Tucson, AZ---After celebrating its first anniversary in February, Tucson’s coolest jazz club explodes in March with a full roster including the newly formed 17-piece CRJO every Monday night, lots of great signature concerts featuring national artists, and a delicious new food menu! The 17-piece Century Room Jazz Orchestra (CRJO) is inspired by NYC’s Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, which has been performing every Monday since 1966. The CRJO is now entering its third month and their shows have been selling out, hopefully starting a similarly long tradition of a Monday night big band in Tucson!
Century Room General Manager and Artistic Director Arthur Vint says, “One year ago we started with live music two nights a week and our Friday and Saturday night concert series remain a trademark of the club. Responding to demand, we have now expanded to being open seven nights! Mondays are reserved for the CRJO, Tuesdays are for our acoustic and ambient series, Wednesdays are for the Mysterious Babies Traditional Jazz Band, Thursdays are hosted by Pete Swan and Late Night, Fridays continue to be reserved for our rotating concert series followed by the Late-Night Lounge, Saturdays feature solo pianists and Late-Night bands, and Sundays are for the Century Jazz Jam hosted by Max Goldschmid. Keep an eye out for more Sunday matinees as well! We’re consistently presenting 10 to 12 events a week - so much great music happening down here!”
The Century Room opens every night at 6pm and most shows start at 7pm, with late night sets starting at 9pm and 10:30pm. The Century Room food menu is available until 9pm on weeknights and 10pm on weekends and features assorted charcuterie, grilled veggies and small bites. Advanced tickets are recommended for all concerts. Sunday jams are always free!
February 24, 7pm & 9pm- Mike Eckroth Trio
Michael Eckroth, acclaimed pianist and keyboardist is a native of Phoenix who resides outside of NYC. He has a PhD in Jazz Performance from NYU and currently leads and co-leads several projects in varied music genres. He also teaches Jazz Piano at Dartmouth. He brings his all-star Latin-Jazz trio of Raul Reyes on bass and Joel Mateo drums.
February 25, 7pm- Piano Explosion! Mr. Boogie Woogie & Ricky Nye
Four hands + two pianos=lots of fun! That’s what happens when two killer Boogie Woogie piano players team up for a “piano explosion”. Ricky Nye and Eric Jan Overbeek aka Mr Boogie Woogie have performed all over the world. Both pianists will perform solo and as a duo in this exciting performance.
February 26, 7pm & 9pm - UA Jazz Week: Faculty Quintet
In celebration of UA Jazz Week, the Century Room welcomes the UA Jazz Faculty Quintet featuring director Angelo Versace on piano, Brice Winston on sax, Jason Carter on trumpet and Arthur Vint on drums.
February 27 - 7pm & 9pm- UA Jazz Week: Wildcat Jazz Band Plays Fats Waller
UA Jazz Week presents the seven-piece Wildcat Jazz Band performing the music of Fats Waller.
March 1, 7pm & 9pm - UA Jazz Week: Joe Bourne Sings Nat King Cole
UA Jazz Week presents award winning vocalist Joe Bourne singing Nat King Cole! Joe Bourne’s roots are anchored deeply in the Jazz, blues and spiritual music. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the singer/ entertainer, Joe Bourne was inspired by many of the big names of jazz that toured the Boston area.
March 3, 7pm and 9pm & March 4, 9pm and 10:30pm - Arcoiris Sandoval Quintet
Arcoiris Sandoval is a jazz pianist, arranger and composer residing in New York City. She is a Fulbright recipient as well as the bandleader of Sonic Asylum, musical director for Allan Harris, and Co Director of The DOME Experience along with bassist Mimi Jones. Originally from Tucson, this is Arco’s first performance in her hometown in years!
March 5, 4pm Matinee - Ray Templin Trio: Spreadin’ Rhythm Around
Templin gained acclaim as a propulsive, swinging stride pianist and vocalist. He has played with many noted artists including Steve Allen, Banu Gibson, Milly Ringwald, Howard Alden, and more. He is a versatile entertainer. His acting and voice over talents have led him to the world of voice overs for Disney characters, the Muppets and others as well as commercials. After 26 years at Disneyland, Ray now lives in Tucson where he continues his voice-acting and performing on the piano and percussion with Arizona’s premier Wildcat Jazz Band. Ray will be joined by Evan Dain on bass and Arthur Vint on drums.
March 10 & 11, 7pm & 9pm - Gillian Margot with the Geoffrey Keezer Trio
With his highly regarded discography, unique compositions and acclaimed performances, GRAMMY winning pianist Geoffrey Keezer commands attention typically reserved for the living legends of jazz. Gillian Margot has an exquisite voice, a disarmingly wide range and style that is deeply rooted in the tradition of the great jazz vocalists. They perform for two nights!
March 16, 7pm & 9pm - Lauren Kinhan
Lauren Kinhan possesses a rare and beautiful instrument, tough and tender, clear and fine-grained in every register, she dips down into husky chest notes, and ascends into silvery head tones. Her trio features Cuban American pianist Martin Bejerano from Miami!
March 17, 7pm & 9pm- Tom Wakeling/Steve Christofferson/Howard Alden/Pete Swan
Traveling from Portland, Oregon, Tom Wakeling & Steve Christoffersons musical partnership goes back almost 40 years. Over the years, they toured extensively together throughout Europe and North America with renowned jazz vocalist Nancy King and played in a quartet with Nancy and the great drummer Lawrence Williams. Tom and Steve held a long-standing gig with their trio at Portland's Riverplace Hotel and along the way, they recorded an acoustic trio CD, “Harmonic Tremors”, and two CDs of Steve’s original music, “To the Last Holdouts” and “Skol Brothers”. They will be joined by Howard Alden on guitar and Pete Swan on drums.
March 24, 7pm & 9pm - Kristin Korb
Inspired by the days when music was romantic and made you want to dance, Kristen and her trio embody that spirit and carry their audiences along for the ride. The talented Bassist and vocalist has established herself on the jazz stage as an exceptional artist, commanding both instruments with panache, engaging them simultaneously with an ease comparable to breathing.
March 31, 7pm & 9pm- Christian Sands
Just in his 30s, GRAMMY nominated pianist Christian Sands has already enjoyed a remarkable career, touring and recording with Christian McBride’s Inside Straight and Trio, as well as collaborating with Gregory Porter and Ulysses Owens. On his stunning new album, “Be Water”, Sands takes inspiration from water’s tranquility and power and muses on the possibilities offered by echoing its fluidity and malleability.
About the Century Room
The Century Room is located on the corner of 5th Avenue/Congress Street, inside the Hotel Congress in Downtown Tucson. They open every night at 6pm with live music starting at 7pm. Great jazz is best when accompanied by great beverages. A primary feature of the Century Room, is the beautiful bar and sculptural agave centerpiece, dedicated to the celebration and tasting of Mexico's best Mezcal and Agave spirits. A broad selection of local and Sonoran wines, locally brewed beer and spirits including Whiskey del Bac, Hotel Congress 100 Vodka and a full list of creative cocktails designed by Mike McGill and Ryne Hoffman, round out the offerings. A small bites and boards menu is also available.
For reservations and show schedules visit www.hotelcongress.com/centuryroom/ or call 520-622-8848/toll free at 1-800-722-8848. Tickets are also available at the front desk.
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