Music City's Authentic Jazz Club
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HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS
Sundays-Thursdays: 5pm-7pm $7 Wells, $8 House Wines
Mondays: 9pm-Close $8 Cuba Libres, $12 Estrella & Shot of Lunazul Blanco
Jason Marsalis
Jason Marsalis comes to Rudy's Jazz Room presenting two fabulous shows; the Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet Tribute to Lionel Hampton Thursday July 31 and the Jason Marsalis Quintet presenting “The Music of My Father” on Saturday August 2!
More Info and Tickets
TONIGHT'S SHOWS
Jason Marsalis Quintet presents “The Music of My Father”
5:30pm-7:15pm, $20 at the door
Percussionist Jason Marsalis, of the illustrious Marsalis family and youngest sibling of Wynton, Branford and Delfeayo, presents previously unreleased music of his father, the late, great Ellis Marsalis Jr.
For the first time, the Jason Marsalis Quintet shares "The Music of My Father", a performance of unreleased music by the late Ellis Marsalis, Jr., the father of Jason Marsalis. Counting five acclaimed musicians - father Ellis and brothers Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason, they're known as New Orleans' first family of jazz. Jason Marsalis explains, "While my father was busy mentoring students, he took his own music for granted. I'm proud to present his music as another part of his legacy. He evolved and grew throughout his life and that is reflected in his performances and writing."
From a tender young age it was clear that Jason Marsalis had what it took to be great. Jason is the son of pianist and music educator Ellis Marsalis and his wife Dolores, and the youngest sibling of Wynton, Branford and Delfeayo. Together, the four brothers and their patriarch Ellis, comprise New Orleans venerable first family of jazz. Ellis and Dolores began to cultivate Jason’s interest in music at age three, with the purchase of a toy set of drums. Jason is fond of telling the story of a game he and his parents would play with the drums. “When I was three, my parents bought me a toy drum set and the used to introduce me to an imaginary audience. They would say, ‘Ladies and gentleman introducing the fabulous Jason!’ and I would come out and start banging away much to my parents delight. I too enjoyed it to the point that I started to go up to my parents unsolicited and say, ‘Dad, introduce me again!’” By age six, not only had Jason gotten his first real drum set, but he was also taking lessons from the legendary New Orleans drummer James Black. At age seven he was sitting in with his father’s jazz group, as well as playing with his trombonist brother Delfeayo. Jason was progressing so rapidly as a drummer that in 1984 his father started using him consistently on engagements. Jason was starting to become a seasoned road veteran before the age of nine, even traveling to the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston for older brother Delfeayo’s recital.
Throughout his high school years Jason continued to hone his skills by playing gigs with his father and brothers, as well as studying orchestral percussion techniques at the venerable Eastern Music Festival. Shortly after graduation from NOCCA in 1995, Marsalis ascended to the drum throne of a new group lead by virtuoso pianist and former sideman for Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts. Despite a demanding touring schedule with Roberts, Marsalis furthered his educational goals by attending Loyola University in New Orleans, as well as studying composition with notable classical composer, Roger Dickerson. While Marsalis made appearances with such international jazz luminaries as Joe Henderson and Lionel Hampton, he was visible on the New Orleans scene working with a diverse cross section of bands from Casa Samba (Brazilian), Neslort (jazz fusion) Summer Stages (children’s theater), Dr. Michael White (traditional jazz) and many others. It was in 1998 that he co-founded the Latin-jazz group Los Hombres Calientes. While recording two albums with the group, Marsalis also produced two albums under his own name, Year of the Drummer (1998) and Music in Motion (2000), as well as producing reissues and current recordings of his father on their self-owned label, ELM Records.
In 2000, Jason left the Los Hombres group to attain more focus with the Marcus Roberts trio. It was around that time the Marsalis started to play the vibraphone on gigs in New Orleans. This evolved in yet another chapter in Marsalis’ career as he recorded on the vibes with clarinetist Tim Laughlin and drummer Shannon Powell while starting to lead his own band on vibes. In 2005, Marsalis’ made a recording of George Gershwin’s “Concerto in F” with the Marcus Roberts Trio and the Saito Kinen orchestra. It was a project that involved fusing jazz and classical music and it was an important moment for the Trio. While this exciting event was taking place in Tokyo, Japan, it was marred by the events happening in his hometown, Hurricane Katrina. Even though his career took a slight hit after that event and living in Brooklyn for a year, Jason returned to New Orleans in 2007 to put the pieces back together. After returning to New Orleans in 2007, his reach with the types of bands widened considerably. Early that year he recorded with John Ellis and Doublewide on a well received album entitled “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow”. He also recorded and produced an album of Thelonious Monk’s music with his father entitled “An Open Letter to Thelonious”. In January of 2008, the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) called for him to start teaching the students. He also started working on the traditional jazz scene with musicians such as Lars Edegran and Tommy Sancton at Preservation Hall and Palm Court Jazz Cafe. It was in April of 2008 that Marsalis was asked to play the vibraphone with the legendary Lionel Hampton Orchestra at the Ogden Museum in New Orleans. In fall of that year, he was on a double-bill tour with Double-wide and a jazz-fusion group from Denton, Texas, Snarky Puppy. After that tour, Marsalis would make guest appearances with the group and has developed a following amongst the groups fans.
In 2009, the Marsalis Family would receive the NEA Jazz Masters award. In June of that year, the family would appear at the White House and the Kennedy Center to do a tribute show to their father. The concert was made into an album entitled, “Music Redeems”. Later that year, Marsalis would release his first new album in 9 years and his debut album on vibes, “Music Update”. In 2010, the bassist from the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Christian Fabien, called him to participate in a recording session with drummer Ed Littlefield and pianist Reuel Lubag. The made two records, Christian’s “West Coast Session” and Ed’s “Walking Between Worlds”. The latter would include folk songs from the leader’s native Alaskan Tlingit tribe from his hometown of Sitka, Alaska. That project inspired the group to be named the Native Jazz Quartet, a group that would arrange folk songs into jazz tunes. Their first recording of that concept was “NJQ Stories”, recorded in 2012. Marsalis was involved in another genrebreaking collaboration as the Marcus Roberts Trio released an album with banjoist Bela Fleck. The combination of jazz and bluegrass was entitled “Across the Imaginary Divide” and the unit toured successfully that year.
2013 was a monumental year in which Marsalis released his next recording as a leader on vibes entitled “In a World of Mallets”. The album went to number 1 on the CMJ Radio Charts and also won an Offbeat Magazine award, a New Orleans music magazine, for best Contemporary Jazz Album. Marsalis also participated in a session produced by Bill Cosby by playing vibes for music used in Cosby’s Comedy Central special, “Far From Finished”. There was even recordings from the drum kit as Marcus Roberts released three recordings that year. Two with Wynton Marsalis, “Together Again – In the Studio” and “Together Again – Live in Concert”, and the ambitious original trio suite from Roberts, “From Rags to Rhythm”.
With each passing year Jason Marsalis continues to grow and develop as both a composer and performer. With a fire in his heart and a passion for the music, his will to swing has never been more resolute. The maturity and the command he possesses over his music is clearly evident to those who have heard or seen him.
For the first time, the Jason Marsalis Quintet shares "The Music of My Father", a performance of unreleased music by the late Ellis Marsalis, Jr., the father of Jason Marsalis. Counting five acclaimed musicians - father Ellis and brothers Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason, they're known as New Orleans' first family of jazz. Jason Marsalis explains, "While my father was busy mentoring students, he took his own music for granted. I'm proud to present his music as another part of his legacy. He evolved and grew throughout his life and that is reflected in his performances and writing."
From a tender young age it was clear that Jason Marsalis had what it took to be great. Jason is the son of pianist and music educator Ellis Marsalis and his wife Dolores, and the youngest sibling of Wynton, Branford and Delfeayo. Together, the four brothers and their patriarch Ellis, comprise New Orleans venerable first family of jazz. Ellis and Dolores began to cultivate Jason’s interest in music at age three, with the purchase of a toy set of drums. Jason is fond of telling the story of a game he and his parents would play with the drums. “When I was three, my parents bought me a toy drum set and the used to introduce me to an imaginary audience. They would say, ‘Ladies and gentleman introducing the fabulous Jason!’ and I would come out and start banging away much to my parents delight. I too enjoyed it to the point that I started to go up to my parents unsolicited and say, ‘Dad, introduce me again!’” By age six, not only had Jason gotten his first real drum set, but he was also taking lessons from the legendary New Orleans drummer James Black. At age seven he was sitting in with his father’s jazz group, as well as playing with his trombonist brother Delfeayo. Jason was progressing so rapidly as a drummer that in 1984 his father started using him consistently on engagements. Jason was starting to become a seasoned road veteran before the age of nine, even traveling to the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston for older brother Delfeayo’s recital.
Throughout his high school years Jason continued to hone his skills by playing gigs with his father and brothers, as well as studying orchestral percussion techniques at the venerable Eastern Music Festival. Shortly after graduation from NOCCA in 1995, Marsalis ascended to the drum throne of a new group lead by virtuoso pianist and former sideman for Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts. Despite a demanding touring schedule with Roberts, Marsalis furthered his educational goals by attending Loyola University in New Orleans, as well as studying composition with notable classical composer, Roger Dickerson. While Marsalis made appearances with such international jazz luminaries as Joe Henderson and Lionel Hampton, he was visible on the New Orleans scene working with a diverse cross section of bands from Casa Samba (Brazilian), Neslort (jazz fusion) Summer Stages (children’s theater), Dr. Michael White (traditional jazz) and many others. It was in 1998 that he co-founded the Latin-jazz group Los Hombres Calientes. While recording two albums with the group, Marsalis also produced two albums under his own name, Year of the Drummer (1998) and Music in Motion (2000), as well as producing reissues and current recordings of his father on their self-owned label, ELM Records.
In 2000, Jason left the Los Hombres group to attain more focus with the Marcus Roberts trio. It was around that time the Marsalis started to play the vibraphone on gigs in New Orleans. This evolved in yet another chapter in Marsalis’ career as he recorded on the vibes with clarinetist Tim Laughlin and drummer Shannon Powell while starting to lead his own band on vibes. In 2005, Marsalis’ made a recording of George Gershwin’s “Concerto in F” with the Marcus Roberts Trio and the Saito Kinen orchestra. It was a project that involved fusing jazz and classical music and it was an important moment for the Trio. While this exciting event was taking place in Tokyo, Japan, it was marred by the events happening in his hometown, Hurricane Katrina. Even though his career took a slight hit after that event and living in Brooklyn for a year, Jason returned to New Orleans in 2007 to put the pieces back together. After returning to New Orleans in 2007, his reach with the types of bands widened considerably. Early that year he recorded with John Ellis and Doublewide on a well received album entitled “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow”. He also recorded and produced an album of Thelonious Monk’s music with his father entitled “An Open Letter to Thelonious”. In January of 2008, the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) called for him to start teaching the students. He also started working on the traditional jazz scene with musicians such as Lars Edegran and Tommy Sancton at Preservation Hall and Palm Court Jazz Cafe. It was in April of 2008 that Marsalis was asked to play the vibraphone with the legendary Lionel Hampton Orchestra at the Ogden Museum in New Orleans. In fall of that year, he was on a double-bill tour with Double-wide and a jazz-fusion group from Denton, Texas, Snarky Puppy. After that tour, Marsalis would make guest appearances with the group and has developed a following amongst the groups fans.
In 2009, the Marsalis Family would receive the NEA Jazz Masters award. In June of that year, the family would appear at the White House and the Kennedy Center to do a tribute show to their father. The concert was made into an album entitled, “Music Redeems”. Later that year, Marsalis would release his first new album in 9 years and his debut album on vibes, “Music Update”. In 2010, the bassist from the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Christian Fabien, called him to participate in a recording session with drummer Ed Littlefield and pianist Reuel Lubag. The made two records, Christian’s “West Coast Session” and Ed’s “Walking Between Worlds”. The latter would include folk songs from the leader’s native Alaskan Tlingit tribe from his hometown of Sitka, Alaska. That project inspired the group to be named the Native Jazz Quartet, a group that would arrange folk songs into jazz tunes. Their first recording of that concept was “NJQ Stories”, recorded in 2012. Marsalis was involved in another genrebreaking collaboration as the Marcus Roberts Trio released an album with banjoist Bela Fleck. The combination of jazz and bluegrass was entitled “Across the Imaginary Divide” and the unit toured successfully that year.
2013 was a monumental year in which Marsalis released his next recording as a leader on vibes entitled “In a World of Mallets”. The album went to number 1 on the CMJ Radio Charts and also won an Offbeat Magazine award, a New Orleans music magazine, for best Contemporary Jazz Album. Marsalis also participated in a session produced by Bill Cosby by playing vibes for music used in Cosby’s Comedy Central special, “Far From Finished”. There was even recordings from the drum kit as Marcus Roberts released three recordings that year. Two with Wynton Marsalis, “Together Again – In the Studio” and “Together Again – Live in Concert”, and the ambitious original trio suite from Roberts, “From Rags to Rhythm”.
With each passing year Jason Marsalis continues to grow and develop as both a composer and performer. With a fire in his heart and a passion for the music, his will to swing has never been more resolute. The maturity and the command he possesses over his music is clearly evident to those who have heard or seen him.
Jason Marsalis Quintet presents “The Music of My Father”
8:00pm-10:15pm, $25 at the door
Percussionist Jason Marsalis, of the illustrious Marsalis family and youngest sibling of Wynton, Branford and Delfeayo, presents previously unreleased music of his father, the late, great Ellis Marsalis Jr.
For the first time, the Jason Marsalis Quintet shares "The Music of My Father", a performance of unreleased music by the late Ellis Marsalis, Jr., the father of Jason Marsalis. Counting five acclaimed musicians - father Ellis and brothers Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason, they're known as New Orleans' first family of jazz. Jason Marsalis explains, "While my father was busy mentoring students, he took his own music for granted. I'm proud to present his music as another part of his legacy. He evolved and grew throughout his life and that is reflected in his performances and writing."
From a tender young age it was clear that Jason Marsalis had what it took to be great. Jason is the son of pianist and music educator Ellis Marsalis and his wife Dolores, and the youngest sibling of Wynton, Branford and Delfeayo. Together, the four brothers and their patriarch Ellis, comprise New Orleans venerable first family of jazz. Ellis and Dolores began to cultivate Jason’s interest in music at age three, with the purchase of a toy set of drums. Jason is fond of telling the story of a game he and his parents would play with the drums. “When I was three, my parents bought me a toy drum set and the used to introduce me to an imaginary audience. They would say, ‘Ladies and gentleman introducing the fabulous Jason!’ and I would come out and start banging away much to my parents delight. I too enjoyed it to the point that I started to go up to my parents unsolicited and say, ‘Dad, introduce me again!’” By age six, not only had Jason gotten his first real drum set, but he was also taking lessons from the legendary New Orleans drummer James Black. At age seven he was sitting in with his father’s jazz group, as well as playing with his trombonist brother Delfeayo. Jason was progressing so rapidly as a drummer that in 1984 his father started using him consistently on engagements. Jason was starting to become a seasoned road veteran before the age of nine, even traveling to the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston for older brother Delfeayo’s recital.
Throughout his high school years Jason continued to hone his skills by playing gigs with his father and brothers, as well as studying orchestral percussion techniques at the venerable Eastern Music Festival. Shortly after graduation from NOCCA in 1995, Marsalis ascended to the drum throne of a new group lead by virtuoso pianist and former sideman for Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts. Despite a demanding touring schedule with Roberts, Marsalis furthered his educational goals by attending Loyola University in New Orleans, as well as studying composition with notable classical composer, Roger Dickerson. While Marsalis made appearances with such international jazz luminaries as Joe Henderson and Lionel Hampton, he was visible on the New Orleans scene working with a diverse cross section of bands from Casa Samba (Brazilian), Neslort (jazz fusion) Summer Stages (children’s theater), Dr. Michael White (traditional jazz) and many others. It was in 1998 that he co-founded the Latin-jazz group Los Hombres Calientes. While recording two albums with the group, Marsalis also produced two albums under his own name, Year of the Drummer (1998) and Music in Motion (2000), as well as producing reissues and current recordings of his father on their self-owned label, ELM Records.
In 2000, Jason left the Los Hombres group to attain more focus with the Marcus Roberts trio. It was around that time the Marsalis started to play the vibraphone on gigs in New Orleans. This evolved in yet another chapter in Marsalis’ career as he recorded on the vibes with clarinetist Tim Laughlin and drummer Shannon Powell while starting to lead his own band on vibes. In 2005, Marsalis’ made a recording of George Gershwin’s “Concerto in F” with the Marcus Roberts Trio and the Saito Kinen orchestra. It was a project that involved fusing jazz and classical music and it was an important moment for the Trio. While this exciting event was taking place in Tokyo, Japan, it was marred by the events happening in his hometown, Hurricane Katrina. Even though his career took a slight hit after that event and living in Brooklyn for a year, Jason returned to New Orleans in 2007 to put the pieces back together. After returning to New Orleans in 2007, his reach with the types of bands widened considerably. Early that year he recorded with John Ellis and Doublewide on a well received album entitled “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow”. He also recorded and produced an album of Thelonious Monk’s music with his father entitled “An Open Letter to Thelonious”. In January of 2008, the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) called for him to start teaching the students. He also started working on the traditional jazz scene with musicians such as Lars Edegran and Tommy Sancton at Preservation Hall and Palm Court Jazz Cafe. It was in April of 2008 that Marsalis was asked to play the vibraphone with the legendary Lionel Hampton Orchestra at the Ogden Museum in New Orleans. In fall of that year, he was on a double-bill tour with Double-wide and a jazz-fusion group from Denton, Texas, Snarky Puppy. After that tour, Marsalis would make guest appearances with the group and has developed a following amongst the groups fans.
In 2009, the Marsalis Family would receive the NEA Jazz Masters award. In June of that year, the family would appear at the White House and the Kennedy Center to do a tribute show to their father. The concert was made into an album entitled, “Music Redeems”. Later that year, Marsalis would release his first new album in 9 years and his debut album on vibes, “Music Update”. In 2010, the bassist from the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Christian Fabien, called him to participate in a recording session with drummer Ed Littlefield and pianist Reuel Lubag. The made two records, Christian’s “West Coast Session” and Ed’s “Walking Between Worlds”. The latter would include folk songs from the leader’s native Alaskan Tlingit tribe from his hometown of Sitka, Alaska. That project inspired the group to be named the Native Jazz Quartet, a group that would arrange folk songs into jazz tunes. Their first recording of that concept was “NJQ Stories”, recorded in 2012. Marsalis was involved in another genrebreaking collaboration as the Marcus Roberts Trio released an album with banjoist Bela Fleck. The combination of jazz and bluegrass was entitled “Across the Imaginary Divide” and the unit toured successfully that year.
2013 was a monumental year in which Marsalis released his next recording as a leader on vibes entitled “In a World of Mallets”. The album went to number 1 on the CMJ Radio Charts and also won an Offbeat Magazine award, a New Orleans music magazine, for best Contemporary Jazz Album. Marsalis also participated in a session produced by Bill Cosby by playing vibes for music used in Cosby’s Comedy Central special, “Far From Finished”. There was even recordings from the drum kit as Marcus Roberts released three recordings that year. Two with Wynton Marsalis, “Together Again – In the Studio” and “Together Again – Live in Concert”, and the ambitious original trio suite from Roberts, “From Rags to Rhythm”.
With each passing year Jason Marsalis continues to grow and develop as both a composer and performer. With a fire in his heart and a passion for the music, his will to swing has never been more resolute. The maturity and the command he possesses over his music is clearly evident to those who have heard or seen him.
For the first time, the Jason Marsalis Quintet shares "The Music of My Father", a performance of unreleased music by the late Ellis Marsalis, Jr., the father of Jason Marsalis. Counting five acclaimed musicians - father Ellis and brothers Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason, they're known as New Orleans' first family of jazz. Jason Marsalis explains, "While my father was busy mentoring students, he took his own music for granted. I'm proud to present his music as another part of his legacy. He evolved and grew throughout his life and that is reflected in his performances and writing."
From a tender young age it was clear that Jason Marsalis had what it took to be great. Jason is the son of pianist and music educator Ellis Marsalis and his wife Dolores, and the youngest sibling of Wynton, Branford and Delfeayo. Together, the four brothers and their patriarch Ellis, comprise New Orleans venerable first family of jazz. Ellis and Dolores began to cultivate Jason’s interest in music at age three, with the purchase of a toy set of drums. Jason is fond of telling the story of a game he and his parents would play with the drums. “When I was three, my parents bought me a toy drum set and the used to introduce me to an imaginary audience. They would say, ‘Ladies and gentleman introducing the fabulous Jason!’ and I would come out and start banging away much to my parents delight. I too enjoyed it to the point that I started to go up to my parents unsolicited and say, ‘Dad, introduce me again!’” By age six, not only had Jason gotten his first real drum set, but he was also taking lessons from the legendary New Orleans drummer James Black. At age seven he was sitting in with his father’s jazz group, as well as playing with his trombonist brother Delfeayo. Jason was progressing so rapidly as a drummer that in 1984 his father started using him consistently on engagements. Jason was starting to become a seasoned road veteran before the age of nine, even traveling to the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston for older brother Delfeayo’s recital.
Throughout his high school years Jason continued to hone his skills by playing gigs with his father and brothers, as well as studying orchestral percussion techniques at the venerable Eastern Music Festival. Shortly after graduation from NOCCA in 1995, Marsalis ascended to the drum throne of a new group lead by virtuoso pianist and former sideman for Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts. Despite a demanding touring schedule with Roberts, Marsalis furthered his educational goals by attending Loyola University in New Orleans, as well as studying composition with notable classical composer, Roger Dickerson. While Marsalis made appearances with such international jazz luminaries as Joe Henderson and Lionel Hampton, he was visible on the New Orleans scene working with a diverse cross section of bands from Casa Samba (Brazilian), Neslort (jazz fusion) Summer Stages (children’s theater), Dr. Michael White (traditional jazz) and many others. It was in 1998 that he co-founded the Latin-jazz group Los Hombres Calientes. While recording two albums with the group, Marsalis also produced two albums under his own name, Year of the Drummer (1998) and Music in Motion (2000), as well as producing reissues and current recordings of his father on their self-owned label, ELM Records.
In 2000, Jason left the Los Hombres group to attain more focus with the Marcus Roberts trio. It was around that time the Marsalis started to play the vibraphone on gigs in New Orleans. This evolved in yet another chapter in Marsalis’ career as he recorded on the vibes with clarinetist Tim Laughlin and drummer Shannon Powell while starting to lead his own band on vibes. In 2005, Marsalis’ made a recording of George Gershwin’s “Concerto in F” with the Marcus Roberts Trio and the Saito Kinen orchestra. It was a project that involved fusing jazz and classical music and it was an important moment for the Trio. While this exciting event was taking place in Tokyo, Japan, it was marred by the events happening in his hometown, Hurricane Katrina. Even though his career took a slight hit after that event and living in Brooklyn for a year, Jason returned to New Orleans in 2007 to put the pieces back together. After returning to New Orleans in 2007, his reach with the types of bands widened considerably. Early that year he recorded with John Ellis and Doublewide on a well received album entitled “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow”. He also recorded and produced an album of Thelonious Monk’s music with his father entitled “An Open Letter to Thelonious”. In January of 2008, the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) called for him to start teaching the students. He also started working on the traditional jazz scene with musicians such as Lars Edegran and Tommy Sancton at Preservation Hall and Palm Court Jazz Cafe. It was in April of 2008 that Marsalis was asked to play the vibraphone with the legendary Lionel Hampton Orchestra at the Ogden Museum in New Orleans. In fall of that year, he was on a double-bill tour with Double-wide and a jazz-fusion group from Denton, Texas, Snarky Puppy. After that tour, Marsalis would make guest appearances with the group and has developed a following amongst the groups fans.
In 2009, the Marsalis Family would receive the NEA Jazz Masters award. In June of that year, the family would appear at the White House and the Kennedy Center to do a tribute show to their father. The concert was made into an album entitled, “Music Redeems”. Later that year, Marsalis would release his first new album in 9 years and his debut album on vibes, “Music Update”. In 2010, the bassist from the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Christian Fabien, called him to participate in a recording session with drummer Ed Littlefield and pianist Reuel Lubag. The made two records, Christian’s “West Coast Session” and Ed’s “Walking Between Worlds”. The latter would include folk songs from the leader’s native Alaskan Tlingit tribe from his hometown of Sitka, Alaska. That project inspired the group to be named the Native Jazz Quartet, a group that would arrange folk songs into jazz tunes. Their first recording of that concept was “NJQ Stories”, recorded in 2012. Marsalis was involved in another genrebreaking collaboration as the Marcus Roberts Trio released an album with banjoist Bela Fleck. The combination of jazz and bluegrass was entitled “Across the Imaginary Divide” and the unit toured successfully that year.
2013 was a monumental year in which Marsalis released his next recording as a leader on vibes entitled “In a World of Mallets”. The album went to number 1 on the CMJ Radio Charts and also won an Offbeat Magazine award, a New Orleans music magazine, for best Contemporary Jazz Album. Marsalis also participated in a session produced by Bill Cosby by playing vibes for music used in Cosby’s Comedy Central special, “Far From Finished”. There was even recordings from the drum kit as Marcus Roberts released three recordings that year. Two with Wynton Marsalis, “Together Again – In the Studio” and “Together Again – Live in Concert”, and the ambitious original trio suite from Roberts, “From Rags to Rhythm”.
With each passing year Jason Marsalis continues to grow and develop as both a composer and performer. With a fire in his heart and a passion for the music, his will to swing has never been more resolute. The maturity and the command he possesses over his music is clearly evident to those who have heard or seen him.
The Marc Payne Quartet
11:00pm-1:00am, $10 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 Oscar Peterson, Sony Clark, Thelonious Monk to Hank Jones, James P. Johnson and more.
Born in Virginia and having moved to north Nashville at a very young age, Marc soaked up the sounds of jazz from his father playing jazz records as he grew up. Marc began playing music when he was 11 years old on a light up keyboard and then studied gospel which led him to playing for the Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church when he was 13. In his junior year at Pearl-Cohn high school Marc really started to develop an intense interest and more serious pursuit of jazz piano. From there he ended up going to Nashville School for the Arts where he graduated in 2017 to begin his professional career in music.
Some of Marc’s mentors include Jody Nardone, Imer Santiago, Lady Chapman, Chazen Brown, Nioshi Jackson, and Rob Butts. Marc has shared the stage with many great artists such as Bobby Watson, Regi Wooten, Curtis Lundy, Roy Wooten, Duffy Jackson and more, and has played on two of Shannon Callihan’s releases. Marc has played numerous venues in and around Nashville including the Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame, Jazz on the Cumberland, Historic 15th ave Baptist church, and Rudy’s Jazz Room.
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.
Born in Virginia and having moved to north Nashville at a very young age, Marc soaked up the sounds of jazz from his father playing jazz records as he grew up. Marc began playing music when he was 11 years old on a light up keyboard and then studied gospel which led him to playing for the Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church when he was 13. In his junior year at Pearl-Cohn high school Marc really started to develop an intense interest and more serious pursuit of jazz piano. From there he ended up going to Nashville School for the Arts where he graduated in 2017 to begin his professional career in music.
Some of Marc’s mentors include Jody Nardone, Imer Santiago, Lady Chapman, Chazen Brown, Nioshi Jackson, and Rob Butts. Marc has shared the stage with many great artists such as Bobby Watson, Regi Wooten, Curtis Lundy, Roy Wooten, Duffy Jackson and more, and has played on two of Shannon Callihan’s releases. Marc has played numerous venues in and around Nashville including the Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame, Jazz on the Cumberland, Historic 15th ave Baptist church, and Rudy’s Jazz Room.
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.
UPCOMING SHOWSFULL CALENDAR
Aug 3
Desmond Ng Quintet
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $15 at the door
One of Nashville's top trombonists, Desmond Ng, brings a stellar quintet together comprised of some of Nashville's finest jazz musicians to explore original and exciting compositions.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Desmond Ng is one of the most in-demand trombonists in Nashville. During his time in Nashville, Desmond has performed live and recorded with numerous notable artists, including Maren Morris, Dan and Shay, Carly Pearce, Lauren Daigle, The War & Treaty, Joss Stone, Frankie Valli, Natalie Grant, Danny Gokey, Judah and the Lion, and Scott Bradlee’s PostModern Jukebox. His diverse recording portfolio extends to film, television, and video game soundtracks. His performances have taken him around the globe, with appearances in North and Central America, Europe, Africa, and Oceania.
In addition to his performance career, Desmond is an internationally recognized composer. He recently presented a piece for big band at the 2024 International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers Symposium. Desmond holds a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from California State University Northridge and a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Middle Tennessee State University.
Desmond Ng - Trombone
Don Aliquo - Tenor Sax
Alex Murphy - Piano
Jonathan Wires - Bass
Marlon Patton - Drums
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Desmond Ng is one of the most in-demand trombonists in Nashville. During his time in Nashville, Desmond has performed live and recorded with numerous notable artists, including Maren Morris, Dan and Shay, Carly Pearce, Lauren Daigle, The War & Treaty, Joss Stone, Frankie Valli, Natalie Grant, Danny Gokey, Judah and the Lion, and Scott Bradlee’s PostModern Jukebox. His diverse recording portfolio extends to film, television, and video game soundtracks. His performances have taken him around the globe, with appearances in North and Central America, Europe, Africa, and Oceania.
In addition to his performance career, Desmond is an internationally recognized composer. He recently presented a piece for big band at the 2024 International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers Symposium. Desmond holds a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from California State University Northridge and a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Middle Tennessee State University.
Desmond Ng - Trombone
Don Aliquo - Tenor Sax
Alex Murphy - Piano
Jonathan Wires - Bass
Marlon Patton - Drums
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.
Aug 4
The Joshua Constantine Quartet
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $12 at the door
Joshua Constantine is a tenor saxophonist from Birmingham Alabama. Joshua is a former member of the prestigious and Grammy-nominated UNT One O’Clock Lab Band®, and student of world-renowned saxophonist Brad Leali. Along with his musical success, Joshua has gained a considerable following on social media and Youtube with his cover of “Just the Two of Us” reaching over 3 Million views! Joshua is currently an active performer and professor in the Nashville music scene.
Striving to honor the history of jazz music, Joshua intends to provide Rudy’s Jazz Room with an enriching and spiritual experience by playing the works of great composers such as John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter, Duke Ellington. In his efforts to invest in the future of jazz, Joshua intends to perform his very own original compositions.
Joshua Constantine - Tenor Saxophone
Sam Smith - Bass
Michael Green - Drums
Dan La Maestra - Piano
Striving to honor the history of jazz music, Joshua intends to provide Rudy’s Jazz Room with an enriching and spiritual experience by playing the works of great composers such as John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter, Duke Ellington. In his efforts to invest in the future of jazz, Joshua intends to perform his very own original compositions.
Joshua Constantine - Tenor Saxophone
Sam Smith - Bass
Michael Green - Drums
Dan La Maestra - 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.
Aug 6
Pat Coil Trio
6:00pm-8:15pm central, $14 at the door
Pat is an accomplished pianist, composer, producer, arranger, teacher, and highly respected studio musician. His credits span the musical spectrum of jazz, R&B, pop, country and gospel. Touring Europe, Japan, South America, Australia, Canada and the United States with exceptional artists; Pat has toured with Michael McDonald, Carmen McCrae, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Woody Herman, Larry Carlton and Olivia Newton John.
Partial recording credits include: Natalie Cole, Carmen McRae, Trisha Yearwood, Ernie Watts, Michael McDonald, George Strait, Peter Cetera, Scott Henderson & Tribal Tech, Barry Manilow, Michael Feinstein, Kenny Rogers, Travis Tritt, Clay Aiken, Kristen Chenowith, Mandy Barnett, Bill Medley, Woody Herman..etc. Pat has also played on hundreds of commercials, televisions shows and film scores, and composes for several library and TV/Film companies, including music for Entertainment Tonight, Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray, Drew Barrymore and Inside Edition.
Living now in Nashville, Tennessee; when not touring and working on others' projects, Pat continues to compose and produce original music, underscores and musical projects which are heard worldwide in a variety of media. Additionally, Pat served as an Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University Of North Texas (UNT). He currently teaches jazz piano and improvisation at Vanderbilt Blair School Of Music.
Pat has recorded several solo albums including his newest releases "Music For Humans & Other Species". Other releases include "Schemes & Dreams" (produced by Lyle Mays), "How Deep Is The Ocean" and "Everything I Love" on the Burton Avenue Music label, featuring his trio with Danny Gottlieb on drums, Jacob Jezioro on bass and Joel Frahm on sax. These are available at patcoil.com and all music media sites.
This show is all ages. Food & Beverage minimum of $10 for anyone under 21 years of age
Partial recording credits include: Natalie Cole, Carmen McRae, Trisha Yearwood, Ernie Watts, Michael McDonald, George Strait, Peter Cetera, Scott Henderson & Tribal Tech, Barry Manilow, Michael Feinstein, Kenny Rogers, Travis Tritt, Clay Aiken, Kristen Chenowith, Mandy Barnett, Bill Medley, Woody Herman..etc. Pat has also played on hundreds of commercials, televisions shows and film scores, and composes for several library and TV/Film companies, including music for Entertainment Tonight, Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray, Drew Barrymore and Inside Edition.
Living now in Nashville, Tennessee; when not touring and working on others' projects, Pat continues to compose and produce original music, underscores and musical projects which are heard worldwide in a variety of media. Additionally, Pat served as an Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University Of North Texas (UNT). He currently teaches jazz piano and improvisation at Vanderbilt Blair School Of Music.
Pat has recorded several solo albums including his newest releases "Music For Humans & Other Species". Other releases include "Schemes & Dreams" (produced by Lyle Mays), "How Deep Is The Ocean" and "Everything I Love" on the Burton Avenue Music label, featuring his trio with Danny Gottlieb on drums, Jacob Jezioro on bass and Joel Frahm on sax. These are available at patcoil.com and all music media sites.
This show is all ages. Food & Beverage minimum of $10 for anyone under 21 years of age
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!
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!
Aug 7
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.
Rougarou 6-Piece New Orleans Brass Band
9:00pm-11:15pm central, $14 at the door
The French Quarter landed in the Gulch and it's a party on the 1st Thursday every month 9pm at Rudy's with the Rougarou 6-piece New Orleans brass band! Nashville's only dedicated brass band night for New Orleans music. The six-piece Rougarou Brass Band, led by Louisianian Brook Sutton on bass and New Orleans native Chris Walters on piano, and featuring some of the top brass and musicians in Nashville including Roy Agee on trombone, Andrew Carney on trumpet, Chris West on saxophone and Josh Hunt on drums, bringing a mix of traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras brass music and New Orleans funk, staples and favorites, drawing on influences such as the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Meters, Preservation Hall, Rebirth Brass Band, Dr. John, etc. This group will have you bopping in your seats, or on your feet!
Freezer Sazerac drink specials, red beans and rice, gumbo and shrimp po-boys and other New Orleans fare! Service industry workers show any documentation or evidence online of your employer at the door for our 1/2 price SIN door ticket discount and 1/2 price draft beer!
Freezer Sazerac drink specials, red beans and rice, gumbo and shrimp po-boys and other New Orleans fare! Service industry workers show any documentation or evidence online of your employer at the door for our 1/2 price SIN door ticket discount and 1/2 price draft beer!
Aug 8
Guitar & B3 Night feat. Bob Sabellico & Kyle Lehning
5:30pm-7:15pm central, $14 at the door
The Veteran guitarist Bob Sabellico, a master of multiple genres, has one of the most incredible musical origin stories. At just 16, on the outskirts of Philadelphia, he was called to replace the iconic Randy Bachman in The Guess Who, right as “American Woman” was skyrocketing up the charts. Since then, Sabellico has kept the music alive and evolving, touring with his bands and collaborating with legends like Dennis Chambers, Gerald Albright, Will Kennedy, Andy Snitzer, and Pat Martino. In the early 80s, he even helped pioneer the use of electronics and synths in live performances and recordings. You can find his albums Groove Station, Child’s Play, and Influence on all major streaming platforms. For more info go to bobsabellicomusic.com
Three-time Grammy winner Kyle Lehning is a seasoned figure in the Nashville music scene. His impressive discography reflects his enduring talent, production skills, and deep passion for music. Kyle has worked with a host of recognizable artists from his early collaborations with Waylon Jennings in the '70s to his extensive work with Randy Travis and recent projects featuring Kenny Rogers and Michael Feinstein. Beyond his studio expertise, he's also an accomplished jazz musician, showcasing his skills on the Hammond B3, influenced by legends like Jimmy Smith and Dr. Lonnie Smith. His jazz group, The Leonard Small Situation, has released four albums highlighting his musical influences.
Rounding out the band is Raymond Massey, a powerhouse drummer whose expertise has made him a cornerstone of the Nashville music scene. With years of experience in both live performances and studio recordings, Raymond’s versatile skill set spans across multiple genres, from Jazz to rock and everything in between. Known for his impeccable timing, creative fills, and dynamic range, Raymond has contributed to countless recording projects and is featured prominently on Bob's last two releases. When he's not on stage or in the studio, Raymond serves as the Director of R&D for Pearl Drums, where he shapes the future of percussion gear. His dedication to both his craft and the industry has cemented his reputation as one of the top drummers in the business.
Three-time Grammy winner Kyle Lehning is a seasoned figure in the Nashville music scene. His impressive discography reflects his enduring talent, production skills, and deep passion for music. Kyle has worked with a host of recognizable artists from his early collaborations with Waylon Jennings in the '70s to his extensive work with Randy Travis and recent projects featuring Kenny Rogers and Michael Feinstein. Beyond his studio expertise, he's also an accomplished jazz musician, showcasing his skills on the Hammond B3, influenced by legends like Jimmy Smith and Dr. Lonnie Smith. His jazz group, The Leonard Small Situation, has released four albums highlighting his musical influences.
Rounding out the band is Raymond Massey, a powerhouse drummer whose expertise has made him a cornerstone of the Nashville music scene. With years of experience in both live performances and studio recordings, Raymond’s versatile skill set spans across multiple genres, from Jazz to rock and everything in between. Known for his impeccable timing, creative fills, and dynamic range, Raymond has contributed to countless recording projects and is featured prominently on Bob's last two releases. When he's not on stage or in the studio, Raymond serves as the Director of R&D for Pearl Drums, where he shapes the future of percussion gear. His dedication to both his craft and the industry has cemented his reputation as one of the top drummers in the business.
Bob Harsen Quartet
8:00pm-10:15pm central, $20 at the door
As a graduate from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelors Degree of Music in Performance, Bob Harsen has toured/Recorded/Performed with Tiger Okoshi, Randy Brecker, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Rachel Z. & Kilimanjaro while still residing in Boston. Bob also was on faculty at Berklee College of Music from 1986-88 teaching Drums & Electronic Drums, Percussion classes.
In 1988 Bob moved to Los Angeles and toured, recorded and performed with many musicians including Richard Elliot, Melissa Manchester, Peabo Bryson, Bobby Caldwell, Eric Marienthal, Brian Bromberg, Max Bennett, Mitch Forman, Frank Gambale, Lee Oskar, Glenn Hughes, Jack Sheldon Big Band & Quartet, Brandon Fields, John Patittucci, Tim Weisberg, Steve Perry, Rikki Lee Jones, Bette Midler, Sally Kellerman, Ann Margaret, David Garfield, Jon Pena, Luis Conte, Adam Cohen.
Bob has played the Montreal Drum Festival 2001, Clinics worldwide/NAMM Shows/Frankfurt Music Messe for Yamaha, Zildian, Remo, Regal Tip, Audio Technica, Pork Pie, and Meinl.
Currently residing in Nashville, TN Bob does session work, gigs and clinics and is endorsed by Gretsch Drums, Regal Tip Sticks, Remo Heads, DW Hardware & Audio-Technica Microphones.
In 1988 Bob moved to Los Angeles and toured, recorded and performed with many musicians including Richard Elliot, Melissa Manchester, Peabo Bryson, Bobby Caldwell, Eric Marienthal, Brian Bromberg, Max Bennett, Mitch Forman, Frank Gambale, Lee Oskar, Glenn Hughes, Jack Sheldon Big Band & Quartet, Brandon Fields, John Patittucci, Tim Weisberg, Steve Perry, Rikki Lee Jones, Bette Midler, Sally Kellerman, Ann Margaret, David Garfield, Jon Pena, Luis Conte, Adam Cohen.
Bob has played the Montreal Drum Festival 2001, Clinics worldwide/NAMM Shows/Frankfurt Music Messe for Yamaha, Zildian, Remo, Regal Tip, Audio Technica, Pork Pie, and Meinl.
Currently residing in Nashville, TN Bob does session work, gigs and clinics and is endorsed by Gretsch Drums, Regal Tip Sticks, Remo Heads, DW Hardware & Audio-Technica Microphones.
Chris Mondak Quartet
11:00pm-1:00am central, $10 at the door
Nashville-based jazz composer, bassist, and 2020 graduate of the New England Conservatory Chris Mondak has studied with jazz legends Cecil McBee, Dave Holland, and Bob Moses, and has performed with musicians such as Wycliffe Gordon, Dave Douglas, Shelly Berg, Marvin Stamm, Jeff Hamilton, and Jesus Molina.
With an aggressive bass style reminiscent of Mingus, Chris is a past member of the Jazz Band of America, he has toured extensively in the U.S., and has performed in Australia, Mexico, and Panama, as well as having toured twice throughout China as a member of the Nextgen Jazz Quartet. In 2019, Chris and Nextgen performed at the Hengqin Cup Jazz Competition in Zhuhai, China, where Chris's composition "Always Smiling" received 1st place as the festival's top original composition. In 2023, Chris's composition "Begetting" was a semi-finalist in Italy's 7 Virtual Jazz Club composition and video performance competition.
Chris's energetic hard-bop compositions and performances are on full display on his 2019 Eternal Youth, a CD that has amassed radio play on some 400+ stations, including spins on the Jazz Network, Jazz After Hours, and Jazz Happening Now. Says Blurtonline: "Opener 'Voyage Maid' wastes no time in showing us the goods Chris has in store for us. His virtuosity is a wonder to behold as are his compositional skills which soar to lofty heights throughout the album." Chris's 2022 release Glass Spheres spent multiple weeks on the Jazz Week top 100, and reached #17 on the NACC chart. All About Jazz referred to Glass Spheres as "an intriguing and absorbing selection of originals, and to Chris as "one of the talented young lions of the jazz world today." Chris's newest CD, Blank with Colour, is scheduled to be released by Summit Records in October of this year.
With an aggressive bass style reminiscent of Mingus, Chris is a past member of the Jazz Band of America, he has toured extensively in the U.S., and has performed in Australia, Mexico, and Panama, as well as having toured twice throughout China as a member of the Nextgen Jazz Quartet. In 2019, Chris and Nextgen performed at the Hengqin Cup Jazz Competition in Zhuhai, China, where Chris's composition "Always Smiling" received 1st place as the festival's top original composition. In 2023, Chris's composition "Begetting" was a semi-finalist in Italy's 7 Virtual Jazz Club composition and video performance competition.
Chris's energetic hard-bop compositions and performances are on full display on his 2019 Eternal Youth, a CD that has amassed radio play on some 400+ stations, including spins on the Jazz Network, Jazz After Hours, and Jazz Happening Now. Says Blurtonline: "Opener 'Voyage Maid' wastes no time in showing us the goods Chris has in store for us. His virtuosity is a wonder to behold as are his compositional skills which soar to lofty heights throughout the album." Chris's 2022 release Glass Spheres spent multiple weeks on the Jazz Week top 100, and reached #17 on the NACC chart. All About Jazz referred to Glass Spheres as "an intriguing and absorbing selection of originals, and to Chris as "one of the talented young lions of the jazz world today." Chris's newest CD, Blank with Colour, is scheduled to be released by Summit Records in October of this year.
Aug 9
The Adam Larson Quartet
5:30pm-7:15pm central, $18 at the door
Saxophonist-Composer Adam Larson began composing as a teenager, writing contrafacts over some of his favorite jazz standards. A fan of multiple genres of music touching the corners of R&B, Rap, Classical, Jazz and a bit of everything in between, Larson has since written nearly 200 original compositions that lean on his affinity for genre-blending sounds, motifs and ear-candy, garnering him critically-acclaimed distinctions from Downbeat Magazine as a "prolific composer and a compositional prowess for lyricism" and from The New York Times as a composer whose "compositions are thoughtful, with ample breathing room for any soloists". All About Jazz also noted "he possesses a rhythmic sophistication and compositional cleverness that should help him distinguish himself from the pack of young tenorists on the current scene".
The Adam Larson Quartet feat. vocalist Kortland Whalum
8:00pm-10:15pm central, $23 at the door
Memphis legend Kortland Whalum brings his versatile vocal stylings to Rudy’s Jazz Room for a night of sonic exploration and celebration. Whether a classic take on an R&B song of old, an original composition from the man himself or a brand new composition just for the occasion, Whalum will draw upon his new-found collaborative efforts with saxophonist Adam Larson to present a truly special night of music for the Memphis community. With a demanding schedule that has Kortland singing as a part of Cabaret, guesting with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and working on his own projects, this show is not to be missed.
Saxophonist-Composer Adam Larson began composing as a teenager, writing contrafacts over some of his favorite jazz standards. A fan of multiple genres of music touching the corners of R&B, Rap, Classical, Jazz and a bit of everything in between, Larson has since written nearly 200 original compositions that lean on his affinity for genre-blending sounds, motifs and ear-candy, garnering him critically-acclaimed distinctions from Downbeat Magazine as a "prolific composer and a compositional prowess for lyricism" and from The New York Times as a composer whose "compositions are thoughtful, with ample breathing room for any soloists". All About Jazz also noted "he possesses a rhythmic sophistication and compositional cleverness that should help him distinguish himself from the pack of young tenorists on the current scene".
Joining Kortland and Adam will be Steve Lee on piano, Grammy-Award winning bassist Clark Sommers and drummer Henry Conerway III.
Saxophonist-Composer Adam Larson began composing as a teenager, writing contrafacts over some of his favorite jazz standards. A fan of multiple genres of music touching the corners of R&B, Rap, Classical, Jazz and a bit of everything in between, Larson has since written nearly 200 original compositions that lean on his affinity for genre-blending sounds, motifs and ear-candy, garnering him critically-acclaimed distinctions from Downbeat Magazine as a "prolific composer and a compositional prowess for lyricism" and from The New York Times as a composer whose "compositions are thoughtful, with ample breathing room for any soloists". All About Jazz also noted "he possesses a rhythmic sophistication and compositional cleverness that should help him distinguish himself from the pack of young tenorists on the current scene".
Joining Kortland and Adam will be Steve Lee on piano, Grammy-Award winning bassist Clark Sommers and drummer Henry Conerway III.
Steve Pardo Quartet
11:00pm-1:00am central, $10 at the door
Acclaimed video game composer Steve Pardo (saxophone) presents a vibrant modern jazz quartet featuring some of Nashville's top jazz musicians. Steve’s career-spanning experience in game music influences a new set of dynamic and weaving compositions, designed to be broken through improvisation. The performance will also feature new arrangements from Steve’s latest album/game release, DOS (out now for Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad, vinyl, and digital).
With over 15 years supporting award-winning games and culturally-recognized franchises, Steve Pardo composes and directs emotional and expansive music and audio for linear and interactive media. An accomplished saxophonist, Steve’s background in jazz and innovative approach to music technology come through in his compositions and improvisation, blending acoustic, electronic, analog, and digital. He is co-founder of game music & audio production house SkewSound, Composer/Music Manager at ProbablyMonsters, founder/game developer at The Pardo Brothers, and an active saxophone/woodwind recording and performing artist in Nashville, TN. In addition to his audio direction contributions to some of the world’s most recognizable music gaming titles, such as Rock Band VR, Dance Central, Fantasia: Music Evolved, and Fortnite Festival, Steve has composed the interactive soundtrack for games such as Cypher 007, Moonbreaker, Gigantic, Signs of the Sojourner, Farthest Frontier, Grim Dawn, Chariot, Fated, Beat Sports, and The Magic Circle, and has scored music for networks such as Netflix, Adult Swim, and IFC. He has collaborated on generative and/or AI-driven projects for partners such as Mastercard, Warner Music, Youtube, Tribeca Film Festival, Lollapalooza, and Universal Music Group.
For more about Steve, please visit stevepardo.com
With over 15 years supporting award-winning games and culturally-recognized franchises, Steve Pardo composes and directs emotional and expansive music and audio for linear and interactive media. An accomplished saxophonist, Steve’s background in jazz and innovative approach to music technology come through in his compositions and improvisation, blending acoustic, electronic, analog, and digital. He is co-founder of game music & audio production house SkewSound, Composer/Music Manager at ProbablyMonsters, founder/game developer at The Pardo Brothers, and an active saxophone/woodwind recording and performing artist in Nashville, TN. In addition to his audio direction contributions to some of the world’s most recognizable music gaming titles, such as Rock Band VR, Dance Central, Fantasia: Music Evolved, and Fortnite Festival, Steve has composed the interactive soundtrack for games such as Cypher 007, Moonbreaker, Gigantic, Signs of the Sojourner, Farthest Frontier, Grim Dawn, Chariot, Fated, Beat Sports, and The Magic Circle, and has scored music for networks such as Netflix, Adult Swim, and IFC. He has collaborated on generative and/or AI-driven projects for partners such as Mastercard, Warner Music, Youtube, Tribeca Film Festival, Lollapalooza, and Universal Music Group.
For more about Steve, please visit stevepardo.com