JAZZOULA 2024
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday // April 24, 25, 26, & 27 // Doors at 5:30 // Show at 6:30 PM // $20 // $17 Students & Seniors (50+) It’s Jazzoula ‘24! Celebrating 20+ years of Jazz in the Missoula community – presenting nearly 20 jazz combos, big bands, vocalists, and multi-instrumentalists over four days, April 24, 25, 26, and 27. Providing a complete variety of the only original form of American music: jazz. Jazzoula gives the listener a chance to experience Missoula’s eclectic jazz performers showcasing their individual talents with their groups, and as soloists. With combo jazz, trios, big band, vocalists, student groups, and various musical incarnations. Enjoy short sets and a fantastic variety of awesome jazz music. See you there. Wednesday, April 24 Line-up (MTPR Recording):All-City JazzOwen RossKyle Curtis TrioC.Florence/D.Horgan/B.Lo Trio Thursday, April 25 Line-up:Bill Kautz’s Golden MeanNight Blooming JasmineConnor RacicotAbsent Wilson Conspiracy8 Ball (Boyd B) Friday, April 26 Line-up:Naomi Moon Siegel MSO TrioVerne Stimpling ProjectBob PackwoodBasement BoysAlly Fradkin Saturday, April 27 Line-up: Dylan Bautiste TrioPatti Nolan and the UndeniablesJohn Wicks/Loren Stillman PunisherCanta BrasilJolene Green and the Sunshine Deity For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
JAZZOULA 2024
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday // April 24, 25, 26, & 27 // Doors at 5:30 // Show at 6:30 PM // $20 // $17 Students & Seniors (50+) It’s Jazzoula ‘24! Celebrating 20+ years of Jazz in the Missoula community – presenting nearly 20 jazz combos, big bands, vocalists, and multi-instrumentalists over four days, April 24, 25, 26, and 27. Providing a complete variety of the only original form of American music: jazz. Jazzoula gives the listener a chance to experience Missoula’s eclectic jazz performers showcasing their individual talents with their groups, and as soloists. With combo jazz, trios, big band, vocalists, student groups, and various musical incarnations. Enjoy short sets and a fantastic variety of awesome jazz music. See you there. Wednesday, April 24 Line-up (MTPR Recording):All-City JazzOwen RossKyle Curtis TrioC.Florence/D.Horgan/B.Lo Trio Thursday, April 25 Line-up:Bill Kautz’s Golden MeanNight Blooming JasmineConnor RacicotAbsent Wilson Conspiracy8 Ball (Boyd B) Friday, April 26 Line-up:Naomi Moon Siegel MSO TrioVerne Stimpling ProjectBob PackwoodBasement BoysAlly Fradkin Saturday, April 27 Line-up: Dylan Bautiste TrioPatti Nolan and the UndeniablesJohn Wicks/Loren Stillman PunisherCanta BrasilJolene Green and the Sunshine Deity For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Trio Incognito
Wednesday, March 6 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $15 Advance // $20 Day of Show DAVID BIXLERDavid Bixler is a renowned alto saxophonist, composer, and educator who has recently revitalized his career with the release of three new recordings: In the Face of Chaos (2019), Blended Lineage (2020), and Inside the Grief (2020). His latest work, THE LANGSTON HUGHES PROJECT vol. 1, is a unique compilation of music inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes, which has been highly praised by PARIS-MOVE as “a touch of genius.” Having moved to New York City (NYC) three decades ago, Bixler honed his musical skills touring the world with the big bands of Lionel Hampton and Toshiko Akioshi. He later became part of the Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Big Band, playing a decade-long residency of Sunday evenings at Birdland and winning a LATIN GRAMMY for the recording, Final Night at Birdland. DAN LOOMIS With more than a decade of performing experience since moving to New York City, Dan Loomis has emerged as a daring leader, a sought-after sideman, and a composer whose view of the world – and willingness to explore his own inner questioning – has led to the creation of innovative and moving works. Loomis is also an in-demand sideman. He’s a regular member of Vadim Neselovskyi’s trio, which has played across Europe and at the Blue Note and Village Vanguard in NYC. A small sample of the no- table names with whom Loomis has performed includes TS Monk, Gary Burton, Wycliffe Gordon, Ernesto Cervini, Joel Frahm, Laurence Hobgood, and The Respect Sextet. He’s played in all of New York’s major clubs and at Jazz at Lincoln Center, in addition to appearing on stages across Europe, Canada, Australia, China and throughout the United States. For more on Dan Loomis’s current projects, recordings and clinics, visit https://www.danloomismusic.com. FABIO ROJAS Fabio Rojas, Drummer/Film Composer and Educator based in New York City, originally from Valencia-Venezuela. Since arriving to the US, Rojas has performed with artists such as David Bixler, Greg Osby Band, Lonnie Plaxico, Geri Allen, Bill Pierce, Sean Jones, Jon Cowherd, Terri Lyne Carrington, Kevin Harris, Mike Rodriguez, John Lockwood, Manuel Valera, Regina Carter, Rachel Z Hakim, Pepe de Lucia, Nino de los Reyes and many others, in venues such as BU Agganis Arena, Boston Symphony Hall, Daegu Jazz Festival (South Korea), Lincoln Center (NYC), The Esplanade, Scullers Jazz Club, SXSW, BGSU, Smoke Jazz Club, TEDx Boston 2010, TEDx Sommerville 2012, RVA Film & Music Festival, 55 Bar, NAMM, MusikFest. Fabio Rojas earned his Bachelor of Music with a Dual Major in Performance and Professional Music at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston 14’, thanks to a scholarship and extreme hard work, where he had the honor of being mentored by Terri Lyne Carrington and Kim Plainfield. He also earned his Master of Music in Jazz Studies at CUNY – Queens College 23’ , Magna Cum Laude, where he studied with Michael Mossman, Antonio Hart and Dennis Mackrel. Rojas has given master classes in Youngstown State University (OH), Jazz St. Louis (MO), New Tier HS (IL), Berklee College of Music (MA), Lions Township HS (IL), Kalos Music & Art School (FL), NYC Public schools, Port Washington Public Schools, Conservatorio Sergei Rachmaninov (Ecuador), UEB Torremar (Ecuador), among other locations around the globe. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Jazz Night w/ Patti Nolan & The Undeniables
Thursday, January 18 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $12 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Join us at the Show Room at the ZACC for a spirited night of jazz classics and standards performed by Patti Nolan & Friends, with Patti on vocals, Ben Schuberg on piano, Pete Hand on bass, Graeme Pletscher on saxophone, and Ed Stalling on drums. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Loren Stillman Trio: Time and Again Album Release
Thursday, November 30 // Doors at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 // $12 // $10 for Students & SeniorsOne of the most difficult things to accomplish in music is making the complicated sound natural and easy. Saxophonist Loren Stillman continues to challenge himself in the arena of composition by writing pieces of music that sound freely played but adhere to an architecture, requiring the players to move forward within the piece as they deal with the fabric of the composition.Over the past two decades, Stillman has become one of jazz music’s leading alto saxophonists. But he has long felt that he was a tenor saxophonist playing the alto. So, when the pandemic reared its head, Stillman used the time to woodshed the larger horn, trying to extend his sound fluidity through his alto, soprano, and tenor without leaning into the sound cliches of any of the three.The time also allowed Stillman to develop new repertoire that he heard in his head led by tenor voice. He began to write pieces for a trio of tenor, bass, and drums, as it was a conscious choice to eschew a chordal instrument so that Stillman had more freedom and room to fill the harmonic space.Throughout his career, Loren Stillman has been able to impress with fantastic saxophone playing and intriguing composing. Though he changes dimensions with a new horn and a new trio after nearly a decade without an new album, Stillman’s skills remain undeniable on his new recording, Time and Again.For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Piano Solos, Duos, & Trios
Ft. Jim Driscoll, Bob Packwood, Connor Racicot, & Ann Tappan Saturday, November 11 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $25 // $20 Students & SeniorsJazzoula presents ‘Piano Solos, Duos, & Trios’ a very special evening featuring some of Montana’s finest pianists including Jim Driscoll, Bob Packwood, Connor Racicot, and Ann Tappan.Pianist extraordinaire Jim Driscoll is one of Western Montana’s best secrets. A Butte, Montana native and a classical piano prodigy he discovered jazz at an early age. He quickly became a professional, touring nationally and in the mid 1980’s was “discovered” by the US Air Force at piano bar gig while studying for his masters in composition at University of Maryland. He was immediately offered a job (and signed him up for service as a 35 year old) as a soloist in one of the most prestigious bands in world -the Airman of Note also know as the Glen Miller 18 piece band where he played at the White House and touring internationally. He advanced to his own jazz orchestra as soloist and arranger for another Air Force band in Japan for many years. He has played with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsallis, Vince Gill, Crystal Gayle to name a few. Retired in Missoula now Jim is a member of the renown Missoula jazz group Basement Boyz and fronts his own trio.He will be joined by bassist Pete Hand and Ed Stalling on drums. Bob Packwood is a multi-keyboardist/composer/recording engineer with over 50 years professional experience including extensive international touring and studio recordings. His participation as a finalist in the 1988 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition was inspiration for a move to New York City where he spent the next 15 years absorbing the creative energy and electric inspiration of the Big Apple’s East Village. Opportunities developed that led to lengthy European and Canadian touring and ultimately over 50 recordings with a wide range of original songwriting artists recorded mainly in New York City, Nashville and Toronto. Bob has appeared on stage with Neil Young, Jim Lauderdale, Steve Earle, Ron Sexsmith, Cyril Neville, Hank Williams III, Blue Rodeo, The Sadies and many others.The Connor Racicot Trio brings a fresh perspective to great American standards. Featuring Owen Cleary on the upright bass and Sam Purvis on the drums and cymbals, the trio distills nearly 80 years of influences into a modern and exciting sound. Ann Tappan grew up in Montclair, New Jersey where she started playing piano at the age of four. She entered Berklee College of Music to study jazz piano, composition and arranging then returned to the NYC area to connect with the avant-garde loft scene of the ‘70s. In 1976 Ann relocated to the Bay Are to study with ECM pianist Art Lande becoming part of his experimental jazz school, first as a student then as an instructor. During her time in the Bay Area, she wrote and arranged for many live and recorded projects and performed with such giants as Eddie Henderson and Joe Henderson. Ann migrated to Montana in 1993. She was the author and administrator of a 2001 MAC/Jazz Montana grant, a year-long creative music program linking national and local professional musicians to state-wide audiences and K-12 students. She was a faculty member (along with Phil Aaberg and David Morganroth) of the Montana Jazz Piano Workshop, Bozeman’s Camp Epic and in 2017 was Artist in Residence at Hanford High School in Richland, WA. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Jazz Night at the ZACC / Patti Nolan & The Undeniables + Mitchell Bailey’s Quiet Ruckus Octet
Wednesday, September 27 // 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 Quiet Ruckus Octet is a jazz ensemble led by Trombonist, Composer, and former Missoulian Mitchell Bailey. The band primarily plays original music and arrangements by the members of the ensemble, drawing from a number of influences including post bop, free music, and modern rock. With 5 horns, the group’s unique format aims to capture the energy and orchestration of a big band, while maintaining the mobility and spontaneity of a small ensemble. The band is: Nick Barr on the trumpet, Mitchell Bailey on the trombone, Lhanna Writesel on the alto sax, Aidan Robinson on the tenor sax, Michelle Sweeney on bass clarinet, Sam Purvis on drums, Owen Cleary on bass, and Connor Racicot on piano. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Naomi Moon Siegel & Lee Rizzo
Saturday, September 16 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10-$30 Sliding Scale Tickets “The impression given by Naomi Moon Siegel is that she is serenading the constellations. There’s an imagery inherent to her music that is greater than the calculus of the notes, much in the same way a certain collection of stars become meaningful in the context of their astronomical shape and name and story.” – Dave Sumner, Best of 2019 Jazz on Bandcamp The Naomi Moon Siegel Quartet is a genre-bending, experiential adventure weaving instrumental landscapes from deep grooves, soaring melodies, visceral textures, creative interplay, and improvisation. Featuring Lhanna Writesel on saxophone, Tommy Sciple on bass, Ed Stalling on drums and Siegel on trombone, this collaboration plays original compositions that take new life with each performance. Join us for the journey. Trombonist, composer and educator Naomi Moon Siegel has “crafted a truly unique aesthetic, combining elements of straightahead, fusion and modern jazz with world-music flavors in a way that sounds entirely of the 21st century” (JAZZIZ). A recipient of the Montana Arts Council Artist Innovation Award, Chamber Music America Performance Plus Grant, Jazz Journalist Association Jazz Hero Award and Earshot Jazz Golden Ear Award, she has released two albums as a bandleader to critical acclaim. Lee Rizzo is a humanist folk artist based in Missoula, MT. She released her debut solo album Moon Light Moon, June 2022. She shares the stage with long time accompaniment Jordan Demander. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Jazz Night w/ Patti Nolan & The Undeniables
Wednesday, July 26 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $12 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket Join us at the Show Room at the ZACC for a spirited night of jazz classics and standards performed by Patti Nolan & Friends, with Patti on vocals, Ben Schuberg on piano, Pete Hand on bass, Graeme Pletscher on saxophone, and Ed Stalling on drums. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Summer Soirée with the Ed Norton Big Band
Sunday, July 16 // Door at 7 PM // Music at 7:30 PM // $15 General Admission Get your dancing shoes on and spend a summer Sunday with hits from Ed Norton Big Band in The Show Room at the ZACC! The Ed Norton Big Band was founded around 1987 after trombonists Tom Wogsland and Scot Ray performed in the pit Orchestra for Missoula Children’s Theatre’s first production of The 1940’s Radio Hour – and didn’t want to stop. Since then the 18 piece band, made up of Missoula musicians from multiple generations, has been a staple of traditional and modern big band music throughout western Montana. Ed Norton Big Band has a long history of entertaining audiences of all ages from birthday parties, fundraisers, Out to Lunch, Second Sunday Jazz, and First Night. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
