centro

FAITH HATCH & MARK SORIANO
2025-10-11 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | bar centro, 804 E. Center St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53212
Come join Faith Hatch and Mark Soriano for a night you won’t forget. Hear them bring your favorite songs to light in a whole new way! The duo will curate a setlist with a little something for everyone and guarantee you will leave wanting more.

Jazzy Joan Presents: Jazz from the UK
2025-10-16 19:00 - 23:30
Jazzy Joan welcomes you to this month’s recorded jazz show featuring current-day jazz artists from the UK. The growing jazz scene in London is experiencing what is known as the “British Jazz Explosion” and we’ll be hearing some of the artists pulling the trigger: Zoe Rahman, Mark Kavuma and Camilla George, to name a few. This music is fresh and often draws rhythms from other lands in exciting ways. The London jazz scene IS explodingl! Joan introduces her show starting at 7:00. Get there early for the hang. No cover
Joan introduces her jazz show at 7:00, so get there early! No cover.

WILLIAM TONEY
2025-10-17 20:00 - 22:00
Step into an unforgettable evening of music as vocalist William Toney brings his signature smoove soul sound, along with his band featuring Tael Estramera, George Ballesteros, Ben Skrade, Yanni Chudnow, Isaac Repinski, and Eddy Magallanes to the intimate setting of Bar Centro. With a voice that flows like velvet and stirs the soul, William weaves together rich threads of jazz, blues, soul, & funk into a timeless musical tapestry

MJI PRESENTS: GEOF BRADFIELD QUINTET
2025-10-18 20:00 - 22:30
Chicago-based saxophonist Geof Bradfield leads a quintet featuring music from his recent release Colossal Abundance.

DOVEKEEPER and TONE POEM
2025-10-23 20:00 - 22:00
DOVEKEEPER

Milwaukee musician Yonat Piva is a singer-songwriter guitarist who performs under the stage name Dovekeeper. Her songs vary from introspective 70s AM radio acoustic guitar tracks to bluesy, funky contemporary rockers.
TONE POEM

Powerful and poetic. Engaging, relaxed and relevant to our times. Tone Poem singer songwriters; Sarah Moore and of Tone Poem offer a deep and inspiring musical experience.

ETHAN PHILION QUARTET
2025-10-24 20:00 - 22:00
Ethan Philion Quartet feat. Ben Dameron, Millie Ahearn, and Jayden Richardson.

The Ethan Philion Quartet will perform two sets of original music featuring sparkling group improvisation and daring compositions. The quartet features Milwaukee guitarist Ben Dameron (a frequent Bar Centro bandleader himself) as well as renowned Chicagoans Millie Ahearn and Jayden Richardson. The group will perform new works as well as Philion’s compositions from his 2023 quartet album, Gnosis, which has been met with critical praise including from Michael Chacona at All About Jazz who awarded it 4 Stars and described it as “burning with ardor.” Downbeat Magazine gave Gnosis 4 stars and praised the group’s “deep listening” and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung praised the group for offering “the best of jazz to come.”
Philion’s debut album, Meditations on Mingus, received widespread praise from Downbeat, JAZZIZ, Jazzwise, and the project was featured as a headlining act for the 2022 Chicago Jazz Festival. Philion was one of the 2022 Jazz Institute of Chicago’s New Works Fresh Voices Fellowship recipients and has won fellowships with Luminarts and Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead. He was also the winner of the 2019 International Society of Bassists Jazz Competition.
Ben Dameron is a sought after performer, composer and pedagogue based in Milwaukee, WI. He currently performs in his group Badland as well as Heirloom, Match Stick and Cream City Hotclub, and resides on the guitar faculty at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.
Millie Ahearn is a creative and forward-thinking musician in the Chicago music scene. She blends her dynamic bandleading and compositional flair with a commitment to mentorship and community building, directing her musical voice in all channels towards social change. Her music houses the experiences of a transgender musician navigating expressions of queerness through jazz, focusing largely on transformation and the coming of the self into new life. As a sidewoman, Millie has had the fortune to perform with various high-profile musicians, including Martha & the Vandellas and members of The Temptations, The Four Tops, and The Platters.
Drummer Jayden Richardson has appeared at esteemed venues and festivals worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, the Harris Theatre, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Le Duc des Lombards in Paris. His festival credits include the Atlanta, Detroit, and Chicago Jazz Festivals, among others. He has shared the stage with some of the defining voices in modern music, including Marcus Roberts, Rufus Reid, Isaiah Collier, Etienne Charles, and Steve Wilson.

THE MUSIC of HERBIE HANCOCK - Tael Estremera Trio
2025-10-25 20:00 - 22:00
Tael Estremera is a multi-instrumentalist based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He’s been a musician for over a decade and has been in the Milwaukee jazz scene for a handful of years playing at various venues.
Doors at 7

BELLA JOAN - jazz singer/songwriter
2025-10-30 20:00 - 22:00
Bella Joan is a dynamic jazz singer/songwriter who weaves jazz, soul, blues, and R&B into a sound that swings while both dreamy and bold. Born in Milwaukee, WI, and later raised in Vermont’s Green Mountains, she grew up in a musical family and started singing and songwriting in handmade books at an early age, revealing her natural ear and spontaneity.
Her voice moves like a spell- smooth, soulful, silky, scat, raw emotion, and fearless improvisation. Fronting her band, formerly known as Bella and The Notables, she brings fire to the stage and depth to every note. As a board-certified music therapist, she sees music as both ritual and remedy.
Her debut album, Bella Joan, recorded at the iconic Tank Studio and arranged/co-produced by Sam Atallah, is a vivid portrait and genre-blending journey rooted in jazz and reaching for the cosmic, raw and real, with fire and grace.
In October 2025, Bella has a mini album tour with shows featuring standards and originals. Shows are booked in New Orleans, Louisiana (at 30/-90 and The AllWays Cabaret Lounge & Cabaret) with the Bob Gagnon Quartet (Steve Sawyer, Josh Smith, Norbert Susemihl), in Montreal, Quebec (at La Petite Marche) with Bob Gagnon and Rob Duguay, in Burlington, Vermont (at The 126) with Bob Gagnon, Tom Teare, and Brent Thomas, and in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (at Bar Centro) with Keith Johnson and Aaron Johnson.

HALLOWEEN BASH - no cover-drink specials
2025-10-31 20:00 - 23:30
doors at 8
no cover

SOUND EXCHANGE
2025-11-01 20:00 - 22:00
Sound Exchange is a collaborative effort led by artists Sam Kacala and Mark J Soriano that gives the audience a look into the process of performance. Each show features a cast of local artists from various mediums to highlight their creativity and the value of the spaces that hold it. Joining Sam Kacala and Mark J Soriano will be Jeff Zimpel; an interdisciplinary former artist-in-residence at Saint Kate-The Arts Hotel, Dan Kimpel; music journalist and author, and Pete Geraci; saxophonist.

Sam Kacala explains, “It can be seen more as acts of a play featuring its actors and supporting roles, as opposed to sets of music.” It is, per the series’ subtitle, the process of performance (including rehearsal) that Sound Exchange‘s musician actors will enact.

JAZZ JAM - every 1st Thursday - no cover + drink specials
2025-11-06 20:30 - 23:30, 2025-12-04 20:30 - 23:30
doors at 7 / no cover

FLEX TRIO
2025-11-07 20:00 - 22:00
Formed in 2020, FLEX TRIO is composed of three of Chicago’s finest improvisers: saxophonist Chris Madsen, drummer Neil Hemphill, and two-time Grammy-award-winning bassist Clark Sommers. The group interprets songs within and outside of the jazz canon, putting their original stamp on works by Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, and Jimmy Webb, to name a few. To this end, their debut album Facets of Form (released February 2024) finds the musicians exploring both well-known and more obscure material. FLEX trio has performed extensively in the Chicago area at many venues and has held several residencies at Dorian’s Speakeasy.

The GIL Jazz Combo
2025-11-08 20:00 - 22:00
Joel Lehman; band leader, trumpet, and vocals
Joel Lehman has played throughout Milwaukee since moving to town in 2018. His voice and collection of unique Monette trumpets bring new life to the standards and his story telling carries the audience along for the ride.
DOORS AT 7

JAZZ GUITAR SPOTLIGHT - Neil Davis & Steve Peplin
2025-11-13 19:00 - 22:00
bar centro introduces; JAZZ GUITAR SPOTLIGHT beginning this month and running every second Thursday of the month through the end of the year. Each evening will feature two jazz guitarists.
This month’s performance will begin with Steve Peplin. Steve Peplin has been deeply involved in the Milwaukee creative music scene for over 20 years as a guitarist, composer, professor (Lawrence University and MATC) and arranger. Steve is a member of several important Milwaukee based groups including Strangelander, the David Wake Five, Choirfight, Hush Ensemble, Davis / Peplin Duo, Carlos Adames Trio, the Amanda Huff Quartet, and meny others. Steve has played with notable jazz musicians and orchestras such as Dr. Art Davis, Doc Severinsen, Howard Levy, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, De La Buena, The Static Chicken, Dierdre Fellner and more.
Each month Neil Davis will perform second. Neil Davis, is a jazz guitarist from Milwaukee, the Jazz Guitar teacher at Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra’s jazz studies program and adjunct professor of guitar at UW-Oshkosh. He also helped found Milwaukee Jazz Vision, a jazz advocacy group. Neil lives with his wife and family on Milwaukee’s west side where he has a busy teaching studio called Neil Davis Guitar.

BULL FIDDLE FOUR - post-war electric blues
2025-11-14 20:00 - 22:30
Jon Mroz & His Bull Fiddle Four is a Milwaukee-based post-war electric blues combo featuring Jon Mroz on upright bass and vocals.
Mroz, known for leading the Swingin’ Kools in the 1990s and the early jazz band Troubadours of Rhythm today, assembled his Bull Fiddle Four to celebrate the raw energy and pioneering sound of late 1940s and early 1950s blues legends like Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, and Little Walter.
The lineup features some of the Midwest’s most accomplished musicians:
Big Al Dorn, Wisconsin’s premier harmonica talent (2025 WAMI winner!) and a protégé of blues icon Jim Liban.
Paul Stilin, a veteran guitarist with a storied career in Milwaukee’s blues and jazz scenes.
Tael Estremera, a multi-instrumentalist whose virtuosic piano playing adds a rich dimension to the band’s sound.
Patrick Morrow, a powerhouse drummer of taste who has toured with roots acts across the country.

ANNE DAVIS & friends
2025-11-15 20:00 - 22:00
Join us for an enchanting evening of live jazz at Bar Centro, where the cozy ambiance and exceptional talent set the stage for a night to remember. Let the smooth, masterful sounds of Mike Kubicki on piano and Jim Paolo on bass weave a melody-filled tapestry as Anne’s voice carries you through a repertoire of beloved standards and hidden gems.
Sip, savor, and sink into the rhythm of a night dedicated to jazz lovers and newcomers alike.
Peter Garafalo -piano
Jim Paolo – bass
Anne Davis- vocals
DOORS AT 7

Jazzy Joan Presents: A Night of Jazz Clarinet, Accordion and Harmonica
2025-11-20 19:00 - 23:30
Jazzy Joan welcomes you to this month’s recorded jazz show featuring the beautiful (and less-heard) instruments of jazz: the gorgeous and comfortably melancholic harmonica; the wandering spirit of the clarinet; and the accordion’s rapture of the tango. With their ties to folk music, these instruments continue to evolve, as heard by the magnificent current-day jazz artists Joan will be featuring. Joan introduces her show starting at 7:00. Get there early for her introduction of this exciting show! No cover.

Los Nenes Del Lago - Sabor Latin Night
2025-11-21 20:00 - 22:00
A vibey night of live Latin music & drinks with Los Nenes del Lago. Los Nenes del Lago return for another edition of Sesiones del Lago (The Lake Sessions) Part 3 — this time bringing their signature Latin blend to the cozy, stylish setting of bar centro. Settle in with a cocktail or glass of wine and let the sounds of bachata, salsa, and cumbia set the mood.
Doors at 7pm
$15 at door

ANTHONY DEUTSCH & FAITH HATCH
2025-11-22 20:00 - 22:00
“Anthony Deutsch is a Milwaukee area pianist and vocalist performing as a soloist, with his trio, and working on multiple original projects including “Father Sky”, “W!TH” and “Fraktal Frank”. His main original project, “Father Sky”, is “heart song medicine music for the masses” – he loves improvised music and is an absolute musical adventurist.”
Milwaukee based, Faith Hatch is a multi-genre vocalist, pianist, composer, and arranger. Her act features originals as well as reimagined songs based in soul, R&B, and jazz. Faith earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from UW Stevens Point in 2019 and was awarded Jazz Soloist in 2020 by Downbeat Magazine.

THANKSGIVING - bar centro closed for the holiday
2025-11-27 20:00 - 2025-11-28 20:00

OUTER LIMITS DUO - Juli Wood & Kim Zick
2025-11-28 20:00 - 22:00
Drummer Kim Zick and saxophonist Juli Wood have performed together over the years in many configurations. As the Outer Limits Duo, the MRS. FUN drummer and onetime R&B Cadets saxophonist (living now in Chicago) ventures to places explored by jazz avant-gardists such as Archie Schepp and Max Roach in a relentless sonic assault.
Their new album, Carnival of Souls, was recorded at Milwaukee’s DV Studio with Zick’s partner in MRS. FUN, Connie Grauer, producing. Carnival of Souls includes nine live improvisations by Zick and Wood plus renditions of three Grauer compositions, including “Judy,” “Cecil’s Waterfowl Ranch” and the melodically gorgeous “Zoila,” which suggests something Henry Mancini might have written for a film that audiences never saw.

MIKE ARNDT II QUINTET
2025-11-29 20:00 - 22:00
Join the Mike Arndt II Quintet for an electrifying evening of jazz at Bar Centro on July 19th from 8:00 to 10:30 PM. Led by the dynamic saxophonist Mike Arndt II, this stellar ensemble will pay homage to jazz legends John Coltrane, Chick Corea, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Kenny Garrett, and more. Expect a vibrant performance filled with virtuosic improvisations, soulful melodies, and swinging rhythms that capture the essence of these iconic artists. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of classic and contemporary jazz!
Michael Arndt II – Alto Saxophone
Robert Martin – Piano
Scot Napoli – Drums
Aden Stier – Bass
Carlos Adames – Percussion

B. D. GREER & THE GENTS - electrifying soul & jazz
2025-12-05 20:00 - 22:00
B.D. Greer & The Gents bring an electrifying mix of soul & jazz to every stage. Led by powerhouse vocalist B.D. Greer, whose dynamic presence and rich, soulful voice captivate audiences, the group delivers high-energy performances with a touch of vintage charm. www.bdgreer.com

MEET THE SEAVERS
2025-12-06 20:00 - 22:00
Like absinthe in a baby bottle, the music of Meet The Seavers is unexpected. They don’t fit in and they like it that way. Meet the Seavers is an unusual musical duo known for their eclectic and unique sound, blending elements of jazz, swing, vaudeville, and more. Comprising husband-and-wife team Jace Kent and Dorothy Gilmore /Seavers, they formed in Nashville, Tennessee, though they’ve recently returned to Jace’s hometown of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Their music defies easy categorization—often described as “New Avant-garde Swing” by fans—featuring fearless original compositions with odd time signatures, hypnotic basslines, and stunningly poetic lyrics. The duo’s most stripped-down and popular setup includes Jace on upright bass and vocals, Dorothy on vocals, and the occasional use of a theremin, creating their one of a kind, captivating sound. They also perform as a quartet with added horns and percussion or as a full big band, showcasing the versatility of their compositions, all scored for larger ensembles. Their performances are theatrical, blending music with a vaudeville-inspired flair, complete with humor, dramatic flair, and a larger-than-life stage presence.
From 2014 to 2019, Meet the Seavers hosted and produced their own musical variety TV show, “The Meet The Seavers Show,” which aired in Nashville and various U.S. cities. Dubbed a “21st-century Sonny and Cher,” the show featured their music, comedic skits, and guest artist performances, reflecting their playful dynamic as a couple. It’s still accessible on YouTube and has been pitched to larger networks.
Jace brings a rich musical background, having played bass for a large Black gospel choir in Chicago, written lyrics for a subsidiary of Island Records, and led a jazz-poetry big band in Nashville in the ‘90s. His original musical comedy about the Spanish Inquisition: “Throwing Stones at the Sun” is currently under production with a world premier slated for mid-2025. Dorothy, originally from a small Mississippi town, was a tomboy /athlete-turned-prom-queen who later became an accomplished model, actress, and award-winning bikini bodybuilder. Together, they’ve crafted a sound and persona that’s wholly their own, marked by originality and a refusal to conform. They don’t align with mainstream genres like country, jazz, Americana, or pop, and they embrace their outsider status with pride. Whatever they are, it’s unique and wonderful.

JAZZ GUITAR SPOTLIGHT - Neil Davis and Garrett Waite
2025-12-11 19:00 - 22:00
bar centro introduces; JAZZ GUITAR SPOTLIGHT beginning this month and running every second Thursday of the month through the end of the year. Each evening will feature two jazz guitarists.
Each month Neil Davis will perform second. Neil Davis, is a jazz guitarist from Milwaukee, the Jazz Guitar teacher at Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra’s jazz studies program and adjunct professor of guitar at UW-Oshkosh. He also helped found Milwaukee Jazz Vision, a jazz advocacy group. Neil lives with his wife and family on Milwaukee’s west side where he has a busy teaching studio called Neil Davis Guitar.
Up first is Garrett Waite; Milwaukee’s maverick guitarist, refracting elements of rock, blues, folk, and world music through the improvisational structure of jazz.

Mike Kubicki and Erin Boehme
2025-12-12 20:00 - 22:00
Jazz pianist Mike Kubicki and vocalist Erin Boehme come together to put their own spin on the classics of the Great American Songbook. From swing, to bossanova, to ballads, they bring new life to the tunes you have come to love throughout the decades. Featuring Jim Paolo on bass, and Dave Bayles on drums, it promises to be a swingin’ night!

FAITH HATCH
2025-12-13 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-12-13 21:00 - 22:30
Join Faith Hatch & Friends for O Soulful Night, a heartwarming evening of live holiday music at Bar Centro on Saturday, December 13th!
This year’s performance will feature the vocal talents of John Stanford and Bryanna Hatch and instrumentalists Mitch Dalzin, George Ballesteros, Tael Estremera, and Yanni Chudnow. Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season with soulful renditions of holiday favorites — from smooth jazz and classic carols to modern Christmas grooves. Enjoy delicious cocktails and the joy of community as we celebrate the most wonderful time of the year together.

Jazzy Joan Presents: Soulful Greetings
2025-12-18 19:00 - 23:30
Join the holiday hang! Jazzy Joan welcomes you to a night of seasonal favorites – tunes of spiritual affiliation and of none. It’s jazz with a twist of funk. A dash of the blues. Music to lift your spirit. Joyful Hammond B3, jazz tuba like you’ve never heard, and more. Bring friends! Make new ones! The vibe is friendly and social, and Joan invites you to this special night of recorded jazz. Show starts with her introduction at 7:00, so get there early. No cover.
