($15-$25 tickets | 6:30pm Show) Bassist Colin McIlrath returns with their 6-piece molin project which will feature original compositions, arrangements of Pat Metheney tunes, Radiohead tunes and much more.

Featuring: Colin McIlrath (bass) Eric Nakanishi (alto) Denali Hershey Kauffman (keys) Alex Oliverio (guitar) Ryan Wheless (tenor) Kenji Ono Lancaster (drums)

($10-$15 Tickets + DICE fees | 8:30pm Show) Join The Century Room every Thursday at 8:30pm for our Soul Jazz Lounge! The Thursday night Soul Jazz Sessions offer a classy and relaxing atmosphere spotlighting the Viscount Legend Soul organ with Vortex rotating speaker designed by Joey DeFrancesco, a modern recreation of the legendary Hammond B3 organ/Leslie combo made famous by the great jazz, blues, and gospel organists of yesteryear like Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Larry Young, Brother Jack McDuff & Dr. Lonnie Smith. The Century Room’s Viscount Legend Soul is provided courtesy of the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation.

This week features Travis Motley Sr. & The Powers That Be!

($20-$30 Tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Originally from Arizona, saxophonist Alex Weitz was a member of the award-winning Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Band before going on to complete both his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. He returns to his hometown for a special concert of original music and arrangements with an all star band!

Alex Weitz (saxophone) Chris Peña (piano) Colin McIlrath (bass) Gibb Mandish (drums)

Alex has performed at esteemed venues and jazz festivals around the world including Dizzy’s Club, Tucson Jazz Festival, Red Sea Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Birdland Jazz Club, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Jazz Standard, South Beach Jazz Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival, and the Jazz Showcase.

In 2019, Alex won second place in the Michael Brecker International Saxophone Competition and in 2019 and 2021 he was the recipient of an ASCAP Herb Albert Composer Award. In 2021 Alex won a “Pathways to Jazz” grant from Boulder County Arts which helped fund his third studio recording. The album features special guests Emmet Cohen, Ari Hoenig, Yotam Silberstein, and Marcus Printup. The album was released at the Tucson Jazz Festival in January 2023 and became available globally on “Outside in Music” on April 28 2023.

Alex’s performances are known for his exciting, memorable original compositions, strong group dynamic, and creative reinterpretations of standards.

Since September 2020, he has been producing and broadcasting the video for the popular jazz live stream “Live at Emmet’s Place.”

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($10-$15 + DICE fees | 10:30pm & 11:30pm Sets) After Friday night’s show, stick around for Late Night with swinging saxophonist Simeon Roth

($20-$30 Tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Pianist Nick Manson returns to the Century Room with a concert dedicated to the Keith Jarrett European Quartet. The European Quartet featured Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, Swedish bassist Palle Danielsson, and Norwegian drummer Jon Christensen and they recorded several albums for ECM Records between 1974 and 1979, including “Belonging”, “My Song”, “Personal Mountains” and “Nude Ants”. Jarrett’s compositions for this project are famous for their memorable themes and open-ended structures, which provided a canvas for some of the most emotive and intuitive group playing of the era. The European Quartet helped define the “ECM sound” that featured crystalline production, spacious textures, and cross-cultural musical influences and still sounds fresh today.

Brice Winston (sax) Nick Manson (piano) Colin McIlrath (bass) Arthur Vint (drums)

Nick Manson

Two-time EMMY Award-winning keyboardist, composer, and educator Nick Manson delivers an engaging listening experience for all audiences. Nick’s recordings have been showcased on SiriusXM and various NPR jazz stations, including KPLU and KJZZ, and are available internationally on platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube. He has collaborated with artists such as Christopher Cross, B.B. King, Dianna Krall, and Lenny Kravitz.

Nick has played at prominent festivals like the Concord Jazz Festival and the Playboy Jazz Festival, as well as top jazz clubs on the West Coast, including Jazz Alley and The Baked Potato. He has also toured extensively in Asia, Europe, and South America.

($10-$15 + DICE fees | 10:30pm & 11:30pm Sets) After Saturday night’s show, stick around for Late Night with Experimental #5, an incredible group led by vocalist Aria Ratcliff

($10-$20 + DICE fees | 4pm doors | 4:30pm show) Join us for an evening filled with praise in song, laughter and encouragment to spead peace & love through our community and the world.

We will also be accepting instrument donations for kids!

This show will have Grown Folk’s core trio of musicians: TroyCov on drums, Chris Peña on keys and Joshua ‘The Mad Scientist’ Sailor on bass plus the Young Folks Children’s Choir.

($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!

($10-$20 + DICE Fees | 6:30pm Show) Welcome back 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 + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Join us for two unforgettable nights of world-class jazz performed by the renowned faculty of the University of Arizona’s Jazz Studies department. This special faculty concert series showcases the artistry, originality, and collaborative spirit of four master musicians who are not only dedicated educators but also internationally respected performers. The first night features beloved jazz standards reinterpreted through the dynamic interplay and seasoned perspective of the UA faculty ensemble.

Dr. Angelo Versace – Piano

Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Arizona, Dr. Angelo Versace is a highly regarded pianist, arranger, and educator. His performance career spans Europe and North America, and he has collaborated with artists such as Take 6, Slide Hampton, and Lewis Nash. Versace’s energetic playing and deep harmonic knowledge anchor the ensemble. Angelo directs the UA Studio Jazz Ensemble.

Brice Winston – Saxophone

A Tucson native and longtime member of Grammy-winning trumpeter Terence Blanchard’s band, Brice Winston is an acclaimed tenor saxophonist known for his powerful tone and modern sensibility. After spending over 15 years in New Orleans, Winston brings a blend of Crescent City soul and contemporary jazz to the stage and classroom alike. Brice teaches jazz saxophone and also directs the UA Jazz Ambassadors Ensemble.

Jason Carder – Trumpet

With a résumé that includes work with Yanni, Maria Schneider, Ray Charles, and Woody Herman, Jason Carder is a versatile trumpeter with deep roots in both jazz and classical traditions. His warm tone, technical precision, and lyrical improvisations make him a standout soloist and ensemble player. He teaches classical and jazz trumpet and directs the UA Experiential Ensemble.

Arthur Vint – Drums

Drummer, composer, and producer Arthur Vint brings a cinematic flair and rhythmic inventiveness to the group. A Tucson native and New York City veteran, Vint has recorded multiple albums as a leader and toured internationally with bands spanning jazz, rock, and Americana. He teaches jazz drums and also directs the UA Explorations Ensemble.

Scott Black – Bass

A pillar of the Tucson jazz community, bassist Scott Black is a seasoned performer and educator who runs the Tucson Jazz Institute. Known for his supportive groove, melodic solos, and deep knowledge of jazz tradition, Black adds depth and drive to the ensemble’s rhythm section.

($10-$15 + DICE fees | 10:30pm & 11:30pm Sets) After Friday night’s show, stick around for Late Night with swinging saxophonist Victor Gutierrez

($20-$30 Tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Join us for two unforgettable nights of world-class jazz performed by the renowned faculty of the University of Arizona’s Jazz Studies department. This special faculty concert series showcases the artistry, originality, and collaborative spirit of four master musicians who are not only dedicated educators but also internationally respected performers.

The second night turns the spotlight onto the faculty’s compositional voices, presenting an evening of original music that reflects each artist’s unique background, influences, and creativity.

Dr. Angelo Versace – Piano

Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Arizona, Dr. Angelo Versace is a highly regarded pianist, arranger, and educator. His performance career spans Europe and North America, and he has collaborated with artists such as Take 6, Slide Hampton, and Lewis Nash. Versace’s energetic playing and deep harmonic knowledge anchor the ensemble. Angelo directs the UA Studio Jazz Ensemble.

Brice Winston – Saxophone

A Tucson native and longtime member of Grammy-winning trumpeter Terence Blanchard’s band, Brice Winston is an acclaimed tenor saxophonist known for his powerful tone and modern sensibility. After spending over 15 years in New Orleans, Winston brings a blend of Crescent City soul and contemporary jazz to the stage and classroom alike. Brice teaches jazz saxophone and also directs the UA Jazz Ambassadors Ensemble.

Jason Carder – Trumpet

With a résumé that includes work with Yanni, Maria Schneider, Ray Charles, and Woody Herman, Jason Carder is a versatile trumpeter with deep roots in both jazz and classical traditions. His warm tone, technical precision, and lyrical improvisations make him a standout soloist and ensemble player. He teaches classical and jazz trumpet and directs the UA Experiential Ensemble.

Arthur Vint – Drums

Drummer, composer, and producer Arthur Vint brings a cinematic flair and rhythmic inventiveness to the group. A Tucson native and New York City veteran, Vint has recorded multiple albums as a leader and toured internationally with bands spanning jazz, rock, and Americana. He teaches jazz drums and also directs the UA Explorations Ensemble.

Colin McIlrath – Bass

Rising bassist Colin McIlrath joins for night two, bringing fresh perspective. A former student of of the Tucson Jazz Institute and Univeristy of Arizona, McIlrath represents the next generation of Arizona jazz artists shaped by this very faculty.

($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!

($20-$30 Tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Up and coming drum senstation brings your a night of percussion dicussion with “Drums Unlimited”. This is Kenji Lancaster’s first headline show at the Century Room, so come support the next generation of jazz!

($25-$35 Tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Join us for a special night with bassist Ben Wolfe and his trio, featuring vibraphone phenomenon Joel Ross! Joel Ross last performed at the Century Room in September of 2022, so we are very excited to welcome him back!

Joel Ross (vibes) Ben Wolfe (bass) Aaron Kimmel (drums)

BEN WOLFE

New York bassist/composer and bandleader Ben Wolfe’s music has been described as “Mingus and Miles Davis meet Bartok and Bernard Herrmann” (Ben Ratliff – The New York Times). With acclaim by some of the jazz world’s most respected critics, Wolfe continues to produce works that draw top-flight reviews from fans and jazz journalists alike. There is no doubt that after decades as one of the most sought-after bassists in jazz, performing with top names such as Wynton Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall and many others, award-winning composer and bandleader Ben Wolfe is clear about his creative direction…

An award-winning composer, Ben is a two-time recipient of Chamber Music America’s New Works: Creation and Presentation Program Grant through the Doris Duke Foundation. First received in 2004, Ben was able to use this funding to compose his extended work “Contradiction: Music for Sextet.” He received the grant in 2020 and composed “Nonet”. Both of these extended works have been recorded for future release.

Wolfe has distinguished himself through a significant catalogue of original music, including over one hundred songs across eleven albums, several extended works, and the film score for Matthew Modine’s 2008 short I Think I Thought. The New York Sun hailed his work on this film as, “a standout music score.”

Wolfe’s early career included Grammy award-winning, platinum-selling collaborations with both Harry Connick Jr. and Diana Krall, including Harry’s 1988 soundtrack album When Harry Met Sally, and Diana’s 1999 release When I Look in Your Eyes. He appeared alongside both artists on numerous world tours.

Wolfe’s ongoing and close association with Wynton Marsalis; during which Marsalis recorded as a guest on two of his albums, has seen Ben appear on a number of Wynton’s releases, and included a stint in the Wynton Marsalis Septet and membership in the Jazz at Lincoln CenteOrchestra (JLCO), where he performed with jazz luminaries such as Joe Henderson, Doc Cheatham, Jon Hendricks, Harry “Sweets” Edison, and Billy Higgins, among many others. Contemporary jazz greats with whom he has also worked and recorded include Branford Marsalis, Orrin Evans, Eric Reed and Benny Green.

JOEL ROSS

“Ross’ playing erupts through the layers of lush arrangements like consistent currents of electricity, high-powered and full of luminous energy” — DownBeat

For the past several years, Joel Ross has been refining an expression that’s true to his sound and his generation. In 2019, the vibraphonist-composer released his anticipated Blue Note debut KingMaker to eruptive critical acclaim. He’s topped the DownBeat Critics Poll Rising Star category for vibraphone and in 2017, he became one of the youngest artists to receive a coveted Residency Commission from The Jazz Gallery. With the release of Who Are You? (Blue Note, 2020), Ross shares the culmination of a year-long exercise in experimenting and risk-taking on and off the bandstand.

($15-$25 + DICE fees | 4pm doors | 4:30pm show) Ryan David Green’s music has been called “virtuosic acoustic guitar that is remarkably accessible”, with fast fingerwork that is always in service of unmistakeable melodies. A graduate of Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, Ryan David Green has performed on four continents, been profiled in Acoustic Guitar Magazine, endorsed by Takamine Guitars, and twice been named “Best Guitarist” in the Tucson Music Awards (where he currently resides). He was recently awarded 1st place in the 2024 American Songwriter Song Contest (for “Best Instrumental”), and his original compositions have received numerous film and TV placements, including shows on E!, Lifetime, and ABC Family/Freeform.

($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!