Saxophonist Don Aliquo's playing has been described as “smooth as silk...with an unfailing feel for breath and phrasing" while extremely supple in the addressing of his axe but always zeroed in on what he's describing”.

“Growth” his newest release, explores new territory with intriguing compositions and ample solo space for Aliquo’s inspired improvisations. The eight originals are both complex and open, which shows him expanding his boundaries not only as an instrumentalist and improviser, but also as a composer. The music is an electrifying modern outing with one foot in the future and one in the tradition.

Aliquo has released six solo projects and has worked collaboratively or performed as a sideman on many others. His previous solo cd “Sun and Shield” features veteran jazz masters Rufus Reid, Jim McNeely, and the dynamic Obed Calvaire.

Notable collaborations include a duo recording with eclectic pianist Michael Jefry Stevens and quartet recordings with Roger Humphries and the late Beegie Adair. He also has recorded with his mentor, notable Pittsburgh tenor stalwart, Don Aliquo Sr. on the MCG label.

Don has performed in concerts and recordings with many world-class artists including Gary Burton, Greg Osby, Rufus Reid, Roger Humphries, Harold Danko, Adam Nussbaum, Donald Brown, Pete Christlieb, Scott Robinson, and Bobby Shew.

Don is Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at Middle Tennessee State University. He is a Selmer and Vandoren artist.

Rod McGaha
Whether you first heard him as the opening act for Take 6 or as one of the featured jazz soloists with Max Roach's critically-acclaimed group, or maybe even as a featured soloist playing in front of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, one of your first thoughts had to be, “This guy makes playing great look really easy.” That's because Rod has lived a musical life that was founded on consistent, hard work behind the scenes and passionate fun and pleasure on the stage. “If I didn't love playing so much, I would have quit - years ago.”

A native born Chicagoan, Rod McGaha first showed up on Chicago's jazz scene as a young prodigy, during an era when young lions were making more than just a little roar. He constantly comments on how receiving the acceptance and guidance of legendary tenor saxophonist, Von Freeman was very important to him. “When I teach in clinics, I remember how eager I was to get better and how important it was for me to be called one of Von's “horses”. When I teach kids today, I recognize that look in their eyes. I'm just as happy for them, as I was for me. I understand their excitement and their fear.”

Rod is quick to admit that he was blessed to to have garnered the attention of legends like Von Freeman and Clark Terry at a young age, but it is probably most telling that although he received an invite from none other than Wynton Marsalis himself, to come to New York to audition for a spot as one of the newest young lions in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, he felt that life was calling him in a different direction, to be a different kind of lion.

By the time he was 22, Rod was busy trying to find “a way” to musically express his spiritual beliefs, while utilizing his knowledge and skills in African American modern improvisation (or as it is better known as, Jazz). And, apparently that “way” is an endlessly long way. Rod has played concerts in Egypt, Japan, Germany, South Africa, Poland and Mexico. He has played in bands for Kenny Rogers, Bebe and CeCe Winans and was even the music the director for the now alternative rock sensation Shelby Lynne. One could just list the stages on which he's played (Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Chicago's legendary Jazz Showcase, to name just a few) and come to the conclusion that his has been a complete musical life. But Rod says the music is the only thing that really matters. “If I can make someone feel something through my music, then I know I'm doing it right. I want people to feel the way I felt listening to Clark Terry. I remember, I was listening to a recording of Clark Terry and it gave me great joy. He made me happy just with his music alone. That's the power of music!”

And, it is Rod's power in music that led the New York Times to proclaim that his album Preacherman was one of the top ten albums deserving greater recognition. Not one to ever rest on past achievements, Rod McGaha has continued to write and perform music that is both contemporary, and yet classic in some nature. Traveling the world and playing with such a diverse group of musical talents spurred him to create the well received United For Peace Orchestra, a 22 member juggernaut of a band, amalgamating over 7 different nationalities. “Being on stage with that band was like being on stage with an encyclopedia Britannica. There was knowledge and culture coming in from all different directions and the audience was just as inspired by it as we were.” But complexity for complexity sake is not Rod's approach. Often, you'll see him onstage using nothing but a plunger and his trumpet, while playing a raw a capella blues. His musical philosophy is one reminiscent of the familiar Nikki Giovanni line, “... people try to speak English instead of trying to speak through it.” Rod's primary goal is to speak through music in a way that brings joy to his audiences. And, as for all the rest? “All the rest is gravy, doc!” All the rest is gravy.

Jacob Jezioro began studying music with intention at age fourteen. His father an established Nashville bassist, guitarist and producer was his first teacher. Jacob later attended Indiana University, where his mentors were bassists Jeremy Allen and Kurt Muroki. After completing his masters degree at Berklee, Jacob performed with pianist Danilo Perez in Panama and Costa Rica and taught jazz students at the Newport Jazz Festival, Panama Jazz Festival and FiJazz Festival. Since his return to Nashville in 2019, Jacob has performed live with his own bands and records and performs regularly with pianist Pat Coil. Coil’s trio has recorded with guest artists such as vocalist Jaimee Paul and saxophonist Joel Frahm. Jacob has also begun producing his own projects under his label, Green Box Music, and releasing them in collaboration with Burton Avenue Music, Jacob’s father’s label."

Danny Gottlieb is one of the most popular drummers in jazz and contemporary music. Although best known as the drummer in the original Pat Metheny Group, during the past 30 years Danny has performed and recorded with some of the world's greatest musicians. They include: Bobby McFerrin, Sting, John McLaughlin, Gil Evans, Gary Burton, Stan Getz, Chick Corea, David Byrne, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Gerry Mulligan, Clark Terry, Al Di Meola, The Blues Brothers Band, Booker T and the MGs, Jeff Berlin, Lew Soloff, Michael Franks, Mark Egan, Mike Stern, Dr. John, the NDR Big Band, WDR Big Band, HR Big Band, GRP Big Band, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, and many more. He is featured on more than 300 CDs to date, including four Grammy Award Winners.

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. Melvin Macias (piano/vocals), Jesus Agreda (Timbales), Lorenzo Molina Ruiz (Trumpet), Manuel 'Manotas' Ramierez (multi-Percussion), and Giovanni Rodriguez (bass/vocals).

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.

Delicious, delightful, bodacious, brave, insightful, seductive, and fun - just some of the many adjectives one might use to describe Judith Owen’s fascinating and alluring new album- ‘Come On & Get It.’

Celebrating the unapologetic and often unsung badass ladies of 1940’s and 50’s jazz and blues, Owen, shares the stories, and embodies the spirit, accomplishment, and delicious joy of these risqué trailblazers, for the rest of 2023 thru 2024, with a hi-octane live show, accompanied by her New Orleans Allstar band- ‘The Gentlemen Callers’.

Described by Rolling Stone as “an exercise in style”, and “one of the most joyous releases of the year”, by the London Times, Owen and her band bring you retro with a fresh feel, and a live show that will leave you entertained, educated, uplifted, and inspired.