It has been a long time coming and we are excited to announce starting April 9th we will be open Friday and Saturday nights each week! We have gone above and beyond with regards to making Rudy’s as safe as possible for everyone. Below are some of the measures we have taken for everyone’s safety and check out our Covid Safety page for more info:
- Capacity Limit
- Room Cleaning Before All Shows
- Masks Required
- Plexiglass in front of Bands
- Temperature Checks for all Employees
- HVAC Ultraviolet Sanitizing Lights Installed
- Hand Sanitizing Stations
- Active Ongoing Cleaning
- Vital-Oxide Fogging Prior to Opening Each Day
- Haze Machine w/ Propylene Glycol
- Stage Equipment Cleaning
- Social Distancing
Check our calendar for upcoming shows, our information page on seating, and this page as well as our socials for announcements of additional open days.
Because of COVID-19 and city mandates restricting the use of our space such that we cannot operate as necessary in order to pay all of our bills, we must still rely on public assistance and generosity to get through these times. We ask, if you have the means, value what Rudy's brings to your life and would like to support the continuation of what we do by bringing live jazz to Nashville and nurturing the live creative process in an intimate setting, that you consider donating what you can and feel comfortable with to our cause, no matter how small it may be.
Help Support Rudy's Jazz RoomUPCOMING SHOWSFULL CALENDAR
Apr 17
Caravan Tales
6:00pm-8:00pm central, $22 at the door
If you're missing traveling, the music of "Caravan Tales" mixes rhythms, sounds, and songs from different cultures in the world through the jazz idiomatic realm. A voyage of eclectic impressions, melodic emotions, and exotic grooves.
Jerome Degey is a platinum and gold album producer, arranger, and guitarist from Paris-France, now living in Nashville. With his French and Afro-Caribbean family heritage and a long immersion into the Brazilian culture, he naturally blends jazz, soul, world music, and "popular songs" in his musical choices.
Charles Treadway is considered the top organist in Nashville. He has played with the finest jazz and blues musicians and beyond in various settings and is reminiscent of Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, Jimmy McGriff, and other greats.
Marcus Finnie is an Award-winning drummer artist who leads his own band. He also worked with Kirk Whalum, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal, Larry Carlton, Donna Summer, India Arie, Billy Preston, Earl Klugh, Michael McDonald...
Jerome Degey is a platinum and gold album producer, arranger, and guitarist from Paris-France, now living in Nashville. With his French and Afro-Caribbean family heritage and a long immersion into the Brazilian culture, he naturally blends jazz, soul, world music, and "popular songs" in his musical choices.
Charles Treadway is considered the top organist in Nashville. He has played with the finest jazz and blues musicians and beyond in various settings and is reminiscent of Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, Jimmy McGriff, and other greats.
Marcus Finnie is an Award-winning drummer artist who leads his own band. He also worked with Kirk Whalum, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal, Larry Carlton, Donna Summer, India Arie, Billy Preston, Earl Klugh, Michael McDonald...
Don Aliquo Quartet
9:00pm-11:00pm central, $22 at the door
Pushing musical boundaries while honoring the tradition, Aliquo's quartet will perform a mix of originals and classics in a dynamic set tailored for "late night" listening.
Saxophonist Don Aliquo is an active recording artist, composer and educator. He has performed and/or recorded with internationally known artists Rufus Reid, Jim McNeely, Harold Danko, Roger Humphries, Gary Burton, Obed Calvaire and many others.
Saxophonist Don Aliquo is an active recording artist, composer and educator. He has performed and/or recorded with internationally known artists Rufus Reid, Jim McNeely, Harold Danko, Roger Humphries, Gary Burton, Obed Calvaire and many others.
Apr 23
Pat Bergeson
6:00pm-8:00pm central, $22 at the door
Guitarist, Harmonica player Pat Bergeson grew up in Batavia Illinois and moved to NYC where he honed his Jazz skills for 10 years. He was brought to Nashville by Chet Atkins in 1993 after hearing him on a demo tape. Pat recorded was featured on two of Chet's recordings "Read My Licks" and "Sneaking Around" with Jerry Reed. He has since worked with Lyle Lovett, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Suzy Bogguss, Tommy Emmanuel, Joey DeFrancesco, Annie Sellick, Alison Krauss ,Bill Frisell, Michael McDonald, Madeleine Peyroux, Benny Golson, etc.
Big Bad Rhythm
9:00pm-11:00pm central, $22 at the door
When pianist Brian Holland and drummer Danny Coots first played together some years ago it was in Kigali, Rwanda. They vowed to record a duo album together and after returning to the U.S. they did... just two months later. Nashville guitar legend, Andy Reiss joined them in the studio as Holland/Coots began their 5th album and a trio was born, B.A.D. Rhythm (B.A.D. stands for Brian, Andy and Danny). After 2 albums and playing gigs and festivals, the incomparable Pat Bergeson was added on guitar and harmonica along with Sacramento bassist, Sam Rocha and Big Bad Rhythm was born. A hard hitting classic two guitar swing band playing jazz, blues and Boogie Woogie. On bass for this show will be one of Music City's most sought out bass players, NIMA award winning "Best Jazz Instrumentalist" bassist Jimmy Sullivan. The musicianship, proficiency and artistry on stage will be palpable.
Apr 24
The Marc Payne Quartet
6:00pm-8:00pm central, $22 at the door
One of the most talented young up and coming jazz pianists in Nashville, Marc Payne dazzles with beautiful chords, lines, rhythms, and harmonies. Young at heart and old in soul, Marc has soaked up some of the most influential pianists' styles and harmonics, and is able to deliver; from Art Tatum to Thelonious Monk to Herbie Hancock and more. One of the most energetic and diverse young pianists living in Nashville, Marc always keeps the music flowing and lively with varying dynamics and interludes mixed and woven into compositions that keep pieces fresh and lively. Joining Marc will be Bailey Johnstone, Josh Cook, and Blaise Hearn.
Jonathan Wires Ensemble
9:00pm-11:00pm central, $22 at the door
A Nashville all-star cast with Jonathan Wires on bass, Matt Endahl on piano, David Williford on sax, and Josh Hunt on drums. Bassist, composer, and educator Jonathan Wires is originally from New Hampshire, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from the University of Memphis. In 2011, he pursued a Master's Degree in Jazz Studies from Middle Tennessee State University, which brought him to Nashville, TN. In addition to performing and composing, Jonathan has been an active educator at both Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and Nashville State Community College. Under Jeff Coffin's Ear Up label, Jonathan released his first recording entitled "Weaving" which features Jeff Coffin, Matt Endahl, and Joshua Hunt with guest appearances by Lindsey Miller, Don Aliquo, James Westfall, and Jamey Simmons.
Apr 29
A Night with Jay Jennings in Nashville
7:00pm-8:30pm central, $25 at the door
Jay Jennings is a 3 time Grammy award winning jazz trumpeter. Joining Jay will be Roman Dudok on tenor saxophone, Ryan Conners on piano, Calvin Knowles on bass and Cooper Heffley on drums.
Jay grew up in the small town of Grapevine, TX. He was lucky to have a piano in the house growing up, which he considers his introduction to music education. Jennings started playing the trumpet at age 11, and by 15 he was already playing professionally. In high school he was selected to the Texas All-State Jazz Ensemble both sophomore and senior years and was selected for the High School Grammy Jazz Ensemble, which performed at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, CA. Jennings auditioned as a college freshman and was selected for a jazz soloist chair in the world renowned One O'clock Lab Band at UNT. When he was 22 he joined the Dallas based, symphonic rock band The Polyphonic Spree. He recorded and toured with them until moving to Brooklyn, NY in 2009. Jennings eventually began touring with capital records artist Eli "Paperboy" Reed in 2010 and over his career has backed up some of the world's finest artists such as Aretha Franklin, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The O'Jays, Jimmy Buffet, James Taylor, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, The Four Tops, Broken Social Scene and many more. Currently, Jay is touring with country music star Toby Keith and is living in Los Angeles, CA. He continues to record and tour with the Grammy Award winning band, Snarky Puppy. Jay is a Yamaha artists and plays Yamaha instruments.
Jay grew up in the small town of Grapevine, TX. He was lucky to have a piano in the house growing up, which he considers his introduction to music education. Jennings started playing the trumpet at age 11, and by 15 he was already playing professionally. In high school he was selected to the Texas All-State Jazz Ensemble both sophomore and senior years and was selected for the High School Grammy Jazz Ensemble, which performed at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, CA. Jennings auditioned as a college freshman and was selected for a jazz soloist chair in the world renowned One O'clock Lab Band at UNT. When he was 22 he joined the Dallas based, symphonic rock band The Polyphonic Spree. He recorded and toured with them until moving to Brooklyn, NY in 2009. Jennings eventually began touring with capital records artist Eli "Paperboy" Reed in 2010 and over his career has backed up some of the world's finest artists such as Aretha Franklin, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The O'Jays, Jimmy Buffet, James Taylor, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, The Four Tops, Broken Social Scene and many more. Currently, Jay is touring with country music star Toby Keith and is living in Los Angeles, CA. He continues to record and tour with the Grammy Award winning band, Snarky Puppy. Jay is a Yamaha artists and plays Yamaha instruments.
A Night with Jay Jennings in Nashville
9:30pm-11:00pm central, $25 at the door
Jay Jennings is a 3 time Grammy award winning jazz trumpeter. Joining Jay will be Roman Dudok on tenor saxophone, Ryan Conners on piano, Calvin Knowles on bass and Cooper Heffley on drums.
Jay grew up in the small town of Grapevine, TX. He was lucky to have a piano in the house growing up, which he considers his introduction to music education. Jennings started playing the trumpet at age 11, and by 15 he was already playing professionally. In high school he was selected to the Texas All-State Jazz Ensemble both sophomore and senior years and was selected for the High School Grammy Jazz Ensemble, which performed at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, CA. Jennings auditioned as a college freshman and was selected for a jazz soloist chair in the world renowned One O'clock Lab Band at UNT. When he was 22 he joined the Dallas based, symphonic rock band The Polyphonic Spree. He recorded and toured with them until moving to Brooklyn, NY in 2009. Jennings eventually began touring with capital records artist Eli "Paperboy" Reed in 2010 and over his career has backed up some of the world's finest artists such as Aretha Franklin, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The O'Jays, Jimmy Buffet, James Taylor, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, The Four Tops, Broken Social Scene and many more. Currently, Jay is touring with country music star Toby Keith and is living in Los Angeles, CA. He continues to record and tour with the Grammy Award winning band, Snarky Puppy. Jay is a Yamaha artists and plays Yamaha instruments.
Jay grew up in the small town of Grapevine, TX. He was lucky to have a piano in the house growing up, which he considers his introduction to music education. Jennings started playing the trumpet at age 11, and by 15 he was already playing professionally. In high school he was selected to the Texas All-State Jazz Ensemble both sophomore and senior years and was selected for the High School Grammy Jazz Ensemble, which performed at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, CA. Jennings auditioned as a college freshman and was selected for a jazz soloist chair in the world renowned One O'clock Lab Band at UNT. When he was 22 he joined the Dallas based, symphonic rock band The Polyphonic Spree. He recorded and toured with them until moving to Brooklyn, NY in 2009. Jennings eventually began touring with capital records artist Eli "Paperboy" Reed in 2010 and over his career has backed up some of the world's finest artists such as Aretha Franklin, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The O'Jays, Jimmy Buffet, James Taylor, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, The Four Tops, Broken Social Scene and many more. Currently, Jay is touring with country music star Toby Keith and is living in Los Angeles, CA. He continues to record and tour with the Grammy Award winning band, Snarky Puppy. Jay is a Yamaha artists and plays Yamaha instruments.
Apr 30
Marcus Finnie band feat music by David Rodgers, Emmanuel Echem and Jay White
6:00pm-8:00pm central, $22 at the door
As a Memphis native and Nashville resident, Marcus Finnie has Toured with Kirk Whalum, keb Mo, Taj Mahal, Lady Antebellum, Larry Carlton, Donna Summer, India Arie, Billy Preston, Earl Klugh and many others. Marcus has also recorded with Grammy and Stellar Award nominated and winning artists' Kirk Whalum, Keb mo & Taj Mahal, India Arie, Michael McDonald, Lalah Hathaway, Smokie Norful, Donnie McClurkin, American Idols' Ace Young, Rodney Crowell, Vickie Winans, Rachel Lampa, and several others.
California native David Rodgers is one of the most exciting talents in Nashville's jazz scene today. Winner of the 2016 James Miltenberger International Jazz Piano Competition and active member of Keb' Mo's band as keyboardist, he has also recorded on numerous records including Keb's Grammy-winning Oklahoma (2019). He has toured and performed worldwide at the Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, and the Playboy Jazz Festival, among many others.
Shaped from a rich heritage of artistic influence, New York City native Jay White spreads a message of love universally for all through his masterful expressions on the drums, bass, percussion and vocal performances. An encompassing blend of R&B, Jazz, Country and Gospel form the rich musical tapestry that has come to be known as the “Jay White Flavor”. As a music ambassador with the band Jonathan Scales and Fourchestra, Jay has shared not only his music but his humanitarian self with the world, educating and assisting underprivileged communities as far as rural Asia earlier this year. Jay is currently touring with Amos Lee and has performed with such renowned artist as Damien Escobar, Bokante, Macy Gray, Michael McDonald, Rita Ora, Karen Clark-Sheard and the legendary gospel pioneer Elder Timothy Wright.
Emmanuel Echem completed his B.M. in Commercial Music and Music Technology at Belmont University, having been admitted on a full tuition academic and music scholarship. Studying under such great musicians as Joel Treybig, Mike Casteel, Tyler Mire, and Steve Patrick, Echem accumulated a wide range of performance experience which has helped him to firmly establish himself within the Nashville professional music community as a capable lead and section player, as well as an adept soloist with a unique and soulful improvisational style which frequently draws comparisons to trumpet masters such as Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, and Roy Hargrove. His performance and recording credits include Joss Stone, the Gaither Vocal Band, Dumpstaphunk, Rayvon Owen, Dan + Shay, Jeff Coffin, Dynamo, Wayne Bergeron, The Weeks, Wycliffe Gordon, Frankie Negron, John Clayton, Keb' Mo', La Sonora Dinamita, the Neal Morse Band ft. Mike Portnoy, Roy "Futureman" Wooten and the Circle of Harmony Orchestra, and the Nashville Jazz Orchestra, and many others.
California native David Rodgers is one of the most exciting talents in Nashville's jazz scene today. Winner of the 2016 James Miltenberger International Jazz Piano Competition and active member of Keb' Mo's band as keyboardist, he has also recorded on numerous records including Keb's Grammy-winning Oklahoma (2019). He has toured and performed worldwide at the Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, and the Playboy Jazz Festival, among many others.
Shaped from a rich heritage of artistic influence, New York City native Jay White spreads a message of love universally for all through his masterful expressions on the drums, bass, percussion and vocal performances. An encompassing blend of R&B, Jazz, Country and Gospel form the rich musical tapestry that has come to be known as the “Jay White Flavor”. As a music ambassador with the band Jonathan Scales and Fourchestra, Jay has shared not only his music but his humanitarian self with the world, educating and assisting underprivileged communities as far as rural Asia earlier this year. Jay is currently touring with Amos Lee and has performed with such renowned artist as Damien Escobar, Bokante, Macy Gray, Michael McDonald, Rita Ora, Karen Clark-Sheard and the legendary gospel pioneer Elder Timothy Wright.
Emmanuel Echem completed his B.M. in Commercial Music and Music Technology at Belmont University, having been admitted on a full tuition academic and music scholarship. Studying under such great musicians as Joel Treybig, Mike Casteel, Tyler Mire, and Steve Patrick, Echem accumulated a wide range of performance experience which has helped him to firmly establish himself within the Nashville professional music community as a capable lead and section player, as well as an adept soloist with a unique and soulful improvisational style which frequently draws comparisons to trumpet masters such as Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, and Roy Hargrove. His performance and recording credits include Joss Stone, the Gaither Vocal Band, Dumpstaphunk, Rayvon Owen, Dan + Shay, Jeff Coffin, Dynamo, Wayne Bergeron, The Weeks, Wycliffe Gordon, Frankie Negron, John Clayton, Keb' Mo', La Sonora Dinamita, the Neal Morse Band ft. Mike Portnoy, Roy "Futureman" Wooten and the Circle of Harmony Orchestra, and the Nashville Jazz Orchestra, and many others.
MILEStones: Tribute to Miles Davis
9:00pm-11:00pm central, $22 at the door
MILEStones is a Nashville based musical acknowledgement to jazz legend Miles Davis dedicated to paying homage to the late great trumpeter’s music. With a focus on the two “great quintets” he led in the 1950’s and 60’s, MILEStones sets out to bring back to life the mood and aura that made his music so distinct, utilizing the exact arrangements and instrumentation that he recorded on so many of his classic albums. Led by drummer Brian Czach, MILEStones will take you on a nostalgic journey back to the music that changed the landscape of jazz music forever.
May 1
Bruce Dudley Trio w/ Patrick Atwater and Marc Widenhofer
9:00pm-11:00pm central, $22 at the door
Bruce Dudley is a Steinway Concert Artist and has been performing jazz piano for over 40 years on concert stages, in clubs, and private residences throughout North and South America. He specializes in the Great American Songbook, as well as in the rich history of American jazz styles, from Ragtime and Stride to Modernism, Post Modernism, and performance of original music. In addition to his work as a solo artist, he leads a trio, quartet, and larger ensembles, with horns and/or strings, while also enlisting the award winning voice of his wife, Sandra Dudley. An active educator, Dudley has presented clinics across Canada, the United States, and in Colombia, South America.
His recordings as a leader include DPSW Quartet - Live at the Cave (2019), The Solo Sessions (2012), Mostly Monk (2010), and Semblance (1997).
Dudley has also performed with artists Aretha Franklin, Crystal Gayle, Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Herb Ellis, Randy Brecker, Little Anthony and the Imperials, the Ink Spots, and has played keyboards for over 35 touring Broadway shows, including Beautiful, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Guys and Dolls, Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, Legally Blonde, among others.
He has published articles for Downbeat magazine and presented scholarly research at conferences in the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States. His book 25 Piano Etudes in Idiomatic Styles was published in 2021 by Keuka Waters Music.
Dudley is Associate Professor of Music at Belmont University and adjunct teacher of jazz piano at Vanderbilt University. He has a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Colorado, a Master of Music in Jazz Performance from the Eastman School of Music, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Business and Technology from New York University.
"Dudley’s well-schooled piano style is guided by dominant but subtle right-hand figures that galvanize one of the most cohesive trios in town." THE NASHVILLE SCENE
"Dudley, whose fluent lines jet around the keyboard, absorbing motifs into the stream, without a split second of hesitation, at any point of rhythm in the bar, are stunning to listen to…" HALIFAX CHRONICLE HERALD
"Dudley plays the piano with such grace and authority that he has quietly become the pianists that other pianists go to hear." HOUSTON POST
"As the leader, Dudley set the evening’s tone with a supple, rich blend of assertive melodic statements, delightful accompaniment, first-rate phrasing, counterpoint and harmonizing." Ron Wynn - ArtsNash
His recordings as a leader include DPSW Quartet - Live at the Cave (2019), The Solo Sessions (2012), Mostly Monk (2010), and Semblance (1997).
Dudley has also performed with artists Aretha Franklin, Crystal Gayle, Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Herb Ellis, Randy Brecker, Little Anthony and the Imperials, the Ink Spots, and has played keyboards for over 35 touring Broadway shows, including Beautiful, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Guys and Dolls, Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, Legally Blonde, among others.
He has published articles for Downbeat magazine and presented scholarly research at conferences in the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States. His book 25 Piano Etudes in Idiomatic Styles was published in 2021 by Keuka Waters Music.
Dudley is Associate Professor of Music at Belmont University and adjunct teacher of jazz piano at Vanderbilt University. He has a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Colorado, a Master of Music in Jazz Performance from the Eastman School of Music, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Business and Technology from New York University.
"Dudley’s well-schooled piano style is guided by dominant but subtle right-hand figures that galvanize one of the most cohesive trios in town." THE NASHVILLE SCENE
"Dudley, whose fluent lines jet around the keyboard, absorbing motifs into the stream, without a split second of hesitation, at any point of rhythm in the bar, are stunning to listen to…" HALIFAX CHRONICLE HERALD
"Dudley plays the piano with such grace and authority that he has quietly become the pianists that other pianists go to hear." HOUSTON POST
"As the leader, Dudley set the evening’s tone with a supple, rich blend of assertive melodic statements, delightful accompaniment, first-rate phrasing, counterpoint and harmonizing." Ron Wynn - ArtsNash