Wendy Burns presents "Sentimental Journey", a heartfelt tribute to Doris Day featuring an intimate setlist that traces the beloved singer and actress’s musical history. Backed by an all-star band of world-class musicians, Burns celebrates the life, voice, and unforgettable songs of one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons.

A celebrated jazz vocalist and silver-screen legend, Doris Day captivated generations with her radiant voice, memorable film performances, and natural charm, becoming one of Hollywood’s earliest stars to be known as “America’s Sweetheart.” Featuring cherished songs including “Day by Day,” “Que Sera, Sera,” “Secret Love,” and “Sentimental Journey,” this performance transports audiences back to the beginning of Day’s remarkable career. Recorded with Les Brown and His Band of Renown, “Sentimental Journey” became one of the defining songs of the World War II era and helped launch Day to national prominence. Join Wendy Burns for an evening of romance, nostalgia, and timeless music honoring the forever-beloved Doris Day.

Wendy Burns
Nashville, Tennessee-based jazz vocalist and flutist Wendy Burns was named Best Jazz Vocalist at the 2024 NIMA Awards, inducted into the Nashville Academy of Local Musicians Hall of Fame in 2022, and honored with the Mississippi Music Foundation’s 2023 award for Best Female Jazz Artist. Burns has studied and performed songs from the 1940s jazz and big-band era since the age of nine and has been described as possessing a unique voice ideally suited to the music of that period. She has performed at the Grand Ole Opry and has worked as a session musician and performer with many of Nashville’s classic country greats. With a deep passion for jazz standards and the heart of a hopeless romantic, Burns believes there is beauty in remaining true to melodies as they were originally written. In addition to this performance, she produces and performs in her long-running Ladies of Jazz Show, which holds a residency at Rudy’s Jazz Room. Check the Rudy’s calendar each month for upcoming performances.

“She expertly delivers jazz vocals in traditional speakeasy style and displays her exceptional talent on flute as well. She does an excellent job—a true entertainer, she holds her audience and has them laughing with her patter between songs.” —Gary Cobb, Nashville, Tennessee

Hot, swingin, smooth, original, clean, lyrical, faster than a speeding bullet, diatonically chromatic, one of a kind, masterful, the swinginest, Oh yeah, like what? Nat King Cole, Benny Goodman, Louie Jordan, Ben Webster, Sweets Edison, ...that's what!

With 6 Solo CDs under his belt, including his double Grammy nominated 2011 and 2016 releases, “2 Days Out” and “A Madness To The Method,” PT Gazell continues to expand the musical boundaries for the harmonica. Using his own signature model instrument, the Gazell Method diatonic, he proves that the harmonica is capable of much more than what most of us believe.

PT likes to think of his performances and CDs as an ongoing musical conversation between himself and his fans. Judging by the music he delivers, he’s quite a compelling and articulate speaker. No other player combines his phrasing, his melodic style, his song choices and his improvisational abilities… His singular style may draw comparisons to others, but in the end, it’s a style all his own.

Join PT Gazell & The Side Effects for two sets of Gazell method inspired Jazz Standards, American Songbook Selections and Swing Classics. PT will be ably assisted by Jimmy Sullivan on Bass, Andy Reiss on Guitar and Chris Brown on Drums.

Dig It!

Pianist Pat Coil has toured Japan, South America, Europe and the U.S. with such artists as Michael McDonald, Carmen McCrae, Olivia Newton John, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Woody Herman and many others. Pat has recorded with many artists including Natalie Cole, Trisha Yearwood, Ernie Watts, Carmen McCrae, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Kenny Rogers, Travis Tritt, Peter Cetera, Woody Herman, Scott Henderson, and Michael McDonald.

During his L.A. years, Pat played on many movie and TV scores, including Star Trek - Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Murphy Brown, Dionne Warwick & Friends, Growing Pains, Major Dad, Spencer For Hire, The Grammy Awards and many more. He played for various artists on the Tonight Show, Arsenio Hall, & Conan O’Brien. Living now in Nashville TN, Pat continues his successful career composing, recording, performing, producing, arranging and teaching. He has composed, produced and performed on hundreds of underscores heard on a variety of media all over the world. Pat taught jazz piano, combos, and improvisation at Middle Tennessee State University, and was an Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University Of North Texas.

Pat has recorded six solo jazz albums of his own, the third one being a collaboration with Lyle Mays. “True North” and his new album “Birdhouse” are available at patcoil.com, cdbaby.com and I-Tunes. Pat currently tours with Michael McDonald and Lynda Carter. He also makes numerous appearances with his own group. Pat has a new release of his original music, “Music For Humans….and Other Species”. For more information, please visit patcoil.com.

Bob McChesney is an internationally recognized trombone soloist, renowned for his harmonic mastery, emotional delivery, and lightning-fast technique. McChesney’s trademarks as a trombonist are his smooth, lightning-fast technique, his mastery of jazz harmony, beautiful sound, and a strong emotional connection to the music. With complete mastery of the instrument, McChesney has distinguished himself as one of the pre-eminent trombone soloists in the world. McChesney’s recent solo release, “Chez Sez” is an album of re-imagined standards and McChesney’s own compositions with jazz organist, Larry Goldings. Bob has been featured on many Grammy-winning CDs and has scored hundreds of television shows and motion pictures. He also holds the honor of having performed the virtuosic classical cornet piece on trombone, “The Carnival of Venice” with The Idaho Falls Symphony. Famed composer Lalo Schifrin said, "Bob McChesney is a virtuoso and has the gift to bring us the joy of music at the highest level".

Born in Tulsa, OK, bassist Craig Akin learned to play the piano at age 8 and turned to the trumpet at 12. Akin enrolled in formal music education in Colorado where his grit and guitar prowess naturally flowed into electric bass and a coveted spot in the faculty jazz quintet. Akin then went to the University of Kansas to complete his music education degree and was drawn to the electric bass, followed by a fervor for upright, landing him many local gigs as a first-call bassist. Kansas City proved to be the perfect incubator for Craig, averaging 270 shows a year and having the honor to play in clubs with nearly everyone on the jazz and blues scene including veterans Tommy Ruskin, Paul Smith, Greg Meise, Danny Embrey, Rod Fleeman, Todd Strait, Gary Sivils, Karrin Allyson, Bobby Watson, Gary Foster, Frank Mantooth. A decade later, Craig was drawn to New York City where he learned from veteran bassists Jay Anderson, Scott Colley and Larry Grenadier. Craig was keyed into further opportunities for growth, including a pivotal career moment; two years of study with Miles Davis’s famed bassist Ron Carter. Nowadays, whether he’s playing his upright or electric bass, on stage or in the studio... jazz, pop, blues or rock, Craig is comfortable and creative, and he consistently delivers the goods. Akin can be found playing or recording with various Nashville artists of different genres and is known for being easy to work with, approaching each new project with fresh ears and laid back Midwestern personality.

Miles Damaso is a percussionist, music educator, and composer-arranger based out of Nashville, Tennessee. As a bandleader, he has led groups at many reputable venues including City Winery Nashville and Rudy’s Jazz Room. His shows featuring original arrangements of songs by The Beatles and Walt Disney have been highly popular. As a sideman, Miles has played with a wide variety of artists and groups including Clayton Anderson, Joel Frahm, Pat Coil, and Heather French Henry (Miss America 2000). His drumming has taken him to several well-known stages, such as Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Grand Ole Opry. Having recently completed a MM degree at Middle Tennessee State University and BM degree at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, Miles is continuing a full-time career composing, performing, and privately teaching in the Nashville area.

When the lights get low, the music gets a little deeper.

Join trumpeter Nigel Cathey for an intimate late-night session at Rudy’s Jazz Room, blending the warmth of soul with the sophistication and spontaneity of jazz.

Expect slow-burning grooves, soulful melodies, familiar jazz standards, and plenty of improvisation as the band settles into the kind of music made for after hours. Smooth, expressive, and never too predictable, this is a set for those who aren’t quite ready for the night to end.

Grab a drink, find your seat, and stay awhile.

Featuring:
Nigel Cathey — Trumpet
Matt Twaddle — Keys
Leland Nelson — Bass
Josh Cook — Drums