Tucson, AZ---As temperatures get ready to fall here in Tucson, things are heating up at the Century Room with national touring jazz artists every week programmed around fantastic local bands. The small cap jazz club continues to present over 9 bands a week, anchored by their Monday night Big Band, Wednesday night Hot Jazz series, Thursday night Soul Jazz Organ Lounge and the Sunday night jazz jam. Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for their Signature Concerts, with two formal concerts at 7pm and 9pm. Following the Signature Concerts on weekends is Century Room Late Night, where the lights dim, the mirror ball drops, and live jazz plays until the wee hours.  The Century Room just brought back their popular “10 after 10” reverse happy hour on weekends for the Late-Night crowd that features classic cocktails and drink specials for only $10 after 10pm!

 

This Fall’s Signature Concerts will see visits by up and-coming-jazz stars like flautist Elsa Nilsson, pianist Michael Ragonese, and vocalist Jesse Palter, plus established jazz artists like Pat Bianchi’s Organ Trio, Rachel Eckroth, and Mike Kocur. Other highlights include Luis Muñoz returning for two nights with vocalist Lois Mahalia and the Redhouse Family Jazz Band performing for their first performance in 20 years!

 

The Century Room is also excited to be partnering with Arizona Arts Live to present some exciting crossover world/jazz musicians including vocalist Kavita Shah and her Cesáia Évora tribute, “Cape Verdean Blues” on October 4th and South African jazz artist Nduduzo Makhathini performs November 9th!  Then on Tuesday October 8th, the Argentinian Music Ambassador Alejandro Brittes performs with his trio, presented with the Agave Heritage Festival and the University of Arizona Center For Latin American Studies.

 

For tickets and information on all shows at the Century Room visit www.centuryroomtucson.com

 

WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

 

Mondays: The Century Room Jazz Orchestra

Tuesdays: Special Events

Wednesdays: Hot Club of Tucson / James Williams & Swamp Donkeys West

Thursdays: Local Spotlight & Soul Jazz Lounge

Fridays: Signature Concerts & Late Night

Saturdays: Signature Concerts & Late Night

Sundays: Jazz Jam with Max Goldschmid

 

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:

 

October 2 | Tommy Gearhart’s The Good Life: Songs Inspired by Tony Bennett

 

($15-$25 | 7pm Show) National touring jazz vocalist, Tommy Gearhart, sings and swings treasured songs from the Great American Songbook inspired by Tony Bennett that includes familiar evergreens and chestnuts like Fly Me to the Moon, It Had To Be You, Speak Low, and many more!

 

A sensitive yet powerful jazz vocalist who loves to sing ballads, Tommy Gearhart has developed his own sound as he explores the Great American Songbook and jazz standards. Blessed with a warm baritone voice and influenced by his jazz background, he developed quickly as a vocalist. Tommy Gearhart has since performed at many jazz clubs and festivals around the U.S. and Canada, and, in addition to his mentor Jon Hendricks, worked with Detroit tenor-saxophonist Donald Walden (whom dubbed Tommy a “true balladeer”), trumpeter-educator Marcus Belgrave, and guitarist Peter Bernstein among others.

 

Tommy Gearhart (vocals) Sterling Cozza (piano) Chris Finet (bass) Chase Ellison (drums)

 

 

October 4 | Kavita Shah & Cape Verdean Blues | The Music of Cesária Évora

 

($25-$35 | 7pm & 9pm shows) For the past seven years, acclaimed jazz vocalist Kavita Shah has been busy on the Atlantic island of São Vicente, immersing in the traditional mornas and coladeiras of her idol and global music legend Cesária Évora. The result is “Cape Verdean Blues” (2023, Folkalist Records)—a carefully curated love letter to Évora’s breathtaking archipelago. Now, she brings her incredible music to the Century Room with her band featuring Bau, the former musical director of Cesária Évora! Co-presented by Arizona Arts Live.

 

Kavita Shah (voice) Bau (musical director of Cesária Évora, acoustic guitar, ukulele) Jorge Almeida (acoustic guitar) N’du Carlos (percussion)

 

Kavita Shah & Cape Verdean Blues

 

Kavita Shah is an award-winning jazz vocalist, composer, researcher, polyglot and lifelong New Yorker of Indian origin, hailed for possessing an “amazing dexterity for musical languages” (NPR). In her latest project, Cape Verdean Blues, she explores the sounds and stories of São Vicente, an island of Cape Verde, off West Africa, and the birthplace of world music legend Cesária Évora. Shah, herself a daughter of diaspora who resonated with the music’s language of longing, has teamed up with Évora’s longtime bandmates–including the master acoustic guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Bau (Évora’s longtime musical director)–to create her most personal work to date: this is music that makes you want to dance and cry at the same time. For this US tour, she will be joined by Bau, as well as two other masters of Cape Verdean music: guitarist Jorge Almeida and percussionist N’du Carlos.

 

 

October 5 | Danny Jonokuchi Quintet: Together Again

 

($20-$30 | 7pm & 9pm shows) Century Room favorite and Grammy winner Danny Jonokuchi travels from NYC for an incredibly swinging night of jazz! Featuring local stars Max Goldschmid, Angelo Versace, Ryan Magness and Arthur Vint, the band will play through material from Danny Jonokuchi & The Revisionists most recent album "Together Again."

 

Danny Jonokuchi

 

Danny Jonokuchi is a multi-talented jazz artist based in New York City and Los Angeles. As a jazz trumpeter, vocalist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator, few artists are as diversely involved in their craft. He has been recognized for his performance on two GRAMMY Award-Winning projects, his signature “world-class arrangements” (Broadway World), and albums he has performed on and produced. He is also a recipient of several awards including the 2024 ISJAC Wayne Shorter Jazz Arranging Prize, the 2020 ASCAP Foundation Louis Armstrong Award, and he was unanimously named the winner of the 2020 Count Basie Great American Swing Contest.

 

 

October 7 | Danny Jonokuchi & Christian Wiggs with the CRJO: Past Is Present

 

($25-$35 tickets | 7pm & 8:30pm sets) The 17-piece Century Room Jazz Orchestra expands to 19 for this special event with the addition of trumpeter/arranger/conductor Danny Jonokuchi & vocalist Andrew Wiggs!

 

Danny last performed in Tucson while touring his previous big band album “Voices,” but he has since released TWO more big band albums, “Past Is Present” and “A Decade”.  For this show, Danny is joining forces with vocalist Christian Wiggs, featuring him on his original arrangements of classic jazz standards like “This Can’t Be Love”, “Skylark” and more. An emerging polymath in the music industry, Christian Wiggs is a vocalist, bandleader, lyricist, producer, director, artist manager, educator, record label executive, podcast host and founder of Bandstand Presents. His most recent project is hosting “Jazz Tonight,” a new program on Austin PBS. Inspired by the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the 17-piece CRJO performs classic big band repertoire every Monday night at the Century Room starting at 7pm. Expect music from the Count Basie Orchestra, Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Thad Jones/Mel Louis Jazz Orchestra and much more!

 

 

October 8 | Argentinian Music Ambassador Alejandro Brittes Trio

 

($25-$35 | 7pm show) Welcome Argentinian Music Ambassador and accordionist Alejandro Brittes to the Century Room! Co-presented with the UA Center For Latin American Studies.

 

Hailed by The Boston Globe as a “leading exponent of Chamamé,” composer and researcher Brittes explores his Chamamé heritage, an ancient rhythm that connects us to the Earth and the Universe through music and dance, which was born from the encounter between the ritual musicality of the Guarani indigenous people and Baroque music. Having toured extensively in South America and Europe, Brittes recently concluded a 2023 East Coast tour supported by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Iber Exchange: Library of Congress, Georgetown University, Queens Theatre, The Trust PAC (PA), Levitt Pavilion (CT), and other venues.

 

 

October 11 | Elsa Nilsson: Band of Pulses

 

($25-$35 | 7pm & 9pm shows) Flautist, composer, and educator Elsa Nilsson brings her award-winning group of artistic collaborators *Band of Pulses* to The Century Room.

 

Band of Pulses

 

Many species use sound to communicate. Elsa Nilsson, Santiago Leibson, Marty Kenney and Rodrigo Recabarren asked themselves; what is the line that makes sound music? If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then isn’t music in the ear of the listener? As they listened to words around them they became enchanted with the subtleties in the sounds of voices. It began with Rodrigo playing rhythms along with speeches where he wanted to accentuate the meanings of what was being said. He sent Elsa Maya Angelou’s “On the Pulse Of Morning” full of rocks, rivers and trees. Elsa fell in love with the deep musicality present in every sound. She listened and heard echoes of Ornette Coleman in how Maya Angelou ended her phrases. She heard thematic development and musical build in the pitch materials.

 

 

October 12 | Michael Ragonese Trio

 

($20-$30 | 7pm & 9pm shows) Los Angeles-based pianist Michael Ragonese returns to the Century Room with his fantastic trio! This time he will be joined by bassist Jermaine Paul & Anthony Fung!

 

Michael Ragonese, a highly accomplished jazz pianist based in Los Angeles, has over 25 years of experience in music. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Ragonese’s journey with the piano began with classical music and took a turn towards jazz during his high school years. This pivotal shift led him to pursue a degree in jazz piano from California State University Northridge (CSUN). During his time at CSUN, Ragonese’s talent flourished, earning him accolades such as first place in the prestigious Reno and Monterey Jazz Festivals and establishing him as an outstanding soloist.

 

Beyond his performance career, Ragonese has made significant contributions to the Los Angeles jazz community as both an educator and session leader. In 2021, he founded the Rags School of Music, offering instruction in jazz and classical music to aspiring musicians and in 2023 Michael partnered with Alex Hahn to form the “Modern Artist” program which works with high school students interested in growing their artistry and learning about a career in music.  

 

 

October 14 | Big Band Bash! U of A Studio Jazz Ensemble & the CRJO

 

($15-$25 tickets | 7pm & 8:30pm sets) The tradition of the Monday night big band began in 1966 with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra at the Village Vanguard. 60 years later the tradition continues at the Century Room!  This Monday the University of Arizona’s Studio Jazz Ensemble celebrate the continuing legacy of Thad and Mel with a program of their music at 7pm.  Following the U of A band will be the Century Room Jazz Orchestra, which is a multi generational big band made up of educators, professional musicians and students alike. 

 

 

October 16 | Jesse Palter “Nothing Standard”

 

($20-$30 tickets | 7pm & 9pm shows) Detroit vocalist Jesse Palter brings her neo-jazz original songs to the Century Room along with her amazing band featuring Taber Gable (piano) Ben Williams (bass) and Jonathan Pinson (drums).

 

Jesse Palter

 

Detroit born multi-genre artist, Jesse Palter, has been in the entertainment industry the majority of her life. She began singing publicly at age five, studying piano at age six, she attended the University of Michigan School Of Music as a Jazz Major, won Outstanding Jazz Vocalist at three consecutive Detroit Music Awards, shared the stage with genre legends and headlined at legendary clubs like NYC’s Blue Note and festivals such as The Red Sea Jazz Festival. Her original music has been featured on a variety of television shows and commercials including The Real World, 90210 and Keeping Up With The Kardashians. On July 19th, 2019 she released her album “Paper Trail” to critical acclaim on Artistry Music, (a division of Mack Avenue Music Group), selected as LA Weekly’s Album Of The Week.

 

Since the Covid pandemic, Jesse has been writing, producing and releasing music independently, including her soulful quarantine-inspired singles, “Better Days” and “2020 Vision”. Her swinging retrospective jazz album, Nothing Standard, was released in March of 2022 and has amassed over 3 million Spotify streams.

 

 

October 17 & 18 | The Luis Muñoz Quintet ft. Lois Mahalia ~ “Glimmering Path”

 

($20-$30 tickets | 7pm & 9pm sets) Join us in the Century Room for the return of two powerhouse award winners, Lois Mahalia and Luis Muñoz performing music from their latest album, “Glimmering Path.” Lois Mahalia (vocals) Daniel Zimmerman (guitar) Doug Martin (piano) Randy Tico (bass) Luis Muñoz (drums)

 

Lois Mahalia

 

Lois Mahalia was born in British Guayana. She began singing and performing on stage at the age of five with her brothers. When she was thirteen she moved to the US and continued singing in churches with her musical family. She has done extensive work as a session artist and has performed, recorded, and toured with artists such as Kenny Loggins, Joe Sample (of the Jazz Crusaders), Michael McDonald, Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers, Norma Gimble, and Joe Walsh of the Eagles. She has been touring with The New Luis Muñoz Quartet since 2019, and is the featured singer in Mr. Munoz’s last two CD’s: The Infinite Dream 2019, named among The Ten Best Records of the Year in Jazziz Magazine, receiving 3 ACAM Award nominations, including for Jazz Record of the Year.

 

Luis Muñoz

 

Luis Muñoz is a composer, producer, arranger, and percussionist from Costa Rica. He has performed in some of the best Jazz Festivals and theaters in the US and abroad, including The Litchfield Jazz Festival, The Queen Mary Jazz Festival, THe National Opera House in Costa Rica, The Moss Theater (Santa Monica), and the Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara, CA.

He has released 10 CDs of award-winning original compositions. His 2015 CD “*VOZ” (*Claudia Acuña, Magos Herrera, and Téka) was called “a perfect album- five stars” by the Latin Jazz Network, it was included in the Best CDs of the Year by Jazz Magazine. VOZ won two ACAM Awards (Association of Composers and Musical Authors) in Latin America, including Jazz CD of the Year.

 

 

October 25 | Marcos Varela | San Ygnacio Project

 

($25-$35 | 7pm & 9pm shows) Bassist, composer and bandleader Marcos Varela brings his San Ygnacio Project to the Century Room! Conjuring up images of his hometown San Ygnacio, Texas, Marcos brings an array of original compositions and beloved standards that evoke the desert landscapes of southern Texas

 

Marcos Varela

 

Marcos Varela, a Creative Capital Award winner, has toured and recorded with jazz luminaries like Geri Allen, Leslie Odom Jr., and the Mingus Big Band. His debut album, “San Ygnacio,” praised by Ron Carter, earned critical acclaim, with Jazziz Magazine calling it one of the top releases of 2016 and NPR Music naming it a “Top Debut.” Varela, also an accomplished composer for Domenica Scorsese’s film “Roots in Water,” teaches at the New School and Montclair State University. He is endorsed by NS Design, Aguilar Amplification, Kolstein, D’Addario strings, Fishman, Mono Creators, and Fodera.

 

 

October 26 | Michael Kocour Organ Quartet

 

($20-$30 tickets | 7pm & 9pm shows) Director of Jazz Studies at ASU Michael Kocour makes the trip down to Tucson for a swingin’ night of organ-led jazz! This time he teams up with saxophone phenom Brice Winston, Century Room Creative Director Arthur Vint and fellow ASU educator Jeff Libman on guitar!

 

Michael Kocour is a jazz pianist, organist and composer. He also serves as Director of Jazz Studies in the School of Music at Arizona State University. An active performer for more than three decades, Kocour has appeared at venues around the world and has been a guest on Marian McPartland’s internationally syndicated NPR program “Piano Jazz.” Among the many artists and ensembles with whom he has appeared with are Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Lovano, Eddie Harris, James Moody, Eddie Daniels, Randy Brecker, Benny Golson, Ira Sullivan, Carl Fontana, Dewey Redman, Lew Tabackin, and the Chicago Symphony.

 

His recorded work as a studio musician includes soundtracks to two major motion pictures, and numerous television commercials. Kocour has also released six critically acclaimed CDs as a leader.

 

 

October 26 | Saints Of Paris: Rachel Eckroth & John Hadfield

 

($20-$30 | 7pm Show ) Welcome back keyboardist and composer Rachel Eckroth and her new project “Saints of Paris” featuring drummer John Hadfield. This Grammy-Nominated duo will team up with some surprise guests for a night of spooky grooves and improvisation.

John Hadfield (drums/percussion) and Rachel Eckroth (organ/synths)

 

 

November 1 & 2 | Anthony Fung Trio & Quartet

 

($20-$30 tickets | 7pm & 9pm shows) Los Angeles-based drummer Anthony Fung returns to the Century Room for a very special two-night residency! Night one features bassist Max Gerl & John Escreet on keys. On night two, the band is joined by special guest Brice Winston on saxophone!

 

ANTHONY FUNG

 

Anthony Fung is a Canadian-born drummer, composer, producer, and bandleader currently based in Los Angeles, CA. He has established himself as an accomplished musician, earning multiple degrees and performing at renowned festivals and venues worldwide.

Anthony is an alumnus of the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance, where he earned a master of music (M.M.) degree while studying and performing with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Chris Potter, Billy Childs, and many others. Prior to this, he obtained both his bachelor’s (B.M.) and another master’s (M.M.) degree from Berklee College of Music, mentored by the esteemed Danilo Pérez.

 

 

November 8 | The Redhouse Family Jazz Band

 

($20-$30 tickets | 7pm & 9pm shows) The Redhouse Family Jazz Band makes their Century Room debut and their first public performance in over 20 years! The Redhouse Family is known as Arizona’s Native American first family of jazz. Their music is influenced by Latin, fusion, and contemporary jazz, as well as R&B, funk, folk, and traditional Native American sounds and spirituality. Members of the band have been nominated for Grammy awards and have received Native American Music Awards.

 

Featuring Vince Redhouse (woodwinds) Larry Redhouse (piano) Charlotte Redhouse Tividad (vocals) Tony Redhouse (percussion) Mary Redhouse (bass) Lenny Redhouse (drums)

 

 

 

November 9  | Nduduzo Makhathini: In The Spirit Of Ntu 

 

($30-$40 tickets | 7pm & 9pm shows) Welcome South African pianist and Blue Note Recording artist Nduduzo Makhathini to the Century Room for his first performance in Tucson! Co-presented by Arizona Arts Live.

 

South African jazz pianist Nduduzo Makhathini grew up in the lush and rugged hillscapes of umGungundlovu, a peri-urban landscape in which music and ritual practices were symbiotically linked. The area is significant historically as the site of the Zulu king Dingane kingdom between 1828 and 1840. It is important to note that the Zulu, in fact the African warrior code, is deeply reliant on music for motivation and healing. This deeply embedded symbiosis is key to understanding Makhathini’s vision. 

 

He found inspiration from the legends of South African jazz including Bheki Mseleku, Moses Molelekwa, and Abdullah Ibrahim. Through his mentor Mseleku, Makhathini was also introduced to the music of John Coltrane’s classic quartet with McCoy Tyner. “I came to understand my voice as a pianist through John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme,” he says. “As someone who started playing jazz very late, I had always been looking for a kind of playing that could mirror or evoke the way my people danced, sang and spoke. Tyner provided that and still does in meaningful ways.” Makhathini also cites American jazz pianists Andrew Hill, Randy Weston and Don Pullen as significant influences.

 

Nduduzo is the first artist to release an album on Blue Note Records new imprint “Blue Note Africa”, which represents African jazz artists.

 

Nduduzo Makhathini (piano) Zwelakhe Duma Bell le Pere (bass) Kabelo Boy Mokhatla (drums)

 

 

November 9  | Nduduzo Makhathini: In The Spirit Of Ntu 

 

($30-$40 tickets | 7pm & 9pm shows) Welcome South African pianist and Blue Note Recording artist Nduduzo Makhathini to the Century Room for his first performance in Tucson! Co-presented by Arizona Arts Live.

 

South African jazz pianist Nduduzo Makhathini grew up in the lush and rugged hillscapes of umGungundlovu, a peri-urban landscape in which music and ritual practices were symbiotically linked. The area is significant historically as the site of the Zulu king Dingane kingdom between 1828 and 1840. It is important to note that the Zulu, in fact the African warrior code, is deeply reliant on music for motivation and healing. This deeply embedded symbiosis is key to understanding Makhathini’s vision. 

 

He found inspiration from the legends of South African jazz including Bheki Mseleku, Moses Molelekwa, and Abdullah Ibrahim. Through his mentor Mseleku, Makhathini was also introduced to the music of John Coltrane’s classic quartet with McCoy Tyner. “I came to understand my voice as a pianist through John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme,” he says. “As someone who started playing jazz very late, I had always been looking for a kind of playing that could mirror or evoke the way my people danced, sung and spoke. Tyner provided that and still does in meaningful ways.” Makhathini also cites American jazz pianists including Andrew Hill, Randy Weston and Don Pullen as significant influences.

 

Nduduzo is the first artist to release an album on Blue Note Records new imprint “Blue Note Africa”, which represents African jazz artists.

 

Nduduzo Makhathini (piano) Zwelakhe Duma Bell le Pere (bass) Kabelo Boy Mokhatla (drums)

 

 

THE CENTURY ROOM

A Borderlands Jazz Club & Mezcal Lounge

Since opening its doors in 2022, the Century Room has quickly become one of the premier jazz clubs in the country. Featuring a beautiful and acoustically engineered stage, elegant ambience and décor, delicious food, and a robust craft cocktail program, the Century Room offers guests an escape into another time and place, somewhere between New York, New Orleans, and the Old West. World class music graces the stage nightly, with musicians traveling regularly from New York City, Los Angeles and New Orleans to perform. The Century Room has presented jazz legends including Bill Charlap, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Buster Williams, and Charles McPherson plus the next generation of jazz greats like Emmet Cohen, Christian Sands, Joel Ross and Linda May Han Oh, among many others. Arizona’s many fantastic local musicians ensure amazing live music nightly. The stage features state of the art sound system and backline, anchored by a Yamaha S5X piano, courtesy of the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation.

 

The Century Room experience also includes an extensive mezcal and agave spirit list, featuring dozens of ancestral and artisanal mezcals from across Mexico. There are regular agave tastings, flights and features at the Century Room, co-presented with the Agave Heritage Festival. The menu also boasts a robust craft cocktail program inspired by the Southwest that features local flavors, scents, and ingredients. Additional information at https://hotelcongress.com/venues/centuryroom/

 

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