporary jazz, modern rock, free music, electronic music, and hip hop. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
