($25-$35 tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm show) On November 12th, drummer Beth Goodfellow brings her trio to The Century Room for an evening of Great American Songbook standards reimagined alongside her original compositions. Her drumming and vocals simultaneously captivate, and her trio for this show consists of Los Angeles-based guitarist Nadav Peled and Tucson-based bassist Thøger Lund. This show is a special combination of Beth’s LA and Tucson projects that is not to be missed!

**BETH GOODFELLOW :**

Beth Goodfellow is a Tucson-based artist specializing in drums and percussion. After twelve years in Los Angeles, Beth relocated to Tucson, AZ in 2025. Immersed in that creative desert community she is articulating a fresh, surreal and finely drawn sound that reflects her formative roots in traditional jazz and classical percussion while simultaneously tossing those rules aside in favor of adventurous tone, texture and composition.

As a drummer, Beth is known for her work with Iron and Wine both in the recording studio and as part of his touring band since 2017. Beth’s credits also include boygenius, Julia Holter, Gaby Moreno, Madison Cunningham, Calexico, Larry Goldings, Matt Rollings, Allison Russell, Orkesta Mendoza, Zander Schloss, Pokey LaFarge, and Lauren Monroe (sharing drumming duties with Rick Allen of Def Leppard), among many others. Beth has served as drummer for acts on major tv shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live, James Corden, Steven Colbert, and a special episode of The Ellen Show hosted by Brandi Carlile. She has also appeared onscreen in the 2022 Miramax film “Confess, Fletch” and in Sara Bareillis’ series “Little Voice”. In 2025 Beth was a featured performer with the LA Philharmonic’s Green Umbrella Ensemble conducted by guest composer Daníel Bjarnason. Her film scoring credits include I Have It All (2026).

Beth is also a founding member of Tucson’s experimental trio SLANT CAN.

Beth plays Istanbul Agop Cymbals, C&C Drums, Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets, and Ludwig-Musser Marimbas.

**NADAV PELED :**

Nadav Peled’s diverse playing style has put him in high demand on both the New York and Los Angeles scenes.

He is equally at home playing with GRAMMY nominated jazz organist Brian Charette, R&B master Binky Griptite (Sharon Jones. Amy Winehouse) and Ethiopian music

legend Hailu Mergia. Peled has performed worldwide in top venues, festivals and live radio sessions including- RFI (French national radio) J-Wave (Japan) KEXP, WNYC, Womad music festival, SXSW, Cleveland Solstice Festival and many more. His music was featured on campaigns for Coca-Cola and United Airlines and also has contributed and recorded music for Apple+’s Lady in the Lake under musical director Bekon (Kendrick Lamar, Hozier)

As a leader, Nadav’s project Anbessa Orchestra, dedicated to the combining of Ethiopian music with Western elements, has been acclaimed as an integral part of the New York groove scene.

**THØGER LUND :**

Thøger Tetens Lund is a well-established full time bass player on the Tucson music scene. He is known for his big, warm tone, good time feel and melodic bass lines.

Thøger toured all over the world for almost two decades with the indie rock band Giant Sand and has played with music legends such as John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Raimundo Amador (flamenco superstar), KT Tunstall, Mark Lanegan and Madeleine Peyroux just to mention a few.

($20-$30 + DICE Fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows | 16+) Bassist Colin McIlrath and his sextet celebrate the life and music of Brian Blade, the drummer, composer, and bandleader behind the Fellowship Band. Colin McIlrath is a prolific bassist who has performed with the likes of Ethan Iverson, Sasha Berliner, Simon Moullier, Troy Roberts, etc. and is known nationally for being the Southern Arizona region’s top bassist for music with contemporary stylings and harmonic complexity. Like the original 1998 Fellowship lineup, this band features pedal steel, guitar, and two saxophones.

Eric Nakanishi (sax) Ryan Wheless (sax) Alex Oliverio (guitar) Bailey Zick (pedal steel) Colin McIlrath (bass) Kenji Lancaster (drums)

On Brian Blade & his music:

Brian Blade learned the drums by sitting in for his older brother in the band at Zion Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, where his father was pastor. At eighteen he moved to New Orleans to attend Loyola University and studied and played with Ellis Marsalis, Johnny Vidacovich, and Alvin Red Tyler. In 1992 he settled in New York and became a first-call drummer for Joshua Redman, Kenny Garrett, and Mark Turner. In 1997 he started a band of his own and named it the Fellowship. He spent more than two decades in the Wayne Shorter Quartet and has recorded or toured with Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Daniel Lanois, and Norah Jones. He is also a composer: the Fellowship catalog runs from its 1998 Blue Note debut to Kings Highway (2023), and in 2009 he released Mama Rosa, his first album as a singer-songwriter.

($30-$40 Tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows | 16+)

PRE SALE: 9/9/26
GENERAL ON SALE: 9/14/26

Emerging as one of the most compelling new voices in Jazz, Sarah Hanahan makes her Century Room debut with her uniquely dynamic and soulful style on alto saxophone.

Sarah Hanahan (alto saxophone)

Since her arrival on the scene, Hanahan has performed alongside an extraordinary range of jazz luminaries, including Jeff “Tain” Watts, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nicholas Payton, Peter Washington, and Joe Farnsworth. Her commanding tone, technical mastery, and melodic imagination have brought her to major stages across the U.S. and abroad, with regular appearances at premier New York venues such as Smalls Jazz Club, Dizzy’s Club, Birdland, and Smoke Jazz & Supper Club.

Her debut album, Among Giants (2024)—featuring Marc Cary, Nat Reeves, and Jeff “Tain” Watts—garnered widespread acclaim, earning a 5-star review and a place among DownBeat’s Top Albums of 2024. In 2025, Hanahan was named DownBeat’s #1 Rising Star Alto Saxophonist, affirming her status as one of the leading voices of her generation.

Whether leading her own quartet or collaborating with some of the music’s most revered artists, Sarah Hanahan plays with passion, precision, and an unwavering commitment to the evolution of jazz.

($30-$70 + DICE fees | 5pm & 7pm Sets | 16+) The Century Room is thrilled to welcome Rachael & Vilray for their debut performance in Tucson, AZ!

Since their formation in 2015, Brooklyn-based duo Rachael & Vilray have achieved a certain timeless quality with their singular take on traditional pop. Though rooted in the language of an earlier age, their songs transcend nostalgia with wit and a flair for the theatrical. On their third album West of Broadway, vocalist Rachael Price (also of Lake Street Dive) and guitarist/singer/songwriter Vilray evolve their music’s previous dreaminess to achieve a refreshing angularity built on left-of-center instrumentation (e.g., vibraphone and alto saxophone coasting above the moody strains of baritone sax and trombone). Produced by Dan Knobler (Allison Russell, Bahamas), West of Broadway unfolds in a series of sharply drawn vignettes inspired by a recent fascination with classic musicals—bringing their luminous vocals to offbeat tales of love and heartache along city streets.

Recorded at the legendary Sear Sound in Manhattan, West of Broadway took shape with the help of renowned musicians like saxophonist Steve Wilson (a former member of Chick Corea’s Origin sextet) and drummer John Riley (Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie). Over the course of 10 lush and effervescent tracks, the album delivers standouts like “Love Comes Around” (a joyously romantic piece that set the direction for the LP’s West Coast jazz-inspired aesthetic), “My Key to Gramercy Park” (a fantastically salty number narrated by a well-to-do character who lives in lonely suspicion of all those who covet their key to the notoriously exclusive private park), and “Off Broadway” (on which golden-voiced comedian Stephen Colbert joins in for what the duo dubs an “oddly grumpy anti-Broadway screed”). Thanks in large part to the colorful detail and extravagant personality of Rachael & Vilray’s storytelling, West of Broadway ultimately immerses the audience in an exquisitely out-of-time vision of their beloved New York City.

There is a strict 4 ticket limit per show. Additional orders exceeding the ticket limit may be canceled without notice. This includes orders associated with the same name, e-mail address, billing address, credit card number, and/or other information

($25-$35 + DICE Fees | 8:30pm Show | 16+) Internationally renowned jazz guitarist Peter Bernstein returns to The Century Room for a five night residency!

Peter Bernstein (guitar) Chris Peña (organ) Arthur Vint (drums)

Peter Bernstein was born in New York City in 1967. He has been playing and recording since 1990 when he first appeared on recordings with Lou Donaldson and the organ trio of Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart, a group still touring and recording today. That year, Peter was featured on Jim Hall’s JVC Jazz Festival concert at Town Hall. Peter played in Lou Donaldson’s group for 10 years as well as performing and recording with Joshua Redman’s group 1995-97. Other associations and collaborations include Jimmy Cobb, Dr. Lonnie Smith, David Fathead Newman, Brad Mehldau, Etta Jones, Melvin Rhyne, Diana Krall, Bobby Hutcherson, Lee Konitz, Nicholas Payton, George Coleman, and Sonny Rollins. Peter has played on festival, concert, and club stages all over the world and has appeared on over 300 recordings with 14 under his own name. These recordings have featured many of his own compositions as well as a trio recording of Thelonious Monk’s music and a live solo recording of standards and jazz classics. Peter’s recordings have featured musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Greg Hutchinson, Jimmy Cobb, Bill Stewart, Larry Grenadier, Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner, Peter Washington, Doug Weiss, and Joe Farnsworth among others. His latest recording on the Smoke Sessions label is “Better Angels”, and features Brad Mehldau, Vicente Archer, and Al Foster.

($30-$40 + DICE Fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows | 16+) Internationally renowned jazz guitarist Peter Bernstein returns to The Century Room for a five night residency!

Peter Bernstein (guitar) Angelo Versace (piano) Scott Black (bass) Arthur Vint (drums)

Peter Bernstein was born in New York City in 1967. He has been playing and recording since 1990 when he first appeared on recordings with Lou Donaldson and the organ trio of Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart, a group still touring and recording today. That year, Peter was featured on Jim Hall’s JVC Jazz Festival concert at Town Hall. Peter played in Lou Donaldson’s group for 10 years as well as performing and recording with Joshua Redman’s group 1995-97. Other associations and collaborations include Jimmy Cobb, Dr. Lonnie Smith, David Fathead Newman, Brad Mehldau, Etta Jones, Melvin Rhyne, Diana Krall, Bobby Hutcherson, Lee Konitz, Nicholas Payton, George Coleman, and Sonny Rollins. Peter has played on festival, concert, and club stages all over the world and has appeared on over 300 recordings with 14 under his own name. These recordings have featured many of his own compositions as well as a trio recording of Thelonious Monk’s music and a live solo recording of standards and jazz classics. Peter’s recordings have featured musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Greg Hutchinson, Jimmy Cobb, Bill Stewart, Larry Grenadier, Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner, Peter Washington, Doug Weiss, and Joe Farnsworth among others. His latest recording on the Smoke Sessions label is “Better Angels”, and features Brad Mehldau, Vicente Archer, and Al Foster.

($30-$40 + DICE Fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows | 16+) Internationally renowned jazz guitarist Peter Bernstein returns to The Century Room for a five night residency!

Peter Bernstein (guitar) Angelo Versace (piano) Colin McIlrath (bass) Arthur Vint (drums)

Peter Bernstein was born in New York City in 1967. He has been playing and recording since 1990 when he first appeared on recordings with Lou Donaldson and the organ trio of Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart, a group still touring and recording today. That year, Peter was featured on Jim Hall’s JVC Jazz Festival concert at Town Hall. Peter played in Lou Donaldson’s group for 10 years as well as performing and recording with Joshua Redman’s group 1995-97. Other associations and collaborations include Jimmy Cobb, Dr. Lonnie Smith, David Fathead Newman, Brad Mehldau, Etta Jones, Melvin Rhyne, Diana Krall, Bobby Hutcherson, Lee Konitz, Nicholas Payton, George Coleman, and Sonny Rollins. Peter has played on festival, concert, and club stages all over the world and has appeared on over 300 recordings with 14 under his own name. These recordings have featured many of his own compositions as well as a trio recording of Thelonious Monk’s music and a live solo recording of standards and jazz classics. Peter’s recordings have featured musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Greg Hutchinson, Jimmy Cobb, Bill Stewart, Larry Grenadier, Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner, Peter Washington, Doug Weiss, and Joe Farnsworth among others. His latest recording on the Smoke Sessions label is “Better Angels”, and features Brad Mehldau, Vicente Archer, and Al Foster.

($20-$30 Tickets + Ticket Fees | 4:30pm Matinee | 16+) Come down for a matinee with Diane and Lisa!

International touring artists Diane Van Deurzen & Lisa Otey are a dynamic duo, a perfect blend of hot jazz, sultry blues and boogie-woogie. They take their act to festivals, clubs and theatres around the world and are known for creating an atmosphere of intimacy with their humor and joyful interactions with the audience.

($10-$15 + DICE fees | 16+ | 6:30pm-9:30pm) Come sit in with multi-instrumentalist Max Goldschmid and the Century Room house band! Band opens up with a short set followed by an instrumental jam until 9:30pm. Guitarist Peter Bernstein joins the house band for the opening set.

Musicians who sit in get in free thanks to the Sonora Arts & Music Initiative!

($20-$30 tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Guitarist Peter Bernstein joins the University of Arizona’s Studio Jazz Ensemble for a fantastic evening of big band jazz!

STUDIO JAZZ ENSEMBLE

The U of A jazz program is overseen by Dr. Angelo Versace, and currently offers a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies.

At the moment there are two big bands – the Studio Jazz Ensemble (or SJE) and the Concert Jazz Band (or CJB)- as well as two small ensembles – the Fred Fox Jazz Ensemble and the UA Experiential Ensemble.

The program’s flagship groups, the Studio Jazz Ensemble and the UA Jazz Ambassador, have had numerous high profile performances to its credit, including two tours to China, a performance in the Yuma Village Jazz series, a performance as the invited showcase at the ABODA State Jazz Festival in Phoenix, two performances in Nogales, Mexico as part of a cultural exchange with the US State Department, and a performance in Las Cruces, New Mexico as part of the Onate Jazz Festival. Recent guest artists with the band include Terell Stafford, Joe Lovano, Gerald Clayton, Mike Moreno, Brian Lynch, Chris Potter, Joel Frahm, Tim Green, John Fedchock, Bobby Shew, Bill Watrous, Michael Davis, and Troy Roberts.

PETER BERNSTEIN

Peter Bernstein was born in New York City in 1967. He has been playing and recording since 1990 when he first appeared on recordings with Lou Donaldson and the organ trio of Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart, a group still touring and recording today. That year, Peter was featured on Jim Hall’s JVC Jazz Festival concert at Town Hall. Peter played in Lou Donaldson’s group for 10 years as well as performing and recording with Joshua Redman’s group 1995-97. Other associations and collaborations include Jimmy Cobb, Dr. Lonnie Smith, David Fathead Newman, Brad Mehldau, Etta Jones, Melvin Rhyne, Diana Krall, Bobby Hutcherson, Lee Konitz, Nicholas Payton, George Coleman, and Sonny Rollins. Peter has played on festival, concert, and club stages all over the world and has appeared on over 300 recordings with 14 under his own name. These recordings have featured many of his own compositions as well as a trio recording of Thelonious Monk’s music and a live solo recording of standards and jazz classics. Peter’s recordings have featured musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Greg Hutchinson, Jimmy Cobb, Bill Stewart, Larry Grenadier, Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner, Peter Washington, Doug Weiss, and Joe Farnsworth among others. His latest recording on the Smoke Sessions label is “Better Angels”, and features Brad Mehldau, Vicente Archer, and Al Foster.

($30-$40 Tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Bassist Brian Bromberg returns to the Century Room for a special two night residency with his Classic Jazz Quintet.

Brice Winston (sax) Jason Catder (trumpet) Tom Zink (piano) Brian Bromberg (bass) Charles Ruggiero (drums)

BRIAN BROMBERG

Born into a family of musicians in Tucson, Arizona, Brian Bromberg began his journey as a drummer at just two years old. By age 13, he was playing professionally and later discovered his passion for the bass in junior high. After years of dedicated practice, he caught the attention of jazz great Stan Getz, joining his quintet at 19 and touring the world.

Brian’s solo career began in 1986 with A New Day, followed by several successful albums, including Magic Rain and BASSically Speaking, which solidified his reputation as a virtuoso bassist and composer. He seamlessly blends genres, from straight-ahead jazz to smooth and funky grooves, gaining recognition for both his innovative bass techniques and captivating compositions.

His versatility shines across diverse projects like Thicker Than Water and the holiday-themed Celebrate Me Home, showcasing his ability to blend jazz, R&B, and Latin rhythms. With numerous chart-topping albums, Bromberg remains a dynamic force in jazz, continually pushing musical boundaries.

($30-$40 Tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Bassist Brian Bromberg returns to the Century Room for a special two night residency with his Classic Jazz Quintet.

Brice Winston (sax) Jason Catder (trumpet) Tom Zink (piano) Brian Bromberg (bass) Charles Ruggiero (drums)

BRIAN BROMBERG

Born into a family of musicians in Tucson, Arizona, Brian Bromberg began his journey as a drummer at just two years old. By age 13, he was playing professionally and later discovered his passion for the bass in junior high. After years of dedicated practice, he caught the attention of jazz great Stan Getz, joining his quintet at 19 and touring the world.

Brian’s solo career began in 1986 with A New Day, followed by several successful albums, including Magic Rain and BASSically Speaking, which solidified his reputation as a virtuoso bassist and composer. He seamlessly blends genres, from straight-ahead jazz to smooth and funky grooves, gaining recognition for both his innovative bass techniques and captivating compositions.

His versatility shines across diverse projects like Thicker Than Water and the holiday-themed Celebrate Me Home, showcasing his ability to blend jazz, R&B, and Latin rhythms. With numerous chart-topping albums, Bromberg remains a dynamic force in jazz, continually pushing musical boundaries.

($20-$30 Tickets + Ticket Fees | 4:30pm Matinee | 16+) By way of NYC, the award winning jazz trumpeter Austin Ford makes his debut performance at the Century Room in Tucson. Last fall, Ford won the most prestigious trumpet competition in existence today, the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Competition. In addition to this, he has been fortunate to perform at major NYC venues, doing over 70 shows on Broadway’s Just in Time and performing numerous times with the Village Vanguard Orchestra. The Austin Ford quintet, a virtuosic yet sensitive ensemble, specializes in reviving some of the best jazz music from the 50’s and 60’s while also incorporating exciting and fun originals of Austin’s. You are guaranteed to be in for a fun ride.

($25-$35 Tickets + Ticket Fees | 6:30 & 8pm Sets | 16+) By way of NYC, the award winning jazz trumpeter Austin Ford makes his debut performance at the Century Room in Tucson. Last fall, Ford won the most prestigious trumpet competition in existence today, the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Competition. In addition to this, he has been fortunate to perform at major NYC venues, doing over 70 shows on Broadway’s Just in Time and performing numerous times with the Village Vanguard Orchestra. The Austin Ford quintet, a virtuosic yet sensitive ensemble, specializes in reviving some of the best jazz music from the 50’s and 60’s while also incorporating exciting and fun originals of Austin’s. You are guaranteed to be in for a fun ride.

CENTURY JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Inspired by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the 17-piece Century Jazz Orchestra performs every Monday night at the Century Room. An intergenerational ensemble, the CJO fosters community with students, teachers and professionals performing alongside each other.

Expect music from the Count Basie Orchestra, Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Thad Jones/Mel Louis Jazz Orchestra, plus classics from Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and much more! Come relive the magic of the big band era every Monday as the CJO keeps the music alive and thriving in the 21st Century!

The Century Jazz Orchestra is a project of the Sonora Arts & Music Initiative 501(c)3. www.sonoraarts.org

The Century Jazz Orchestra is sponsored in part by Royal Land Rover Tucson. www.royallandrover.com

($20-$30 Tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows | 16+) Donny Hathaway was known for his deep, rich voice that brings solace to the soul, his original music, brilliant covers like “A Song For You”, and his prolific work with Roberta Flack, including “Where Is The Love” and their rendition of “The Closer I Get To You”. Growing up in Chicago at the height of the civil rights movement, Hathaway’s music drew on themes of living in the ghetto, freedom, love, and more.

Like many artists, Hathaway was gifted, but also troubled. Between 1973 and 1974, around the height of his career, Hathaway was repeatedly hospitalized and diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. In 1979, he fell from his New York hotel room window to his death at the age of 33. Much speculation surrounds his death, which was ultimately ruled a suicide.

Aria Ratcliff (vox) Jonathan Eldridge II (keys) Joshua Carruthers (drums) Rafe Centuori (bass) and Bubba Faz (percussion)

($25-$35 + DICE Fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows | 16+) Join Dmitri Matheny, Pete Swan, and their all-star band as they celebrate the classic jazz, blues and jump swing of American music icons Louis Armstrong, Louis Jordan, and Louis Prima.

“Heroes!” Matheny says. “What a thrill to immerse ourselves in the sound and spirit of these three legendary recording artists and popular entertainers, known for delighting audiences worldwide with virtuosity and verve. This show promises to be lively, fun, and full of surprises!”

The quintet will put a fresh spin on familiar favorites such as On The Sunny Side of the Street, I Wanna Be Like You, Jump, Jive & Wail, Let The Good Times Roll, What A Wonderful World, and more!

“An all-star jazz band featuring some of the most accomplished musicians in the western United States” (All About Jazz), the group is renowned for its crowd-pleasing performances of lyrical originals and timeless classics.

American flugelhornist Dmitri Matheny has been lauded as “one of the most emotionally expressive improvisers of his generation” (International Review of Music). An honors graduate of Berklee College of Music, Dmitri Matheny vaulted onto the jazz scene in the 1990s as the protégé of jazz legend Art Farmer. Since then he has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal international following, releasing twelve CDs and touring extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. The San Francisco Chronicle calls Matheny “one of the jazz world’s most talented horn players.”

Dmitri Matheny (flugelhorn), Brice Winston (tenor saxophone), Angelo Versace (piano), Scott Black (bass) and Pete Swan (drums).

(6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) A Tucson holiday tradition! Join Arthur Vint, Nick Manson & Scott Black for a live performance of Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the Century Room!

The classic album had a profound impact on jazz and pop culture by introducing a unique blend of jazz and Christmas music to a wider audience. Released in 1965, it helped popularize jazz among mainstream listeners and became synonymous with the holiday season. Guaraldi’s compositions, particularly “Linus and Lucy,” remain enduring classics.

This show is 16+, but children younger than 16 may be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All children 18 and under are 1/2 price!

(4:30pm, 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) A Tucson holiday tradition! Join Arthur Vint, Nick Manson & Scott Black for a live performance of Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the Century Room!

The classic album had a profound impact on jazz and pop culture by introducing a unique blend of jazz and Christmas music to a wider audience. Released in 1965, it helped popularize jazz among mainstream listeners and became synonymous with the holiday season. Guaraldi’s compositions, particularly “Linus and Lucy,” remain enduring classics.

This show is 16+, but children younger than 16 may be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All children 18 and under are 1/2 price!

(2:30pm, 4:30pm & 6:30pm Shows) A Tucson holiday tradition! Join Arthur Vint, Nick Manson & Scott Black for a live performance of Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the Century Room!

The classic album had a profound impact on jazz and pop culture by introducing a unique blend of jazz and Christmas music to a wider audience. Released in 1965, it helped popularize jazz among mainstream listeners and became synonymous with the holiday season. Guaraldi’s compositions, particularly “Linus and Lucy,” remain enduring classics.

This show is 16+, but children younger than 16 may be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All children 18 and under are 1/2 price!

(6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) A Century Room holiday tradition, the Century Jazz Orchestra will be playing Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s arrangement of The Nutcracker Suite plus other Ellington classics!

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE

The original cover for the 1960 big band album, “The Nutcracker Suite,” presented three people as the authors, all with equal font size and inhabiting the same line: “Ellington. Strayhorn. Tchaikovsky.” It was as if to announce a convergence of historical import, like a world summit or long-awaited crossover comic. This was not just any old Christmas album, that commercial phenomenon of repackaging holiday hits. By adapting Tchaikovsky’s score for jazz orchestra, Ellington was poised to both widen the appeal of his band and cement his status as a genius composer.

THE CENTURY JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Inspired by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the 17-piece Century Jazz Orchestra performs every Monday night at the Century Room starting at 6:30pm. Expect music from the Count Basie Orchestra, Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Thad Jones/Mel Louis Jazz Orchestra, plus classics from Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and much more! An intergenerational ensemble, the CJO fosters community with students, teachers and professionals performing alongside each other and is supported by the Sonora Arts & Music Initiative 501(c)3. Come relive the magic of the big band era every Monday as the CJO keeps the music alive and thriving in the 21st Century!

(6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) A Tucson holiday tradition! Join Arthur Vint, Angelo Versace & Scott Black for a live performance of Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the Century Room!

The classic album had a profound impact on jazz and pop culture by introducing a unique blend of jazz and Christmas music to a wider audience. Released in 1965, it helped popularize jazz among mainstream listeners and became synonymous with the holiday season. Guaraldi’s compositions, particularly “Linus and Lucy,” remain enduring classics.

This show is 16+, but children younger than 16 may be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All children 18 and under are 1/2 price!

(6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) A Tucson holiday tradition! Join Arthur Vint, Angelo Versace & Scott Black for a live performance of Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the Century Room!

The classic album had a profound impact on jazz and pop culture by introducing a unique blend of jazz and Christmas music to a wider audience. Released in 1965, it helped popularize jazz among mainstream listeners and became synonymous with the holiday season. Guaraldi’s compositions, particularly “Linus and Lucy,” remain enduring classics.

This show is 16+, but children younger than 16 may be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All children 18 and under are 1/2 price!

(6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) A Tucson holiday tradition! Join Arthur Vint, Angelo Versace & Scott Black for a live performance of Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the Century Room!

The classic album had a profound impact on jazz and pop culture by introducing a unique blend of jazz and Christmas music to a wider audience. Released in 1965, it helped popularize jazz among mainstream listeners and became synonymous with the holiday season. Guaraldi’s compositions, particularly “Linus and Lucy,” remain enduring classics.

This show is 16+, but children younger than 16 may be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All children 18 and under are 1/2 price!

(4:30pm, 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) A Tucson holiday tradition! Join Arthur Vint, Angelo Versace & Scott Black for a live performance of Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the Century Room!

The classic album had a profound impact on jazz and pop culture by introducing a unique blend of jazz and Christmas music to a wider audience. Released in 1965, it helped popularize jazz among mainstream listeners and became synonymous with the holiday season. Guaraldi’s compositions, particularly “Linus and Lucy,” remain enduring classics.

This show is 16+, but children younger than 16 may be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All children 18 and under are 1/2 price!

(4:30pm, 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) A Tucson holiday tradition! Join Arthur Vint, Angelo Versace & Scott Black for a live performance of Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the Century Room!

The classic album had a profound impact on jazz and pop culture by introducing a unique blend of jazz and Christmas music to a wider audience. Released in 1965, it helped popularize jazz among mainstream listeners and became synonymous with the holiday season. Guaraldi’s compositions, particularly “Linus and Lucy,” remain enduring classics.

This show is 16+, but children younger than 16 may be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All children 18 and under are 1/2 price!

(2:30, 4:30pm & 6:30pm Shows) A Tucson holiday tradition! Join Arthur Vint, Angelo Versace & Scott Black for a live performance of Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the Century Room!

The classic album had a profound impact on jazz and pop culture by introducing a unique blend of jazz and Christmas music to a wider audience. Released in 1965, it helped popularize jazz among mainstream listeners and became synonymous with the holiday season. Guaraldi’s compositions, particularly “Linus and Lucy,” remain enduring classics.

This show is 16+, but children younger than 16 may be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All children 18 and under are 1/2 price!

(6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) A Century Room holiday tradition, the Century Jazz Orchestra will be playing Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s arrangement of The Nutcracker Suite plus other Ellington classics!

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE

The original cover for the 1960 big band album, “The Nutcracker Suite,” presented three people as the authors, all with equal font size and inhabiting the same line: “Ellington. Strayhorn. Tchaikovsky.” It was as if to announce a convergence of historical import, like a world summit or long-awaited crossover comic. This was not just any old Christmas album, that commercial phenomenon of repackaging holiday hits. By adapting Tchaikovsky’s score for jazz orchestra, Ellington was poised to both widen the appeal of his band and cement his status as a genius composer.

THE CENTURY JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Inspired by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the 17-piece Century Jazz Orchestra performs every Monday night at the Century Room starting at 6:30pm. Expect music from the Count Basie Orchestra, Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Thad Jones/Mel Louis Jazz Orchestra, plus classics from Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and much more! An intergenerational ensemble, the CJO fosters community with students, teachers and professionals performing alongside each other and is supported by the Sonora Arts & Music Initiative 501(c)3. Come relive the magic of the big band era every Monday as the CJO keeps the music alive and thriving in the 21st Century!

(6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) A Century Room holiday tradition, the Century Jazz Orchestra will be playing Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s arrangement of The Nutcracker Suite plus other Ellington classics!

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE

The original cover for the 1960 big band album, “The Nutcracker Suite,” presented three people as the authors, all with equal font size and inhabiting the same line: “Ellington. Strayhorn. Tchaikovsky.” It was as if to announce a convergence of historical import, like a world summit or long-awaited crossover comic. This was not just any old Christmas album, that commercial phenomenon of repackaging holiday hits. By adapting Tchaikovsky’s score for jazz orchestra, Ellington was poised to both widen the appeal of his band and cement his status as a genius composer.

THE CENTURY JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Inspired by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the 17-piece Century Jazz Orchestra performs every Monday night at the Century Room starting at 6:30pm. Expect music from the Count Basie Orchestra, Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Thad Jones/Mel Louis Jazz Orchestra, plus classics from Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and much more! An intergenerational ensemble, the CJO fosters community with students, teachers and professionals performing alongside each other and is supported by the Sonora Arts & Music Initiative 501(c)3. Come relive the magic of the big band era every Monday as the CJO keeps the music alive and thriving in the 21st Century!

($20-$30 Tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) This December, vocalist Felíz Torralba returns to the Century Room for a holiday performance that blends jazz sophistication with Latin warmth. Feliz Navidad is a curated, 70-minute concert that reimagines classic Christmas songs and seasonal favorites through elegant arrangements and cinematic textures.

With her signature blend of intimacy and style, Felíz invites listeners into a space of connection and nostalgia — where bossa nova meets winter glow, and every song feels like a toast to the season.

Featuring an exceptional ensemble of Tucson’s finest musicians — Max Goldschmid (piano), Jeremy Anderson(trumpet), Matt Mitchell (guitar), Anteo Fabris (drums), and Thøger Tetens Lund (bass) — the evening promises to be a luminous celebration of live music, warmth, and timeless beauty.

A captivating jazz vocalist known for her soulful tone and refined storytelling, Felíz Torralba has become a leading voice in Tucson’s jazz scene. Her performances draw on a deep love of Latin rhythm, classic jazz, and cinematic mood, creating intimate experiences that feel both timeless and personal. Whether fronting a small ensemble or performing on a grand stage, Felíz brings elegance, authenticity, and emotional depth to every note.

(Musicians Can Come Sit In | 6:30pm & 8:30pm) Trumpeter Max Goldschmid leads our annual Jazz Jam Before Christmas! House band opens up with a short set followed by an instrumental jam. We are doing TWO SEATINGS this year, so we will turn the house after 75 minutes of music. Musicians who sit in get in free!

($35-$45 + Ticket Fees | 4:30pm, 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Few traditions in jazz are as thrilling as the great saxophone “cutting contest”—two master improvisers pushing one another to greater heights through artistry, creativity, and swing. For more than two decades, alto saxophonist Vincent Herring and tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander have transformed that tradition into one of modern jazz’s most celebrated musical conversations. Their acclaimed recordings The Battle, Friendly Fire, and the recent Split Decision capture two virtuosos whose mutual respect fuels performances of extraordinary intensity, spontaneity, and joy.

Both artists stand among the foremost hard-bop musicians of their generation. Herring’s distinguished career includes collaborations with Nat Adderley, Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Cedar Walton, and Dizzy Gillespie, along with a GRAMMY® Award as a member of the Mingus Big Band. Alexander, hailed for his commanding tenor sound and remarkable improvisational command, has long been recognized as one of jazz’s leading saxophonists, with an extensive discography as both leader and collaborator. Joined by a world-class rhythm section, they create an evening where every chorus raises the stakes—not in pursuit of victory, but in celebration of the enduring spirit of straight-ahead jazz. For fans who love fiery improvisation, deep swing, and musicians meeting at the highest level, The Battle delivers exactly what its name promises.

*”This is one of those ‘Wish you were there’ live recordings that oozes with the juices of a rollicking jazz club showdown.” – DownBeat*

**Part of the TJF2027 Downtown Jazz Hop:** Catch a set, explore downtown Tucson, grab dinner or a drink, then hop to another concert as four unique venues, TOPAZZ restaurants and bars, and live jazz throughout downtown come together for one unforgettable opening night.

($20-$30 + Ticket Fees | 10:30pm Show | 21+) After the eveing concerts, stop by the Century Room for the offical Tucson Jazz Festival afterparty! You never know who will show up and sit in at the TJF Late Night!

($35-$45 + Ticket Fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Baltimore-born trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Brandon Woody brings one of the most compelling new voices in contemporary jazz to The Century Room. Rooted in the lineage of Black music—from jazz and gospel to improvisation and beyond—Woody has built a deeply personal sound around themes of love, resilience, and community. In 2024, he signed with Blue Note Records, joining one of jazz’s most storied labels, and released his acclaimed debut For The Love Of It All with his longtime band Upendo in 2025.

Woody’s playing balances warmth, urgency, and striking control. DownBeat praised his “rich and expressive” tone, while the Financial Times heard a range extending “from gentle lyricism to swaggering virtuosity.” His collaborations with artists including Terri Lyne Carrington, Robert Glasper, Danilo Pérez, Marcus Gilmore, and Solange reflect both his jazz credentials and his reach across today’s broader creative culture.

At The Century Room, Woody offers the kind of intimate setting that suits his music perfectly: close enough to hear every shift in tone, every rhythmic turn, and every conversation inside the band. This is modern jazz with deep roots, clear purpose, and the energy of an artist fully arriving on his own terms.

“Staggeringly self-assured… radiating warmth, purpose, and a sense of place.”
— The Washington Post

($20-$30 + Ticket Fees | 10:30pm Show | 21+) After the eveing concerts, stop by the Century Room for the offical Tucson Jazz Festival afterparty! You never know who will show up and sit in at the TJF Late Night!

($35-$45 + Ticket Fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Drummer Dave Potter and Retro Groove invite audiences on a joyful journey through the soundtrack of the 1980s, transforming beloved pop hits into vibrant, swinging jazz. Inspired by Potter’s acclaimed album Retro Groove 2, this high-energy performance reimagines classics by artists including Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Prince, Toto, Paula Abdul, The Doobie Brothers, Rush, and more through inventive arrangements that are both nostalgic and unmistakably fresh.

Leading the ensemble is Potter, an acclaimed drummer whose career has included performances with Marcus Roberts, Eric Reed, Greg Tardy, and the Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet. Joining him is NEA Jazz Master Jason Marsalis, one of today’s foremost vibraphonists and a member of New Orleans’ legendary first family of jazz. The all-star quintet is rounded out by University of Arizona Director of Jazz Studies Angelo Versace on piano, acclaimed saxophonist Miguel Alvarado, and bassist Rob “El Tón” Linton, creating a band whose collective artistry matches its infectious sense of fun.

At The Century Room, familiar melodies meet fearless improvisation, irresistible grooves, and joyful musical conversation. Whether you grew up with these songs or are discovering them through a jazz lens for the first time, Retro Groove delivers an evening that is equal parts celebration, virtuosity, and pure fun.

($20-$30 + Ticket Fees | 10:30pm Show | 21+) After the eveing concerts, stop by the Century Room for the offical Tucson Jazz Festival afterparty! You never know who will show up and sit in at the TJF Late Night!

($35-$45 + Ticket Fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) GRAMMY®-nominated trumpeter, vocalist, composer, and producer Keyon Harrold joins Tucson’s acclaimed Century Jazz Orchestra for a special one-night-only collaboration celebrating the power and excitement of the modern jazz orchestra. Hailed by Wynton Marsalis as “the future of the trumpet,” Harrold first gained international recognition as the trumpet voice behind the GRAMMY® Award-winning film Miles Ahead before establishing himself as one of today’s most compelling artists through his acclaimed recordings The Mugicianand the GRAMMY®-nominated Foreverland. His unmistakable sound—rooted in jazz while embracing soul, Afrobeat, hip-hop, blues, and R&B—has made him one of the defining trumpet voices of his generation

Inspired by New York’s legendary Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the 17-piece Century Jazz Orchestra has become one of Tucson’s premier large jazz ensembles, bringing together the region’s finest professional musicians, educators, and rising artists in performances that honor the great traditions of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Thad Jones while embracing contemporary voices.

Together, Harrold and the Century Jazz Orchestra create a rare concert experience that combines the power of a full jazz orchestra with the artistry of one of contemporary jazz’s most influential soloists. Expect soaring trumpet work, rich orchestral textures, and fearless improvisation in an evening that bridges the great big band tradition with the sound of jazz today.

“Keyon Harrold is the future of the trumpet.”
— Wynton Marsalis

“…a scorching trumpeter…”
— The New York Times

($45-$55 + Ticket Fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) GRAMMY®-nominated trumpeter, vocalist, composer, and producer Keyon Harrold has emerged as one of the defining voices in contemporary jazz, creating music that seamlessly bridges jazz, soul, hip-hop, Afrobeat, blues, and R&B. Heralded by Wynton Marsalis as “the future of the trumpet,” Harrold first gained international acclaim as the trumpet voice behind Don Cheadle’s GRAMMY® Award-winning film Miles Ahead. His acclaimed recordings, including The Mugician and the GRAMMY®-nominated Foreverland, showcase an artist whose warm, unmistakable trumpet sound and emotionally charged compositions continue to expand the possibilities of modern jazz.

Equally at home leading his own band or collaborating with artists across musical genres, Harrold has worked with everyone from Robert Glasper, Common, PJ Morton, and Laura Mvula to Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, Keith Richards, and Diana Ross. His performances are rooted in jazz while drawing naturally from the broader spectrum of Black American music, creating concerts that are adventurous, soulful, and deeply personal. At The Century Room, audiences can expect a band that moves effortlessly between powerful improvisation, infectious grooves, and lyrical storytelling—an intimate performance from one of today’s most compelling and forward-looking trumpeters.

“Keyon Harrold is the future of the trumpet.”

— Wynton Marsalis

“A scorching trumpeter…”

— The New York Times

($45-$55 + Ticket Fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Five-time GRAMMY®-nominated pianist and Steinway Artist Christian Sands brings his acclaimed trio to The Century Room for an evening of fearless creativity and masterful swing. Widely regarded as one of the defining pianists of his generation, Sands draws effortlessly from stride, bebop, gospel, Afro-Cuban rhythms, classical music, and modern jazz, creating performances that honor the tradition while constantly moving it forward. As bassist Christian McBride observed, Sands possesses “the drive, passion and skill” of jazz’s very best—a musician committed only to becoming “the best musician he can possibly be.”

From appearances with Wynton Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Yo-Yo Ma, Terence Blanchard, and Christian McBride to residencies at the Monterey Jazz Festival and acclaimed recordings for Mack Avenue Records, Sands has established himself as one of today’s most compelling artistic voices. His latest album, Embracing Dawn, continues that evolution, blending lyrical storytelling, rich orchestration, and adventurous improvisation into a deeply personal musical statement.

In the intimate setting of The Century Room, Sands’ extraordinary touch, rhythmic imagination, and expressive range come fully alive. Whether exploring a timeless standard or an original composition, he transforms every performance into a conversation between tradition and innovation—one filled with elegance, spontaneity, and unforgettable musical discovery.

“…Christian Sands plays with a restrained touch and a rolling command across the entire keyboard.”
— The New York Times

($35-$45 + Ticket Fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Few artists in jazz today move as effortlessly between instrumental virtuosity and vocal artistry as Camille Thurman. A commanding tenor saxophonist, expressive vocalist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, Thurman has emerged as one of the defining voices of her generation, honoring the jazz tradition while expanding its possibilities. Equally compelling whether delivering a soulful ballad, an adventurous improvisation, or dazzling scat vocals, she brings remarkable versatility and unmistakable joy to every performance.

A New York City native, Thurman made history as the first woman in more than 30 years to tour full-time with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra under Wynton Marsalis, performing on stages across four continents. Alongside appearances with artists including Kenny Barron, Dianne Reeves, Roy Haynes, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Batiste, Diana Krall, and George Coleman, she has earned acclaim as both a fearless improviser and a gifted storyteller. Her rich tenor sound has drawn comparisons to Joe Henderson and Dexter Gordon, while her vocal artistry recalls the spirit of Ella Fitzgerald and Betty Carter.

At The Century Room, audiences will experience Thurman in the intimate club setting where her musical personality shines brightest. Expect a performance that moves effortlessly between swinging standards, original compositions, heartfelt vocals, and exhilarating saxophone improvisation—equal parts tradition, spontaneity, and modern expression. Whether you’re a devoted jazz listener or discovering the music for the first time, Camille Thurman offers the rare combination of technical brilliance, emotional depth, and infectious stage presence that makes every performance unforgettable.

“You’re hard pressed to find rising talents more exciting than Camille Thurman, whose sound is as commodious and strong as Hank Mobley’s.”
— The New York Times

($20-$30 + Ticket Fees | 10:30pm Show | 21+) After the eveing concerts, stop by the Century Room for the offical Tucson Jazz Festival afterparty! You never know who will show up and sit in at the TJF Late Night!

($45-$55 + Ticket Fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning vocalist, pianist, songwriter, arranger, and producer Nicole Zuraitis is redefining the art of the jazz singer. Celebrated for her radiant voice, masterful piano playing, and deeply personal songwriting, Zuraitis has emerged as one of the most original creative voices in contemporary jazz. Her GRAMMY® Award-winning album How Love Begins, produced by Christian McBride, made history as the first recipient of the Best Jazz Vocal Album award written and arranged entirely by the winning artist. Since then, her career has continued its remarkable ascent with multiple GRAMMY® nominations, acclaimed performances at Newport Jazz Festival, Tanglewood, and Birdland, and the release of Live at Vic’s Las Vegasand The Devil I Knew, further establishing her as one of jazz’s most compelling musical storytellers.

Whether interpreting beloved standards or performing her acclaimed original compositions, Zuraitis brings warmth, wit, remarkable musicianship, and infectious joy to every performance. Equally accomplished as a pianist, vocalist, and arranger, she creates concerts that feel both sophisticated and deeply personal, blending dazzling musicianship with heartfelt storytelling. At the Century Room, audiences will experience an artist whose music celebrates connection, creativity, and the evolving tradition of jazz through what she proudly calls the Modern Songbook.

“Supreme talent… a first-rate songwriter, powerhouse vocalist, and grade A pianist!”

— All About Jazz

“The multi-talented Zuraitis soars!”

— Will Friedwald, The New York Sun

($20-$30 + Ticket Fees | 10:30pm Show | 21+) After the eveing concerts, stop by the Century Room for the offical Tucson Jazz Festival afterparty! You never know who will show up and sit in at the TJF Late Night!

($45-$55 + Ticket Fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana has emerged as one of the defining tenor saxophone voices of her generation. Born in Santiago, Chile, and now based in New York, Aldana first captured the jazz world’s attention when she became the first female instrumentalist and first South American to win the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Since then, her deeply personal approach to composition and improvisation has established her as one of contemporary jazz’s most compelling artists, earning widespread acclaim for her Blue Note recordings 12 Stars and Echoes of the Inner Prophet.

Drawing inspiration from masters including Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, and Mark Turner while forging an unmistakably original voice, Aldana creates music that is lyrical, adventurous, and emotionally resonant. Her quintet performances balance fearless improvisation with thoughtful storytelling, revealing an artist equally committed to tradition and discovery. At the Century Room, audiences will experience the intimacy, nuance, and expressive depth that have made Aldana one of today’s most respected bandleaders—a rare opportunity to hear a major voice in modern jazz in one of the country’s premier listening rooms.

“You’re hard pressed to find rising talents more exciting than Melissa Aldana.”

— The New York Times

“A confident lyricism… one of the more refreshing voices currently working in jazz.”

— JazzTimes

($20-$30 + Ticket Fees | 10:30pm Show | 21+) After the eveing concerts, stop by the Century Room for the offical Tucson Jazz Festival afterparty! You never know who will show up and sit in at the TJF Late Night!

($30-$40 Tickets + ticket fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows | 16+) The celebrated jazz vocalist explores the legacy of one of the greatest American voices of all time.

For internationally renowned jazz singer José James, this project is fate. In 2016, James wascalled by Universal Pictures to perform Sinatra’s version of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” forthe blockbuster film 50 Shades Darker. James—a devoted student of Sinatra—accepted the role and soon found himself in the hallowed halls of Capitol’s Studio B, behind the very microphone Sinatra used to record his most celebrated catalog for Capitol Records.

“It was a huge honor and a surprise,” remembers James. “There was a moment where engineer Al Schmitt brought out the famous Neumann U47, including the wooden box it lives in. On that box, written in black Sharpie in all caps, was just one word—FRANK. Sinatra was letting everyone know that this was his house and anyone who dared to scale the heights of his mountaintop had better be prepared.”

James rose to the challenge, performing that song onscreen in the film and recording another Sinatra classic, “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” for the official movie soundtrack. Following that release, James has been in high demand, performing at the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival for both a Frank Sinatra tribute with the Count Basie Orchestra as well as with theChristian McBride Big Band. He also performed with Laura Mvula alongside the Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth Symphony Orchestras, and has been a featured performer with the Jazz at Lincoln Center, Royal Concertgebouw, and Metropole Orchestras.

In September 2026, James will release his 14th studio album The Best Is Yet to Come, a groundbreaking reexamination of one of America’s greatest voices from the most exciting male jazz singer of the moment. For James, this project is a reclamation—both live and on record—of Sinatra’s brilliance as a jazz singer, a rhythmic improviser from the schools of Billie Holiday and Tommy Dorsey. With big band arrangements by the legendary John Clayton, this is no mere nostalgia trip, but a deeper look into the craft and mastery of the Chairman of the Board.

“Catch up with José James now because he’s a rarity—an artist evolving at warp speed.” —NPR All Things Considered

“[James] sounds like the result of the black-pop continuum, jazz and soul and hip-hop and R&B, slow-cooked for more than 50 years.”

—The New York Times

“Is José James a jazz singer or a soul singer? Old school or new school? A guardian of tradition or a seeker of thrills? Yes, yes and yes.”

—Los Angeles Times

“[James has] always been one to try stuff out… he finds a way to make an eclectic approach feel unified and whole.”

—Pitchfork