MADISON JAZZ JAM SUMMER SHOWCASE WITH JORDAN KOWALSKI.  Madison Jazz Society Summer Showcase and Jam series will feature The Jordan Kowalski Trio in a showcase concert set from 6 to 7 pm and followed by an open jazz jam from 7-9pm.  The trio includes Kowalski, drums; Peter Mathistad, sax and Isaac Surprenant, bass.  COPA Madison www.copamadison.com is currently in the incubator[...]

TOMATO BOX.  Behind the Beat presents Tomato Box, formed by drummer Michael Brenneis to explore the fringes of Jazz and free music, always with the goal of developing something unique.  Expanding to a sextet, the group includes new members Tony Barba on tenor saxophone and clarinet, Jamie Kember on trombone, and Paul Hastil on piano. Brad Townsend returns on bass[...]

JAZZ AT SEQUOYA – MAX BROWN QUINTET.  Trombonist Max Brown leads this group of talented young musicians featuring Peter Mathistad (Tenor), Lance Letellier (Piano), Aden Stier (Bass), and Jordan Kowalski  (Drums), who are all active in the Madison jazz scene. Their set will focus on Jazz Messengers’ tunes, hard bop and post-bop.  Sequoya Public Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd.  2pm.  Free[...]

KENNY REICHERT 4TET ALBUM RELEASE.  Chicago-based guitarist, composer, bandleader, and educator Kenny Reichert has been described as “a distinctive player and composer” by DownBeat Magazine and “accomplished” by Textura. This concert celebrates Reichert’s new album, Switch, released on June 7 on Calligram Records. The quartet features Lenard Simpson (alto saxophone), Ethan Philion (upright bass), and Devin Drobka (drums and cymbals).  North[...]

JOHN CHRISTENSEN:  ALBUM RELEASE PARTY.  Christensen will be joined by Tony Barba, saxophone; Matt Gold, guitar; Joshua Catania, piano and Chicago drummer extraordinaire Neil Hemphill for a special album release party for John’s second release, SOFT ROCK. The rootsy, instrumental stadium jazz hits are bound to rile up the most seasoned conceptual thinker and straight-shoot the picking-star dancer to realms[...]

JAZZ AT FIVE:  HEIRLOOM & JOHN CHRISTENSEN QUINTET.  Milwaukee’s Heirloom will open the second Jazz at Five concert, featuring guitarist, composer Ben Dameron; drummer Hannah Johnson; saxophonist, composer Rufus Parenti; pianist Johannes Wallmann and bassist Leo Buczkowski.  The second set will feature the John Christensen Quintet featuring Christensen on bass; Tony Barba, saxophone; Matt Gold, guitar; Jason Kutz, piano and[...]

NORTH STREET JAZZ JAM FEATURING JORDAN KOWALSKI.  The jam is created to celebrate and explore jazz. They welcome all of it: the standards, the improvised, the free, and the tangential genres: Bossa, R&B, Funk, Folk, Rap.   House band is Feestet, featuring Helen Feest, vocals; Anthony Utehs, guitar; Ari Smith, bass; Frank McKearn IV, trumpet; Greg Riss, percussion and Jack Johnson,[...]

MATT BLAIR.  The music that will be premiered is a culmination of many of the interests that pianist Blair has focused on during his graduate work, namely exploring the intersections between composition, improvisation, field recording, and computer music. Blair will perform with Will Greene (saxophone), Jakob Heinemann (bass), and Devin Drobka (drums).  Arts+Literature Laboratory, 111 S. Livingston St.  8pm.  Free[...]

DOUG WHITE – TOM GULLION – DAVE COOPER – MARK URNESS – DANE RICHESON QUINTET.  Among the finest jazz musicians in the Upper Midwest, Lawrence University faculty members Urness (bass) and Richeson (percussion) and Viroqua-based reedman Gullion join Madison-based trumpeter Cooper and pianist-composer White for this happy hour concert. Café CODA, 1224 Williamson Street, 5pm.  Free event.

THE SESSIONS AT MCPIKE PARK. The Sessions at McPike Park are free events that benefit 7 non-profits in the community. Although not a jazz-centric festival, they will feature Panchromatic Steel with Andy Narell at 5pm and the very exciting, multi-genre African group, Mokoomba  at 6:45 & 8pm both on Thursday, 8/8; Gerri DiMaggio at 6pm & 7:45pm on Friday, 8/9;[...]