($15-$25 Tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm Show) A romantic jazz experience where familiar songs meet fresh interpretation. ‘The Jazzmantics’ bring new life to pop favorites and timeless standards with lush arrangements and subtle groove.

($10-$15 Tickets + DICE fees | 8:30pm Show) Space Travelers Union Presents: KAZOKU (Family): A Chamber Jazz Project Honoring Family, Heritage, and Continuity

This project brings to life the folk compositions of Kenji Ono Lancaster’s grandmother, Yoko Ono. These songs are rooted in peace, life, and intergenerational connection. Originally written in Japanese, these works have been carefully transcribed and reimagined for a contemporary ten-piece chamber jazz ensemble.

The music preserves the original melodies and language while expanding the harmonic and textural landscape through modern jazz orchestration inspired by the likes of Maurice Ravel, Ambrose Akinmusire, and Mei Semones. Strings, woodwinds, pedal steel, piano, upright bass, drums, vocals, and guitar create a spacious, lyrical, and deeply personal sound.

This performance is presented as part of the ongoing Space Travelers Union Presents residency at the Century Room.

Space Travelers Union is a creative-musician collective formed in the Arizona desert through the meeting of composition, improvisation, and electronic signal. Operating with a rotating cast drawn from the American Southwest, the project has reached international audiences through BBC6, Radio France’s FIP, JazzFM, and Gilles Peterson’s WorldwideFM, with additional recognition from Bandcamp’s “New and Notable” and YouTube Music’s Jazz Hotlist.

($25-$35 tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm shows) Saxophonist Rob Scheps returns to the Century Room to celebrate the 100th year since John Coltrane’s birth!

Rob Scheps, a seasoned saxophonist known for his work with jazz legends such as Gil Evans and John Abercrombie, is set to perform a concert celebrating the music and legacy of John Coltrane. This tribute honors one of the most influential figures in jazz history, whose visionary approach to harmony, rhythm, and improvisation reshaped the language of the music. Scheps, who has played with a diverse array of musicians from Aretha Franklin to Buddy Rich, brings his own distinctive voice to the saxophone, channeling Coltrane’s spirit of exploration while maintaining a deeply personal sound. His performance offers a dynamic exploration of Coltrane’s body of work, balancing reverence with forward motion. Audiences can expect an evening of classic compositions and searching improvisations, reflecting both a deep connection to the tradition and a commitment to its continued evolution.

For this performance, he’ll be joined by Thøger Lund (bass) Jason Carder (trumpet) Angelo Versace (piano) Arthur Vint (drums)

ROB SCHEPS

Oregon native Rob Scheps began playing tenor sax at age nine. After studying at the New England Conservatory, he led groups like the True Colors Big Band and Rob Scheps Core-tet. Moving to NYC in 1988, he expanded his career, playing with the Gil Evans Orchestra and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. He has worked across jazz, classical, theater, and pop music, recording over 35 albums, including his acclaimed releases “Comencio” and “Live at Smalls”. Rob Scheps often garners comparisons to Wayne Shorter and John Coltrane, but as a composer, arranger, and player, Scheps has his own sound.

($5-10 + Dice Fees | 10:30pm Show) After Friday night’s show, join saxophonist Simeon Roth along with his band for Late Night! Guarantee a seat by the stage with an advanced ticket – walkins are FREE for the lounge and bar!

($25-$35 tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm shows) Join us for night two of Saxophonist Rob Scheps celebrating the 100th year since John Coltrane’s birth!

Rob Scheps, a seasoned saxophonist known for his work with jazz legends such as Gil Evans and John Abercrombie, is set to perform a concert celebrating the music and legacy of John Coltrane. This tribute honors one of the most influential figures in jazz history, whose visionary approach to harmony, rhythm, and improvisation reshaped the language of the music. Scheps, who has played with a diverse array of musicians from Aretha Franklin to Buddy Rich, brings his own distinctive voice to the saxophone, channeling Coltrane’s spirit of exploration while maintaining a deeply personal sound. His performance offers a dynamic exploration of Coltrane’s body of work, balancing reverence with forward motion. Audiences can expect an evening of classic compositions and searching improvisations, reflecting both a deep connection to the tradition and a commitment to its continued evolution.

For this performance, he’ll be joined by Thøger Lund (bass) Jason Carder (trumpet) Angelo Versace (piano) Kenji Lancaster (drums)

ROB SCHEPS

Oregon native Rob Scheps began playing tenor sax at age nine. After studying at the New England Conservatory, he led groups like the True Colors Big Band and Rob Scheps Core-tet. Moving to NYC in 1988, he expanded his career, playing with the Gil Evans Orchestra and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. He has worked across jazz, classical, theater, and pop music, recording over 35 albums, including his acclaimed releases “Comencio” and “Live at Smalls”. Rob Scheps often garners comparisons to Wayne Shorter and John Coltrane, but as a composer, arranger, and player, Scheps has his own sound.

($5-$10 + DICE fees | 10:30pm show) After Saturday night’s show, join guitarist Matt Mitchell & his band for Late Night! Guarantee a seat by the stage with an advanced ticket – walkins are FREE for the lounge and bar!

($5-$10 + DICE fees | 6:30pm-9:30pm) Come sit in with multi-instrumentalist Max Goldschmid and the Century Room house band! Band opens up with a short set followed by an instrumental jam until 9:30pm. Musicians who sit in get in free thanks to the Sonora Arts & Music Initiative!

($15-$25 tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8pm sets) Join us for an evening of big band music from two of Tucson’s premier groups! This week features the award-winning Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Big Band for their end of year celebration! They’re followed by the Century Jazz Orchestra.

The Tucson Jazz Music Foundation is proud to sponsor the Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Big Band’s performance at The Century Room. Thank you to all the Foundation donors that make these sponsorships possible. If you would like to make a donation to support youth and educational performances at The Century Room, visit https://tjmfdn.org for details or email TucsonJazzMusicFDN@gmail.com.

Inspired by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the 17-piece Century Jazz Orchestra performs every Monday night at the Century Room starting at 6:30pm. Expect music from the Count Basie Orchestra, Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Thad Jones/Mel Louis Jazz Orchestra, plus classics from Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and much more! An intergenerational ensemble, the CJO fosters community with students, teachers and professionals performing alongside each other and is supported by the Sonora Arts & Music Initiative 501(c)3. Come relive the magic of the big band era every Monday as the CJO keeps the music alive and thriving in the 21st Century!

($10-$15 + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8pm Sets) Nick Coventry, Matt Mitchell, Evan Dain & Marco Rosano form the swinging Hot Club of Tucson Quartet! The group plays jazz manouche in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappeli. The band starts at 6:30pm. Every 2nd Wednesday!

Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli were pivotal figures in the development of jazz in Europe, particularly through their groundbreaking work with the Quintette du Hot Club de France in the 1930s. Reinhardt, a Belgian-born Romani guitarist, overcame a debilitating hand injury to pioneer a unique style of jazz guitar that combined virtuosic speed, expressive phrasing, and gypsy musical traditions. Grappelli, a classically trained French violinist, brought elegance and melodic sophistication to jazz improvisation, helping elevate the violin as a serious jazz instrument. Together, their collaboration fused American swing with European sensibilities, laying the foundation for what became known as “Gypsy Jazz” and influencing generations of musicians worldwide.