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
UPCOMING SHOWSFULL CALENDAR
Apr 16
Bizz Bigsby
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $15 at the door
Join 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.
A native of North Nashville, Bizz came to music naturally. He 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 dads’ show, the lead singer got sick, and his dad asked Bizz to fill in for two nights. Those two shows turned into 5 years, opening for such artists as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Little Richard.
Bizz is an accomplished artist and songwriter, whose music is influenced by everyone from Bill Withers to George Jones to James Taylor. As a performer, he has played on the biggest stages in Nashville and throughout the US and Canada. His songs follow his path through love, addiction, fatherhood, cancer, and recovery and “The emotions are real. The stories are true. The songs are from my heart.”
A native of North Nashville, Bizz came to music naturally. He 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 dads’ show, the lead singer got sick, and his dad asked Bizz to fill in for two nights. Those two shows turned into 5 years, opening for such artists as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Little Richard.
Bizz is an accomplished artist and songwriter, whose music is influenced by everyone from Bill Withers to George Jones to James Taylor. As a performer, he has played on the biggest stages in Nashville and throughout the US and Canada. His songs follow his path through love, addiction, fatherhood, cancer, and recovery and “The emotions are real. The stories are true. The songs are from my heart.”
The MF Art of Listening w/ Allana Rocklin, Carl Rydlund & Alex Murphy
9:00pm-11:15pm central, $15 at the door
MF Art Of Listening Featuring - Musicians creating a musical conversation on the spot. Getting back to the original love of what draws musicians into music. Trusting the music and musicians to guide and discover what it means to improvise much in the same way we communicate verbally. Drummer extraordinaire Marcus Finnie assembles a unique group of very special artists for this show, comprised of elite session artists or musicians on tour in the Nashville vicinity. Marcus leads the band with Allana Rocklin, Carl Rydlund and Alex Murphy.
Marcus Finnie
As a Memphis native and Nashville resident, Marcus Finnie has toured the world with Kirk Whalum, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal, Brett Eldredge, Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter, Lady Antebellum, Larry Carlton, Donna Summer, India Arie, Kurt Elling, Billy Preston, Earl Klugh, Beegie Adair, Dave Koz and many others. Marcus has also recorded with Grammy and Stellar Award nominated and winning artists’ Jacob Whitesides, Kent Lattimore, Ledisi, Andy Mineo, Kirk Whalum, Keb Mo & Taj Mahal, India Arie, Joss Stone, Butch Walker, Charlie Peacock, Michael McDonald, and several others.
Allana Rocklin
Playing upright, electric, fretless and midi bass, Alana Rocklin is known for her relentless groove, deep tone, and unique approach. Alana is currently the bassist for electronic/rock pioneers STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9), and has been a full time member since 2014. Other artists Alana has recorded and/or toured with include: Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Rick Ross, Neyo, Andre 3000, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, sub- ID, Bela Fleck, Nanci Griffith, JD Souther, Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band), Victor Wooten/The Wooten Brothers, Ben Sollee, and many more.
Carl Rydlund
Carl Rydlund is a composer, arranger, orchestrator, conductor, guitarist and has been teaching at Belmont University School of Music since August 2021. After completing a Bachelor degree in Music Composition from the University of Colorado, Carl moved to Los Angeles to study at the legendary Grove School of Music. Upon completing a two-year program in arranging and film composition, Carl started performing for record, TV, and film sessions on guitar. Performing on thousands of sessions over the next five years. The next ten years also included work as an arranger and as a copyist at Joann Kane Music and Disney. The last fifteen years he has been focusing on film, video games and live orchestral work as an arranger/orchestrator, conductor, and guitarist. His many clients include Hans Zimmer/Remote Control Productions, Hildur Guðnadóttir, EA Games, Riot Games, Josh Groban, Warner Brothers, Disney, Universal and Fox Studios. His wide and varied experience, having worked on well over 1500 movies as well as his ability to adapt to an ever changing business and technology landscape has made him one of the most sought after studio musicians in the world.
Alex Murphy
Hailing from Chicago, Alex grew up in a family of musicians with parents who emphasized musical exploration at an early age. He grew up in an area where the arts were strongly supported and he had the support to grow his passion for jazz. That passion led him into continued study at DePaul University in Chicago where he was under the tutelage of Ron Perrillo and Dana Hall. Alex has studied with masters Aaron Goldberg, Bill Charlap, Mark Colenburg, and Pascal LeBoeuf. Alex’s performance portfolio continues to grow. He has performed at national staples including the Jazz Showcase, Andy’s Jazz Club, Green Mill, Rudys Jazz Room, Snug Harbor, and was featured in a master class at the Chicago Symphony with piano great Bill Charlap. He has been featured in the Chicago Jazz Festival and other jazz festivals nationally. Alex has had the opportunity to share the stage with artists MAJOR, Iam Tongi, Gabrielle Cavassa, Mark Colenburg, Bobby Broom, Adonis Rose, Chester Thompson, Joel Frahm, Dezron Douglas, Dave Douglas, and supporting Nicholas Payton at a residency at DePaul. From a growing studio portfolio with jazz, pop, r&b, and hip hop artists as well as his continued pursuit of live performance, Alex has expanded his talent into the Nashville music scene collaborating with a variety of artists in many genres. Most recently Alex can be seen featured on NPR’s “Top Shelf” for a Tiny Desk submission that he helped produce with artist and Nashville native Brian Brown. Alex’s relationship with Brian has made a distinct voice for Alex’s artistry combining his love for various Black American Music.
Marcus Finnie
As a Memphis native and Nashville resident, Marcus Finnie has toured the world with Kirk Whalum, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal, Brett Eldredge, Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter, Lady Antebellum, Larry Carlton, Donna Summer, India Arie, Kurt Elling, Billy Preston, Earl Klugh, Beegie Adair, Dave Koz and many others. Marcus has also recorded with Grammy and Stellar Award nominated and winning artists’ Jacob Whitesides, Kent Lattimore, Ledisi, Andy Mineo, Kirk Whalum, Keb Mo & Taj Mahal, India Arie, Joss Stone, Butch Walker, Charlie Peacock, Michael McDonald, and several others.
Allana Rocklin
Playing upright, electric, fretless and midi bass, Alana Rocklin is known for her relentless groove, deep tone, and unique approach. Alana is currently the bassist for electronic/rock pioneers STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9), and has been a full time member since 2014. Other artists Alana has recorded and/or toured with include: Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Rick Ross, Neyo, Andre 3000, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, sub- ID, Bela Fleck, Nanci Griffith, JD Souther, Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band), Victor Wooten/The Wooten Brothers, Ben Sollee, and many more.
Carl Rydlund
Carl Rydlund is a composer, arranger, orchestrator, conductor, guitarist and has been teaching at Belmont University School of Music since August 2021. After completing a Bachelor degree in Music Composition from the University of Colorado, Carl moved to Los Angeles to study at the legendary Grove School of Music. Upon completing a two-year program in arranging and film composition, Carl started performing for record, TV, and film sessions on guitar. Performing on thousands of sessions over the next five years. The next ten years also included work as an arranger and as a copyist at Joann Kane Music and Disney. The last fifteen years he has been focusing on film, video games and live orchestral work as an arranger/orchestrator, conductor, and guitarist. His many clients include Hans Zimmer/Remote Control Productions, Hildur Guðnadóttir, EA Games, Riot Games, Josh Groban, Warner Brothers, Disney, Universal and Fox Studios. His wide and varied experience, having worked on well over 1500 movies as well as his ability to adapt to an ever changing business and technology landscape has made him one of the most sought after studio musicians in the world.
Alex Murphy
Hailing from Chicago, Alex grew up in a family of musicians with parents who emphasized musical exploration at an early age. He grew up in an area where the arts were strongly supported and he had the support to grow his passion for jazz. That passion led him into continued study at DePaul University in Chicago where he was under the tutelage of Ron Perrillo and Dana Hall. Alex has studied with masters Aaron Goldberg, Bill Charlap, Mark Colenburg, and Pascal LeBoeuf. Alex’s performance portfolio continues to grow. He has performed at national staples including the Jazz Showcase, Andy’s Jazz Club, Green Mill, Rudys Jazz Room, Snug Harbor, and was featured in a master class at the Chicago Symphony with piano great Bill Charlap. He has been featured in the Chicago Jazz Festival and other jazz festivals nationally. Alex has had the opportunity to share the stage with artists MAJOR, Iam Tongi, Gabrielle Cavassa, Mark Colenburg, Bobby Broom, Adonis Rose, Chester Thompson, Joel Frahm, Dezron Douglas, Dave Douglas, and supporting Nicholas Payton at a residency at DePaul. From a growing studio portfolio with jazz, pop, r&b, and hip hop artists as well as his continued pursuit of live performance, Alex has expanded his talent into the Nashville music scene collaborating with a variety of artists in many genres. Most recently Alex can be seen featured on NPR’s “Top Shelf” for a Tiny Desk submission that he helped produce with artist and Nashville native Brian Brown. Alex’s relationship with Brian has made a distinct voice for Alex’s artistry combining his love for various Black American Music.
Apr 17
Hot Club Gypsy Jazz Thursdays; Rudy’s French Connection
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $14 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.
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.
Andrew Golden Presents: Golden Hour
9:00pm-11:15pm central, $15 in advance, $18 at the door
Golden Hour is a cosmic collision of jazz, funk, and electronic soul, orbiting somewhere between a late-night MTA bus ride and a celestial dreamscape. Led by trumpet and synth-wielding explorer Andrew Golden, the band channels the pulse of public transit—the syncopated hiss of air brakes, the low hum of idling engines, the fleeting connections between strangers—into a sonic experience that feels both infinite and deeply rooted in the moment.
Joining Golden on this interstellar journey are Nashville’s finest groove architects: Kevin Gastonguay (Cory Wong) on keyboards, Alec Newnam (Margo Price) on bass, and Nate Felty (Zach Top) on drums. Together, they navigate soundscapes that shift like streetlights on a midnight bus route, blending tight funk grooves with atmospheric synth textures and soaring trumpet melodies. Whether you’re watching the world blur past a rain-streaked window or drifting through the cosmos, Golden Hour is your soundtrack to the in-between—where time slows, colors glow, and music becomes the journey itself.
Joining Golden on this interstellar journey are Nashville’s finest groove architects: Kevin Gastonguay (Cory Wong) on keyboards, Alec Newnam (Margo Price) on bass, and Nate Felty (Zach Top) on drums. Together, they navigate soundscapes that shift like streetlights on a midnight bus route, blending tight funk grooves with atmospheric synth textures and soaring trumpet melodies. Whether you’re watching the world blur past a rain-streaked window or drifting through the cosmos, Golden Hour is your soundtrack to the in-between—where time slows, colors glow, and music becomes the journey itself.
Apr 18
Andy Reiss Quintet w/ Roland Barber, Dan Hitchcock, Jacob Jezzerio & Chris Brown
5:30pm-7:15pm central, $15 at the door
Guitarist Andy Reiss brings a fabulous quintet with some of Nashville's top jazz musicians including Roland Barber on trombone, Dan Hitchcock on reeds, Jacob Jezioro on bass and Chris Brown on drums.
Grammy awarded guitarist Andy Reiss is a member of the Time Jumpers and a prolific recording session musician in Nashville (Slim Pickens, the Jordanaires, Pete Wade, Charlie McCoy, Pig Robbins, Bob Moore, and Drake, Reba McEntire and Linda Davis). Andy has now been an active member of the Nashville community for more than 35 years. He left his hometown of San Francisco to pursue his passion for music as a career in 1980. He was brought up in a household listening to mainly traditional classical music (he even has an ancestor that was a German composer and guitarist in the 1700s!) He began his formal music education with the piano at age 7, moving to the guitar at 10. Being lucky enough to have grown up in in San Francisco during the 1960s, he would forever be influenced by the thriving music scene of the time. Some of the many concerts that were complete eye-opening experiences were B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, and of course, pyschedelic luminaries such as The Grateful Dead and The Jefferson Airplane. This is also when he discovered jazz, and his guitar work became heavily influenced by greats such as Charlie Christian, Joe Pass, and Kenny Burrell.
After arriving in Nashville, he was fortunate enough to have two influential A-Team advocates, the legendary producer and steel guitarist Pete Drake, and the visionary Harold Bradley, the guitarist who, along with his brother Owen, built the first recording studio on Nashville’s Music Row, and served as a long time President of the local Musician’s Union. Andy’s first recording session was for the actor Slim Pickens, a session that was an overwhelming initiation, involving many A-Team pickers such as Drake, Charlie McCoy, Bob Moore, Pete Wade, Pig Robbins and the Jordanaires.
He has since become a studio mainstay, playing on hundreds of records, with artists including Miranda Lambert, John Oates, Amy Grant, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers and Leon Russell. Returning to his early jazz influences, he also has recorded with many jazz greats, including Pete Christlieb, Beegee Adair, Benny Golson, and as a member of “Bad Rhythm“, an exciting trio with drummer Danny Coots and pianist Brian Holland. He has also toured extensively with both the legendary Slim Whitman and Reba McEntire, and is a member of the Time Jumpers, a Western Swing Super Group on Rounder Records. The Time Jumpers have enjoyed a 20 year Monday night residency at various night clubs in Nashville, and have been nominated for six Grammy awards, winning one in 2017, for Roots Song of the Year. The band has also toured internationally, playing venues as diverse as Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa and Carnegie Hall.
Grammy awarded guitarist Andy Reiss is a member of the Time Jumpers and a prolific recording session musician in Nashville (Slim Pickens, the Jordanaires, Pete Wade, Charlie McCoy, Pig Robbins, Bob Moore, and Drake, Reba McEntire and Linda Davis). Andy has now been an active member of the Nashville community for more than 35 years. He left his hometown of San Francisco to pursue his passion for music as a career in 1980. He was brought up in a household listening to mainly traditional classical music (he even has an ancestor that was a German composer and guitarist in the 1700s!) He began his formal music education with the piano at age 7, moving to the guitar at 10. Being lucky enough to have grown up in in San Francisco during the 1960s, he would forever be influenced by the thriving music scene of the time. Some of the many concerts that were complete eye-opening experiences were B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, and of course, pyschedelic luminaries such as The Grateful Dead and The Jefferson Airplane. This is also when he discovered jazz, and his guitar work became heavily influenced by greats such as Charlie Christian, Joe Pass, and Kenny Burrell.
After arriving in Nashville, he was fortunate enough to have two influential A-Team advocates, the legendary producer and steel guitarist Pete Drake, and the visionary Harold Bradley, the guitarist who, along with his brother Owen, built the first recording studio on Nashville’s Music Row, and served as a long time President of the local Musician’s Union. Andy’s first recording session was for the actor Slim Pickens, a session that was an overwhelming initiation, involving many A-Team pickers such as Drake, Charlie McCoy, Bob Moore, Pete Wade, Pig Robbins and the Jordanaires.
He has since become a studio mainstay, playing on hundreds of records, with artists including Miranda Lambert, John Oates, Amy Grant, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers and Leon Russell. Returning to his early jazz influences, he also has recorded with many jazz greats, including Pete Christlieb, Beegee Adair, Benny Golson, and as a member of “Bad Rhythm“, an exciting trio with drummer Danny Coots and pianist Brian Holland. He has also toured extensively with both the legendary Slim Whitman and Reba McEntire, and is a member of the Time Jumpers, a Western Swing Super Group on Rounder Records. The Time Jumpers have enjoyed a 20 year Monday night residency at various night clubs in Nashville, and have been nominated for six Grammy awards, winning one in 2017, for Roots Song of the Year. The band has also toured internationally, playing venues as diverse as Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa and Carnegie Hall.
Rory and Nalani Jazz Trio
8:00pm-10:15pm central, $20 at the door
Rory Hoffman (piano, guitar, saxophone & vocals) and Nalani, (bass & vocals) are a masterful combo that reaches back to the classics and pulls them forth with their own contemporary interpretation of the great American song book. Their playful and heartfelt vocal duets coupled with a surprising versatility of instrumentation, vocal expression, and musical chemistry will tease, inspire, and touch you.
Rory Hoffman
Nashville based multi-instrumentalist Rory Hoffman was raised on a small ranch in North Dakota where he grew up recording and touring with the family Gospel band. He started teaching himself to play guitar and piano at age 3 and by age 5 he was the drummer in the family band. He currently plays over a dozen stringed, keyboard and wind instruments.
Rory has played the Grand Ole Opry numerous times, as a soloist and as a sideman with Ricky Skaggs, Kathy Mattea and John Cowan. Working with these stars and others has enabled him to play several notable festivals, including Telluride with John Cowan, and Djangofest as part of the John Jorgenson quintet. Kacey Musgraves has asked Rory to play on her Christmas album, and to be part of the 2016 tour promoting that release. He has performed in Norway, Italy and Jamaica thus far and deeply enjoys any opportunities to travel the world, experiencing the culture and sharing music. When not out on the road touring, Rory is proud to be in several local Nashville bands, including 50 Shades of Hay, and the Gypsy hombres.
"Just Jazz Guitar" and "Guitar Player" magazines have written feature articles about Hoffman's unique guitar style. Rory is 2-time winner of Musician of the Year from Nashville's ICMA, and is a 2012 inductee into the South Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame.
Rory's personal musical career was jumpstarted in 1999 upon winning Grand Champion Instrumentalist at the Christian Artist Seminar in the Rockies. In 2001 he traveled to Nashville for the first time to record his Gospel instrumental CD, "Blind Faith". He then helped form Depot Music Productions, based in Mobridge South Dakota. There he self-produced his second album "fishin'", this time choosing country music as his theme. While with Depot Music, Rory produced several other studio projects for local and regional artists.
Rory moved to Nashville in the spring of 2008. Three years later in 2011 he released his 3rd album, "Swing Expedition". On this project, he demonstrates his abilities and inventiveness on almost every instrument he plays. Tunes range from a gypsy jazz arrangement of a Star Wars Theme, a bossa nova rendition of a classic country song, to an all-harmonica treatment of a Cole Porter Standard.
Tour de Fourth, Rory's latest album, entered the world in 2016. Rather than focus on a certain style of music, this album features music that demonstrates Rory's skill and diverse interests in country, western swing, jazz, polka, latin, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and gospel music. It is a mix of original songs, and fresh arrangements of standards. Rory is proud to feature over 25 friends, all superb Nashville musicians.
Nalani
Originally from Niwot, Colorado and now based in Nashville, bassist Nalani grew up around music with excellent mentors, becoming determined to keep music in her life and has been enjoying an ever-blossoming career. As young as 12, she would sit in on band rehearsals and perform at local venues. Getting the live experience was key to her development as a musician, and so was her determination.
After traveling to Nashville for the first time and attending five-time Grammy winner Victor Wooten's Bass Nature Camp Nalani was at a pivot point in her life, and soon after was able to learn, gain valuable knowledge and inspiration from musicians such as the Wooten brothers, Marcus Miller, Rhonda Smith, Michael Manring, Steve Bailey, Anthony Wellington, the legendary Chuck Rainey, James Moody, Roy Hargrove and David Sanborn.
At Bass Nature Reunion Camp, Esperanza Spalding helped inspire Nalani to choose William Paterson University and she made the move to New Jersey. After graduating, she lived and worked in New York, performing weekly in Asbury Park in Jersey with a Latin Jazz Band, and ended up honing her skills as a solo act while living in San Angelo, Texas. In San Angelo, Nalani opened for Samantha Fish in front of a crowd of 5,000 people, and in December 2013 the Wooten Brothers invited her to be a guest on their tour bus to experience living on the road, traveling from venue to venue. The Wooten Brothers welcomed her and mentored her wholeheartedly. It was this trip that inspired Nalani to study from “the Teacha” Regi Wooten, and ultimately inspired her to move to Nashville to study under his mastery, devoting herself to music as her career.
After a short acoustic tour in the fall of 2014, Nalani quickly established herself in the Nashville music community and at various jams. She took advantage of Regi Wooten’s mentorship at every chance, and in the first couple of years of living in Nashville, got many opportunities to play in various acts of every genre. She served as musical director for various artists and started getting more high-profile gigs with artists such as Kevin Max of DC Talk. The connections Nalani made at Bass Nature Camp, Marcus Miller’s Jazz cruises, and the NAMM Show became valuable elements of her musical life. She adopted Chuck Rainey as her “Bass Godfather” and assisted at his Rhythm Intensive summer camp, where she connected with many musicians, including Bobby Vega of Tower of Power, and legendary session player, Jerry Jemmott. In 2017 Nalani was taken under the masterful wings of established players Tom Barney (Saturday night life, Steely Dan, Lion king on Broadway) and Bakithi Kumalo (bass for Paul Simon).
Nalani is a truly exciting performer and entertainer, the energy she gets from her bandmates and the crowd is both liberating and fun and is reverberated back to listeners tenfold. Nalani's style embodies and pulls from a lot of the old school stuff that makes people dance and the intensity of rock and roll, and she merges genres; jazz roots for improvisation, funk for groove, and rock for intensity and entertainment. With her background in jazz and ample experience in funk and motown, she's an electrifying and experimental performer.
Rory Hoffman
Nashville based multi-instrumentalist Rory Hoffman was raised on a small ranch in North Dakota where he grew up recording and touring with the family Gospel band. He started teaching himself to play guitar and piano at age 3 and by age 5 he was the drummer in the family band. He currently plays over a dozen stringed, keyboard and wind instruments.
Rory has played the Grand Ole Opry numerous times, as a soloist and as a sideman with Ricky Skaggs, Kathy Mattea and John Cowan. Working with these stars and others has enabled him to play several notable festivals, including Telluride with John Cowan, and Djangofest as part of the John Jorgenson quintet. Kacey Musgraves has asked Rory to play on her Christmas album, and to be part of the 2016 tour promoting that release. He has performed in Norway, Italy and Jamaica thus far and deeply enjoys any opportunities to travel the world, experiencing the culture and sharing music. When not out on the road touring, Rory is proud to be in several local Nashville bands, including 50 Shades of Hay, and the Gypsy hombres.
"Just Jazz Guitar" and "Guitar Player" magazines have written feature articles about Hoffman's unique guitar style. Rory is 2-time winner of Musician of the Year from Nashville's ICMA, and is a 2012 inductee into the South Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame.
Rory's personal musical career was jumpstarted in 1999 upon winning Grand Champion Instrumentalist at the Christian Artist Seminar in the Rockies. In 2001 he traveled to Nashville for the first time to record his Gospel instrumental CD, "Blind Faith". He then helped form Depot Music Productions, based in Mobridge South Dakota. There he self-produced his second album "fishin'", this time choosing country music as his theme. While with Depot Music, Rory produced several other studio projects for local and regional artists.
Rory moved to Nashville in the spring of 2008. Three years later in 2011 he released his 3rd album, "Swing Expedition". On this project, he demonstrates his abilities and inventiveness on almost every instrument he plays. Tunes range from a gypsy jazz arrangement of a Star Wars Theme, a bossa nova rendition of a classic country song, to an all-harmonica treatment of a Cole Porter Standard.
Tour de Fourth, Rory's latest album, entered the world in 2016. Rather than focus on a certain style of music, this album features music that demonstrates Rory's skill and diverse interests in country, western swing, jazz, polka, latin, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and gospel music. It is a mix of original songs, and fresh arrangements of standards. Rory is proud to feature over 25 friends, all superb Nashville musicians.
Nalani
Originally from Niwot, Colorado and now based in Nashville, bassist Nalani grew up around music with excellent mentors, becoming determined to keep music in her life and has been enjoying an ever-blossoming career. As young as 12, she would sit in on band rehearsals and perform at local venues. Getting the live experience was key to her development as a musician, and so was her determination.
After traveling to Nashville for the first time and attending five-time Grammy winner Victor Wooten's Bass Nature Camp Nalani was at a pivot point in her life, and soon after was able to learn, gain valuable knowledge and inspiration from musicians such as the Wooten brothers, Marcus Miller, Rhonda Smith, Michael Manring, Steve Bailey, Anthony Wellington, the legendary Chuck Rainey, James Moody, Roy Hargrove and David Sanborn.
At Bass Nature Reunion Camp, Esperanza Spalding helped inspire Nalani to choose William Paterson University and she made the move to New Jersey. After graduating, she lived and worked in New York, performing weekly in Asbury Park in Jersey with a Latin Jazz Band, and ended up honing her skills as a solo act while living in San Angelo, Texas. In San Angelo, Nalani opened for Samantha Fish in front of a crowd of 5,000 people, and in December 2013 the Wooten Brothers invited her to be a guest on their tour bus to experience living on the road, traveling from venue to venue. The Wooten Brothers welcomed her and mentored her wholeheartedly. It was this trip that inspired Nalani to study from “the Teacha” Regi Wooten, and ultimately inspired her to move to Nashville to study under his mastery, devoting herself to music as her career.
After a short acoustic tour in the fall of 2014, Nalani quickly established herself in the Nashville music community and at various jams. She took advantage of Regi Wooten’s mentorship at every chance, and in the first couple of years of living in Nashville, got many opportunities to play in various acts of every genre. She served as musical director for various artists and started getting more high-profile gigs with artists such as Kevin Max of DC Talk. The connections Nalani made at Bass Nature Camp, Marcus Miller’s Jazz cruises, and the NAMM Show became valuable elements of her musical life. She adopted Chuck Rainey as her “Bass Godfather” and assisted at his Rhythm Intensive summer camp, where she connected with many musicians, including Bobby Vega of Tower of Power, and legendary session player, Jerry Jemmott. In 2017 Nalani was taken under the masterful wings of established players Tom Barney (Saturday night life, Steely Dan, Lion king on Broadway) and Bakithi Kumalo (bass for Paul Simon).
Nalani is a truly exciting performer and entertainer, the energy she gets from her bandmates and the crowd is both liberating and fun and is reverberated back to listeners tenfold. Nalani's style embodies and pulls from a lot of the old school stuff that makes people dance and the intensity of rock and roll, and she merges genres; jazz roots for improvisation, funk for groove, and rock for intensity and entertainment. With her background in jazz and ample experience in funk and motown, she's an electrifying and experimental performer.
Alex Murphy w/ Brian Brown & Jarren Blair
11:00pm-1:00am central, $10 at the door
Hailing from Chicago, Alex grew up in a family of musicians with parents who emphasized musical exploration at an early age. He grew up in an area where the arts were strongly supported and he had the support to grow his passion for Jazz, R&B, Blues, Gospel and Hip-Hop. While in Chicago Alex fell in love with Hip-Hop and its connection to Jazz. That passion led him into continued study at DePaul University in Chicago where he was under the tutelage of Ron Perrillo and Dana Hall. Alex has studied with masters Aaron Goldberg, Bill Charlap, Mark Colenburg, and Pascal LeBoeuf.
Alex’s performance portfolio continues to grow. He has performed at national staples including the Jazz Showcase, Andy’s Jazz Club, Green Mill, Rudys Jazz Room Snug Harbor, and was featured in a master class at the Chicago Symphony with piano great Bill Charlap. He has been featured in the Chicago Jazz Festival and other jazz festivals nationally. Alex has had the opportunity to share the stage with artists Nicholas Payton, Dave Douglas, Bobby Broom, Mark Colenburg, Adonis Rose, Chester Thompson, Joel Frahm, Dezron Douglas, Pharezz Whitted, Mark Colby, and Gabrielle Cavassa. From a growing studio portfolio with jazz, pop, r&b, and hip hop artists as well as his continued pursuit of live performance, Alex is expanding his talent into the Nashville music scene collaborating with a variety of artists in many genres.
Alex’s performance portfolio continues to grow. He has performed at national staples including the Jazz Showcase, Andy’s Jazz Club, Green Mill, Rudys Jazz Room Snug Harbor, and was featured in a master class at the Chicago Symphony with piano great Bill Charlap. He has been featured in the Chicago Jazz Festival and other jazz festivals nationally. Alex has had the opportunity to share the stage with artists Nicholas Payton, Dave Douglas, Bobby Broom, Mark Colenburg, Adonis Rose, Chester Thompson, Joel Frahm, Dezron Douglas, Pharezz Whitted, Mark Colby, and Gabrielle Cavassa. From a growing studio portfolio with jazz, pop, r&b, and hip hop artists as well as his continued pursuit of live performance, Alex is expanding his talent into the Nashville music scene collaborating with a variety of artists in many genres.
Apr 19
Don Aliquo Quartet w/ Daniel Kuk, Jack Aylor & Larry Aberman
5:30pm-7:15pm central, $15 in advance, $16 at the door
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.
He has played or recorded with many notable artists including Rufus Reid, Gary Burton, Greg Osby, Roger Humphries, Harold Danko, Jim McNeely and Obed Calvaire. Don has been described as a "fluid and articulate player with a flow of always surprising ideas complete with a dexterous technique and an incredibly smooth tenor sound." His most recent cd release (The Innocence of Spring) was recorded live with pianist Michael Jefry Stevens at Hinton Hall on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University where Aliquo is Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies.
Rounding out the rhythm section is pianist Daniel Kuk, Jack Aylor on bass & Larry Aberman on drums
“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.
He has played or recorded with many notable artists including Rufus Reid, Gary Burton, Greg Osby, Roger Humphries, Harold Danko, Jim McNeely and Obed Calvaire. Don has been described as a "fluid and articulate player with a flow of always surprising ideas complete with a dexterous technique and an incredibly smooth tenor sound." His most recent cd release (The Innocence of Spring) was recorded live with pianist Michael Jefry Stevens at Hinton Hall on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University where Aliquo is Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies.
Rounding out the rhythm section is pianist Daniel Kuk, Jack Aylor on bass & Larry Aberman on drums
Jeff Coffin & The Nu Gurus - EP Release Show!
8:00pm-10:15pm central, $28 in advance, $30 at the door
Saxophonist Jeff Coffin, trumpeter Emmanuel Echem, drummer Jordan Perlson, keyboardist David Rodgers, and bassist Jay White have joined forces in this genre-blending quintet that pushes the boundaries of musical expression. Their performances are a mesmerizing display of technical prowess, improvisational interplay, and a shared passion for exploration. From the dynamic interplay of Coffin's sax and Echem's trumpet to the layered textures of Rodgers' keys and the rock solid foundation and groove laid down by Perlson and White, the band creates a unique and engaging listening experience that resonates with musicians and audiences alike. NU JAZZ (on EAR UP RECORDS) drops March 28, 2025!
nugurus.com
NU GURUS pre-order
EarUpRecords.com
Jeff COFFIN - tenor sax, alto sax, electro-sax
Emmanuel ECHEM - trumpet
Jordan PERLSON - drums, percussion
David RODGERS - keys
Jay WHITE - electric bass, vocals
This show is all ages. $5 extra charge to be collected at door for anyone under 21 years of age
nugurus.com
NU GURUS pre-order
EarUpRecords.com
Jeff COFFIN - tenor sax, alto sax, electro-sax
Emmanuel ECHEM - trumpet
Jordan PERLSON - drums, percussion
David RODGERS - keys
Jay WHITE - electric bass, vocals
This show is all ages. $5 extra charge to be collected at door for anyone under 21 years of age
The Sofia Goodman Trio
11:00pm-1:00am central, $10 at the door
Nashville based drummer, composer and bandleader Sofia Goodman performing originals and arrangements of her favorite standards, joined by pianist Matt Twaddle and bassist Leland Nelson.
Sofia Goodman's work has been internationally recognized in the press from sources such as DownBeat and JAZZIZ. Since 2017, Sofia's group has toured the U.S and Canada, appearing at many notable venues and festivals, including USM Jazz & Blues Festival, where her quartet was the headliner. As a bandleader and arranger, she has developed repertoire for her trio, quartet, septet, octet and more. Her work has been called "mesmerizing and compositionally rich" by DownBeat and she has been called a "splendid composer and drummer" by All About Jazz. The Nashville Scene noted Goodman is "something to be excited about in the evolution of jazz in Music City."
Goodman started playing drums in middle school. In high school she was placed in Esperanza Spalding’s student ensemble at Berklee College of Music, where she was encouraged and inspired by the Grammy award-winning artist. Goodman has released three albums on Joyous Records. Her 2023 album, Secrets of the Shore won Best Jazz Album by The Nashville Scene. In 2024, The Sofia Goodman Group won the NIMA award for Best Jazz Group. Goodman has also won the Pathways to Jazz Grant and the CMA Performance Plus Grant and has received several nominations from NIMA. As a sidewoman, Goodman has performed with blues legend Bobby Rush, The Music City Big Band, Altin Sencalar, world folk group HuDost and many more. Outside of performing, Goodman is a passionate educator and mentor, and she is also involved in groups like This is A Movement and Nashville Women in Jazz.
For more information visit thesofiagoodmangroup.com
Sofia Goodman's work has been internationally recognized in the press from sources such as DownBeat and JAZZIZ. Since 2017, Sofia's group has toured the U.S and Canada, appearing at many notable venues and festivals, including USM Jazz & Blues Festival, where her quartet was the headliner. As a bandleader and arranger, she has developed repertoire for her trio, quartet, septet, octet and more. Her work has been called "mesmerizing and compositionally rich" by DownBeat and she has been called a "splendid composer and drummer" by All About Jazz. The Nashville Scene noted Goodman is "something to be excited about in the evolution of jazz in Music City."
Goodman started playing drums in middle school. In high school she was placed in Esperanza Spalding’s student ensemble at Berklee College of Music, where she was encouraged and inspired by the Grammy award-winning artist. Goodman has released three albums on Joyous Records. Her 2023 album, Secrets of the Shore won Best Jazz Album by The Nashville Scene. In 2024, The Sofia Goodman Group won the NIMA award for Best Jazz Group. Goodman has also won the Pathways to Jazz Grant and the CMA Performance Plus Grant and has received several nominations from NIMA. As a sidewoman, Goodman has performed with blues legend Bobby Rush, The Music City Big Band, Altin Sencalar, world folk group HuDost and many more. Outside of performing, Goodman is a passionate educator and mentor, and she is also involved in groups like This is A Movement and Nashville Women in Jazz.
For more information visit thesofiagoodmangroup.com
Apr 20
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.
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, $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.
Apr 21
Re-Evolution
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $12 at the door
Re-Evolution is heavily influenced by traditional and classic jazz cutting edge artists such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery, Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Thelonious Monk and many more. Featuring Brian Cornish on saxophone, Regi Wooten on bass, Daryl Johnson on drums, Adam Charney on guitar and Alex Murphy on piano.
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.