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.

Known as “The Teacha”, Regi Wooten is one of the most innovative, talented and dynamic musicians around the scene, and has pushed the boundaries of jazz, funk, soul, R&B, rock, and even bluegrass to some of the most extreme musical limits. From picking, slapping, strumming, thumping, and tapping to some of the most ear bending advanced chords you’ll hear on any instrument, Regi has earned world-wide notoriety and comparisons to other innovators such as Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa and Chuck Berry. Perfecting, creating and discovering new techniques and jazz theory while incorporating and layering into strong funk grooves for keen listeners to uncover and pick up on is one of his many notable fortes.

At only nine years old Regi started teaching his younger brother Victor Wooten bass guitar and Joseph Wooten keyboards, and soon the Wooten Brothers Band was formed featuring; Regi on ukelele, Roy on drums, Rudy on Saxophone, Joe on Keys and Victor on bass. Regi was ten years old at the time, Roy was nine, Rudy was eight, Joseph was five and Victor was two. The rest, as they say, is Musical History.

Assembling a cast of Nashville's best, Regi Wooten and Friends dig deep into the roots of funk, jazz, blues, rock, and soul. You never know who might jump on stage! Don't miss a beat!

Pianist Pat Coil with Don Aliquo on saxophone, Jamey Simmons on trumpet, Miles Damaso on drums and Jack Aylor on bass.

Born in Jefferson City, Missouri, Pat Coil is an accomplished pianist, composer, producer and arranger, as well as a highly respected studio musician. If you watch television, listen to the radio, or go to the movies, you have heard Pat and some form of his music. Pat has toured Japan, South America, Europe and the U.S. with such artists as Michael McDonald, Carmen McCrae, Olivia Newton John, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Woody Herman and many others. Pat has recorded with many artists including Natalie Cole, Trisha Yearwood, Ernie Watts, Carmen McCrae, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Kenny Rogers, Travis Tritt, Peter Cetera, Woody Herman, Scott Henderson, and Michael McDonald. His talent spans the musical spectrum of jazz, pop, R&B, gospel, and country.

Living now in Nashville TN, Pat continues his successful career composing, recording, performing, producing, arranging and teaching. He has composed, produced and performed on hundreds of underscores heard on a variety of media all over the world. Pat taught jazz piano, combos, and improvisation at Middle Tennessee State University, and was an Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University Of North Texas.

Pat has recorded six solo jazz albums of his own, the third one being a collaboration with Lyle Mays. “True North” and his new album “Birdhouse” are available at patcoil.com, cdbaby.com and I-Tunes. Pat is currently on tour with Michael McDonald, and makes numerous appearances with his own group. Pat is currently working on a new release of his original music.

Saxophonist Don Aliquo continues to be one of the most active artists in the region and beyond. 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.

Arranger, composer, trumpeter, and educator Jamey Simmons grew up in Wisconsin and knew early on that music was his unique gift. He earned his Bachelor of Music at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, and studied under Robert Baca. He earned his Master of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Media at the Eastman School of Music where he studied under jazz composer and arranger Fred Sturm. Simmons is currently Director of Jazz Studies at Middle Tennessee State University where he teaches courses in jazz and directs Jazz Ensemble I. As a trumpet player, Simmons toured internationally with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He is active on the Nashville professional music scene, and has made appearances with artists as diversified as the Temptations, Dave Weckl, Buddy DeFranco, Lee Konitz, Duffy Jackson, Vince Gill, Debby Boone, and the Nashville Jazz Orchestra. He has written arrangements and compositions that have been performed by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Buffalo Symphony Pops, the Nashville Jazz Orchestra, Brussels Jazz Orchestra and numerous university and high school ensembles. His first original jazz sextet CD, Gold Refined in the Fire, features New York saxophonist Scott Robinson. His recording of hymns and spirituals called In the Garden: Hymns for Piano , was recorded by pianist Arunesh Nadgir and can be found at your favorite source for downloading music. His Duo/Trio project, featuring guitarist Rory Hoffman and pianist Matt Endahl are archived on youtube, free for the public. Active as a commissioned composer and arranger, Simmons’ published compositions and arrangements are available through Heritage Jazz Works/ Lorenz Music, Sierra Music, ejazzlines.com, and Kjos Music Publishing.

Miles Damaso is a percussionist, music educator, and composerarranger based out of Nashville, Tennessee. In addition to leading his own group, he recently has been the drummer for the Hickey-Shanafelt 9ollective and the J.C. Clements Band. Miles also frequently performs with groups throughout the south and midwest playing a wide variety of music. Passionate about sharing the gift of music with people, Miles currently teaches students across the United States and has assisted school music programs in Iowa, Indiana, and Tennessee. Miles also desires to enrich music education in schools around the country through his compositions. Having completed his undergrad at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, Miles is currently pursuing a master’s degree as an associate instructor at Middle Tennessee State University, as well as continuing a music career composing, performing, and privately teaching in the Nashville area.

Jack Aylor is a performing bassist living in Nashville. During his time in New York, he studied with bassists Ron Carter, Ben Wolfe, Ugonna Okegwo, and James Genus. He has performed with artists including Delfeayo Marsalis, Chester Thompson, Rahsaan Barber, Roland Barber, Don Sickler, Dave Kikoski, Marc Devine, and Alex Hoffman.