Advertisement

The Jazz Beat: August 2024

Hello, all, and welcome back to this regular column here at Music City Review. Here, we will update you with the most can’t-miss jazz events happening in Music City, so you can be sure to catch all your favorites, as well as discover new ones along the way. Get out there and support your local musicians and keep Music City thriving! We are always looking to promote great music that may not get the attention it deserves. Have an event you think should be included in the next issue? Email me at:                     [email protected]


This Month’s Highlights

Here you’ll find the shows and events this month that I think are the real standouts, unique events that you won’t find every day in the city.

“John Coltrane – 1961” Presented by Don Aliquo – Thursday, August 1 – 9:00 PM ($16) (Rudy’s)

Prominent Nashville saxophonist and Rudy’s regular Don Aliquo presents a unique concert, celebrating jazz giant Jazz Coltrane, but specifically the year 1961, a seminal year in the legend’s career. The quartet led by Aliquo will dive into recordings from albums from this year, including the tunes “Like Sonny”, “Chasin’ the Trane”, “Dahomey Dance”, “My Favorite Things”, and more. The quartet will feature Jody Nardone on piano, Jacob Jezioro on bass, and Josh Cook on drums.

Pat Bianchi Trio (2 performances) – Friday, August 9 & Saturday, August 10 – 8:00 PM ($25) (Rudy’s)

One of the great modern Hammond B3 players, Grammy-nominated keyboardist Pat Bianchi has years of experience in the classic organ trio setting. He was a longtime member of the trio led by the late great guitarist Pat Martino. Having toured extensively through the US and Europe, Bianchi now comes to Rudy’s for a pair of performances with his trio, featuring Chris Burroughs on drums and Ben Weatherford on guitar.

An Evening with Oleta Adams – Monday, August 12 – 7:30 PM ($50+) (City Winery – Main Stage)

Platinum-selling artist Oleta Adams graces the Main Stage to celebrate 52 years in the music industry and support her latest album Third Set. With a long and storied career including worldwide tours both headlining and with artists like Michael Bolton and Phil Collins, this is a performance you won’t want to miss.

An Evening with Sheila E. & The E-Train (2 performances) – Sunday, August 18 – 6:00 PM & 9:30 PM ($45+) (Rudy’s)

Famed percussionist, singer, and songwriter Sheila E. comes to City Winery with her band The E. Train. Over her long career, she has made a name for herself as one of the most talented musicians in the industry. Spanning genres from jazz to R&B to pop, her music has something in it for everyone.

Walters, Sutton & Hunt: Music of Ellington, Mingus, Gershwin & More – Thursday, August 22 – 9:00 PM ($15) (Rudy’s)

Three of Nashville’s top players join forces to bring you a night of music from some of jazz music’s most foundational composers. All three of these players have long and storied careers already, having been performing professionally for many years. With Chris Walters on piano, Brook Sutton on bass, and Joshua Hunt on drums, this is sure to be an act to impress.

Beatle Jazz – Beatles Songs Reimagined – Thursday, August 29 – 9:00 PM ($15) (Rudy’s)

A quartet of fine Nashville talent comes together to reinvent the Beatles catalog with this unique performance. The arrangements were created by drummer and bandleader Miles Damaso, known for his wonderful compositions and unique arrangements. The band will also include Don Aliquo on sax, Pat Coil on piano, and Leland Nelson on bass.


Analog at Hutton Hotel.

The MF Band with the Kris Myers Band – Friday, August 9 – 6:00 PM ($25)

Frequent guests at Rudy’s, the MF Band embraces a highly improvisational performance which highlights the supreme talent of the individual musicians. They will perform with a band led by Kris Myers, highly accomplished and celebrated drummer who has worked with industry giants like Jeff Coffin, Billy Strings, and tours with progressive-rock band Umphrey’s McGee.

Analog Soul ft. Nashville Blues & Roots Alliance Blues Challenge – Sunday, August 18 – 6:00 PM (GA: free / reserved seating: $20)

This is the second round of bands competing to represent Music City at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis next year. Six bands will perform, competing against each other, and two will be selected by judges to move on to the finals in October. Bands featured are: Memphis & the Misfits, Alex Kilroy, Otis Faithful, The Lowdown, Jeff Woods Band, and The Ron Miller Band.  


Arrington Vineyards

 

Music in the Vines Series – Every Saturday (3:00-7:00 PM) & Sunday (1:00-5:00 PM)

Starting in April, Arrington Vineyards will feature concerts of Jazz and Bluegrass every Saturday and Sunday. Acts range from Andrew Carney & the Essentials to Art Four Sale Band to the Reed Pittman Band. There will also be live jazz on Fridays (4:30-8:30 PM) for Arrington’s Food Truck Fridays!


City Winery Nashville

Nashville’s City Winery is a beautiful venue that consistently features top-talent acts that span genres from Jazz to Americana to Hip Hop. The below performances showcase a mix of several genres, but will certainly be of interest to any jazz audience. Enjoy these concerts accompanied by a stellar selection of wine and delicious bites.

Main Stage

An Evening with Demola – Saturday, August 3 – 9:30 PM ($30)

Demola is an international award-winning multi-genre violinist who has garnered hundreds of millions of views and listens from his online presence. Though his music skews toward the pop genre, his performance will include covers of works from all types of genres, including jazz, country, afrobeats, and more. His first show earlier in the evening has already sold out, so act fast if you want to see this unique performance.

J Howell – Friday, August 9 – 7:30 PM ($52+)

Memphis-native R&B and pop artist J Howell is known for his emotional voice and lyrics, telling deep, personal stories through his music. As an independent artist, he has steadily developed a committed fanbase across the country as well as internationally, and his audience only continues to grow.

An Evening with Oleta Adams – detailed above

An Evening with Sheila E. & The E-Train (2 performances) – detailed above

AJ Ghent & His Singing Guitar – Thursday, August 22 – 7:30 PM ($25+)

AJ Ghent is an expressive blues and slide guitar player whose soulful guitar sound has been compared to the sweetness of the human voice. Part of a musical family with a hundred-year-old legacy, Ghent aims to continue this legacy with his healing and deeply spiritual music.

The Voices Tribute to Motown and R&B – Saturday, August 24 – 7:30 PM ($25+)

With over 40 years of experience, this vocal group has fostered an incredible camaraderie and chemistry that has pleased crowds wherever they go. They now come together for a special performance paying tribute to the music of Motown and R&B.

Jazz Brunch with the Lisa Stewart Jazz Combo – Sunday, August 25 – 12:00 PM ($20+)

With a voice described as “smooth like Tupelo honey,” Lisa Stewart has charted singles as a solo artist for BNA records, toured internationally, and won BMI awards for her songwriting, the most significant of which is “Sky Full of Angels,” made famous by Reba McEntire. Now she performs with her jazz group for a delightful brunch at the Main Stage.


The Nashville Jazz Workshop

Moving on to Music City’s other great jazz venue, the Jazz Cave at the NJW is a venue with world-class acoustics, which consistently ranks in Downbeat Magazine’s list of Great Jazz Venues in the world. Tickets can be purchased through the Workshop website.

Jazz Cave

Chris Walters Trio – Friday, August 2 – 7:30 PM ($35)

Just off another incredible performance in the Cave last month honoring the work of George Gershwin and Cole Porter, pianist Chris Walters returns this month alongside bassist Brook Sutton and drummer Chris Brown. This trio will present a performance consisting of unique arrangements of works by Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Leonard Bernstein, and other celebrated American composers.

Singing for NJW – Saturday, August 10 – 7:30 PM ($35)

NJW’s fundraising event returns with another stellar cast of jazz vocalists and musicians for a special performance.

The Stephen Philip Harvey Octet – Friday, August 16 – 7:30 PM ($35)

The saxophonist, composer, arranger, and educator Stephen Philip Harvey returns to the Cave with his incredible Octet, consisting of some of Nashville’s top jazz talent, with fresh music from their albums Elemental (Live) and Live at Radio Artifact, both released this year. Embracing modern sounds as well as the jazz tradition, this group fuses jazz with funk, hip-hop, and rock styles for a unique sound.

The Ryan Middagh Jazz Orchestra – Sunday, August 25 – 7:30 PM ($40)

The big band led by Ryan Middagh returns to the NJW for another performance. The band consists of world-class musicians all based in Nashville, and they continue to prove that big band music has a home in Music City.

Tribute to Wayne Shorter w/ David Williford – Friday, August 30 – 7:30 PM ($35)

Knoxville native turned Nashville-based saxophonist, composer, and educator David Williford presents an evening of music paying tribute to one of the all-time great jazz saxophonists, Wayne Shorter.

 


Rudy’s Jazz Room

And now we move on to Nashville’s premier jazz club, with its cozy, intimate setting. I’ll start with some of the unique highlights for this month, then follow up with the great regular acts performing. Please note that some shows are one dollar cheaper if you purchase advance tickets. I have listed the door price for all shows.

Rudy’s Highlights

Below are the performances for this month that I’ve picked out as the real can’t-miss shows, some featuring touring artists from out of state, others featuring local artists giving specialized, unique performances. Below are the performances for this month that I’ve picked out as the real can’t-miss shows, some featuring touring artists from out of state, others featuring local artists giving specialized, unique performances.

“John Coltrane – 1961” Presented by Don Aliquo – detailed above

Abigail Flowers – Friday, August 2 – 5:30 PM ($15)

Abigail Flowers has made a name for herself as one of Nashville’s finest jazz vocalists, drawing on influences from Ella Fitzgerald to Chet Baker. With a smooth and precise vocal style, her setlists include classic tunes from the Great American Songbook, as well as songs in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Hawaiian.

Tribute to Carla Bley w/ The Jacob Jezioro Quartet – Friday, August 2 – 11:00 PM ($10)

Prominent Nashville bassist Jacob Jezioro presents an evening celebrating the music of Carla Bley, jazz composer, pianist, organist, and bandleader perhaps best known for her jazz opera Escalator Over the Hill. The quartet will feature Brandon Moore (sax), Jon Rogerson (guitar), and John Westberry (drums).

Marc Payne Trio – Saturday, August 3 – 5:30 PM ($14)

One of Nashville’s most talented up-and-coming pianists Marc Payne will lead his trio. Payne has been praised for his diversity and wide knowledge of many jazz styles. He has spent his life in Nashville soaking up many different sounds and styles, and this diversity comes through in his masterful playing.

Jeff Berlin Quartet – Saturday, August 3 – 8:00 PM ($21)

Widely recognized as one of the greatest innovators of electric bass in the world, Jeff Berlin performs in quartet format with Don Aliquo on sax, Jody Nardone on piano, and Bob Harsen on drums. In his long career, Berlin has performed with Bill Buford, Allan Holdsworth, and Frank Zappa, to name a few, as well as recorded seven solo recordings.

Jose Gobbo & Don Aliquo Quartet – Saturday, August 3 – 11:00 PM ($12)

Prominent Nashville sax player Don Aliquo teams up with Brazilian guitarist Jose Gobbo for a quartet performance featuring Bailey Johnstone on bass and Miles Damaso on drums. Gobbo relocated to the States in 2011 for a master’s degree in Jazz Performance, and has been in high demand all across the country ever since, having performed in NYC, Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville and Cincinnati in 2022 alone.

Nigel Cathéy Trio “Standards Sessions – Monday, August 5 – 6:00 PM ($12)

Trumpeter, arranger, and educator Nigel Cathéy will present an evening of jazz standards from milestone jazz composers like Miles Davis, Tadd Dameron, Cole Porter, and more. The trio will features Rob Linton on bass and Madison George on drums.

Lindsey Miller Quintet – Wednesday, August 7 – 6:00 PM ($15)

Touring and session guitarist Lindsey Miller returns to Rudy’s with a quintet featuring some of Nashville’s top talent, including Evan Cobb on sax, David Rodgers on keys, Brian Allen on bass, and Keith Carlock on drums. Miller has toured with artists like Brett Eldredge, Lauren Daigle, and Kevin Max, and plays regularly with the Nashville Symphony.

MILEStones: Tribute to Miles Davis – Wednesday, August 7 – 9:00 PM ($15)

The Miles Davis tribute ensemble returns to the Rudy’s stage. This quintet focuses on music from the “great quintets” that Miles led in the 50’s and 60’s.

Pat Bianchi Trio (2 performances) – detailed above

Jimmy Sullivan Quartet – Friday, August 9 – 5:30 PM ($14)

Nashville bassist Jimmy Sullivan has spent years building a name for himself as one of the city’s top-rate bassists, and has visited the Rudy’s stage regularly, working with acts such as Stephanie Adlington, PT Gazell, and others. In 2018 he won a Nashville Music Industry Award for Best Jazz Instrumentalist. Now he comes back to Rudy’s with his own quartet.

Rory and Nalani Jazz Trio – Saturday, August 10 – 5:30 PM ($15)

Nashville guitar and multi-instrument virtuoso Rory Hoffman (piano, guitar, saxophone and vocals) teams with another multi-talented performer Nalani (bass and vocals) for a wonderful jazz trio set. Both performers have had extensive performing careers and won numerous awards. Their combination is sure to be a treat.

Bruce Dudley (2 performances) – Sunday, August 11 – 6:00 PM ($15) & Saturday, August 24 – 5:30 PM ($16)

Bruce Dudley is a Steinway Concert Artist who has over 40 years of experience performing jazz all throughout North and South America. He has recorded a number of albums as bandleader, as well as performed with big industry names like Aretha Franklin, Herb Ellis, and Crystal Gale. This month he will perform twice at Rudy’s, once in a trio format (first date), featuring Jack Aylor (bass) and Josh Hunt (drums), and once in a quartet (second date), featuring Sandra Dudley (vocals), Roger Spencer (bass), and Larry Aberman (drums).

Rebecca Carlson – Thursday, August 15 – 9:00 PM ($14)

Jazz and blues vocalist Rebecca Carlson has made a name for herself across the country, taking stints based in New York City, Tucson, Los Angeles, and now Nashville. An extensive touring and recording career has made her quite an in-demand performer.

Sarah Jane Nelson – Friday, August 16 – 5:30 PM ($20)

Vocalist Sarah Jane Nelson combines influences from country, jazz, blues, and musical theater for a unique voice that has earned her descriptions as a “knock-‘em dead singer,” “sultry jazz goddess,” and “a first rate singer”.

Elvis Jones’ “Live at the Lighthouse” Revisited – Friday, August 16 – 8:00 PM ($23)

A quartet of Nashville’s finest join forces to revisit the iconic “Live at the Lighthouse” album by Elvin Jones. This quartet will feature saxophonists Don Aliquo and Miguel Alvarado, bassist Rob Linton, and drummer Dave Potter.

Shaun Munday – Saturday, August 17 – 5:30 PM ($12)

Bassist Shaun Munday returns to the Rudy’s stage with his full band. Munday has studied and performed with some of the industry’s greats, including John Mayer, Esperanza Spalding, and Antonio Sanchez, among others.

Steve Pardo Quartet – Saturday, August 17 – 8:00 PM ($20)

Acclaimed videogame composer and saxophonist Steve Pardo presents a modern jazz quartet featuring Rod McGaha (trumpet), Jon Estes (bass), and Chris Brush (drums). Pardo’s years of experience composing game music gives him a very unique perspective when it comes to jazz.

Liz Kelley Quartet – Saturday, August 17 – 11:00 PM ($10)

Liz Kelly is a vocalist, guitarist, vocalist, and producer who has performed at Montreux, Umbria, and Vienne jazz festivals in Europe, and has shared the stage with Victor Wooten, Jeff Coffin & Steve Bailey.

Ladies of Jazz – Sunday, August 18 – 6:00 PM ($18)

Nashville-based jazz vocalist and flautist Wendy Burns heads up this much-talked-about concert series, featuring some of Nashville’s best female vocalists and backed by some of the city’s best musical talent. This concert will feature Mimi Clay and Abigail Flowers as the other vocalists, all of whom are acclaimed and seasoned performers.

Christine Parri – Wednesday, August 21 – 6:00 PM ($15)

Powerhouse Australian vocalist Christine Parri returns to the Rudy’s stage. Her voice has been praised as invoking Artha Franklin, Etta James, Amy Winehouse, and other iconic women vocalists. Her past Rudy’s appearances have brought in sold-out crowds, and she continues to grow her name and audience in Music City.

Leland Nelson Presents: The Music of Marcus Miller – Wednesday, August 21 – 9:00 PM ($16)

Nashville bassist Leland Nelson presents an evening honoring the music of Marcus Miller, renowned NYC bassist and composer. Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Nelson has made a name for himself in the Nashville area, having worked with many artists like The Sofia Goodman Group, Josh Karas, Marc Payne, and more, as well as founded his own jazz fusion group, Gratuitous Mr. Mayo.

Walters, Sutton & Hunt: Music of Ellington, Mingus, Gershwin & More – detailed above

Andrew Carney Quartet – Friday, August 23 – 5:30 PM ($12)

Supremely talented and in-demand trumpet and flugelhornist Andrew Carney performs with his quartet. Carney has enjoyed a long and accomplished career in the touring and recording industries, having toured or performed with artists such as Pink, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Araina Grande, and more, and having recorded for countless TV shows and commercials.

Jack Macklin Trio – Friday, August 26 – 11:00 PM ($10)

Guitarist Jack Macklin brings a trio featuring Parker Kaplan on bass and Ryan Brasley on drums. The trio will present popular songs ranging from the 1950’s to the present, as well as original material sprinkled in. During his time in Chicago, Macklin received glowing press from WGN Chicago, Chicago Reader magazine, and Chicago Jazz Magazine for his work to push the music forward.

Beatle Jazz – Beatles Songs Reimagined – detailed above

Ellisa Sun – Friday, August 30 – 5:30 PM ($15)

Originally from Los Angeles but now a Nashville resident, guitarist Ellisa Sun is known for her raw, heartfelt music, which can be heard on several TV shows, including L.A.’s Finest, Dollface, and Kung Fu.

Creek ft. Kristen Warren & Ryan Devlin (2 performances) – Friday, August 30 & Saturday, August 31– 8:00 PM ($21)

Creek is a jazz fusion group from Central Florida, fusing traditional jazz and swing music with funk, rock, and soul. The main band consists of Daniel Tenbusch of keys, Thomas Milovac on bass and Ashton Bailey-Gould on drums. For this pair of performances at Rudy’s, they will be joined by Kristen Warren, a traveling singer-songwriter from Melbourne, Florida, and Ryan Devlin on saxophone.

Ryan Devlin Quartet (2 performances) – Friday, August 30 & Saturday, August 31 – 11:00 PM ($12)

Saxophonist Ryan Devlin brings his quartet from Boston, MA to Rudy’s, featuring Thomas Milovac (bass), Mike Bond (piano), and Caleb Montague (drums).

Rudy’s Regulars

Pat Coil (2 performances) – Friday, August 2 – 8:00 PM ($21) & Saturday, August 31 – 5:30 PM ($15)

Renowned Nashville pianist Pat Coil will perform twice this month. The first performance listed will be in the quintet format, featuring Don Aliquo (sax), Jamey Simmons (trumpet), Miles Damaso (drums), and Jack Aylor (bass). The second performance will be in the trio format, featuring Jacob Jezioro (bass), and Danny Gottlieb (drums).

Cliff Richmond & the CliffNotes – Thursday, August 8 – 9:00 PM ($14)

Guitarist and vocalist Cliff Richmond’s band always features some of Nashville’s top talent, and presents a great blend of soulful, swinging, and funky jazz.

Geoff Pfeifer Quartet (2 performances) – Fridays, August 9 & 23 – 11:00 PM ($10)

Playing a mix of Wayne Shorter tunes and originals, Geoff Pfeifer brings gritty, edgy, genuine NYC-style jazz to Rudy’s stage with his Quartet.

Don Aliquo Trio (2 performances) – Saturdays, August 10 & 24 – 11:00 PM ($10)

One of Nashville’s most active and accomplished saxophonists, Aliquo will be performing with his trio on two occasions this month.

Re-Evolution – Mondays, August 12, 19, 26– 6:00 PM ($12)

This five-piece band is heavily influenced by classic jazz cutting-edge artists like Thelonius Monk, Wes Montgomery, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and more. The band consists of Brian Cornish on saxophone, Regi Wooten on bass, Daryl Johnson on drums, Adam Charney on guitar and Alex Murphy on piano.

Dana Robbins Quintet – Wednesday, August 14 – 6:00 PM ($12)

GRAMMY-winning saxophonist Dana Robbins pays tribute to the Soul Jazz sound of the late 60’s and early 70’s, celebrating artists such as Les McCann, Eddie Harris, Jimmy Smith, and more. Robbins has either recorded or performed with many artists, including Keb’ Mo’, Aretha Franklin, Taj Mahal, Keith Urban, and more. Her band features David Santos (bass), Wes Little (drums), Phil Hughley (guitar), and Darius Mines (piano/B3 organ).

Regi Wooten & Friends – Wednesdays, August 14 & 28 – 9:00 PM ($15)

Coming from a distinctly talented musical family, Regi Wooten is one of the most innovative and dynamic musicians on the scene today, pushing the boundaries of the traditional genres. Equally at home playing Hendrix as Wes Montgomery, Wooten assembles a group of some of Nashville’s best musicians to offer a night steeped in funk, jazz, soul, blues and rock.

Stephanie Adlington – Friday, August 23 – 8:00 PM ($23 Cover)

Another frequent visitor to the Rudy’s stage, award-winning vocalist, songwriter and vocal coach Stephanie Adlington is known as the “Siren of the South,” with an “unrivaled” take on the Great American Songbook.

Jody Nardone Trio – Saturday, August 24 – 8:00 PM ($22)

Prominent Nashville pianist Jody Nardone brings his trio to Rudy’s for a classic jazz set. With a growing national reputation, Nardone seamlessly shifts from the “whispered beauty of Bill Evans to the percussive flights of McCoy Tyner.” (Michael McCall, Nashville Scene)

Sully’s Swingin’ Sunday Supper – Sunday, August 25 – 6:00 PM ($12)

Every other Sunday, Rudy’s features a Sunday dinner, with one of Music City’s top bassists Jimmy Sullivan leading a swingin’ jazz band featuring rotating special guests, for which a unique dinner special is served just for the show.

Bizz Bigsby – Wednesday, August 28 – 6:00 PM ($15)

Nashville native Bizz Bigsby shares his very personal music which tells the story of his life, influenced by everyone from Bill Withers to George Jones to James Taylor.

Giovanni Rodriguez & 12 Manos – Every Monday – 9:00 PM ($15)

A favorite on the Nashville Latin and jazz scene, multi-instrumentalist Giovanni Rodriguez presents an electric night of salsa, along with his band consisting of Rodriguez (bass/vocals), Melvin Macias (piano/vocals), Jesus Agreda (Timbales), Lorenzo Molina Ruiz (Trumpet), and Manuel ‘Manotas’ Ramierez (multi-Percussion).

Hot Club Gypsy Jazz – Every Thursday – 6:00 PM ($12)

Every Thursday night, Rudy’s honors its New Orleans and French roots by celebrating the vibrant music of Gypsy Jazz. These nights feature a variety of small groups either led or curated by New Orleans native Brook Sutton, all performing music in the style of the great Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli. The bar will feature French Quarter-inspired cocktails as well as gumbo and beignets. Come out for as authentic a night as you can get without a trip to the French Quarter.

Rudy’s Jazz Jam – Every Sunday (except August 4) – 9:00 PM ($10)

I couldn’t make a list of Rudy’s events without including a shout-out for the regular weekly Jazz Jam the club hosts every Sunday night. Whether you are a jazz musician and you want to jam with your fellow artists, or you just want to come and enjoy what the local talent has to offer, the Jazz Jam is a great way to end your weekend.


Sambuca Restaurant

Sambuca is a New American restaurant in Nashville’s Gulch district, featuring nightly live music. Below are the appearances that will interest the jazz listener!

Stephanie Adlington (2 performances) – Sunday, August 4 – 6:00 PM & Saturday, August 24 – 7:00 PM

Detailed in the Rudy’s section above, Adlington is a jazz vocal mainstay in Nashville.

Grant Garland – Friday, August 9 – 7:00 PM

Guitarist, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Grant Garland blends the richness of soul music into his combination of jazz, R&B, blues, and pop. His guitar playing has been likened to that of John Mayer and his voice to that of John Legend, Allen Stone and Bernhoft.

Ben Graves – Saturday, August 10 – 7:00 PM

An incredibly eclectic and versatile musician, Ben Graves has performed music in genres from classical to jazz to hard rock, weaving all of this experience together into a unique style.

Sarah J (2 performances) – Wednesday, August 14 & Thursday, August 29 – 6:00 PM

Known for an energetic personality and audience interactions, Sarah J’s music combines R&B, pop, and contemporary jazz.

Leif Shires – Thursday, August 15 – 6:00 PM

Modern jazz trumpeter Leif Shires will perform twice this month. Shires, who has performed with many artists including Tom Jones, the Secret Sisters, Kelly Lang, and many others, now presents a traditional, straight-ahead jazz sound that is sure to be a great accompaniment to a delicious meal.


The Underdog Nashville

The Jack Ruch Organ Trio – Thursdays, August 1, 8 – 6:00 PM & Thursdays, August 15, 22, 29 – 7:00 PM

Guitarist Jack Ruch, organist Adam Wakefield, and drummer Nioshi Jackson make up this soul and blues trio. The music you’ll hear here makes up the core of jazz’s roots, so any jazz fan should feel right at home listening to this trio.

The Guthrie Trapp Trio – Mondays, August 5, 12 – 8:00 PM & Thursday, August 26 – 6:00 PM

One of Nashville’s preeminent guitar talents will perform several times at the Underdog. More blues and country than jazz, Trapp’s intricate and highly technical guitar playing will surely interest those who love the technicality of jazz music. His trio features Jordan Perlson on drums and Tim Marks on bass.

Regular Nashville Hangs

Bohemia After Dark: Live Jazz Band with Andrew Golden – Every Monday – 8:00 PM (Old Glory)

Tuesday Bluesday w/ Shantelle & The Juke Joint Band – Every Tuesday – 6:30 PM (Rawhides)

Weekly blues night with a different special guest each week.

Dinner & A Show – Live Jazz Band – Every Friday – 7:00 PM (Flamingo Cocktail Club)

Living Room Sessions – Every Friday & Saturday – 8:00 PM (W Nashville Hotel)

Regular weekly showcase featuring local indie, jazz, funk, and R&B bands.

Eastside Jam – Every Sunday – 9:00 PM (Inglewood Lounge)

This is not a traditional jazz jam playing standards, but rather an improv jam, but any jazz player or listener will still be interested!



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked as *