($30-$40 Tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm Presentation & 8pm Concert) The Century Room is thrilled to welcome back Grammy-winning author and jazz historian Ashley Kahn to kick off our celebration of Miles Davis’s centennial! Ashley will give a 75 minute presentation on the 1958/59 Miles Davis sextet following by a performance from Morani Sanders’ sextet! Presented in conjunction with the Tucson Jazz Music Foudnation. The Tucson Jazz Music Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is sponsoring guest artist Ashley Kahn for this event.

Jazz is a tradition of individual heroes, but there are a few bands that were historic and all-star collections of talent. Miles Davis’ sextets of the late ‘50s were one of those rare, once-in-a-lifetime lineups, featuring John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Red Garland, Bill Evans, Philly Joe Jones, and others, all destined to become bandleaders and legends in their own right. Miles’ sextets recorded two of the most important of all jazz albums: Milestones and Kind of Blue: The first being Miles’ farewell to the era of bebop that his career had started in, and the second was the sound of the future, predicting the musical adventure that his career would become.

Who were these incredible sidemen, why and how did Miles choose them, and what about their music remains so fresh, modern and influential? These are the questions we will ask and answer, as we hear from Grammy-winning author Ashley Kahn, followed by the Morandi Sanders Sextet performing selections of this timeless music at The Century Room on Wednesday, January 15

($40-$55 Tickets + DICE fees | 4:30pm, 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows)

Following great success at some of the world’s great jazz festivals and venues with her Tentet, GRAMMY-nominated Clarinetist and composer Anat Cohen shifts her focus to an intimate group sound with her newest band, the endlessly colorful Quartetinho (pronounced “quar-te-CHIN-yo,” i.e., little quartet).

The group of New York-based international multi-instrumentalist-virtuosos are all drawn from the ranks of her aforementioned Tentet featuring bassist Tal Mashiach, pianist/accordionist Vitor Gonçalves, and vibraphonist/percussionist James Shipp. The idea of instrumental doubling to achieve a wide stylistic range comes from the larger group, and the spirit of this cross-cultural/stylistic ensemble rings true throughout their performances. They share a deep love for music in all its heterogeneity and it’s all amply represented in both recordings and the band’s own live show. The result is boundlessly melodic and lyrical, with a wide array of timbres and subtle details of orchestration.

(20-30$ + Dice Fees | 10:30pm Show) After Friday night’s show, join saxophonist Eric Nakanishi along with his band for Late Night!

(SOLD OUT | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) GRAMMY Award-winning pianist and recipient of the 2026 Bell Jazz Artist Award, Sullivan Fortner returns with his trio to the Century Room to perrform at the 2026 Tucson Jazz Festival!

Sullivan issued Aria (2015), Moments Preserved (2018) and Solo Game (2024) to critical acclaim, the lattermost receiving 4-star reviews in DownBeat and Telerama Magazine. His 2025 release Southern Nights features Peter Washington and Marcus Gilmore. Winner of the 2024 DownBeat Critics Poll for Rising Star Jazz Group: Sullivan Fortner Trio, the New Orleans native has worked with Wynton Marsalis, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Paul Simon, Diane Reeves, Etienne Charles and John Scofield, Ambrose Akinmusire, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Stefon Harris, Kassa Overall, Tivon Pennicott, Peter Bernstein, Nicholas Payton, Billy Hart, Gary Bartz, Chief Adjuah and Roy Hargrove. His works and insights have been featured in culture drivers from The New York Times to The Root. Further accolades include the American Pianists Association’s Cole Porter Fellowship, Leonore Annenberg Arts Fellowship, the Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists, the Shifting Foundation Grant and the Western Jazz Presenters Grant.

($20-$30 tickets | 10:30pm Show) Taber Gables is a celebrated jazz pianist and educator whose artistry reflects both technical mastery and soulful storytelling. His musical journey began in childhood, when the eclectic sounds of his parents’ record collection ignited a passion that led him to the Joy of Music School in Knoxville, a nonprofit offering free music lessons and instruments to youth.

Gable went on to study at the University of Hartford’s Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz (BM ’14), where he became the first recipient of the Hartt Performing Arts Scholarship, before earning his Master’s in Jazz Studies from The Juilliard School (’16) under the mentorship of Wynton Marsalis.

As a performer, Gable has graced stages alongside acclaimed artists including Marcus and E.J. Strickland, Terrace Martin, Jimmy Greene, Myron Walden, Abraham Burton, Jonathan Barber, Braxton Cook, Lakecia Benjamin, Jesse Palter, and country artists such as John Berry, Jamie O’Neal, and Chris Blue. Known for his cross-genre versatility and captivating live presence, he has become a sought-after musician both in New York’s vibrant jazz scene and on international stages.

In 2020, Gable released his debut album, Hidden Driveways. His latest project, Push & Pull (2025), showcases his evolving artistry and continued exploration of sound, following the 2024 single Not Long Ago released under La Reserve.

In addition to his performance career, Gable is dedicated to education and mentorship. In 2024, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Jazz Piano at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, continuing his commitment to cultivating the next generation of musicians.

($30-$45 Tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows)

Drummer and leader of “Boom Clap,” Jonathan Pinson is an international artist and educator who aspires to bring joy and healing to the listener through the power of storytelling. Daring and versatile, he has made his mark across genres and generations. Whether it’s jazz legend Herbie Hancock, saxophone colossus Kamasi Washington, or artistic icon Seal, Pinson brings his bold and empathic musicality to every composition and scenario.

A drum student from the age of 7, Pinson holds music degrees from the Thelonious Monk Institute at UCLA (M.M.) and Berklee College of Music (B.A.). Pinson has performed or collaborated with Seal, Herbie Hancock, Wanye Shorter, Kamasi Washington, Braxton Cook, Gerald Clayton, Terrace Martin, Kiefer, Marquis Hill, Mark Turner, Gilad Hekselman, Moses Sumney, Christian Kuria, and Ben Williams.

Melo Gía (vocals) Mario Castro (tenor) Andrew Renfroe (guitar) Taber Gable (piano) Kyle Miles (bass) Jonathan Pinson (drums)

($15 -$25 + Dice fees | 10:30pm Show) Keep the night swining with local multi instrumentalist Max Goldschmidt and his band ! You never know who will show up at the Tucson Jazz Festival Late Night!

($35-$50 Tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Celebrating 60 years of Monday nights at the Village Vangaurd!

Terell Stafford is renowned in the jazz world as an educator, performer and leader and has received countless award nominations and accolades. Stafford is recognized as an incredibly gifted and versatile player, he combines a deep love of melody with his own brand of spirited and adventurous lyricism. Stafford’s exceptionally expressive and well-defined musical talent allows him to dance in and around the rich trumpet tradition of his predecessors while making his own inroads.

60 YEARS OF MONDAY NIGHTS

Since 2005, Terell has been a member of the trumpet section for the legendary Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, which was founded in 1966 by Thad Jones & Mel Lewis. The year 2026 marks 60 years of Monday night big band at the Village Vanguard and Terell has prepared a program celebrating the history and ongoing legacy of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra and now the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Expect music from Thad Jones, Bob Brookmeyer, Jim McNeely and more.

CENTURY JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Inspired by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the 17-piece Century Jazz Orchestra performs every Monday night at the Century Room starting at 6:30pm. 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!

($30-$45 Tickets + DICE fees | 4:30pm, 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows)

Terell Stafford is renowned in the jazz world as an educator, performer and leader and has received countless award nominations and accolades. Stafford is recognized as an incredibly gifted and versatile player, he combines a deep love of melody with his own brand of spirited and adventurous lyricism. Stafford’s exceptionally expressive and well defined musical talent allows him to dance in and around the rich trumpet tradition of his predecessors while making his own inroads. He has been hailed as “one of the great players of our time, a fabulous trumpet player” by piano legend McCoy Tyner.

Since the mid-1990’s, Stafford has performed with groups such as Benny Golson’s Sextet, McCoy Tyner’s Sextet, Kenny Barron Quintet, Frank Wess Quintet, Jimmy Heath Quintet and Big Band, Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Alumni Band. He has been an integral member in bands led by esteemed artists such as Cedar Walton, Sadao Watanabe, Herbie Mann, and Matt Wilson. Stafford has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Rosie O’Donnell Show, and You Bet your Life. Stafford can be heard along with Bobby Watson on the soundtrack for the feature film A Bronx Tale and in the documentary Treme: Untold Story of Black New Orleans. Stafford has performed as a guest artist with the Billy Taylor Trio on National Public Radio’s Billy Taylor’s Jazz at the Kennedy Center. He can be heard performing on over 130 albums.

Stafford is now the Director of Jazz Studies and Chair of Instrumental Studies at Temple University, founder and band leader of the Terell Stafford Quintet, Managing and Artistic Director of the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia (JOP), and plays 2nd trumpet in the legendary Vanguard Jazz Orchestra on Monday nights in New York CIty.

Terell Stafford (trumpet) Brice Winston (tenor) Angelo Versace (piano) Scott Black (bass) Arthur Vint (drums)