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/.
Missoula Collective Music Ensemble, Conducted by Naomi Moon Siegel
Monday, October 21 // 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/.
Loren Stillman & Haymaker
Wednesday, October 9 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $12 Advance // $15 Day of Show Haymaker is: Loren Stillman on Saxophone & Songs, Tommy Sciple on Bass, and John Wicks on Drums. One of the greatest challenges in music is making complexity feel natural and effortless. Saxophonist Loren Stillman continues to push his compositional boundaries, creating free-flowing pieces that draw from the past 60 years of American jazz — embracing its wide range of styles and temperaments: soft and loud, fast and slow, in tempo and out, free and composed, cluttered and sparse, swinging and non-swinging. His compositions challenge musicians to navigate these intricate musical landscapes while driving the music forward. To bring this vision to life, Stillman partners with collaborators, bassist Tommy Sciple and drummer John Wicks, performing a dynamic repertoire of new works. The saxophonist Loren Stillman communicates great intensity but not a lot of drama. He’s an intuitive self-regulating improviser, averse to any flourish that calls attention to itself. What you hear in his playing is the real-time synthesis of information, the melodic and harmonic, and the rigorous subtlety of his response. He pairs uncannily mature instincts with the open-minded spark of youth. – Nate Chinen, The New York Times In this first hearing I believe that as a writer and a stylist, he (Stillman) has found a previously unoccupied slot in the jazz spectrum, which is a very rare thing indeed. – Anthony Troon, Jazz Review UK The magic, that which entrances, is not technique, although Stillman obviously can play anything his mind hears. He is that special musician, one who is totally free. Stillman projects a searching intelligence far beyond his years with every note. – Budd Kopman, Cadence Magazine For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Elana Hayden w/ Mike Gillan, Mike Leslie, Owen Ross, & Joe Sullivan
Wednesday, September 11 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 Advanced // $12 Day of Show // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Join New York vocalist, Elana Hayden & some of Montana’s most renowned and respected musicians when they perform LIVE at the Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC) in Missoula, MT! This is Elana’s first time performing at ZACC and she’s thrilled to be joined by Montana players, Mike Leslie (bass), Owen Ross (guitar), Mike Gillan (drums) & Joe Sullivan (piano). Guest artists from Missoula will also sit in with the band for a few songs during the show, including Bob Packwood, Doc Halsell, Lhanna Writesel, and Milan House – so don’t miss this exciting event! Enjoy familiar songs from Patsy Cline to Hoagy Carmichael, John Prine to Elvis Presley, Ben E. King to Carole King, & Etta James to Norah Jones. ELANA HAYDEN is a versatile and seasoned vocalist who has written, recorded, produced, and licensed numerous songs, jingles and voiceovers for TV, film, radio, and video including spots for Showtime, HBO, and the NBA, among others. She has appeared and/or recorded with Bernard Purdie (Aretha Franklin), Liberty DeVitto (Billy Joel), Aaron Comess (Spin Doctors), Jon Herington (Steely Dan), and Richie Cannata (Billy Joel), to name a few. As a session singer, Elana was a member of several groups, both as a lead and background vocalist, recording and releasing songs in the U.S. and abroad. She was featured on Q-Club’s, “I’ll Be There,” in Italy, Force of 2’s single “Victory is Ours” (Tommy O Records), appeared on Teddy Kumpel’s CD, “Nome Sane” (Hooney Records) and sang lead vocals for the group “Push” on their cover of the ABBA song, “The Winner Takes It All”( Blank Frank Records). Elana toured with “Beehive: The 60s Musical,” the band “Renegade,” and “All About Joel,” a NY-based Billy Joel Tribute Band. She has enjoyed success with her debut album, “Carry You Home” and her voice and music can be heard on various forms of media across the globe. A native New Yorker, Elana recently made the move to Billings, Montana and now splits her time between The Big Apple and Big Sky Country. Elana is beyond thrilled to perform at the fabulous Zootown Arts Community Center and is thankful to make music with some of the most renowned and respected musicians in Montana. www.elanahayden.com For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Patti Nolan & The Undeniables + Rob Tapper & The Jazz Collective
Wednesday, June 5 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $12 // $15-$20 Artist SupporterDon’t miss this spirited night of Montana jazz – featuring two powerhouse Missoula acts: Patti Nolan & The Undeniables, and Rob Tapper & The Jazz Collective! During the first set, Patti’s timeless vocals will be backed by Ben Schuberg on piano, Pete Hand on bass, Graeme Pletscher on saxophone, and Ed Stalling on drums. The second set features Rob Tapper on the trombone, joined by Tommy Sciple on bass, Connor Racicot on piano, and Sam Purvis on drums. Bring a snack, bring a date, or just bring yourself – but just don’t miss this show!For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
The Missoula Jazz Orchestra with Dawn Clement and the Mile High All-Stars
Friday, January 17 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $31.50 GA // $14.50 Student // $24.50 Seniors The Missoula Jazz Orchestra is proud to team with Dawn Clement (piano/vocals), Shane Endsley (trumpet), Steve Kovalcheck (guitar) and Dru Heller (drum set) for an incredible evening big band music. These internationally recognized jazz artists are joined by the phenomenal Missoula Jazz Orchestra performing jazz big band standards along with original compositions and arrangements. This musical journey is bound to be a highlight of 2025. For more information about the artists: DAWN CLEMENT https://www.dawnclement.com/ SHANE ENDSLEY https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Endsley STEVE KOVALCHECK https://www.kovalcheckmusic.com/bio DRU HELLER http://www.druhellermusic.com/ For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
