Music City's Authentic Jazz Club
Serving classic New Orleans prohibition cocktails, local brews, and New Orleans cuisine.
HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS
Sundays-Thursdays: 5pm-7pm $7 Wells, $8 House Wines
Mondays: 9pm-Close $8 Cuba Libres, $12 Estrella & Shot of Lunazul Blanco
TONIGHT'S SHOWS
Bruce Dudley Trio feat. Roger Spencer & Chris Brown
6:00pm-8:15pm, $14 at the door
Bruce Dudley is a Steinway Concert Artist and has been performing jazz piano for over 40 years on concert stages, in clubs, and private residences throughout North and South America. He specializes in the Great American Songbook, as well as in the rich history of American jazz styles, from Ragtime and Stride to Modernism, Post Modernism, and performance of original music. In addition to his work as a solo artist, he leads a trio, quartet, and larger ensembles, with horns and/or strings, while also enlisting the award winning voice of his wife, Sandra Dudley. An active educator, Dudley has presented clinics across Canada, the United States, and in Colombia, South America. His recordings as a leader include DPSW Quartet - Live at the Cave (2019), The Solo Sessions (2012), Mostly Monk (2010), and Semblance (1997). Dudley has also performed with artists Aretha Franklin, Crystal Gayle, Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Herb Ellis, Randy Brecker, Little Anthony and the Imperials, the Ink Spots, and has played keyboards for over 35 touring Broadway shows, including Beautiful, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Guys and Dolls, Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, Legally Blonde, among others.
Bruce Dudley has published articles for Downbeat magazine and presented scholarly research at conferences in the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States. His book 25 Piano Etudes in Idiomatic Styles was published in 2021 by Keuka Waters Music.
Dudley is Associate Professor of Music at Belmont University. He has a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Colorado, a Master of Music in Jazz Performance from the Eastman School of Music, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Business and Technology from New York University.
"Dudley’s well-schooled piano style is guided by dominant but subtle right-hand figures that galvanize one of the most cohesive trios in town." THE NASHVILLE SCENE
"Dudley, whose fluent lines jet around the keyboard, absorbing motifs into the stream, without a split second of hesitation, at any point of rhythm in the bar, are stunning to listen to…" HALIFAX CHRONICLE HERALD
"Dudley plays the piano with such grace and authority that he has quietly become the pianists that other pianists go to hear." HOUSTON POST
"As the leader, Dudley set the evening’s tone with a supple, rich blend of assertive melodic statements, delightful accompaniment, first-rate phrasing, counterpoint and harmonizing." Ron Wynn - ArtsNash
Bruce Dudley has published articles for Downbeat magazine and presented scholarly research at conferences in the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States. His book 25 Piano Etudes in Idiomatic Styles was published in 2021 by Keuka Waters Music.
Dudley is Associate Professor of Music at Belmont University. He has a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Colorado, a Master of Music in Jazz Performance from the Eastman School of Music, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Business and Technology from New York University.
"Dudley’s well-schooled piano style is guided by dominant but subtle right-hand figures that galvanize one of the most cohesive trios in town." THE NASHVILLE SCENE
"Dudley, whose fluent lines jet around the keyboard, absorbing motifs into the stream, without a split second of hesitation, at any point of rhythm in the bar, are stunning to listen to…" HALIFAX CHRONICLE HERALD
"Dudley plays the piano with such grace and authority that he has quietly become the pianists that other pianists go to hear." HOUSTON POST
"As the leader, Dudley set the evening’s tone with a supple, rich blend of assertive melodic statements, delightful accompaniment, first-rate phrasing, counterpoint and harmonizing." Ron Wynn - ArtsNash
Rudy's Jazz Jam
9:00pm-11:15pm, $10 at the door
Rudy's hosts the official pro jazz jam. Come out and experience some of music city's best as they take the stage with Nashville's next generation of jazz performers! You will hear a variety of young, old, new and undiscovered players showing what they can do on stage. Part of the jazz tradition and what jazz embodies is the unknown and spontaneous exploration of new musical territory with new musicians sitting in live on stage; you never know who or what to expect other than the unexpected!
We welcome all ages to this show and have a $10 food or beverage minimum.
We welcome all ages to this show and have a $10 food or beverage minimum.
UPCOMING SHOWSFULL CALENDAR
Oct 7
The Sofia Goodman Trio
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $13 in advance, $15 at the door
Sofia Goodman is an award winning drummer and composer based in Music City. Her 2023 album Secrets of the Shore received 4 stars in DownBeat and won Best Jazz Album in the Nashville scene. Her music has been described as "mesmerizing, compositionally rich" and "something to be excited about in the Nashville scene."
As a teenager, she was placed in jazz icon Esperanza's Spalding's student ensemble at Berklee College of Music. She has released three acclaimed albums and has performed with jazz & blues titans like Bobby Rush, Joel Frahm, and Pascal Le Boeuf. She has also recorded with Jon Anderson of Yes with new age folk rock group HuDost. She started bandleading in 2017 and has performed at jazz festivals like The Elkhart Jazz Festival, Greenville Jazz Festival and others. She has received several awards including CMA Performance Plus and Pathways to Jazz. She endorses Zildjian cymbals and has been an artist in their family for a decade.
"Sofia Goodman is the real deal! She's a great composer, drummer, arranger, band leader, educator, and human being. She's dedicated to the art of making music and I believe you'll be hearing about her for a very long time." -Jeff Coffin
She will be joined by pianist Matthew Twaddle and bassist Leland Nelson. The group will perform arrangements of standards and original material. Special guest TBA. For more information please visit www.thesofiagoodmangroup.com.
As a teenager, she was placed in jazz icon Esperanza's Spalding's student ensemble at Berklee College of Music. She has released three acclaimed albums and has performed with jazz & blues titans like Bobby Rush, Joel Frahm, and Pascal Le Boeuf. She has also recorded with Jon Anderson of Yes with new age folk rock group HuDost. She started bandleading in 2017 and has performed at jazz festivals like The Elkhart Jazz Festival, Greenville Jazz Festival and others. She has received several awards including CMA Performance Plus and Pathways to Jazz. She endorses Zildjian cymbals and has been an artist in their family for a decade.
"Sofia Goodman is the real deal! She's a great composer, drummer, arranger, band leader, educator, and human being. She's dedicated to the art of making music and I believe you'll be hearing about her for a very long time." -Jeff Coffin
She will be joined by pianist Matthew Twaddle and bassist Leland Nelson. The group will perform arrangements of standards and original material. Special guest TBA. For more information please visit www.thesofiagoodmangroup.com.
Giovanni Rodriguez & 12 Manos
9:00pm-11:15pm central, $15 at the door
A Nashville favorite on the Salsa and jazz scene and electric night of Salsa dancing! Multi-instrumentalist Giovanni Rodriguez, one of Nashville's leading percussionists, bassists and favorite on the Salsa and jazz scene, plays the sounds of salsa, bachata and percussion-driven rhythms with some of the most seasoned veterans in the Nashville Latin music scene. Giovanni Rodríguez timbales/vocals, Melvin Macias (piano/vocals), Yosvany Cordero (conga/bongo), Michael S. Morton (flute/vocals), Isoel Villarrubia (bass).
For this show general admission tickets are available for standing and sitting in the front section of the room near the stage with the dance floor. Tickets for bar seats and tables are available as well. General admission tickets for the front section are not guaranteed to have seats as we will have a large part of the front section seating cleared for the dance floor. General admission tickets will have standing room as well as limited seating. Only our tables and bar seats will have guaranteed seating for this show.
For this show general admission tickets are available for standing and sitting in the front section of the room near the stage with the dance floor. Tickets for bar seats and tables are available as well. General admission tickets for the front section are not guaranteed to have seats as we will have a large part of the front section seating cleared for the dance floor. General admission tickets will have standing room as well as limited seating. Only our tables and bar seats will have guaranteed seating for this show.
Oct 9
Dana Robbins Quintet
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $12 at the door
Grammy Winner saxophonist Dana Robbins pays tribute to Les McCann & Eddie Harris and other artists; the Soul Jazz Sound of the late 60’s early 70’s, bringing back a genre that hasn’t been heard in decades, as well as great music of the B3 organ/tenor sax recordings from artists such as Jimmy Smith, Shirley Scott, Jimmy McGriff, Joey DeFrancesco and Charles Earland.
Dana Robbins’ early years were spent at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Since moving to Nashville in the 80's, she has played and recorded for Delbert McClinton, Keb’ Mo and Steve Cropper and has played live with Aretha Franklin, Taj Mahal, Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton, Jennifer Hudson, Felix Cavaliere, and The McCrary sisters.
David Santos (bass)
Wes Little ( drums)
Phil Hughley (guitar)
Darius Mines (piano/B3)
Dana Robbins’ early years were spent at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Since moving to Nashville in the 80's, she has played and recorded for Delbert McClinton, Keb’ Mo and Steve Cropper and has played live with Aretha Franklin, Taj Mahal, Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton, Jennifer Hudson, Felix Cavaliere, and The McCrary sisters.
David Santos (bass)
Wes Little ( drums)
Phil Hughley (guitar)
Darius Mines (piano/B3)
Calabria Foti & Bob McChesney “From Bebop to Broadway”
9:00pm-11:15pm central, $15 at the door
"From Bebop To Broadway!" The Great American Songbook at its best! Grammy-nominated vocal sensation Calabria Foti and world-renowned trombone virtuoso Bob McChesney, long-time husband and wife, delight audiences with their exciting blend of traditional jazz and beloved show tunes. Foti’s sensual vocals along with McChesney’s buttery trombone playing can be heard daily on SiriusXM’s 'Siriusly Sinatra’, on XM’s 'Real Jazz', and radio around the globe. Calabria’s sound has been praised by hosts of industry giants, from celebrated pianist Van Cliburn, to legendary crooner Johnny Mathis, who exclaimed, "One of my greatest pleasures in life is listening to a beautiful voice. Listening to this recording of Calabria’s voice is some of the most beautiful and artistic music I have ever heard!"
Bob McChesney’s trombone wizardry and lush tone is known the world over! Famed composer Lalo Schifrin gushed, "Bob McChesney is a virtuoso who has the gift to bring us the joy of music at the highest level." This power couple enjoys performing to sold-out crowds, combining their enormous talents and warm personalities for a fun, engaging evening of entertainment. The highlight of any series or gala event, Bob and Calabria will swing, sway, and charm their way into your hearts!
Calabria Foti is a Grammy-nominated singer, violinist, composer, arranger, author, and educator. A consummate musician and a dynamic entertainer, she is a connoisseur of music, from Classical to Broadway. Foti’s recordings and live shows have been praised by such diverse artists as piano virtuoso Van Cliburn, trumpeter Chris Botti, and legendary singer Johnny Mathis, who, upon hearing her CD, 'A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening’, gushed, “Listening to a beautiful voice is one of my greatest pleasures in life. Listening to this recording of Calabria Foti’s voice is some of the most beautiful and artistic music I have ever heard. She is a treasure!”
Born into a family of musicians and music educators, Foti was exposed to classical, jazz, and popular music at a young age. Passionate about movie musicals and classic films of the late 1920s on, Foti calls herself a “throwback,” in love with the period of American history that produced the songs of the Great American Songbook and the films from The Golden Age of Hollywood.
Her highly acclaimed CDs are a testimony to her musical sensibilities, and can be heard regularly on adult standards and jazz radio formats throughout the world. She has shared the spotlight and the microphone with TV’s Seth MacFarlane and in 2013, the two paired up to record the duet, “Let’s Fall in Love,” which garnered a Grammy Award nomination.
Equally at home performing musical theatre, jazz, cabaret, or her own original songs, Foti has been called a “master of improvisation and interpretation”; and her voice has graced several major motion picture and television soundtracks.
Also an accomplished violinist, Foti created the jazz violin sound for Fox TV’s Lisa Simpson, performed the virtuosic violin solo for the long-running theme to PBS’ Great Performances, and most recently was a featured soloist in the films, Muppets Most Wanted and Sherlock Holmes. She has played violin on hundreds of television and movie scores, and on CDs for Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Josh Groban, Daft Punk, and many others.
From Baltimore, Bob McChesney began playing the trombone in the fourth grade as part of the public school music program. He since has evolved into a world-renowned trombone soloist and an authority on trombone pedagogy. McChesney’s trademarks as a trombonist are his smooth, lightning-fast technique, his mastery of jazz harmony, beautiful sound, and a strong emotional connection to the music. With complete mastery of the instrument, McChesney has distinguished himself as one of the pre-eminent trombone soloists in the world.
Primarily self-taught, from a young age McChesney developed a unique way of articulating legato on the slide trombone, referred to as “doodle tonguing.” He has since authored what is considered to be the definitive treatise on the subject, “Doodle Studies and Etudes,” and the method has been critically acclaimed and endorsed by trombonists and music educators all over the world.
McChesney had the honor of performing on the slide trombone for the virtuosic cornet piece “The Carnival of Venice” with The Idaho Falls Symphony. Following that performance, he recorded the piece with pianist Alan Steinberg, and that recording has now has reached a staggering 3 million views on YouTube.
A prominent figure in the Los Angeles recording studio scene, he has enjoyed a career in scoring films, television shows and albums. He can be heard on recordings for Barbra Streisand, Shakira, Michael Buble, Natalie Cole, Neil Young, Chicago, Keb’ Mo’, Jessie J, Tricia Yearwood, Olivia-Newton-John, Hanson (with Jerry Hey Horns), Horace Silver, Joey DeFrancesco, Randy Waldman and many others, and can be heard on the Grammy-winning albums “Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company,” “Random Access Memories” by Daft Punk, Diana Krall’s “When I Look in Your Eyes,” “Dear Diz” by Arturo Sandoval, and “Serendipity 18” by Bob Florence, among others.
With extensive experience scoring for motion pictures, he also has appeared live with orchestras in Los Angeles, including The Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Long Beach Symphony and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.
"A Dynamic Duo if ever there was one! Two people so accomplished at what they do, the love they have for their music and each other, comes out in each performance. Bob, the unsurpassed master of the trombone, and Calabria, the multi-talented singer whose sensuous voice, plus a formidable violin talent --- are simply wonderful! Together, they provide their audiences with an evening of music that is quite literally unforgettable." - Billy Paul, Los Angeles Radio DJ
Bob McChesney’s trombone wizardry and lush tone is known the world over! Famed composer Lalo Schifrin gushed, "Bob McChesney is a virtuoso who has the gift to bring us the joy of music at the highest level." This power couple enjoys performing to sold-out crowds, combining their enormous talents and warm personalities for a fun, engaging evening of entertainment. The highlight of any series or gala event, Bob and Calabria will swing, sway, and charm their way into your hearts!
Calabria Foti is a Grammy-nominated singer, violinist, composer, arranger, author, and educator. A consummate musician and a dynamic entertainer, she is a connoisseur of music, from Classical to Broadway. Foti’s recordings and live shows have been praised by such diverse artists as piano virtuoso Van Cliburn, trumpeter Chris Botti, and legendary singer Johnny Mathis, who, upon hearing her CD, 'A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening’, gushed, “Listening to a beautiful voice is one of my greatest pleasures in life. Listening to this recording of Calabria Foti’s voice is some of the most beautiful and artistic music I have ever heard. She is a treasure!”
Born into a family of musicians and music educators, Foti was exposed to classical, jazz, and popular music at a young age. Passionate about movie musicals and classic films of the late 1920s on, Foti calls herself a “throwback,” in love with the period of American history that produced the songs of the Great American Songbook and the films from The Golden Age of Hollywood.
Her highly acclaimed CDs are a testimony to her musical sensibilities, and can be heard regularly on adult standards and jazz radio formats throughout the world. She has shared the spotlight and the microphone with TV’s Seth MacFarlane and in 2013, the two paired up to record the duet, “Let’s Fall in Love,” which garnered a Grammy Award nomination.
Equally at home performing musical theatre, jazz, cabaret, or her own original songs, Foti has been called a “master of improvisation and interpretation”; and her voice has graced several major motion picture and television soundtracks.
Also an accomplished violinist, Foti created the jazz violin sound for Fox TV’s Lisa Simpson, performed the virtuosic violin solo for the long-running theme to PBS’ Great Performances, and most recently was a featured soloist in the films, Muppets Most Wanted and Sherlock Holmes. She has played violin on hundreds of television and movie scores, and on CDs for Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Josh Groban, Daft Punk, and many others.
From Baltimore, Bob McChesney began playing the trombone in the fourth grade as part of the public school music program. He since has evolved into a world-renowned trombone soloist and an authority on trombone pedagogy. McChesney’s trademarks as a trombonist are his smooth, lightning-fast technique, his mastery of jazz harmony, beautiful sound, and a strong emotional connection to the music. With complete mastery of the instrument, McChesney has distinguished himself as one of the pre-eminent trombone soloists in the world.
Primarily self-taught, from a young age McChesney developed a unique way of articulating legato on the slide trombone, referred to as “doodle tonguing.” He has since authored what is considered to be the definitive treatise on the subject, “Doodle Studies and Etudes,” and the method has been critically acclaimed and endorsed by trombonists and music educators all over the world.
McChesney had the honor of performing on the slide trombone for the virtuosic cornet piece “The Carnival of Venice” with The Idaho Falls Symphony. Following that performance, he recorded the piece with pianist Alan Steinberg, and that recording has now has reached a staggering 3 million views on YouTube.
A prominent figure in the Los Angeles recording studio scene, he has enjoyed a career in scoring films, television shows and albums. He can be heard on recordings for Barbra Streisand, Shakira, Michael Buble, Natalie Cole, Neil Young, Chicago, Keb’ Mo’, Jessie J, Tricia Yearwood, Olivia-Newton-John, Hanson (with Jerry Hey Horns), Horace Silver, Joey DeFrancesco, Randy Waldman and many others, and can be heard on the Grammy-winning albums “Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company,” “Random Access Memories” by Daft Punk, Diana Krall’s “When I Look in Your Eyes,” “Dear Diz” by Arturo Sandoval, and “Serendipity 18” by Bob Florence, among others.
With extensive experience scoring for motion pictures, he also has appeared live with orchestras in Los Angeles, including The Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Long Beach Symphony and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.
"A Dynamic Duo if ever there was one! Two people so accomplished at what they do, the love they have for their music and each other, comes out in each performance. Bob, the unsurpassed master of the trombone, and Calabria, the multi-talented singer whose sensuous voice, plus a formidable violin talent --- are simply wonderful! Together, they provide their audiences with an evening of music that is quite literally unforgettable." - Billy Paul, Los Angeles Radio DJ
Oct 10
Hot Club Gypsy Jazz Thursdays; Rudy’s French Connection
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $13 at the door
Hot Club Gypsy Jazz Thursdays; Rudy’s French Connection
Every Thursday we honor our New Orleans and French roots and Rudy’s comes alive with a variety of small groups in the style of gypsy jazz swing. We bring you music inspired by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli with "Hot Club" gypsy jazz swing. Known for fierce tempos and effortless improvisation, our Hot Club Gypsy Thursdays are sure to entertain, inspire, and bring you back to some authentic "jazz manouche" with groups either led or curated by New Orleans LA native Brook Sutton.
There’s no better place to chill, cozy up and relax after work. Imbibe French Quarter inspired cocktails or a glass of Côtes du Rhône, and enjoy some gumbo and beignets, while listening to the rhythm and mood of hot club jazz in Nashville’s most intimate and romantic room.
Every Thursday we honor our New Orleans and French roots and Rudy’s comes alive with a variety of small groups in the style of gypsy jazz swing. We bring you music inspired by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli with "Hot Club" gypsy jazz swing. Known for fierce tempos and effortless improvisation, our Hot Club Gypsy Thursdays are sure to entertain, inspire, and bring you back to some authentic "jazz manouche" with groups either led or curated by New Orleans LA native Brook Sutton.
There’s no better place to chill, cozy up and relax after work. Imbibe French Quarter inspired cocktails or a glass of Côtes du Rhône, and enjoy some gumbo and beignets, while listening to the rhythm and mood of hot club jazz in Nashville’s most intimate and romantic room.
Rory and Nalani Jazz Trio
9:00pm-11:15pm central, $14 at the door
Rory Hoffman (piano, guitar, saxophone & vocals) and Nalani, (bass & vocals) are a masterful combo that reaches back to the classics and pulls them forth with their own contemporary interpretation of the great American song book. Their playful and heartfelt vocal duets coupled with a surprising versatility of instrumentation, vocal expression, and musical chemistry will tease, inspire, and touch you.
Rory Hoffman
Nashville based multi-instrumentalist Rory Hoffman was raised on a small ranch in North Dakota where he grew up recording and touring with the family Gospel band. He started teaching himself to play guitar and piano at age 3 and by age 5 he was the drummer in the family band. He currently plays over a dozen stringed, keyboard and wind instruments.
Rory has played the Grand Ole Opry numerous times, as a soloist and as a sideman with Ricky Skaggs, Kathy Mattea and John Cowan. Working with these stars and others has enabled him to play several notable festivals, including Telluride with John Cowan, and Djangofest as part of the John Jorgenson quintet. Kacey Musgraves has asked Rory to play on her Christmas album, and to be part of the 2016 tour promoting that release. He has performed in Norway, Italy and Jamaica thus far and deeply enjoys any opportunities to travel the world, experiencing the culture and sharing music. When not out on the road touring, Rory is proud to be in several local Nashville bands, including 50 Shades of Hay, and the Gypsy hombres.
"Just Jazz Guitar" and "Guitar Player" magazines have written feature articles about Hoffman's unique guitar style. Rory is 2-time winner of Musician of the Year from Nashville's ICMA, and is a 2012 inductee into the South Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame.
Rory's personal musical career was jumpstarted in 1999 upon winning Grand Champion Instrumentalist at the Christian Artist Seminar in the Rockies. In 2001 he traveled to Nashville for the first time to record his Gospel instrumental CD, "Blind Faith". He then helped form Depot Music Productions, based in Mobridge South Dakota. There he self-produced his second album "fishin'", this time choosing country music as his theme. While with Depot Music, Rory produced several other studio projects for local and regional artists.
Rory moved to Nashville in the spring of 2008. Three years later in 2011 he released his 3rd album, "Swing Expedition". On this project, he demonstrates his abilities and inventiveness on almost every instrument he plays. Tunes range from a gypsy jazz arrangement of a Star Wars Theme, a bossa nova rendition of a classic country song, to an all-harmonica treatment of a Cole Porter Standard.
Tour de Fourth, Rory's latest album, entered the world in 2016. Rather than focus on a certain style of music, this album features music that demonstrates Rory's skill and diverse interests in country, western swing, jazz, polka, latin, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and gospel music. It is a mix of original songs, and fresh arrangements of standards. Rory is proud to feature over 25 friends, all superb Nashville musicians.
Nalani
Originally from Niwot, Colorado and now based in Nashville, bassist Nalani grew up around music with excellent mentors, becoming determined to keep music in her life and has been enjoying an ever-blossoming career. As young as 12, she would sit in on band rehearsals and perform at local venues. Getting the live experience was key to her development as a musician, and so was her determination.
After traveling to Nashville for the first time and attending five-time Grammy winner Victor Wooten's Bass Nature Camp Nalani was at a pivot point in her life, and soon after was able to learn, gain valuable knowledge and inspiration from musicians such as the Wooten brothers, Marcus Miller, Rhonda Smith, Michael Manring, Steve Bailey, Anthony Wellington, the legendary Chuck Rainey, James Moody, Roy Hargrove and David Sanborn.
At Bass Nature Reunion Camp, Esperanza Spalding helped inspire Nalani to choose William Paterson University and she made the move to New Jersey. After graduating, she lived and worked in New York, performing weekly in Asbury Park in Jersey with a Latin Jazz Band, and ended up honing her skills as a solo act while living in San Angelo, Texas. In San Angelo, Nalani opened for Samantha Fish in front of a crowd of 5,000 people, and in December 2013 the Wooten Brothers invited her to be a guest on their tour bus to experience living on the road, traveling from venue to venue. The Wooten Brothers welcomed her and mentored her wholeheartedly. It was this trip that inspired Nalani to study from “the Teacha” Regi Wooten, and ultimately inspired her to move to Nashville to study under his mastery, devoting herself to music as her career.
After a short acoustic tour in the fall of 2014, Nalani quickly established herself in the Nashville music community and at various jams. She took advantage of Regi Wooten’s mentorship at every chance, and in the first couple of years of living in Nashville, got many opportunities to play in various acts of every genre. She served as musical director for various artists and started getting more high-profile gigs with artists such as Kevin Max of DC Talk. The connections Nalani made at Bass Nature Camp, Marcus Miller’s Jazz cruises, and the NAMM Show became valuable elements of her musical life. She adopted Chuck Rainey as her “Bass Godfather” and assisted at his Rhythm Intensive summer camp, where she connected with many musicians, including Bobby Vega of Tower of Power, and legendary session player, Jerry Jemmott. In 2017 Nalani was taken under the masterful wings of established players Tom Barney (Saturday night life, Steely Dan, Lion king on Broadway) and Bakithi Kumalo (bass for Paul Simon).
Nalani is a truly exciting performer and entertainer, the energy she gets from her bandmates and the crowd is both liberating and fun and is reverberated back to listeners tenfold. Nalani's style embodies and pulls from a lot of the old school stuff that makes people dance and the intensity of rock and roll, and she merges genres; jazz roots for improvisation, funk for groove, and rock for intensity and entertainment. With her background in jazz and ample experience in funk and motown, she's an electrifying and experimental performer.
Rory Hoffman
Nashville based multi-instrumentalist Rory Hoffman was raised on a small ranch in North Dakota where he grew up recording and touring with the family Gospel band. He started teaching himself to play guitar and piano at age 3 and by age 5 he was the drummer in the family band. He currently plays over a dozen stringed, keyboard and wind instruments.
Rory has played the Grand Ole Opry numerous times, as a soloist and as a sideman with Ricky Skaggs, Kathy Mattea and John Cowan. Working with these stars and others has enabled him to play several notable festivals, including Telluride with John Cowan, and Djangofest as part of the John Jorgenson quintet. Kacey Musgraves has asked Rory to play on her Christmas album, and to be part of the 2016 tour promoting that release. He has performed in Norway, Italy and Jamaica thus far and deeply enjoys any opportunities to travel the world, experiencing the culture and sharing music. When not out on the road touring, Rory is proud to be in several local Nashville bands, including 50 Shades of Hay, and the Gypsy hombres.
"Just Jazz Guitar" and "Guitar Player" magazines have written feature articles about Hoffman's unique guitar style. Rory is 2-time winner of Musician of the Year from Nashville's ICMA, and is a 2012 inductee into the South Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame.
Rory's personal musical career was jumpstarted in 1999 upon winning Grand Champion Instrumentalist at the Christian Artist Seminar in the Rockies. In 2001 he traveled to Nashville for the first time to record his Gospel instrumental CD, "Blind Faith". He then helped form Depot Music Productions, based in Mobridge South Dakota. There he self-produced his second album "fishin'", this time choosing country music as his theme. While with Depot Music, Rory produced several other studio projects for local and regional artists.
Rory moved to Nashville in the spring of 2008. Three years later in 2011 he released his 3rd album, "Swing Expedition". On this project, he demonstrates his abilities and inventiveness on almost every instrument he plays. Tunes range from a gypsy jazz arrangement of a Star Wars Theme, a bossa nova rendition of a classic country song, to an all-harmonica treatment of a Cole Porter Standard.
Tour de Fourth, Rory's latest album, entered the world in 2016. Rather than focus on a certain style of music, this album features music that demonstrates Rory's skill and diverse interests in country, western swing, jazz, polka, latin, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and gospel music. It is a mix of original songs, and fresh arrangements of standards. Rory is proud to feature over 25 friends, all superb Nashville musicians.
Nalani
Originally from Niwot, Colorado and now based in Nashville, bassist Nalani grew up around music with excellent mentors, becoming determined to keep music in her life and has been enjoying an ever-blossoming career. As young as 12, she would sit in on band rehearsals and perform at local venues. Getting the live experience was key to her development as a musician, and so was her determination.
After traveling to Nashville for the first time and attending five-time Grammy winner Victor Wooten's Bass Nature Camp Nalani was at a pivot point in her life, and soon after was able to learn, gain valuable knowledge and inspiration from musicians such as the Wooten brothers, Marcus Miller, Rhonda Smith, Michael Manring, Steve Bailey, Anthony Wellington, the legendary Chuck Rainey, James Moody, Roy Hargrove and David Sanborn.
At Bass Nature Reunion Camp, Esperanza Spalding helped inspire Nalani to choose William Paterson University and she made the move to New Jersey. After graduating, she lived and worked in New York, performing weekly in Asbury Park in Jersey with a Latin Jazz Band, and ended up honing her skills as a solo act while living in San Angelo, Texas. In San Angelo, Nalani opened for Samantha Fish in front of a crowd of 5,000 people, and in December 2013 the Wooten Brothers invited her to be a guest on their tour bus to experience living on the road, traveling from venue to venue. The Wooten Brothers welcomed her and mentored her wholeheartedly. It was this trip that inspired Nalani to study from “the Teacha” Regi Wooten, and ultimately inspired her to move to Nashville to study under his mastery, devoting herself to music as her career.
After a short acoustic tour in the fall of 2014, Nalani quickly established herself in the Nashville music community and at various jams. She took advantage of Regi Wooten’s mentorship at every chance, and in the first couple of years of living in Nashville, got many opportunities to play in various acts of every genre. She served as musical director for various artists and started getting more high-profile gigs with artists such as Kevin Max of DC Talk. The connections Nalani made at Bass Nature Camp, Marcus Miller’s Jazz cruises, and the NAMM Show became valuable elements of her musical life. She adopted Chuck Rainey as her “Bass Godfather” and assisted at his Rhythm Intensive summer camp, where she connected with many musicians, including Bobby Vega of Tower of Power, and legendary session player, Jerry Jemmott. In 2017 Nalani was taken under the masterful wings of established players Tom Barney (Saturday night life, Steely Dan, Lion king on Broadway) and Bakithi Kumalo (bass for Paul Simon).
Nalani is a truly exciting performer and entertainer, the energy she gets from her bandmates and the crowd is both liberating and fun and is reverberated back to listeners tenfold. Nalani's style embodies and pulls from a lot of the old school stuff that makes people dance and the intensity of rock and roll, and she merges genres; jazz roots for improvisation, funk for groove, and rock for intensity and entertainment. With her background in jazz and ample experience in funk and motown, she's an electrifying and experimental performer.
Oct 11
Jerome Degey Trio feat. Wes Little & Charles Treadway
5:30pm-7:15pm central, $14 at the door
Guitarist Jerome Degey leads a fabulous trio featuring Wes Little and Charles Treadway, playing a variety of jazz standards, eclectic impressions, melodic emotions, and exotic grooves.
Jerome Degey is a platinum and gold album producer, arranger, and guitarist from Paris-France, now living in Nashville. With his French and Afro-Caribbean family heritage and a long immersion into the Brazilian culture, he naturally blends jazz, soul, world music, and "popular songs" in his musical choices.
Wes Little is one of Nashville’s most adaptable and multi-faceted drummers, as well as a top flight arranger, producer and songwriter. Formally trained in performance and composition at the Manhattan School of Music and shaped by years of studio and stage work with major acts from across the spectrum, Little brings complete musicality to every kind of gig. Currently a first call session drummer in Nashville, Little has also performed or recorded with Chuck D, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, John Legend, Melissa Etheridge, Robben Ford, Michael and Randy Brecker, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. He works in Nashville, where he lives and records daily in the studio.
Charles Treadway is considered the top organist in Nashville. He has played with the finest jazz and blues musicians and beyond in various settings and is reminiscent of Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, Jimmy McGriff, and other greats.
Jerome Degey is a platinum and gold album producer, arranger, and guitarist from Paris-France, now living in Nashville. With his French and Afro-Caribbean family heritage and a long immersion into the Brazilian culture, he naturally blends jazz, soul, world music, and "popular songs" in his musical choices.
Wes Little is one of Nashville’s most adaptable and multi-faceted drummers, as well as a top flight arranger, producer and songwriter. Formally trained in performance and composition at the Manhattan School of Music and shaped by years of studio and stage work with major acts from across the spectrum, Little brings complete musicality to every kind of gig. Currently a first call session drummer in Nashville, Little has also performed or recorded with Chuck D, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, John Legend, Melissa Etheridge, Robben Ford, Michael and Randy Brecker, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. He works in Nashville, where he lives and records daily in the studio.
Charles Treadway is considered the top organist in Nashville. He has played with the finest jazz and blues musicians and beyond in various settings and is reminiscent of Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, Jimmy McGriff, and other greats.
Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
8:00pm-10:15pm central, $25 at the door
Jonathan Scales is one of the most innovative steel pannists on the planet, and is redefining and challenging traditional expectations of his signature instrument. In his hands, the sonic palette of an instrument often associated with cruise ships and tropical resorts is radically expanded to mimic the role of horns, piano, vibraphone or marimba due to his stunning, virtuosic technique. Scales’ mesmerizing compositions have captivated listeners and elevated him to the status of a true composer, forging new territory in the medium of instrumental music.
Although Scales’ writing produces songs that are ultimately accessible and danceable, the compositions can be remarkably complex and difficult to perform. As a result, the power trio whimsically named Jonathan Scales Fourchestra has always had a fluid lineup top-notch musicians.
As a young man at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, Jonathan was inspired by the compositions of Béla Fleck. Hearing Béla Fleck’s transformative approach to the banjo had a significant, even reassuring impact on Jonathan, who was already independently seeking to rethink how steel pans could be played and employed in compositions. In fact, Driftwood Magazine made a similar observation, when it wrote that “Scales is to steel pans what Béla Fleck is to the banjo—an uber innovator.” Jonathan was writing his own tasteful, outside-the-box, avant-garde compositions, and independently released his first three albums while performing regionally in the Southeastern U.S.. His band was establishing a reputation as something of an outlier, and attracted the attention of Ropeadope Records, who released Jonathan Scales Fourchestra’s eponymous debut—fully orchestrated with horns and strings—in 2013. The record reached #6 on the iTunes Jazz charts.
Jonathan’s persistence was rewarded when Flecktones members Victor Wooten, Howard Levy, Jeff Coffin and Roy “Futureman” Wooten—the inspiration for the album Mixtape Symphony (Ropeadope)— began to make appearances on recordings and at live shows. Béla Fleck himself was also beginning to take notice: in considering Scales’ 2016 cover of his composition “The Imposter”, he remarked “To say I am impressed would be a gross understatement…”. In June 2016 Scales was invited to perform with Béla Fleck & The Flecktones at a large outdoor concert in Richmond, VA. Over the course of these three formative years, Jonathan developed a close bond with Victor Wooten, and has appeared many times as a guest artist at his annual Bass Camp, and in May 2018 he was a featured performer on a Victor Wooten date in North Carolina, sharing the stage with legendary drummer Dennis Chambers in a trio format, as well as performing duets with Wooten.
Bringing the relationship full circle, Béla Fleck’s performance on the song “Focus Poem” serves as something of an affirmation of the young composer’s talent and persistence. PILLAR is a record stacked with world-renowned virtuosos performing at the top of their games, which have inspired and encouraged Jonathan Scales to push forward and ultimately come into his own as an artist. Jonathan himself, deeply honored and humbled by his musical heroes’ appreciation and support of his art, describes the album as a culmination of ten years of dedication and hard work, and “…a soundtrack to loss, focus, perseverance and triumph. Like pillars, we stand strong on unsteady ground, weathering life's storms. Like pillars, we must sometimes be reconstructed and revitalized to withstand the crushing weight of our own worlds.”
Although Scales’ writing produces songs that are ultimately accessible and danceable, the compositions can be remarkably complex and difficult to perform. As a result, the power trio whimsically named Jonathan Scales Fourchestra has always had a fluid lineup top-notch musicians.
As a young man at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, Jonathan was inspired by the compositions of Béla Fleck. Hearing Béla Fleck’s transformative approach to the banjo had a significant, even reassuring impact on Jonathan, who was already independently seeking to rethink how steel pans could be played and employed in compositions. In fact, Driftwood Magazine made a similar observation, when it wrote that “Scales is to steel pans what Béla Fleck is to the banjo—an uber innovator.” Jonathan was writing his own tasteful, outside-the-box, avant-garde compositions, and independently released his first three albums while performing regionally in the Southeastern U.S.. His band was establishing a reputation as something of an outlier, and attracted the attention of Ropeadope Records, who released Jonathan Scales Fourchestra’s eponymous debut—fully orchestrated with horns and strings—in 2013. The record reached #6 on the iTunes Jazz charts.
Jonathan’s persistence was rewarded when Flecktones members Victor Wooten, Howard Levy, Jeff Coffin and Roy “Futureman” Wooten—the inspiration for the album Mixtape Symphony (Ropeadope)— began to make appearances on recordings and at live shows. Béla Fleck himself was also beginning to take notice: in considering Scales’ 2016 cover of his composition “The Imposter”, he remarked “To say I am impressed would be a gross understatement…”. In June 2016 Scales was invited to perform with Béla Fleck & The Flecktones at a large outdoor concert in Richmond, VA. Over the course of these three formative years, Jonathan developed a close bond with Victor Wooten, and has appeared many times as a guest artist at his annual Bass Camp, and in May 2018 he was a featured performer on a Victor Wooten date in North Carolina, sharing the stage with legendary drummer Dennis Chambers in a trio format, as well as performing duets with Wooten.
Bringing the relationship full circle, Béla Fleck’s performance on the song “Focus Poem” serves as something of an affirmation of the young composer’s talent and persistence. PILLAR is a record stacked with world-renowned virtuosos performing at the top of their games, which have inspired and encouraged Jonathan Scales to push forward and ultimately come into his own as an artist. Jonathan himself, deeply honored and humbled by his musical heroes’ appreciation and support of his art, describes the album as a culmination of ten years of dedication and hard work, and “…a soundtrack to loss, focus, perseverance and triumph. Like pillars, we stand strong on unsteady ground, weathering life's storms. Like pillars, we must sometimes be reconstructed and revitalized to withstand the crushing weight of our own worlds.”
Don Aliquo Trio
11:00pm-1:00am central, $10 at the door
Saxophonist Don Aliquo’s playing has been described as “smooth as silk...with an unfailing feel for breath and phrasing" while extremely supple in the addressing of his axe but always zeroed in on what he's describing”.
“Growth” his newest release, explores new territory with intriguing compositions and ample solo space for Aliquo’s inspired improvisations. The eight originals are both complex and open, which shows him expanding his boundaries not only as an instrumentalist and improviser, but also as a composer. The music is an electrifying modern outing with one foot in the future and one in the tradition.
Aliquo has released six solo projects and has worked collaboratively or performed as a sideman on many others. His previous solo cd “Sun and Shield” features veteran jazz masters Rufus Reid, Jim McNeely, and the dynamic Obed Calvaire.
Notable collaborations include a duo recording with eclectic pianist Michael Jefry Stevens and quartet recordings with Roger Humphries and the late Beegie Adair. He also has recorded with his mentor, notable Pittsburgh tenor stalwart, Don Aliquo Sr. on the MCG label.
Don has performed in concerts and recordings with many world-class artists including Gary Burton, Greg Osby, Rufus Reid, Roger Humphries, Harold Danko, Adam Nussbaum, Donald Brown, Pete Christlieb, Scott Robinson, and Bobby Shew.
Don is Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at Middle Tennessee State University. He is a Selmer and Vandoren artist.
“Growth” his newest release, explores new territory with intriguing compositions and ample solo space for Aliquo’s inspired improvisations. The eight originals are both complex and open, which shows him expanding his boundaries not only as an instrumentalist and improviser, but also as a composer. The music is an electrifying modern outing with one foot in the future and one in the tradition.
Aliquo has released six solo projects and has worked collaboratively or performed as a sideman on many others. His previous solo cd “Sun and Shield” features veteran jazz masters Rufus Reid, Jim McNeely, and the dynamic Obed Calvaire.
Notable collaborations include a duo recording with eclectic pianist Michael Jefry Stevens and quartet recordings with Roger Humphries and the late Beegie Adair. He also has recorded with his mentor, notable Pittsburgh tenor stalwart, Don Aliquo Sr. on the MCG label.
Don has performed in concerts and recordings with many world-class artists including Gary Burton, Greg Osby, Rufus Reid, Roger Humphries, Harold Danko, Adam Nussbaum, Donald Brown, Pete Christlieb, Scott Robinson, and Bobby Shew.
Don is Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at Middle Tennessee State University. He is a Selmer and Vandoren artist.
Oct 12
Greg Tardy Quartet feat. Dave Potter, Margherita Fava & Rob Linton
5:30pm-7:15pm central, $18 at the door
"Truly an awesome leader-performer and you’ll revel in his inventiveness and finesse. Tardy is THE new talent to watch." - Jazz & Blues Report
"Big sound, deep seated feel for the blues, and cerebral avante-garde chops." - New York Magazine
"With every release he takes another step forward establishing himself as one of the most important saxophonists of his generation." - All About Jazz
"Until you master the blues, anything else you do in jazz is going to sound hollow. Gregory Tardy has not made that mistake." - The Washington Post
Saxophonist, multi-reedist, and composer Greg Tardy leads a world class quartet with Dave Potter on drums, Margherita Fava on piano and Rob Linton on bass.
Gregory Tardy is one of the most versatile jazz musicians of his generation, equally comfortable in a variety of musical and improvisational situations. Born into a musical family, he began his musical career studying classical clarinet. In his early 20s, while preparing for a symphony career he discovered jazz saxophone and hasn’t looked back.
In 1992, he started playing with the legendary drummer, Elvin Jones, and he recorded his first CD, Crazy Love. As a sought after sideman he has played with many prominent jazz artists including: Andrew Hill, Tom Harrell, Dave Douglas, Wynton Marsalis, Jay McShann, Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove, Steve Coleman, Betty Carter, Don Byron, Bill Frisell, Rashied Ali, Ellis Marsalis, Brian Lynch, John Patitucci, and many more. He has also performed and/or recorded along with many other notable saxophonists, such as Joe Lovano, Mark Turner, Chris Potter, Dewey Redman, Ravi Coltrane, and others. In more recent years, Tardy has gone full circle, by focusing on his clarinets more, using them on recordings by Tom Harrell, Ohad Talmor/Steve Swallow, Stefan Harris, Chris Potter and Andrew Hill.
His performance schedule has taken him all over the world, playing at all of the major jazz festivals and on some of the biggest stages in jazz. As a sideman, he has been featured on several Downbeat Albums of the Year and also several Grammy nominated recordings; including a Grammy winning CD with Brian Lynch in 2006. He also has recorded fourteen CDs under his own name featuring his unique compositions, blending his love of traditional jazz with a more modern seeking style. His latest project, If Time Could Stand Still, was released in the fall of 2020 on WJ3 Records.
"Big sound, deep seated feel for the blues, and cerebral avante-garde chops." - New York Magazine
"With every release he takes another step forward establishing himself as one of the most important saxophonists of his generation." - All About Jazz
"Until you master the blues, anything else you do in jazz is going to sound hollow. Gregory Tardy has not made that mistake." - The Washington Post
Saxophonist, multi-reedist, and composer Greg Tardy leads a world class quartet with Dave Potter on drums, Margherita Fava on piano and Rob Linton on bass.
Gregory Tardy is one of the most versatile jazz musicians of his generation, equally comfortable in a variety of musical and improvisational situations. Born into a musical family, he began his musical career studying classical clarinet. In his early 20s, while preparing for a symphony career he discovered jazz saxophone and hasn’t looked back.
In 1992, he started playing with the legendary drummer, Elvin Jones, and he recorded his first CD, Crazy Love. As a sought after sideman he has played with many prominent jazz artists including: Andrew Hill, Tom Harrell, Dave Douglas, Wynton Marsalis, Jay McShann, Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove, Steve Coleman, Betty Carter, Don Byron, Bill Frisell, Rashied Ali, Ellis Marsalis, Brian Lynch, John Patitucci, and many more. He has also performed and/or recorded along with many other notable saxophonists, such as Joe Lovano, Mark Turner, Chris Potter, Dewey Redman, Ravi Coltrane, and others. In more recent years, Tardy has gone full circle, by focusing on his clarinets more, using them on recordings by Tom Harrell, Ohad Talmor/Steve Swallow, Stefan Harris, Chris Potter and Andrew Hill.
His performance schedule has taken him all over the world, playing at all of the major jazz festivals and on some of the biggest stages in jazz. As a sideman, he has been featured on several Downbeat Albums of the Year and also several Grammy nominated recordings; including a Grammy winning CD with Brian Lynch in 2006. He also has recorded fourteen CDs under his own name featuring his unique compositions, blending his love of traditional jazz with a more modern seeking style. His latest project, If Time Could Stand Still, was released in the fall of 2020 on WJ3 Records.
Greg Tardy Quartet feat. Dave Potter, Margherita Fava & Rob Linton
8:00pm-10:15pm central, $21 in advance, $22 at the door
"Truly an awesome leader-performer and you’ll revel in his inventiveness and finesse. Tardy is THE new talent to watch." - Jazz & Blues Report
"Big sound, deep seated feel for the blues, and cerebral avante-garde chops." - New York Magazine
"With every release he takes another step forward establishing himself as one of the most important saxophonists of his generation." - All About Jazz
"Until you master the blues, anything else you do in jazz is going to sound hollow. Gregory Tardy has not made that mistake." - The Washington Post
Saxophonist, multi-reedist, and composer Greg Tardy leads a world class quartet with Dave Potter on drums, Margherita Fava on piano and Rob Linton on bass.
Gregory Tardy is one of the most versatile jazz musicians of his generation, equally comfortable in a variety of musical and improvisational situations. Born into a musical family, he began his musical career studying classical clarinet. In his early 20s, while preparing for a symphony career he discovered jazz saxophone and hasn’t looked back.
In 1992, he started playing with the legendary drummer, Elvin Jones, and he recorded his first CD, Crazy Love. As a sought after sideman he has played with many prominent jazz artists including: Andrew Hill, Tom Harrell, Dave Douglas, Wynton Marsalis, Jay McShann, Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove, Steve Coleman, Betty Carter, Don Byron, Bill Frisell, Rashied Ali, Ellis Marsalis, Brian Lynch, John Patitucci, and many more. He has also performed and/or recorded along with many other notable saxophonists, such as Joe Lovano, Mark Turner, Chris Potter, Dewey Redman, Ravi Coltrane, and others. In more recent years, Tardy has gone full circle, by focusing on his clarinets more, using them on recordings by Tom Harrell, Ohad Talmor/Steve Swallow, Stefan Harris, Chris Potter and Andrew Hill.
His performance schedule has taken him all over the world, playing at all of the major jazz festivals and on some of the biggest stages in jazz. As a sideman, he has been featured on several Downbeat Albums of the Year and also several Grammy nominated recordings; including a Grammy winning CD with Brian Lynch in 2006. He also has recorded fourteen CDs under his own name featuring his unique compositions, blending his love of traditional jazz with a more modern seeking style. His latest project, If Time Could Stand Still, was released in the fall of 2020 on WJ3 Records.
"Big sound, deep seated feel for the blues, and cerebral avante-garde chops." - New York Magazine
"With every release he takes another step forward establishing himself as one of the most important saxophonists of his generation." - All About Jazz
"Until you master the blues, anything else you do in jazz is going to sound hollow. Gregory Tardy has not made that mistake." - The Washington Post
Saxophonist, multi-reedist, and composer Greg Tardy leads a world class quartet with Dave Potter on drums, Margherita Fava on piano and Rob Linton on bass.
Gregory Tardy is one of the most versatile jazz musicians of his generation, equally comfortable in a variety of musical and improvisational situations. Born into a musical family, he began his musical career studying classical clarinet. In his early 20s, while preparing for a symphony career he discovered jazz saxophone and hasn’t looked back.
In 1992, he started playing with the legendary drummer, Elvin Jones, and he recorded his first CD, Crazy Love. As a sought after sideman he has played with many prominent jazz artists including: Andrew Hill, Tom Harrell, Dave Douglas, Wynton Marsalis, Jay McShann, Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove, Steve Coleman, Betty Carter, Don Byron, Bill Frisell, Rashied Ali, Ellis Marsalis, Brian Lynch, John Patitucci, and many more. He has also performed and/or recorded along with many other notable saxophonists, such as Joe Lovano, Mark Turner, Chris Potter, Dewey Redman, Ravi Coltrane, and others. In more recent years, Tardy has gone full circle, by focusing on his clarinets more, using them on recordings by Tom Harrell, Ohad Talmor/Steve Swallow, Stefan Harris, Chris Potter and Andrew Hill.
His performance schedule has taken him all over the world, playing at all of the major jazz festivals and on some of the biggest stages in jazz. As a sideman, he has been featured on several Downbeat Albums of the Year and also several Grammy nominated recordings; including a Grammy winning CD with Brian Lynch in 2006. He also has recorded fourteen CDs under his own name featuring his unique compositions, blending his love of traditional jazz with a more modern seeking style. His latest project, If Time Could Stand Still, was released in the fall of 2020 on WJ3 Records.
Geoff Pfeifer Quartet
11:00pm-1:00am central, $10 at the door
The Geoff Pfeifer Quartet, gritty, edgy, the real deal NYC style jazz. Saxophonist Geoff Pfeifer brings some of Nashville's top jazz cats out, and you'll be sure to feel the energy. Playing a mix of original material and Wayne Shorter tunes.
Geoff Pfeifer, a Nashville based musician and composer, has been living and performing in Nashville since 2005. Geoff studied saxophone with Ted Nash and Ralph Lalama and composition with Mike Holober and Jim McNeely. He is a saxophonist and arranger with the R&B band Chubby and The Dots and plays the 2nd Tenor Saxophone chair in The Establishment Big Band.
Geoff Pfeifer, a Nashville based musician and composer, has been living and performing in Nashville since 2005. Geoff studied saxophone with Ted Nash and Ralph Lalama and composition with Mike Holober and Jim McNeely. He is a saxophonist and arranger with the R&B band Chubby and The Dots and plays the 2nd Tenor Saxophone chair in The Establishment Big Band.
Oct 13
Sully's Swingin' Sunday Supper
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $12 at the door
Join us for Sully's Swingin' Sunday Supper, where one of Music City's top jazz and instrumental bassists Jimmy Sullivan leads a swingin' band with different special guest artists and Rudy's serves up a unique and delectable supper special just for the show!
Harmonic adaptability and rhythmic flexibility are the key attributes of any first-rate bassist. Though a native-born Virginian, Jimmy Sullivan has ascended to the top ranks of Music City's rhythm section comrades, proving himself a versatile and imaginative bassist on multiple occasions. He's excelled in numerous idiomatic sessions, though jazz remains a priority and key musical love. Still, he's flourished while working, recording and/or performing with such top country, rock and pop stars as Lee Ann Womack, Mark Collie, Ashley Campbell, and Mandy Barnett among others.
Sullivan grew up in Reston, Virginia. Despite not having any musicians in the family, Sullivan still became enamored with music at an early age. Teaching himself to play by ear, his early apprentice came as both a singer and instrumentalist. He performed in a choir while also playing piano and clarinet. But his primary instrument became bass at 15, where he began on electric. Soon came formal jazz studies at Northern Virginia Community college, where he obtained a two-year degree before transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
He's now a regular performer at Rudy’s Jazz Room working regularly with Music City jazz stalwarts like Stephanie Adlington, Annie Sellick, PT Gazell and Andrew Carney as well as international artists such as Laila Biali, Nicole Zuraitis, Alexis Cole, Carol Welsman and Matt Panayides. He's become good friends and consistently shared the bandstand with world class musicians such as Joel Frahm, Andy Reiss, Jody Nardone, Pat Bergeson, Marcus Finnie and Jordan Perlson.
Jimmy Sullivan's now acclaimed not only in Nashville but throughout the region and state as a topflight player. He's already won one Nashville Music Industry Award as Best Jazz Instrumentalist in 2018, and others are sure to follow. But most importantly, Jimmy Sullivan's ferocity on the bandstand, and joy and love of playing music are infectious, and anyone who sees and hears him will immediately discover it as well as the inspiring and motivational power of great performance.
Harmonic adaptability and rhythmic flexibility are the key attributes of any first-rate bassist. Though a native-born Virginian, Jimmy Sullivan has ascended to the top ranks of Music City's rhythm section comrades, proving himself a versatile and imaginative bassist on multiple occasions. He's excelled in numerous idiomatic sessions, though jazz remains a priority and key musical love. Still, he's flourished while working, recording and/or performing with such top country, rock and pop stars as Lee Ann Womack, Mark Collie, Ashley Campbell, and Mandy Barnett among others.
Sullivan grew up in Reston, Virginia. Despite not having any musicians in the family, Sullivan still became enamored with music at an early age. Teaching himself to play by ear, his early apprentice came as both a singer and instrumentalist. He performed in a choir while also playing piano and clarinet. But his primary instrument became bass at 15, where he began on electric. Soon came formal jazz studies at Northern Virginia Community college, where he obtained a two-year degree before transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
He's now a regular performer at Rudy’s Jazz Room working regularly with Music City jazz stalwarts like Stephanie Adlington, Annie Sellick, PT Gazell and Andrew Carney as well as international artists such as Laila Biali, Nicole Zuraitis, Alexis Cole, Carol Welsman and Matt Panayides. He's become good friends and consistently shared the bandstand with world class musicians such as Joel Frahm, Andy Reiss, Jody Nardone, Pat Bergeson, Marcus Finnie and Jordan Perlson.
Jimmy Sullivan's now acclaimed not only in Nashville but throughout the region and state as a topflight player. He's already won one Nashville Music Industry Award as Best Jazz Instrumentalist in 2018, and others are sure to follow. But most importantly, Jimmy Sullivan's ferocity on the bandstand, and joy and love of playing music are infectious, and anyone who sees and hears him will immediately discover it as well as the inspiring and motivational power of great performance.
Rudy's Jazz Jam
9:00pm-11:15pm central, $10 at the door
Rudy's hosts the official pro jazz jam. Come out and experience some of music city's best as they take the stage with Nashville's next generation of jazz performers! You will hear a variety of young, old, new and undiscovered players showing what they can do on stage. Part of the jazz tradition and what jazz embodies is the unknown and spontaneous exploration of new musical territory with new musicians sitting in live on stage; you never know who or what to expect other than the unexpected!
We welcome all ages to this show and have a $10 food or beverage minimum.
We welcome all ages to this show and have a $10 food or beverage minimum.