Jazz Artist Series

HOLIDAY SWING IS BACK!
Our performances at the ZACC were incredible, so this year we are "Swingin' Big" and thrilled to be moving our evening event to The Wilma(!) this year with our grand fundraiser to support the UM Jazz Program, Jazz Faculty, Scholarships, Tours and the Annual UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival.

This year we feature internationally recognized drum set artist John Wicks, a live auction with auctioneer Rosie Ayers, sweets and treats and wonderful holiday favorites all in one of the best performance venues in the Northwest. You will hear wonderful holiday music from Duke Ellington (The  "Nutcracker"), Count Basie, and Stan Kenton as well as fresh and new big band favorites played by UM Jazz Ensemble.  John will be featured with special guests (and UM Jazz Faculty) the Missoula Jazz Collective -  Rob Tapper (trombone), Jeff Troxel (guitar) , Tommy Sciple (bass) & Johan Eriksson (sax).

GUEST ARTIST - JOHN WICKS
Drum set artist performs in a variety of settings and styles including the internationally acclaimed Fitz & the Tantrums, big bands, small groups, orchestras, movie and television soundtracks as well as theater. He has composed, arranged and performed with numerous jazz luminaries and has recorded with some of the busiest artists in the music business.

NEW EVENING LOCATION!
We are happy to team up with Logjam Presents and hold this event at The Wilma.  With an elaborate stage, great sound, amazing lighting, wonderful beverages and plenty of room for tables and chairs the evening will delight!

EVENT DETAILS
Two Sets at 6:00pm & 8:30pm

EVENT SPONSORSHIP
If you would like to be an event sponsor, please contact Rob Tapper, UM Director of Jazz Studies at 509.280.2284 or robert.tapper@umontana.edu

Morgenroth Music

Cathy Capps & Tom Rickard

Sandy Sheppard

DVG Architecture & Planning

John Shaffner

TABLES AND TICKET INFORMATION
For both the 6:00pm & 8:30pm sets we will be offering:

JAZZ CLUB (table of 8) $450 
Appetizers 
Name in program
Name announced from stage
 
VIP (table of 6) $350
Appetizers
Name in program
 
JAZZ FANS (Table of 4) $225
Appetizer 
 
BEBOP (Table of 3) $175
Appetizer
 
JAZZ TRIO (Table of 3) $125
No Appetizer
 
COMBO (Table of 2) $110
Appetizer
 
SWING FANS (Table of 2) $85
No Appetizer
 
SINGLE (1) $20
Single Seating

UM Jazz II plays a 45 - minute family friendly set at 2:00pm.  Holiday Big Band favorites are sure to get the family dancing. Fun activities planned for elders and young folks alike.  A great way to spend an afternoon.  FREE!

MISSOULA ALL-CITY JAZZ PROGRAM
Swingin' Into the Holidays
Tuesday, December 13th, 2022
Hellgate High School Band Room
5:00pm
FREE
All-City Middle School and High School musicians will perform music by Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, Melba Liston and Miles Davis.  Some of Missoula's finest young musicians make up the Missoula All-City Jazz Program mentored by Rob Tapper and Naomi Siegel.  Groups meeting once a week and musicians come from all over the region!

UM JAZZ ARTIST SERIES AND MONTANA ALL-STATE JAZZ presents KNEEBODY

Saturday, January 21st 2023
Hellgate High School
8:00 p.m.
$25 General Admission
$15 Student Admission
 

“It’s probably safe to assume at this point that no other band today can offer what Kneebody delivered at the Blue Whale on Friday night.”  — Los Angeles Times
 

We welcome internationally acclaimed KNEEBODY to the 2023 Montana All-State Jazz Weekend as featured artists.  This group is made up phenomenal performers, educators and artists and have been guest artists at UM and in the community in recent years.  We are thrilled they will perform for and work with high school musicians from all over the state.
 
Kneebody
Shane Endsley - trumpet
Ben Wendell - saxophone
Adam Benjamin - keyboards
Nate Wood - bass/drum set

Keep your eyes open for more ticket information to come!

Annual UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival
March 16-17, 2023
Dennison Theatre
7:30pm Concert each night

After Hours at Stave and Hoop
March 17th
9:30-ish

WHO

Middle School + High School + College Bands + World Class Educators
                                            WHERE FROM
                                               Pacific Northwest and Beyond
                                                        WHY = JAZZ!!

We are excited to host a phenomenal crew of artists and educators including award-winning  festival artists Caroline Davis (sax) from Chicago, performer/educator Tina Raymond (drum set) from Los Angeles, Trent Austin (trumpet) from Kansas City, and returning once again, pianist Reggie Thomas. The festival also welcomes for the first time award-winning trombonist Phil Ostrander from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire and bassist Heather Chriscaden from Seattle.
 
In addition to the educational element of the festival, public performances will electrify the local jazz community. On Friday evening after the festival concert the guest artists will be performing an After Hours’ session at Stave & Hoop.