Music City's Authentic Jazz Club
Serving classic New Orleans prohibition cocktails, local brews, and New Orleans cuisine.
HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS
Sundays-Thursdays: 5pm-7pm $8 Wells, $8 House Wines
Mondays: 9pm-Close $8 Cuba Libres, $12 Estrella & Shot of Lunazul Blanco
Ari and Cecil Alexander Quartet
Acclaimed guitarist Cecil Alexander and vocalist/pianist Ari Alexander perform a selection of originals, classics and Great American songbook compositions all arranged specifically for quartet and reimagined for an intimate yet highly energetic and swinging night of music.
More Info and Tickets
Nicole Zuraitis Quartet
2X GRAMMY® winning and 6X GRAMMY-nominated jazz singer-songwriter, producer, pianist, arranger, New York-based bandleader and winner of the prestigious American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal, Nicole Zuraitis returns to Rudy's Jazz Room!
Zuraitis has positioned herself as one of the top artists and “prolific songwriters” (Broadway World) to watch in jazz and beyond. "Superb!" - DownBeat Magazine, "The multi-talented Zuraitis soars!" - The New York Sun, "Supreme talent... a first rate songwriter, powerhouse vocalist, and grade A pianist!" - ALL ABOUT JAZZ
More Info and TicketsTONIGHT'S SHOWS
Jody Nardone Trio
5:30pm-7:15pm, $15 in advance, $17 at the door
"Thanks to a dynamic style that can shift from the whispered beauty of Bill Evans to the percussive flights of McCoy Tyner, Nardone has emerged as one of Nashville's preeminent jazz pianists. His reputation is also blowing up nationwide, where he is receiving raves in Downbeat and Jazziz for his role in the Crimson Jazz Trio, a Nashville-to-L.A. combo led by former King Crimson drummer Ian Wallace and former Vital Information bassist Tim Landers."
-Michael McCall, Nashville Scene
-Michael McCall, Nashville Scene
Rebecca Carlson
8:00pm-10:15pm, $20 in advance, $21 at the door
Singer and songwriter Rebecca Carlson was born and raised in the small town of Milford, Iowa. Both her parents were music lovers. From an early age she was singing gospel with her entire family, and she credits this with instilling in her a great passion for music and a highly developed ear for harmony and melody. She also would lose herself in her father’s immense collection of vinyl LPs, where she got a ‘home-schooling’ like no other -everything from classic blues, jazz, rock, country and soul. She was influenced by vocalists Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone, Linda Ronstadt and Karen Carpenter.
Rebecca was singing professionally while still in her teens, performing jazz and blues standards at local venues. At Waldorf College in Forest City IA, she studied voice and theater. This led to a stint in NYC where she performed in repertory theater and nightclubs.
In Tucson AZ, Rebecca’s powerhouse vocal style quickly established her as a high-profile and in-demand performer. For fifteen years she maintained a steady recording and touring schedule throughout the Southwestern US. She was a founding member of original blues acts The Jane Crowe Band and 22 Black, all the while maintaining her Jazz and Standards catalog at local nightclubs and theaters. Rebecca expanded her regional reputation and following considerably when she joined the ranks of Tucson’s heavyweights, recording and performing with the hi-energy Soul/R&B act The Socials as she continued to record and perform in Tucson.
Rebecca relocated to Los Angeles in 2019, intending to pursue and focus on her songwriting and her solo career. In LA Rebecca met award-winning guitarist/producer Doug Hamblin. Doug’s past work includes classic artists such as Stephen Stills, Johnny Rivers and ‘Southside Johnny’ Lyon. Rebecca and Doug began writing and recording and were immediately excited about the results. The sessions were very productive in a five-month collaboration they finished an album’s worth of all-new original material. The music covers a broad scope of classic American styles.
Upon her move to Nashville, Rebecca teamed up with coveted bassist Jimmy Sullivan to do what she does best. As a singer, Rebecca has developed a formidable turn of phrase -sometimes surreal, fanciful and wry, other times achingly intimate and heartfelt—all anchored by her knockout punch of a voice.
Rebecca Carlson - vocals
Chris Walters - piano
Jimmy Sullivan - bass
Josh Hunt - drums
Rebecca was singing professionally while still in her teens, performing jazz and blues standards at local venues. At Waldorf College in Forest City IA, she studied voice and theater. This led to a stint in NYC where she performed in repertory theater and nightclubs.
In Tucson AZ, Rebecca’s powerhouse vocal style quickly established her as a high-profile and in-demand performer. For fifteen years she maintained a steady recording and touring schedule throughout the Southwestern US. She was a founding member of original blues acts The Jane Crowe Band and 22 Black, all the while maintaining her Jazz and Standards catalog at local nightclubs and theaters. Rebecca expanded her regional reputation and following considerably when she joined the ranks of Tucson’s heavyweights, recording and performing with the hi-energy Soul/R&B act The Socials as she continued to record and perform in Tucson.
Rebecca relocated to Los Angeles in 2019, intending to pursue and focus on her songwriting and her solo career. In LA Rebecca met award-winning guitarist/producer Doug Hamblin. Doug’s past work includes classic artists such as Stephen Stills, Johnny Rivers and ‘Southside Johnny’ Lyon. Rebecca and Doug began writing and recording and were immediately excited about the results. The sessions were very productive in a five-month collaboration they finished an album’s worth of all-new original material. The music covers a broad scope of classic American styles.
Upon her move to Nashville, Rebecca teamed up with coveted bassist Jimmy Sullivan to do what she does best. As a singer, Rebecca has developed a formidable turn of phrase -sometimes surreal, fanciful and wry, other times achingly intimate and heartfelt—all anchored by her knockout punch of a voice.
Rebecca Carlson - vocals
Chris Walters - piano
Jimmy Sullivan - bass
Josh Hunt - drums
Legend Meets Brilliance feat. Don Aliquo & Marc Payne
11:00pm-1:00am, $10 at the door
Don Aliquo is a celebrated jazz artist in the greater Nashville area. Active for over two decades, he is a respected saxophonist, composer, recording artist, and educator. Pianist, Marc Payne, a Nashville native, is among a handful of young artists whose brilliance inspires and fuels the area's thriving jazz scene. Together they meet to brandish their "no holds barred" approach to the music. Get ready for an explosive night of sound as two of Nashville's jazz titans collide! Together, this dynamic duo is set to unleash their "no holds barred" approach to music, promising an evening of raw energy, spontaneous improvisation, and modernistic genres with one foot in tradition and the other in the future. Experience the thrilling sound that fuels Nashville's vibrant jazz scene!
UPCOMING SHOWSFULL CALENDAR
Sep 20
Jimmy Sullivan's Swingin' Scene
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $12 in advance, $14 at the door
Experience electrifying, hard-swinging jazz led by one of Nashville's most exciting bassists. Nashville’s own Jimmy Sullivan has been captivating audiences for years with his bi-monthly residency at Rudy’s Jazz Room! Born and raised in Reston Virginia, Jimmy studied jazz performance at Virginia Commonwealth University and spent years in New York City before making his mark in Nashville. Blending East Coast jazz and Southern soul, he's earned his spot as one of the Music City's premier bassists.
A versatile powerhouse, Jimmy has shared the stage with top-tier jazz talents like Laila Biali, Nicole Zuraitis, Joel Frahm, and Alyssa Allgood. His musicality and feel have also caught the ears of country and Americana legends including Lee Ann Womack, Mark Collie and Ashley Campbell. He's also known for his work with the genre-blending jazz collective Postmodern Jukebox.
Backed by a rotating cast of world-renowned musicians, Jimmy leads a show that's as musically rich as it is joyfully unpredictable. Whether wowing the room with his solos, stepping out front to sing, or keeping the crowd laughing with his off-the-cuff charm, Jimmy’s presence is always inspired — and always worth the listen. Don’t miss the chance to catch one of the most entertaining and swinging shows Nashville has to offer.
A versatile powerhouse, Jimmy has shared the stage with top-tier jazz talents like Laila Biali, Nicole Zuraitis, Joel Frahm, and Alyssa Allgood. His musicality and feel have also caught the ears of country and Americana legends including Lee Ann Womack, Mark Collie and Ashley Campbell. He's also known for his work with the genre-blending jazz collective Postmodern Jukebox.
Backed by a rotating cast of world-renowned musicians, Jimmy leads a show that's as musically rich as it is joyfully unpredictable. Whether wowing the room with his solos, stepping out front to sing, or keeping the crowd laughing with his off-the-cuff charm, Jimmy’s presence is always inspired — and always worth the listen. Don’t miss the chance to catch one of the most entertaining and swinging shows Nashville has to offer.
Rudy's Jazz Jam
9:00pm-11:15pm central, $12 at the door
Rudy's hosts the official pro jazz jam. Come out and experience some of music city's best as they take the stage with Nashville's next generation of jazz performers! You will hear a variety of young, old, new and undiscovered players showing what they can do on stage. Part of the jazz tradition and what jazz embodies is the unknown and spontaneous exploration of new musical territory with new musicians sitting in live on stage; you never know who or what to expect other than the unexpected!
We welcome all ages to this show and have a $10 food or beverage minimum.
We welcome all ages to this show and have a $10 food or beverage minimum.
Sep 21
Miguel Alvarado Triafia
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $12 at the door
Mark September 21 at 6pm on your calendar, because Miguel Alvarado is taking over the bandstand at Rudy’s Jazz Room, and he isn't coming to play it safe.
This isn't your granddaddy's quiet dinner jazz. Miguel Alvarado—anchored by his scorching saxophone work—is an edgy, fiery force exploring a repertoire that is raw, unapologetic, uncompromising, and relentlessly adventurous. Rooted in rich Afro-Cuban fire and post-bop intensity, he pushes modern jazz to its absolute limits.
And while he burns down the stage, you can settle the eternal Rudy’s debate yourself: Are you coming for the stiff prohibition-era craft cocktails or the authentic NOLA crawfish grilled cheese and gumbo?
Warning: the 6pm set is strictly for those who want their live music uncut and dangerous.
Saxophonist Miguel Alvarado is a dynamic force in contemporary jazz whose artistry has been hailed as “an incendiary soloist of the highest order” by the Huffington Post. A native of Tampa, Florida, Alvarado began his professional music career at just thirteen years old, performing with R&B, Latin, and rock groups before immersing himself in the jazz tradition. He earned his degree from the University of North Florida and has since established himself as an acclaimed performer, composer, and educator, recognized for his commanding sound, inventive improvisation, and deep musicality.
Now based in Middle Tennessee, Alvarado is a leading voice on the regional jazz scene and serves as an adjunct professor at Middle Tennessee State University. His Nashville Industry Music Award for Jazz Performance coincided with the release of his critically acclaimed album Idile on Ear Up Records, further cementing his reputation as one of the area's most compelling artists. Beyond the stage, he is a dedicated educator whose students have earned recognition at major festivals and collegiate programs across the country. Most recently, Alvarado toured throughout South Africa with Standard Bank Artist of the Year Darren English as a member of his quintet. Whether performing original compositions or reimagining jazz classics, Miguel Alvarado brings a rare combination of virtuosity, passion, and creative energy that makes every performance unforgettable.
This isn't your granddaddy's quiet dinner jazz. Miguel Alvarado—anchored by his scorching saxophone work—is an edgy, fiery force exploring a repertoire that is raw, unapologetic, uncompromising, and relentlessly adventurous. Rooted in rich Afro-Cuban fire and post-bop intensity, he pushes modern jazz to its absolute limits.
And while he burns down the stage, you can settle the eternal Rudy’s debate yourself: Are you coming for the stiff prohibition-era craft cocktails or the authentic NOLA crawfish grilled cheese and gumbo?
Warning: the 6pm set is strictly for those who want their live music uncut and dangerous.
Saxophonist Miguel Alvarado is a dynamic force in contemporary jazz whose artistry has been hailed as “an incendiary soloist of the highest order” by the Huffington Post. A native of Tampa, Florida, Alvarado began his professional music career at just thirteen years old, performing with R&B, Latin, and rock groups before immersing himself in the jazz tradition. He earned his degree from the University of North Florida and has since established himself as an acclaimed performer, composer, and educator, recognized for his commanding sound, inventive improvisation, and deep musicality.
Now based in Middle Tennessee, Alvarado is a leading voice on the regional jazz scene and serves as an adjunct professor at Middle Tennessee State University. His Nashville Industry Music Award for Jazz Performance coincided with the release of his critically acclaimed album Idile on Ear Up Records, further cementing his reputation as one of the area's most compelling artists. Beyond the stage, he is a dedicated educator whose students have earned recognition at major festivals and collegiate programs across the country. Most recently, Alvarado toured throughout South Africa with Standard Bank Artist of the Year Darren English as a member of his quintet. Whether performing original compositions or reimagining jazz classics, Miguel Alvarado brings a rare combination of virtuosity, passion, and creative energy that makes every performance unforgettable.
Giovanni Rodriguez & 12 Manos
9:00pm-11:15pm central, $15 at the door
A Nashville favorite on the Salsa and jazz scene and electric night of Salsa dancing! Multi-instrumentalist Giovanni Rodriguez, one of Nashville's leading percussionists, bassists and favorite on the Salsa and jazz scene, plays the sounds of salsa, bachata and percussion-driven rhythms with some of the most seasoned veterans in the Nashville Latin music scene. Giovanni Rodríguez timbales/vocals, Melvin Macias (piano/vocals), Yosvany Cordero (conga/bongo), Michael S. Morton (flute/vocals), Isoel Villarrubia (bass).
For this show general admission tickets are available for standing and sitting in the front section of the room near the stage with the dance floor. Tickets for bar seats and tables are available as well. General admission tickets for the front section are not guaranteed to have seats as we will have a large part of the front section seating cleared for the dance floor. General admission tickets will have standing room as well as limited seating. Only our tables and bar seats will have guaranteed seating for this show.
For this show general admission tickets are available for standing and sitting in the front section of the room near the stage with the dance floor. Tickets for bar seats and tables are available as well. General admission tickets for the front section are not guaranteed to have seats as we will have a large part of the front section seating cleared for the dance floor. General admission tickets will have standing room as well as limited seating. Only our tables and bar seats will have guaranteed seating for this show.
Sep 23
Bizz Bigsby
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $17 at the door
Join Wendell "Bizz" Bigsby for an evening of engaging stories and great songs sharing his life’s journey. Happy, sad, good times, bad times. His songs tell his story.
For Bizz, music has been a lifeline—a source of expression and strength through a childhood marked by tragedy and hardship. Born in North Nashville, Bizz was raised by his grandmother and her sisters, with his father - a successful musician who performed with legends like Little Richard — remaining a distant yet profound influence. Tragically, Bizz witnessed his mother being shot at age four, setting the stage for a tumultuous life that has included overcoming a lifelong battle with addiction, surviving cancer, and several near-death experiences. From an early age, music became his guiding light, and these struggles explain his unique style as a songwriter and performer.
The striking way in which he blends the soul and R&B legacy of North Nashville’s Jefferson Street with the story-telling traditions of country and blues creates a new sound that can best be described as "Urban Americana", drawing listeners in with its raw emotion and authenticity. Today, Bizz is an accomplished artist, entertainer, and songwriter, whose music is influenced by everyone from Sam Cooke to George Jones to James Taylor.
Bigsby is the eldest son of Nashville R&B icon Jimmy Church, who invited a young Bizz to tour with him and his band. While running lights for his dad’s show, the lead singer got sick, and his dad asked Bizz to fill in for two nights. Those two shows turned into five years, opening for such artists as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Little Richard. This experience on stage helped shape Bizz's musical career and introduced him to a life on the road, performing in front of massive crowds.
Bigsby has found his unique voice as a songwriter since overcoming his battle with cocaine and alcohol addiction twelve years ago, and his music tells the story of his journey with at times brutal honesty. And yet, ultimately, he inspires with his message of hope and faith, leaving the listener feeling positive and inspired by the possibility of redemption.
For Bizz, music has been a lifeline—a source of expression and strength through a childhood marked by tragedy and hardship. Born in North Nashville, Bizz was raised by his grandmother and her sisters, with his father - a successful musician who performed with legends like Little Richard — remaining a distant yet profound influence. Tragically, Bizz witnessed his mother being shot at age four, setting the stage for a tumultuous life that has included overcoming a lifelong battle with addiction, surviving cancer, and several near-death experiences. From an early age, music became his guiding light, and these struggles explain his unique style as a songwriter and performer.
The striking way in which he blends the soul and R&B legacy of North Nashville’s Jefferson Street with the story-telling traditions of country and blues creates a new sound that can best be described as "Urban Americana", drawing listeners in with its raw emotion and authenticity. Today, Bizz is an accomplished artist, entertainer, and songwriter, whose music is influenced by everyone from Sam Cooke to George Jones to James Taylor.
Bigsby is the eldest son of Nashville R&B icon Jimmy Church, who invited a young Bizz to tour with him and his band. While running lights for his dad’s show, the lead singer got sick, and his dad asked Bizz to fill in for two nights. Those two shows turned into five years, opening for such artists as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Little Richard. This experience on stage helped shape Bizz's musical career and introduced him to a life on the road, performing in front of massive crowds.
Bigsby has found his unique voice as a songwriter since overcoming his battle with cocaine and alcohol addiction twelve years ago, and his music tells the story of his journey with at times brutal honesty. And yet, ultimately, he inspires with his message of hope and faith, leaving the listener feeling positive and inspired by the possibility of redemption.
Regi Wooten & Friends
9:00pm-11:15pm central, $15 at the door
Known as “The Teacha”, Regi Wooten is one of the most innovative, talented and dynamic musicians around the scene, and has pushed the boundaries of jazz, funk, soul, R&B, rock, and even bluegrass to some of the most extreme musical limits. From picking, slapping, strumming, thumping, and tapping to some of the most ear bending advanced chords you’ll hear on any instrument, Regi has earned world-wide notoriety and comparisons to other innovators such as Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa and Chuck Berry. Perfecting, creating and discovering new techniques and jazz theory while incorporating and layering into strong funk grooves for keen listeners to uncover and pick up on is one of his many notable fortes.
At only nine years old Regi started teaching his younger brother Victor Wooten bass guitar and Joseph Wooten keyboards, and soon the Wooten Brothers Band was formed featuring; Regi on ukelele, Roy on drums, Rudy on Saxophone, Joe on Keys and Victor on bass. Regi was ten years old at the time, Roy was nine, Rudy was eight, Joseph was five and Victor was two. The rest, as they say, is Musical History.
Assembling a cast of Nashville's best, Regi Wooten and Friends dig deep into the roots of funk, jazz, blues, rock, and soul. You never know who might jump on stage! Don't miss a beat!
At only nine years old Regi started teaching his younger brother Victor Wooten bass guitar and Joseph Wooten keyboards, and soon the Wooten Brothers Band was formed featuring; Regi on ukelele, Roy on drums, Rudy on Saxophone, Joe on Keys and Victor on bass. Regi was ten years old at the time, Roy was nine, Rudy was eight, Joseph was five and Victor was two. The rest, as they say, is Musical History.
Assembling a cast of Nashville's best, Regi Wooten and Friends dig deep into the roots of funk, jazz, blues, rock, and soul. You never know who might jump on stage! Don't miss a beat!
Sep 24
Hot Club Happy Hour - Gypsy Jazz Thursdays
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $14 in advance, $15 at the door
Every Thursday we honor our New Orleans and French roots and Rudy’s comes alive with a variety of small groups in the style of gypsy jazz swing. We bring you music inspired by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli with "Hot Club" gypsy jazz swing. Known for fierce tempos and effortless improvisation, our Hot Club Gypsy Thursdays are sure to entertain, inspire, and bring you back to some authentic "jazz manouche" with groups either led or curated by New Orleans LA native Brook Sutton.
There’s no better place to chill, cozy up and relax after work. Imbibe French Quarter inspired cocktails or a glass of Côtes du Rhône, and enjoy some gumbo and beignets, while listening to the rhythm and mood of hot club jazz in Nashville’s most intimate and romantic room.
There’s no better place to chill, cozy up and relax after work. Imbibe French Quarter inspired cocktails or a glass of Côtes du Rhône, and enjoy some gumbo and beignets, while listening to the rhythm and mood of hot club jazz in Nashville’s most intimate and romantic room.
Tudo Bem - Brazillian Jazz
9:00pm-11:15pm central, $14 in advance, $16 at the door
Have you been in Brazil? Well, you can go there through a jazz plane right here in Nashville with "Tudo Bem", led by arranger, producer and guitarist Jerome Degey. Carbon footprint is pretty low; you board at the international Nashville JazzClub Rudy's Jazz Room. Our flight attendants will propose an exotic menu with sambas, bossa novas, and other Brazilian specialties.
Jerome Degey is a platinum and gold producer, orchestrator, arranger, and guitarist based in Nashville. He is originally from Paris, France. With his French and Afro-Caribbean family heritage and Parisian upbringing, Jerome has developed a deep appreciation and talent for seamlessly blending global influences into his work, making him one of his generation's most sought-after musicians and producers. Most recently, Jerome produced, orchestrated, arranged, and mixed Max Abrams' new album, Samba Americana. This expansive project features sophisticated philharmonic orchestrations and intricate rhythms, highlighting his ability to fuse jazz with Latin and world music.
In addition to his production and arranging work, Jerome is a passionate performer. He fronts the world jazz band Caravan Tales, a project that blends jazz with world music. He also leads his own Jazz Quartet, where his virtuosity as a guitarist and composer shines. He performs regularly in Nashville with prominent players such as Marcus Finnie and Teymur Phell or legends like Danny Gottlieb, Duffy Jackson, and Chester Thompson.
Throughout his expansive career, Jerome has collaborated with a remarkable array of renowned artists from across the globe, spanning numerous genres, including Jonathan Edwards, Mick Hucknall (Simply Red), Murray Head, Spyro Gyra's Jay Beckenstein and Tom Shuman, Grace & the Victory Riders, Cunnie Williams, Duffy Jackson, Kenia, Les Étoiles, Rolando Faria, Eloisia, Monica Nogueira, Ishtar Alabina, Elissa Khoury, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Mangala Camara, Ayo, Martin Solveig, DJ Yass, Matt Pokora, Leslie, Matt Houston, Jerome "Jay" Sebag, Sofia Mestari, Teri Moise, Iva Fruhligova, Daniel Levy, Michel Delpech, Pascal Obispo, Yannick Noah, Bénabar, Irma and many others.
Crystal Miller will move you with the music that moves her. That’s why, when you hear Crystal, you hear the combination of ALL of her musical experiences. When asked which genre of music she prefers, she’ll tell you, "That’s like asking a woman to choose one favorite pair of shoes - it’s virtually impossible!- different genres speak to me for different reasons" - like the memories of the R&B, Pop and Rock of her youth, to the stories and harmonies of Country and Bluegrass, to the impassioned lyrics and sensual, soul-affirming rhythms of the Latin music that she’s grown to love performing. Crystal combines those beats and rhythms with jazz sensibilities with her recently formed Crystal Miller Band. She’s an alum of the Nashville Jazz Workshop and has spent years honing her craft with various bands both locally and abroad.
Will Barrow is a Grammy winning pianist, composer and singer-songwriter in many genres of music, in a career spanning more than forty years in NYC and Nashville. He has toured with vocalist Gregory Porter, banjoist Alison Brown and country singers Crystal Gayle and Kathy Mattea. He has recorded with guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, saxophonist Benny Golson, the Indigo Girls and Americana artists Suzy Bogguss and Rosie Flores. He was featured as a solo performer on a Grammy winning tribute to Stephen Foster that also included tracks by YoYo Ma, Alison Krauss and Raul Malo . Will formed the Nashville ensemble Tudo Bem in 2019, and it features several of his compositions, and several styles of Brazilian music, such as baião, samba, funk and bossa nova
Hailing from Columbus, Indiana, Brian Allen started playing the bass at age eleven. His playing won him several awards throughout high school, including the prestigious Louis Armstrong Jazz award. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles to attend Musicians Institute. There he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music and also won the outstanding student of the year. Brian Allen was most recently on tour with Jonathan Davis of Korn in 2018. He is one of Nashville’s top recording bassists. He was nominated Bass Player of the year by the Academy of Country Music in 2018. Brian is also teaching a clinic series that will be touring in 2019 called Rhythm Section Master Class. Brian has performed a diverse range of live shows as well as recording sessions. His playing spans the musical spectrum from jazz to rock and everything in between.
Chris Brown is one of Nashville’s top session and most sought-after jazz drummers. His first professional big band gig was with the Maynard Ferguson Band, played with Don Grolnick, among many others and tours with Sam Bush.
Jerome Degey is a platinum and gold producer, orchestrator, arranger, and guitarist based in Nashville. He is originally from Paris, France. With his French and Afro-Caribbean family heritage and Parisian upbringing, Jerome has developed a deep appreciation and talent for seamlessly blending global influences into his work, making him one of his generation's most sought-after musicians and producers. Most recently, Jerome produced, orchestrated, arranged, and mixed Max Abrams' new album, Samba Americana. This expansive project features sophisticated philharmonic orchestrations and intricate rhythms, highlighting his ability to fuse jazz with Latin and world music.
In addition to his production and arranging work, Jerome is a passionate performer. He fronts the world jazz band Caravan Tales, a project that blends jazz with world music. He also leads his own Jazz Quartet, where his virtuosity as a guitarist and composer shines. He performs regularly in Nashville with prominent players such as Marcus Finnie and Teymur Phell or legends like Danny Gottlieb, Duffy Jackson, and Chester Thompson.
Throughout his expansive career, Jerome has collaborated with a remarkable array of renowned artists from across the globe, spanning numerous genres, including Jonathan Edwards, Mick Hucknall (Simply Red), Murray Head, Spyro Gyra's Jay Beckenstein and Tom Shuman, Grace & the Victory Riders, Cunnie Williams, Duffy Jackson, Kenia, Les Étoiles, Rolando Faria, Eloisia, Monica Nogueira, Ishtar Alabina, Elissa Khoury, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Mangala Camara, Ayo, Martin Solveig, DJ Yass, Matt Pokora, Leslie, Matt Houston, Jerome "Jay" Sebag, Sofia Mestari, Teri Moise, Iva Fruhligova, Daniel Levy, Michel Delpech, Pascal Obispo, Yannick Noah, Bénabar, Irma and many others.
Crystal Miller will move you with the music that moves her. That’s why, when you hear Crystal, you hear the combination of ALL of her musical experiences. When asked which genre of music she prefers, she’ll tell you, "That’s like asking a woman to choose one favorite pair of shoes - it’s virtually impossible!- different genres speak to me for different reasons" - like the memories of the R&B, Pop and Rock of her youth, to the stories and harmonies of Country and Bluegrass, to the impassioned lyrics and sensual, soul-affirming rhythms of the Latin music that she’s grown to love performing. Crystal combines those beats and rhythms with jazz sensibilities with her recently formed Crystal Miller Band. She’s an alum of the Nashville Jazz Workshop and has spent years honing her craft with various bands both locally and abroad.
Will Barrow is a Grammy winning pianist, composer and singer-songwriter in many genres of music, in a career spanning more than forty years in NYC and Nashville. He has toured with vocalist Gregory Porter, banjoist Alison Brown and country singers Crystal Gayle and Kathy Mattea. He has recorded with guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, saxophonist Benny Golson, the Indigo Girls and Americana artists Suzy Bogguss and Rosie Flores. He was featured as a solo performer on a Grammy winning tribute to Stephen Foster that also included tracks by YoYo Ma, Alison Krauss and Raul Malo . Will formed the Nashville ensemble Tudo Bem in 2019, and it features several of his compositions, and several styles of Brazilian music, such as baião, samba, funk and bossa nova
Hailing from Columbus, Indiana, Brian Allen started playing the bass at age eleven. His playing won him several awards throughout high school, including the prestigious Louis Armstrong Jazz award. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles to attend Musicians Institute. There he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music and also won the outstanding student of the year. Brian Allen was most recently on tour with Jonathan Davis of Korn in 2018. He is one of Nashville’s top recording bassists. He was nominated Bass Player of the year by the Academy of Country Music in 2018. Brian is also teaching a clinic series that will be touring in 2019 called Rhythm Section Master Class. Brian has performed a diverse range of live shows as well as recording sessions. His playing spans the musical spectrum from jazz to rock and everything in between.
Chris Brown is one of Nashville’s top session and most sought-after jazz drummers. His first professional big band gig was with the Maynard Ferguson Band, played with Don Grolnick, among many others and tours with Sam Bush.
Sep 25
Lisa Stewart And Her Jazz Combo
5:30pm-7:15pm central, $15 in advance, $18 at the door
Vocalist Lisa Stewart with Alex Murphy on piano, Jack Aylor on bass, Cole Ritter on fiddle/guitar and Ryan Brasley on drums.
"Lisa Stewart’s impressively eclectic musical chops seem especially well-suited to the smoldering, seductive chanteuse-ery of jazz and blues, seasoned with an honest, genre-spanning affection for everything else, from Jeannie Seeley’s 'Don’t Touch Me' to Miley Cyrus' 'Flowers'. Her recent gig in Nashville, TN was a master class in musical aptitude from an artist who truly can sing it all — and looks positively smashing with a Billie Holiday gardenia in her hair."- Neil Pond, Entertainment Critic
Lisa Stewart is an acclaimed Nashville-based vocalist, a former RCA recording artist, and a BMI Award-winning songwriter. Her versatile career spans jazz, film, and television, including a notable appearance on "The Vampire Diaries." Her recent single, "The Man You Are Today," co-written with Rodney Crowell and featuring Tommy Emmanuel, garnered Grammy consideration. Audiences at Rudy's Jazz Room can anticipate an evening of elegant jazz standards and thoughtfully reimagined favorites, delivered with warmth and profound musical storytelling.
"Lisa Stewart’s impressively eclectic musical chops seem especially well-suited to the smoldering, seductive chanteuse-ery of jazz and blues, seasoned with an honest, genre-spanning affection for everything else, from Jeannie Seeley’s 'Don’t Touch Me' to Miley Cyrus' 'Flowers'. Her recent gig in Nashville, TN was a master class in musical aptitude from an artist who truly can sing it all — and looks positively smashing with a Billie Holiday gardenia in her hair."- Neil Pond, Entertainment Critic
Lisa Stewart is an acclaimed Nashville-based vocalist, a former RCA recording artist, and a BMI Award-winning songwriter. Her versatile career spans jazz, film, and television, including a notable appearance on "The Vampire Diaries." Her recent single, "The Man You Are Today," co-written with Rodney Crowell and featuring Tommy Emmanuel, garnered Grammy consideration. Audiences at Rudy's Jazz Room can anticipate an evening of elegant jazz standards and thoughtfully reimagined favorites, delivered with warmth and profound musical storytelling.
Ari and Cecil Alexander Quartet
8:00pm-10:15pm central, $23 in advance, $24 at the door
Cecil and Ari Alexander perform a selection of originals, classics and Great American songbook compositions all arranged specifically for quartet and reimagined for an intimate yet highly energetic and swinging night of music.
Hailing from Muskegon, MI, Cecil Alexander is an accomplished guitarist, composer, and arranger. Cecil was the 1st place winner of the 2017 Wilson Center Jazz Guitar Competition and the 2018 Lee Ritenour Six String Theory Competition. In 2019, Cecil was one of 3 finalists in the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Guitar Competition. Cecil has recorded/performed with Bill Charlap, Antonio Hart, Lee Pearson, Luis Perdomo, Nathan East, and Steve LaSpina. Some of his greatest influences include Jimi Hendrix, Thurston Moore, Grant Green, John Coltrane, Omar Rodriguez Lopez, and Frank Zappa. As of Fall 2021, Cecil started a teaching position at Berklee College of Music as Assistant Professor of Guitar. Further, he was recently signed to Heartcore Records, a Berlin-based label founded by legendary guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. Cecil’s debut album with Heartcore , Introducing Cecil Alexander, was released September 23rd, 2022. Most recently, Cecil has begun playing in the touring band of Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott).
Holding a Scandinavian sensitivity to an American tradition, Danish-American Ari Alexander is as equally a jazz musician as she is a singer-songwriter. She was inspired to pursue jazz after learning of her vibrant musical family, including her grandmother and great-aunt, jazz vocalist Teddi King. A Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory graduate, Ari produced her album "Muse" with her band Visen in 2022, followed by "Duos," a collection of guitar and voice duets with Cecil, in 2023.
Hailing from Muskegon, MI, Cecil Alexander is an accomplished guitarist, composer, and arranger. Cecil was the 1st place winner of the 2017 Wilson Center Jazz Guitar Competition and the 2018 Lee Ritenour Six String Theory Competition. In 2019, Cecil was one of 3 finalists in the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Guitar Competition. Cecil has recorded/performed with Bill Charlap, Antonio Hart, Lee Pearson, Luis Perdomo, Nathan East, and Steve LaSpina. Some of his greatest influences include Jimi Hendrix, Thurston Moore, Grant Green, John Coltrane, Omar Rodriguez Lopez, and Frank Zappa. As of Fall 2021, Cecil started a teaching position at Berklee College of Music as Assistant Professor of Guitar. Further, he was recently signed to Heartcore Records, a Berlin-based label founded by legendary guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. Cecil’s debut album with Heartcore , Introducing Cecil Alexander, was released September 23rd, 2022. Most recently, Cecil has begun playing in the touring band of Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott).
Holding a Scandinavian sensitivity to an American tradition, Danish-American Ari Alexander is as equally a jazz musician as she is a singer-songwriter. She was inspired to pursue jazz after learning of her vibrant musical family, including her grandmother and great-aunt, jazz vocalist Teddi King. A Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory graduate, Ari produced her album "Muse" with her band Visen in 2022, followed by "Duos," a collection of guitar and voice duets with Cecil, in 2023.
Isaiah Cross: Quartet Sketches
11:00pm-1:00am central, $10 at the door
Pianist Isaiah Cross, a New Haven, Connecticut native now based in Nashville, is an emerging voice on the city's jazz scene and a student at Vanderbilt University. With a style that blends a deep respect for the jazz tradition with a refined, lyrical touch, Cross creates music that is both intimate and dynamic.
This performance marks the debut of Sketches, a new ensemble concept built around the idea that each musician brings a distinct voice to the music, contributing to a larger and fully realized artistic picture. Inspired by the conversational interplay of legendary piano trios led by Brad Mehldau, Keith Jarrett, and Ahmad Jamal, Cross is joined by bassist Lucas Giordano and drummer Will Stenberg, fellow Vanderbilt musicians whose collective chemistry shapes a sound that is both nuanced and adventurous.
Together, the trio explores jazz standards alongside contemporary repertoire, balancing thoughtful interpretation, spontaneous interaction, and modern expression.
Isaiah Cross - Piano
Nate Spratford - Alto Saxophone
Lucas Giordano - Bass
Will Stenberg - Drums
This performance marks the debut of Sketches, a new ensemble concept built around the idea that each musician brings a distinct voice to the music, contributing to a larger and fully realized artistic picture. Inspired by the conversational interplay of legendary piano trios led by Brad Mehldau, Keith Jarrett, and Ahmad Jamal, Cross is joined by bassist Lucas Giordano and drummer Will Stenberg, fellow Vanderbilt musicians whose collective chemistry shapes a sound that is both nuanced and adventurous.
Together, the trio explores jazz standards alongside contemporary repertoire, balancing thoughtful interpretation, spontaneous interaction, and modern expression.
Isaiah Cross - Piano
Nate Spratford - Alto Saxophone
Lucas Giordano - Bass
Will Stenberg - Drums
Sep 26
Shaun Munday
5:30pm-7:15pm central, $12 at the door
Shaun Munday is a one-of-a kind talent. He blends soul-drenched vocals with show-stopping bass guitar technique. Shaun captures audiences with a full band sound and plays the bass better than most people play a guitar.
He is a graduate of the Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA where he studied and performed with some of the greatest artists and educators in the industry including John Mayer, Esperanza Spalding, Matthew Garrison (Herbie Hancock), Antonio Sanchez (Pat Metheny) and Jetro Da Silva (Whitney Houston).
Shaun has shared the stage with Corinne Bailey Rae, Andra Day, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, blues legend Robert Cray, reggae royalty Aston Barrett and The Wailers (Bob Marley’s band), country music star Collin Raye, Devon Allman and Yonrico Scott of the Royal Southern Brotherhood. His overall music style is inspired by Donny Hathaway, Al Green and Marvin Gaye.
Shaun released his self-titled debut album in March 2017 to rave reviews. Bass Player Magazine said, “Munday proves that he’s going to be a bass heavyweight, as his flawless slap work and his melodically challenging lines are only ever outshined by his buttery crooning.”
shaunmunday.com | YouTube Video
He is a graduate of the Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA where he studied and performed with some of the greatest artists and educators in the industry including John Mayer, Esperanza Spalding, Matthew Garrison (Herbie Hancock), Antonio Sanchez (Pat Metheny) and Jetro Da Silva (Whitney Houston).
Shaun has shared the stage with Corinne Bailey Rae, Andra Day, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, blues legend Robert Cray, reggae royalty Aston Barrett and The Wailers (Bob Marley’s band), country music star Collin Raye, Devon Allman and Yonrico Scott of the Royal Southern Brotherhood. His overall music style is inspired by Donny Hathaway, Al Green and Marvin Gaye.
Shaun released his self-titled debut album in March 2017 to rave reviews. Bass Player Magazine said, “Munday proves that he’s going to be a bass heavyweight, as his flawless slap work and his melodically challenging lines are only ever outshined by his buttery crooning.”
shaunmunday.com | YouTube Video
Nicole Zuraitis Quartet
8:00pm-10:15pm central, $30 in advance, $35 at the door
"Superb!" – DownBeat Magazine
"The multi-talented Zuraitis soars!" – Will Friedwald, The New York Sun
"Supreme talent... a first rate songwriter, powerhouse vocalist, and grade A pianist!" - ALL ABOUT JAZZ
Nicole Zuraitis is a 2X GRAMMY® winning and 6X GRAMMY-nominated jazz singer-songwriter (nominated in 4 distinct categories: Best Jazz Vocal Album, Best Large Jazz Ensemble, Best Jazz Performance and Best Arrangement), pianist, producer, arranger and winner of the prestigious American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal. With a “heart as big as her remarkable voice,” (Jazz Police), Nicole has positioned herself as one of the top artists and "prolific songwriters" (Broadway World) to watch in jazz and beyond, coining The Modern Songbook.
As a recording artist, Nicole has released seven albums as leader, and her sixth album, How Love Begins, co-produced with eight-time GRAMMY-winner Christian McBride, won BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM at the 2024 GRAMMY® awards and features all original music. She is the only person ever to have earned this award who wrote and arranged the entire album herself. Her live album Live at Vic’s Las Vegas, which she produced, wrote and arranged featuring Tom Scott, Keyon Harrold, Rachel Eckroth, Idan Morim, Sam Weber and Dan Pugach, was nominated for 2 GRAMMYS in 2026.
Her newest album The Devil I Knew, produced by the legendary Larry Klein, released July 17th, 2026 and was featured on NPR Jazz Night in America as an “introspective epic” and called a “masterwork” by Nitelife exchange.
In addition to leading her quartet, Nicole performed and recorded with the Birdland Big Band as the premier vocalist before taking off as a large ensemble leader of her own, co-producing the Dan Pugach Big Band and guesting for major big bands around the globe. She has headlined at Newport Jazz Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Caramoor, Saratoga Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott’s, and Tanglewood, along with iconic NYC jazz clubs like Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, Birdland, the Blue Note, the Carlyle, 54 Below and the late, great 55 Bar. She also has appeared as a featured soloist with the Savannah Philharmonic, Asheville Symphony, and Macon Pops as well as the Danish Radio Big Band. Her original song “Always” closed the 2025 Teyana Taylor album Escape Room (Def Jam Records).
Nicole is a featured artist and producer on her husband’s, renowned drummer, bandleader, and composer Dan Pugach, 2025 GRAMMY-winning album, Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence (Best Large Ensemble) for which they composed the GRAMMY-nominated song, “Little Fears” (Best Jazz Performance). Nicole is a vocalist on the GRAMMY-winning “Last Sunday in Plains: A Centennial Celebration” alongside Jon Batiste, Keb’ Mo’, and LeeAnn Rimes. In 2024, Broadway World honored Nicole with the “Best Big Band Show” Award. Nicole's arrangement of Dolly Parton's Jolene, co-written with Dan Pugach, was nominated for a 2019 GRAMMY®, springboarding her career and making her a household name in the modern-day jazz landscape. In 2020, she was named in the top 40 under 40 for 2020 in Connecticut Magazine, and her weekly live stream during the Covid-19 crisis, "Virtual Piano Lounge," was featured in Forbes Magazine. Her Live at Vic’s Las Vegas album was featured on NPR Toast of the Nation 2026 in an hour long special.
Nicole has collaborated with an extensive list of luminaries, including Christian McBride, Tom Scott, Keyon Harrold, David Cook, Larry Klein, Jerry Hey, Vince Mendoza, Gilad Hekselman, Benny Benack, Stephen Feifke, Cyrille Aimee, Antonio Sanchez, Scott Sharrard, Javon Jackson, Nikki Giovanni, Dave Stryker, Omar Hakim, Rachel Z, Helen Sung, Melanie, Morgan James, Darren Criss, Livingston Taylor, Thana Alexa, Rachel Eckroth, Don Braden and Bernard Purdie. She is a proud educator and a current vocal faculty member at NYU and the Litchfield Jazz Camp. In 2024, Post University awarded Nicole an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters.
An ardent activist with a decade-long track record of giving back, her release of How Love Begins coincided with a self-produced music festival and day of activism for Save the Sound.Org. All proceeds of the GRAMMY winning album Bianca Reimagined go to pitbull rescues Nicole and Dan have fostered through the last 15 years.
Nicole Zuraitis - vocal/keys
Dan Pugach - drums
Idan Morim - guitar
Sam Weber - bass
"The multi-talented Zuraitis soars!" – Will Friedwald, The New York Sun
"Supreme talent... a first rate songwriter, powerhouse vocalist, and grade A pianist!" - ALL ABOUT JAZZ
Nicole Zuraitis is a 2X GRAMMY® winning and 6X GRAMMY-nominated jazz singer-songwriter (nominated in 4 distinct categories: Best Jazz Vocal Album, Best Large Jazz Ensemble, Best Jazz Performance and Best Arrangement), pianist, producer, arranger and winner of the prestigious American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal. With a “heart as big as her remarkable voice,” (Jazz Police), Nicole has positioned herself as one of the top artists and "prolific songwriters" (Broadway World) to watch in jazz and beyond, coining The Modern Songbook.
As a recording artist, Nicole has released seven albums as leader, and her sixth album, How Love Begins, co-produced with eight-time GRAMMY-winner Christian McBride, won BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM at the 2024 GRAMMY® awards and features all original music. She is the only person ever to have earned this award who wrote and arranged the entire album herself. Her live album Live at Vic’s Las Vegas, which she produced, wrote and arranged featuring Tom Scott, Keyon Harrold, Rachel Eckroth, Idan Morim, Sam Weber and Dan Pugach, was nominated for 2 GRAMMYS in 2026.
Her newest album The Devil I Knew, produced by the legendary Larry Klein, released July 17th, 2026 and was featured on NPR Jazz Night in America as an “introspective epic” and called a “masterwork” by Nitelife exchange.
In addition to leading her quartet, Nicole performed and recorded with the Birdland Big Band as the premier vocalist before taking off as a large ensemble leader of her own, co-producing the Dan Pugach Big Band and guesting for major big bands around the globe. She has headlined at Newport Jazz Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Caramoor, Saratoga Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott’s, and Tanglewood, along with iconic NYC jazz clubs like Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, Birdland, the Blue Note, the Carlyle, 54 Below and the late, great 55 Bar. She also has appeared as a featured soloist with the Savannah Philharmonic, Asheville Symphony, and Macon Pops as well as the Danish Radio Big Band. Her original song “Always” closed the 2025 Teyana Taylor album Escape Room (Def Jam Records).
Nicole is a featured artist and producer on her husband’s, renowned drummer, bandleader, and composer Dan Pugach, 2025 GRAMMY-winning album, Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence (Best Large Ensemble) for which they composed the GRAMMY-nominated song, “Little Fears” (Best Jazz Performance). Nicole is a vocalist on the GRAMMY-winning “Last Sunday in Plains: A Centennial Celebration” alongside Jon Batiste, Keb’ Mo’, and LeeAnn Rimes. In 2024, Broadway World honored Nicole with the “Best Big Band Show” Award. Nicole's arrangement of Dolly Parton's Jolene, co-written with Dan Pugach, was nominated for a 2019 GRAMMY®, springboarding her career and making her a household name in the modern-day jazz landscape. In 2020, she was named in the top 40 under 40 for 2020 in Connecticut Magazine, and her weekly live stream during the Covid-19 crisis, "Virtual Piano Lounge," was featured in Forbes Magazine. Her Live at Vic’s Las Vegas album was featured on NPR Toast of the Nation 2026 in an hour long special.
Nicole has collaborated with an extensive list of luminaries, including Christian McBride, Tom Scott, Keyon Harrold, David Cook, Larry Klein, Jerry Hey, Vince Mendoza, Gilad Hekselman, Benny Benack, Stephen Feifke, Cyrille Aimee, Antonio Sanchez, Scott Sharrard, Javon Jackson, Nikki Giovanni, Dave Stryker, Omar Hakim, Rachel Z, Helen Sung, Melanie, Morgan James, Darren Criss, Livingston Taylor, Thana Alexa, Rachel Eckroth, Don Braden and Bernard Purdie. She is a proud educator and a current vocal faculty member at NYU and the Litchfield Jazz Camp. In 2024, Post University awarded Nicole an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters.
An ardent activist with a decade-long track record of giving back, her release of How Love Begins coincided with a self-produced music festival and day of activism for Save the Sound.Org. All proceeds of the GRAMMY winning album Bianca Reimagined go to pitbull rescues Nicole and Dan have fostered through the last 15 years.
Nicole Zuraitis - vocal/keys
Dan Pugach - drums
Idan Morim - guitar
Sam Weber - bass
Geoff Pfeifer Quartet
11:00pm-1:00am central, $10 at the door
The Geoff Pfeifer Quartet, gritty, edgy, the real deal NYC style jazz. Saxophonist Geoff Pfeifer brings some of Nashville's top jazz cats out, and you'll be sure to feel the energy. Playing a mix of original material and Wayne Shorter tunes.
Geoff Pfeifer, a Nashville based musician and composer, has been living and performing in Nashville since 2005. Geoff studied saxophone with Ted Nash and Ralph Lalama and composition with Mike Holober and Jim McNeely. He is a saxophonist and arranger with the R&B band Chubby and The Dots and plays the 2nd Tenor Saxophone chair in The Establishment Big Band. Geoff has shared the stage with David Liebman, Jim McNeeley, David Amram, Chico O’Farrill, Arturo O’Farrill, Frank Kimbrough, Ben Allison, Michael Blake among many other musicians.
Geoff Pfeifer, a Nashville based musician and composer, has been living and performing in Nashville since 2005. Geoff studied saxophone with Ted Nash and Ralph Lalama and composition with Mike Holober and Jim McNeely. He is a saxophonist and arranger with the R&B band Chubby and The Dots and plays the 2nd Tenor Saxophone chair in The Establishment Big Band. Geoff has shared the stage with David Liebman, Jim McNeeley, David Amram, Chico O’Farrill, Arturo O’Farrill, Frank Kimbrough, Ben Allison, Michael Blake among many other musicians.