($25-$35 tickets | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Joel Frahm makes his Century Room debut performing two nights of fantastic music! This night he will be performing the repertoire of legendary saxophonist Sonny Rollins which includes albums such as Saxophone Colossus, Newk’s Time, Way out West, and many more.

Joel Frahm is a saxophone legend in his own right, spending three dacades as a regular on the New York Jazz scene, three years in the Nashville music scene, and is now a part of the music faculty at Texas State University. He has appeared alongside noted jazz artists such as Brad Mehldau, Bill Charlap and Matt Wilson and has recorded with Dianne Schuur, Freddy Cole, Jane Monheit and others.

Joining him tonight are Tucson locals Dr. Angelo Versace on piano, and Arthur Vint on drums.

($5-$10 | 10:30pm & 11:30pm Sets) After Friday night’s show, stick around for Late Night with The Chris Peña Keyboard Summit!

Chris Peña (keys) Travi Ray (organ) Joshua Sailor (talkbox) Desmond Lewis (drums)

Guarantee a seat with an advanced ticket!

($25-$35 tickets | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Joel Frahm makes his Century Room debut performing two nights of fantastic music! This night he will be performing the repertoire of legendary saxophonist John Coltrane which includes albums such as Ascension, Blue Train, A Love Supreme, and many more.

Joel Frahm is a saxophone legend in his own right, spending three dacades as a regular on the New York Jazz scene, three years in the Nashville music scene, and is now a part of the music faculty at Texas State University. He has appeared alongside noted jazz artists such as Brad Mehldau, Bill Charlap and Matt Wilson and has recorded with Dianne Schuur, Freddy Cole, Jane Monheit and others.

Joining him tonight are Tucson locals Dr. Angelo Versace on piano, and Arthur Vint on drums.

($5-$10 | 10:30pm & 11:30pm Sets) After Saturday night’s show, stick around for late night with the Kevin Ravellette Quartet

Kevin Ravellette (sax) Matt Mitchell (guitar) Ed Friedland (bass) Kenji Lancaster (drums)

($10-$15 | 4pm doors | 4:30pm show) The Victor Gutierrez Quintet returns to the Century Room stage for a Dexter Gordon birthday celebration! This show will feature Victor Gutierrez on saxophone, Max Goldschmid on trumpet/saxophone, Colin McIlrath on bass, and Kenji Lancaster on drums.

Born on February 27th 1923 in Los Angeles, “Long Tall Dexter” was one of the most influential Bebop musicians in the world, and was one of the first to bring the language to the Tenor Saxophone.

($5 Guaranteed GA & $10 Guarateed Preferred | 6:30pm & 8:30pm sets) Come jam with multi-instrumentalist Max Goldschmid and the Century Room house band! Special opening set by Joel Frahm at 6:30pm. Instrumental jam is open until 10:30pm.

Guarantee a seat by purchasing a ticket in advance!

($15-$25 tickets | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Saxophonist Joel Frahm joins the University of Arizona’s Studio Jazz Ensemble for a fantastic evening of big band jazz!

STUDIO JAZZ ENSEMBLE

The U of A jazz program is overseen by Dr. Angelo Versace, and currently offers a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies.

At the moment there are two big bands – the Studio Jazz Ensemble (or SJE) and the Concert Jazz Band (or CJB)- as well as two small ensembles – the Fred Fox Jazz Ensemble and the UA Experiential Ensemble.

The program’s flagship groups, the Studio Jazz Ensemble and the Fred Fox Jazz Ensemble, have had numerous high profile performances to its credit, including two tours to China, a performance in the Yuma Village Jazz series, a performance as the invited showcase at the ABODA State Jazz Festival in Phoenix, two performances in Nogales, Mexico as part of a cultural exchange with the US State Department, and a performance in Las Cruces, New Mexico as part of the Onate Jazz Festival. Recent guest artists with the band include Terell Stafford, Joe Lovano, Brian Lynch, Chris Potter, John Fedchock, Bobby Shew, Bill Watrous, Michael Davis, and Troy Roberts.

Whether you’re an interested potential student or a jazz enthusiast, feel free to explore our website for audio/video, upcoming performances, Jazz Week news and audition information.

($10-$15 | 6:30pm & 8pm Sets) Multi-instrumentalist Marco Rosano leads Marco & The Polos through a swingin’ night of traditional jazz every other Wednesday!

“Hot Jazz Wednesdays” take you back to the roots of jazz with music from the 1920s and ’30s. Every 1st, 3rd & 5th Wednesday, Marco & The Polos perform music from New Orleans. 2nd and 4th Wednesdays are reserved for the Hot Club of Tucson, which performs French Jazz Manouche in the style of Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli.

($15-$25 | 6:30pm Show) Wholly Cats Swing Club present music of the great swing era!

Wholly Cats Swing Club are Tucson’s ambassadors of the Great Swing Era, specializing in the music of the Benny Goodman. They have quickly gained a following as Tucson’s premier Swing Band and have been performing at several dance and jazz venues in the area while helping give rise to the live local dance scene.

Erin Anderson (vocal) Marc Rosen (clarinet & saxophone) Chris Peña (piano) Michael Grigsby (bass) Christopher Constantine (drums)

The band was formed by Marc Rosen and Tony Spear, whose mutual love of these artists sparked an idea for a dance band with multi-generational appeal. In addition to the songs of Goodman and Christian, their repertoire includes popular classic hits by Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Louis Armstrong, Louie Prima and even contemporary artists like Tom Waits and Imelda May.

Stick around for our Soul Jazz Lounge at 8:30pm.

($20-$30 tickets | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Century Room favorite Peter Saxe brings us a show dedicated to the music of the late great pianist Chick Corea! Expect music from his classic trio recording “Now He Sings Now He Sobs”, plus other classic Chick repertoire. Featuring Peter Saxe (piano) Scott Black (bass) Arthur Vint (drums)

($25-$35 | 6:30pm & 8:30pm shows) West by Northwest brings together highly acclaimed artists who have performed worldwide with a who’s who of jazz. The band’s live performances embrace jazz’ past, present, and future, with a great chemistry and an adventurous, hard-swinging style.

Trumpet master Jason Carder (Yanni, Maria Schneider, Ray Charles, Woody Herman), Tucson, AZ pianist Angelo Versace (Take 6, Jon Faddis, Slide Hampton), and the swinging rhythm team of bassist Scott Black & drummer Dom Moio (Clark Terry, Herb Ellis, Ahmad Jamal) join forces only a handful of times each year to perform as West by Northwest. Their time together on the bandstand is always a musical highlight of the year, both for them and for their audiences!

West by Northwest’s compositional maturity, musicality, humor, energy, and crushing groove always leave audiences wanting more!

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

***”Hot Jazz Wednesdays”** take you back to the roots of jazz with music from the 1920s and ’30s. Every 1st, 3rd & 5th Wednesday, the Mysterious Babies perform music from New Orleans & Chicago. 2nd and 4th Wednesdays are reserved for the Hot Club of Tucson, which performs French Jazz Manouche in the style of Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli.*

($10-$15 | 6:30pm Show) Welcome Bisbee-based early jazz experts Juniper Djinn to the Century Room!

JUNIPER DJINN

Clarinet dreamscapes amongst a sea of melodious waltzes, the billowing sounds of early American jazz, gypsy jazz, and Balkan folk music make up the core sounds of Juniper Djinn. The duos originals reflect a familiar feeling of 30s & 40s nostalgia and timeless tunes ingrained deep within traditional American and European jazz. The duo is best known for their live performances in which they play an array of genres spanning across decades of time and regularly features other musicians from across the globe.

Singer, clarinet player, and rhythm guitarist Jessica Fleet is the main vocal of the group with a voice that has been described as an angel and a demon singing in harmony with her powerful vocals, dynamic vocal range, and deep growl. Famed Baby Gramps quoted her as his “favorite singer” and compared her to the great Bessie Johnson. “That voice is a force of nature and hearing it’s a bright balm shining like a birth cake emerging from a dark wood”. – Charlie Unhau

Multi-instrumentalist Bill Stoller is the other half of the duo with his incredible, studious guitar playing, rhythmic accompaniment, accordion and upright bass on the duos albums. With over a decade of experience playing in different bands and touring Juniper Djinn brings a transformative atmosphere of sound and musicians with each and every show.

($20-$30 tickets | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Pianist and bandleader Bokani Dyer returns to the Century for a fantastic evening of music!

Bokani Dyer, an acclaimed pianist, composer, and bandleader, is one of South Africa’s most formidable and creative talents. He explores musical traditions and their cultural roles, deeply engaging with the complex question of identity. Hailed as the future of South African Jazz, he won the Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year award in 2011 and continues to earn accolades worldwide. His trio album Neo Native won the 2019 SAMA award for Best Jazz Album, and that year, he performed at London’s iconic Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.

Dyer innovatively embraces tradition to build a more equitable future, reflecting this in his distinctive piano style and contemporary musical concepts. His latest album, Radio Sechaba (Brownswood, 2023), merges his diverse influences, highlighting his vocal and lyrical exploration.

In spring 2025, he brings his trio to the U.S., delivering infectious rhythms, African-inspired melodies, and virtuosic piano. A rising star on the global stage, Dyer blends modernism with tradition, forging a signature sound rich in heritage yet refreshingly original.

“Merges modernistic language with traditional streams… a unique signature indebted to his homeland’s history yet free of clichés.”

— Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz

($25-$35 | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) The Century Room is excited to welcome trombonist, educator and composer Altin Sencalar to the stage!

with Peter Saxe (piano) Colin McIlrath (bass) & Arthur Vint (drums)

Altin Sencalar

Experience the dynamic artistry of Altin Sencalar—a performer, educator, and composer whose virtuosity redefines modern jazz. Lauded by Stereophile as the “21st‑century descendant of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding” and celebrated by the International Trombone Association, Altin captivates audiences with his innovative sound and commanding stage presence.

From his formative studies with Freddie Mendoza at Texas State University to refining his craft under Andre Hayward at UT Austin’s Butler School of Music, Altin’s journey has been marked by excellence. He has dazzled fans at renowned festivals from Montreux to Paris. With honors from Yamaha, the American Trombone Workshop, and international competitions, his collaborations include legends like DeeDee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, and Michael Bublé, along with recordings for blockbuster films.

Now based in New York City, Altin continues to shape the future of jazz as an esteemed educator and Artist in Residence. Discover the unparalleled passion and innovation of Altin Sencalar and join him on a musical journey that’s as inspiring as it is unforgettable.

($10-$15 tickets | 4:00pm doors / 4:30pm show) Celtic and Scandinavian folk duo Thistle & Bear brings a special all Irish set with a little help from their friend Pineross. Take a journey through Irish music present and past featuring live looping soundscapes that meet traditional folk. Featuring the music of Lankum, Sinéad O’Connor, the Cheiftans, Kevin Burke, Clannad and more. Look forward to Irish food & drink specials all day.

Thistle & Bear are **Mariah McCammond** (Ex-Cowboy, Loveland) on Fiddle and vocals, and **Anton Shekerdzhiev** (Kyklo, Ludo Djor) on Guitar.

($25-$35 tickets | 6:30pm & 8pm sets) Inspired by the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the 17-piece CRJO performs classic big band repertoire every Monday night at the Century Room starting at 6:30pm. Tonight features very special guest bandleader Altin Sencalar

ALTIN SENCALAR

Experience the dynamic artistry of Altin Sencalar—a performer, educator, and composer whose virtuosity redefines modern jazz. Lauded by Stereophile as the “21st‑century descendant of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding” and celebrated by the International Trombone Association, Altin captivates audiences with his innovative sound and commanding stage presence.

From his formative studies with Freddie Mendoza at Texas State University to refining his craft under Andre Hayward at UT Austin’s Butler School of Music, Altin’s journey has been marked by excellence. He has dazzled fans at renowned festivals from Montreux to Paris. With honors from Yamaha, the American Trombone Workshop, and international competitions, his collaborations include legends like DeeDee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, and Michael Bublé, along with recordings for blockbuster films.

Now based in New York City, Altin continues to shape the future of jazz as an esteemed educator and Artist in Residence. Discover the unparalleled passion and innovation of Altin Sencalar and join him on a musical journey that’s as inspiring as it is unforgettable.

($10-$15 | 6:30pm & 8pm Sets) Multi-instrumentalist Marco Rosano leads Marco & The Polos through a swingin’ night of traditional jazz every other Wednesday!

“Hot Jazz Wednesdays” take you back to the roots of jazz with music from the 1920s and ’30s. Every 1st, 3rd & 5th Wednesday, Marco & The Polos perform music from New Orleans. 2nd and 4th Wednesdays are reserved for the Hot Club of Tucson, which performs French Jazz Manouche in the style of Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli.

($15-$25 | 6:30pm Show) Join Century Room in welcoming back pianist, composer, educator and bandleader Armen Donelian to the stage. This time, Armen will be joined by Armenian State Jazz Band Leader and saxophonist Armen Hyusnunts as they represent the best of Armenian jazz worldwide.

ARMEN DONELIAN

For forty years, pianist, composer and Fulbright Scholar Armen Donelian has distinguished himself as a performer, recording artist, educator and author.

In 25 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle and Far East, he has appeared since 1975 as a featured solo pianist, leader of his own quintet and trio, and with Jazz legends including Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Paquito D’Rivera, Mongo Santamaria and Billy Harper.

Donelian’s distinctive music blends diverse influences including his Armenian origin, his Classical technique and his association with some of the biggest names in Jazz.

($25-$35 | 6:30pm & 8:30pm shows) Join Century Room in welcoming back pianist, composer, educator and bandleader Armen Donelian to the stage. This time, Armen will be joined by Armenian State Jazz Band Leader and saxophonist Armen Hyusnunts as they represent the best of Armenian jazz worldwide.

With Scott Black (bass) & Arthur Vint (drums)

ARMEN DONELIAN

For forty years, pianist, composer and Fulbright Scholar Armen Donelian has distinguished himself as a performer, recording artist, educator and author.

In 25 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle and Far East, he has appeared since 1975 as a featured solo pianist, leader of his own quintet and trio, and with Jazz legends including Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Paquito D’Rivera, Mongo Santamaria and Billy Harper.

Donelian’s distinctive music blends diverse influences including his Armenian origin, his Classical technique and his association with some of the biggest names in Jazz.

($25-$35 | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Drummer Dave Potter returns to the Century Room to celebrate the release of his new album: Dave Potter & Retro Groove 2! Clever arrangements of 80’s classics by Whitney Houston, Rush, Paula Abdul, Toto, and more blended with an infectious blend of swing and the blues make a compelling case to both the Jazz purist and the casual Pop fan alike”

“By delving deeper into the concepts first heard on their previous self-titled album, Dave Potter & Retro Groove are proving that it is indeed possible to have your ‘musical’ cake and eat it too!”

with Brice Winston (sax) Angelo Versace (piano) Will Goble (bass) & Dave Potter (drums)

A native of North Carolina, Dave Potter began playing drum set in high school and starting performing with his elders in the Triangle area at the age of 16. Following his graduation from Florida State University, he was chosen from a national pool of applicants to be a member of the Louis Armstrong Quintet at the University of New Orleans. Unfortunately, the tragedy of hurricane Katrina temporarily ended his hopes for a career in Louisiana. Soon after, Dave was awarded a full scholarship to the prestigious Julliard Jazz Program in New York City. However, after several days of intense meditation he declined the offer and returned to Florida State University, where he received his Master’s Degree after further collaboration with his mentor Marcus Roberts. In 2010, Potter was featured in a novel entitled “The New Face of Jazz” about the younger generation of Jazz musicians making an impact in the current scene. Dave is now located in Atlanta where he maintains a busy teaching and performing schedule while also touring the globe as a member of The Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet, Greg Tardy, Eric Reed, and Marcus Roberts, as well as his new project as a leader, Retro Groove