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 $7 Wells, $8 House Wines
Mondays: 9pm-Close $8 Cuba Libres, $12 Estrella & Shot of Lunazul Blanco

Come join us at Rudy’s Jazz Room for an Old Fashioned Christmas, featuring the "Siren of the South" Miss Stephanie Adlington! Celebrate the season with some spectacular live jazz including favorite Holiday standards and a collection of old New Orleans Christmas classics. Indulge in one of our seasonal Old Fashioned cocktails while enjoying a delicious New Orleans inspired holiday menu.

Take joy in the most wonderful time of the year with an Old Fashioned Christmas and some classic holiday jazz at Rudy’s Jazz Room!

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A Charlie Brown Christmas with The Alex Murphy Trio

The Charlie Brown Christmas Special is an American cultural icon, and is synonymous with the holiday season. The music, characters, and message have resonated since its airing in 1965. This soundtrack is praised due to the scoring and playing of the fantastic jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi. Without Vince’s touch we wouldn’t have this American classic.

Join the Alex Murphy Trio for an evening enjoying the Charlie Brown Christmas Special soundtrack played live.

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New Years Eve "The Get Down" with the Wooten Brothers!

Celebrate New Years Eve at Rudy's Jazz Room with "The Get Down" and the Wooten Brothers! Dancing and live music with The Wooten Brothers, New Orleans themed hors d'oeuvres, champagne for the midnight toast, photo booth, and more! General Admission & Table Seating options available. Get your tickets now before they sellout!

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615 Indie Live

615 Indie Live is a celebration of local talent and independent venues, produced by our friends at MVAN and Visit Music City. On February 1 2025 experience the best of Nashville’s local music scene with over 40 artists across 14 independent venues, running from noon to 2am. All for just $15! Proceeds benefit Music Venue Alliance Nashville and their Emergency Relief Fund, supporting our independent music venues community.

The Wooten Brothers, Jeff Coffin, Keith Carlock, Mike Elizondo, Emmanuel Echem, Chris Walters, Don Aliquo and Michael Jefry Stevens

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TONIGHT'S SHOWS
An Evening With James Richardson & Friends
6:00pm-8:15pm, $20 at the door
James Richardson is a celebrated jazz vocalist, songwriter, and arranger based in Nashville, Tennessee. He studied Jazz Studies at Western Michigan University, where he honed his craft and deepened his understanding of jazz theory and performance. His artistry has garnered significant recognition, including a National Industry of Music Awards win for Best Jazz Album for Daydreams in 2024 and a Downbeat Magazine Award for Best Jazz Vocalist in 2016. Recently, James co-produced a benefit concert, Music City Without Borders, with his musical partner, Kristian Dambrino, at City Winery Nashville Main Stage to support refugees at the Nashville International Center for Empowerment, showcasing his commitment to community and social causes. Known for his captivating voice and innovative arrangements, James blends traditional jazz with contemporary influences, creating emotional and engaging performances while collaborating with fellow musicians in Nashville’s vibrant music scene.
Regi Wooten & Friends
9:00pm-11:15pm, $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!


UPCOMING SHOWSFULL CALENDAR
Dec 5
Hot Club Gypsy Jazz Thursdays; Rudy’s French Connection
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $13 at the door
Hot Club Gypsy Jazz Thursdays; Rudy’s French Connection

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.
"Modal Trane" presented by Don Aliquo
9:00pm-11:15pm central, $16 at the door
Don Aliquo and his quintet take a deep dive into legendary saxophonist John Coltrane's repoitoirre, focusing on Trane's infamous and influential use of modes in improvisation and compositions.

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.

Don Aliquo - saxophone
Jody Nardone - piano
Jacob Jezioro - bass
Josh Cook - drums
Dec 6
JADA’s Jingle Jam
5:30pm-7:15pm central, $25 at the door
Get ready to kick off the holiday season in style with JADA's Jingle Jam at Rudy's Jazz Room on December 6th, from 5:00 PM to 7:15 PM! Returning after last year’s sold-out show, JADA, a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter, brings her signature jazz twist to holiday classics, creating a night filled with warmth, energy, and cheer. Inspired by icons like Mariah Carey and Kelly Clarkson, JADA’s soulful and captivating renditions breathe new life into beloved holiday songs. Accompanying her on this special evening are esteemed musicians: Jimmy Sullivan on bass, Nate Felty on drums, and Ty Bailie on piano.

With over a million followers and millions of views across her platforms, JADA’s journey includes opening for Bon Jovi on his This House Is Not For Sale tour, singing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and becoming a familiar presence at Madison Square Garden for games featuring the Rangers and Knicks. Despite her viral success, JADA remains deeply connected to her jazz roots, channeling her genuine love for the genre into performances that resonate with authenticity and warmth. You won’t want to miss the magic of JADA's Jingle Jam—it’s a holiday experience like no other.

jadaofficial.com
JADA’s Social Media - @TheJadaMusic
Dave Potter Sextet - The music of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
8:00pm-10:15pm central, $23 at the door
Drummer Dave Potter leads a stellar sextet playing the music of Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, featuring Miguel Alvarado on tenor saxophone, Desmond Ng on trombone, Dr. Andrew Sioberg on trumpet, Louis Heriveaux on piano and Rob "El Ton" Linton on bass. After honing his skills for more than 10 years with Jason Marsalis, Potter took to the road as a leader with his own ensemble with a new project featuring Jazz-flavored arrangements of modern classics. A native of North Carolina, Dave began performing with many of his elders in the RDU area at the age of 16. After relocating to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University, Dave quickly sought out Marcus Roberts as a musical mentor, an important relationship that endures today. Dave has performed with Roberts, Ellis Marsalis, Marcus Printup, Russell Gunn, Takana Miyamoto, Greg Tardy, and many others.

American jazz drummer and bandleader Art Blakey (1919 – 1990) made a name for himself in the 1940s in the big bands of Fletcher Henderson and Billy Eckstine and then worked with bebop musicians Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. In the mid-1950s, Horace Silver and Blakey formed the Jazz Messengers, an archetypal hard bop group of the late 50s, which he led for the next 35 years. The group was formed as a collective of contemporaries, but over the years the band became known as an incubator for young talent, including numerous famous artists such as Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Lee Morgan, Benny Golson, Donald Byrd, Cedar Walton, Woody Shaw and more. Blakey was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1981. Posthumously, he was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and 2001. He was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.
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.
Dec 7
Dave Potter Sextet - The music of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
5:30pm-7:15pm central, $20 at the door
Drummer Dave Potter leads a stellar sextet playing the music of Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, featuring Miguel Alvarado on tenor saxophone, Desmond Ng on trombone, Dr. Andrew Sioberg on trumpet, Louis Heriveaux on piano and Rob "El Ton" Linton on bass. After honing his skills for more than 10 years with Jason Marsalis, Potter took to the road as a leader with his own ensemble with a new project featuring Jazz-flavored arrangements of modern classics. A native of North Carolina, Dave began performing with many of his elders in the RDU area at the age of 16. After relocating to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University, Dave quickly sought out Marcus Roberts as a musical mentor, an important relationship that endures today. Dave has performed with Roberts, Ellis Marsalis, Marcus Printup, Russell Gunn, Takana Miyamoto, Greg Tardy, and many others.

American jazz drummer and bandleader Art Blakey (1919 – 1990) made a name for himself in the 1940s in the big bands of Fletcher Henderson and Billy Eckstine and then worked with bebop musicians Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. In the mid-1950s, Horace Silver and Blakey formed the Jazz Messengers, an archetypal hard bop group of the late 50s, which he led for the next 35 years. The group was formed as a collective of contemporaries, but over the years the band became known as an incubator for young talent, including numerous famous artists such as Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Lee Morgan, Benny Golson, Donald Byrd, Cedar Walton, Woody Shaw and more. Blakey was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1981. Posthumously, he was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and 2001. He was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.
Jody Nardone Trio
8:00pm-10:15pm central, $21 in advance, $22 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
Christian Kyle Burgs & Kingdom of Priests 4TET
11:00pm-1:00am central, $12 at the door
Drummer, composer and public speaker Christian Kyle Burgs performs beautifully transcendent music featuring a collection of Nashville's most promising players.

The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz heralds him as "one of the best young drummers in the country", yet the themes of spirituality, community, and purposeful living are still woven into the artistic vision of. Hailing from the third coast city of Houston,Texas, Mr. Burgs got his start in the arts playing drums in Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church where his grandfather, the late Rev. Dr. Donald Burgs Sr. pastored for 40 years. He would then continue matriculating at Houston Area arts schools including the country’s premier arts high school: High School for the Performing and Visual Arts where other notable alumni such as: Beyoncé Knowles- Carter, Robert Glasper, and Chris Dave have also attended.

Although still in his twenties, Christian is an award winning musician (National YoungArts Finalist, Thelonious Monk Institute All-Star Honoree) whom has had the privilege to perform, collaborate, and apprentice with legends, leaders, and the stars of today: Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy, Ellis Marsalis, Pascal Le Boeuf, Al Jarreau, Sean Jones, Jeff Coffin, David Sánchez, Mike Aaberg, Matt Wilson, Robin Eubanks, Julian Lage, Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, Matt Penman, Jason Moran, Warren Wolf, Edward Símon, Mike Moreno and Roland Barber are just some of the artists Christian has had the pleasure of working with.

In humble ambassadorship, Mr.Burgs has played at prestigious venues and festivals including: Monterey Jazz Festival, Essence Festival, Nissan Stadium, Houston’s House of Blues, Houston’s Hobby Center, and NPR’s Tiny Desk Festival with Nashville Hip-Hop Leader Brian Brown!

As a public speaker, Christian’s keen ability to capture audiences with words has afforded him the opportunity to travel the country educating and lecturing about Jazz’s foundational principles, as well as the civil rights movement, and its lasting impression on the youth of today. He has given speeches on platforms such as Good Morning America, CBS’s the Early Show, Fox 26, ABC 13, Great Day Houston, and The Debra Duncan Show, as well as featured in Press Publications such as the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Classical Voice, and the Advocate News in Fort Bragg, CA.

Christian initially began his undergrad journey on full Scholarship at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and is now Double Majoring in Music as well as Ministry, Missions, and Leadership at Nashville’s Lipscomb University. Mr. Burgs has and will continue to use his varying talents, abilities, and fervent passion for people as a vessel to push individuals towards living out their God-given purpose.

Christian Kyle Burgs - Drums
Nate Spratford - Saxophone
Daniel Kuk - Piano
Ian Nussdorfer - Upright Bass
Dec 8
Sully's Swingin' Sunday Supper
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $12 at the door
Join us for Sully's Swingin' Sunday Supper, where one of Music City's top jazz and instrumental bassists Jimmy Sullivan leads a swingin' band with different special guest artists and Rudy's serves up a unique and delectable supper special just for the show!

Harmonic adaptability and rhythmic flexibility are the key attributes of any first-rate bassist. Though a native-born Virginian, Jimmy Sullivan has ascended to the top ranks of Music City's rhythm section comrades, proving himself a versatile and imaginative bassist on multiple occasions. He's excelled in numerous idiomatic sessions, though jazz remains a priority and key musical love. Still, he's flourished while working, recording and/or performing with such top country, rock and pop stars as Lee Ann Womack, Mark Collie, Ashley Campbell, and Mandy Barnett among others.

Sullivan grew up in Reston, Virginia. Despite not having any musicians in the family, Sullivan still became enamored with music at an early age. Teaching himself to play by ear, his early apprentice came as both a singer and instrumentalist. He performed in a choir while also playing piano and clarinet. But his primary instrument became bass at 15, where he began on electric. Soon came formal jazz studies at Northern Virginia Community college, where he obtained a two-year degree before transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

He's now a regular performer at Rudy’s Jazz Room working regularly with Music City jazz stalwarts like Stephanie Adlington, Annie Sellick, PT Gazell and Andrew Carney as well as international artists such as Laila Biali, Nicole Zuraitis, Alexis Cole, Carol Welsman and Matt Panayides. He's become good friends and consistently shared the bandstand with world class musicians such as Joel Frahm, Andy Reiss, Jody Nardone, Pat Bergeson, Marcus Finnie and Jordan Perlson.

Jimmy Sullivan's now acclaimed not only in Nashville but throughout the region and state as a topflight player. He's already won one Nashville Music Industry Award as Best Jazz Instrumentalist in 2018, and others are sure to follow. But most importantly, Jimmy Sullivan's ferocity on the bandstand, and joy and love of playing music are infectious, and anyone who sees and hears him will immediately discover it as well as the inspiring and motivational power of great performance.
Rudy's Jazz Jam
9:00pm-11:15pm central, $10 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.
Dec 9
Thea Danos Presents: A Bossa Nova Christmas
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $18 at the door
Jazz singer and Nashville native Thea Danos presents "A Bossa Nova Christmas: a South American Twist on the Timeless Songs of the Season." Featuring Brazilian guitarist Alberto Vaz, this show will include arrangements of American Christmas classics that we all know and love with a Latin flair, bringing new life and vibrancy to songs we have enjoyed for nearly 80 years. This show will be a cozy kickoff to the season that you won't want to miss. With delicious food and cocktails, this show will make the perfect festive night out here in Music City.

Thea Danos - vocals
Alberto Vaz - guitar
Sam Blizzard - piano
Ryan Brasley - drums
Chris Autry - bass
Gus Arnold saxophone
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.
Dec 11
A Charlie Brown Christmas with The Alex Murphy Trio
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $25 in advance, $26 at the door
The Charlie Brown Christmas Special is an American cultural icon, and is synonymous with the holiday season. The music, characters, and message have resonated since its airing in 1965. This soundtrack is praised due to the scoring and playing of the fantastic jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi. Without Vince’s touch we wouldn’t have this American classic.

Join the Alex Murphy Trio for an evening enjoying their arrangements of the Charlie Brown Christmas Special soundtrack played live with a few special guest vocalists joining along the way.

Alex Murphy - Piano
Baily Johnstone - Double Bass
Ryan Brasley - Drums and Cymbals
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!