LUCAS LABEAU QUARTET
2024-03-15 20:00 - 22:30 (America/Chicago) | bar centro, 804 E. Center St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53212
Lucas Labeau – piano
Clay Schaub – bass
Ben Dameron – guitar
Hannah Johnson – drums
DOORS AT 7

The Lynne Arriale Trio
2024-03-14 20:00 - 22:30
Being recognized as “one of the most exciting pianists in contemporary jazz,”(The Guardian, UK) pianist Lynne Arriale has performed on the most prestigious international concert stages over the past 30 years. Jazz Police called her “the poet laureate of her generation.” JazzTimes said of her, “Lynne Arriale’s music lies at the synaptic intersection where brain meets heart, where body meets soul. She is one of jazzdom’s most intensely unique voices.” Jazz Journal commented, “Arriale is clearly one of the best contemporary jazz pianists.“
Lynne’s 17th album as a leader, Being Human, addresses a troubled, divided world with an exquisite suite of optimistic, deeply felt compositions. celebrates the ways that our lives are enriched by acts of passion, courage, love, persistence, heart, soul, curiosity, faith and joy. The trio explores these life-affirming facets of humankind.
Being Human link to all platforms: https://orcd.co/qbpqpno
Being Human YouTube album link: Lynne Arriale – Being Human (Full Album)
“Lynne Arriale has been one of the great poets on the piano for decades.” JazzThing
“She is clearly one of the best contemporary jazz pianists.” Jazz Journal
Doors at 7

SHUGA BLU
2024-03-09 20:00 - 22:30
Shuga Blu is a dynamic Milwaukee-based band that combines jazz, soul, blues, reggae, and pop genres to create a unique and infectious sound. The tight rhythm section and intricate guitar work are a solid foundation for soulful vocals provided by their lead songstress.
Q Holloway a.k.a. Mr. Shiny Shoes – bass
Tommy Gallagher – auxiliary percussion
Demetrus Ford/Derrick “Greyhound” McDonald – drums
Thomas Malloy & Nathan Pflugheoft – guitar
Stuart Greenbaum – saxophone
Keshena Armon – vocals and musical director
DOORS AT 7

LAKEWAVES TRIO
2024-03-08 20:00 - 22:30
Lakewaves Trio is a Madison-centric, groove-based outfit that crafts celestial originals with an eclectic, progressive, soundscape-y instrumentalism that’s pretty much guaranteed to get an intense response. Led by Graham Marlowe, an eccentric Wisconsin-based keyboardist/ pianist, the trio likes to follow its unusually gratifying formula of adapting material into dreamy tangentials, turning vocal and non-vocal covers into uniquely arranged instrumentals and spontaneously composing to the vibe of the rooms they play to, creating an infectious ambience you can treat your ears to for hours. Some describe the trio as “ambient prog-funk” or a looser Modeski Martin & Wood, others describe it as being out for Cosmic Bowling Night.

JAZZ JAM - every 1st Thursday - no cover + drink specials
2024-03-07 20:30 - 23:30
DOORS AT 8

TRIO DU MONDE
2024-03-02 20:00 - 22:30
Tom Schwark on mandolin, Lori Giese on Spanish Guitar, and Jon Magnino on accordion.

JAZZ FLUX
2024-03-01 20:00 - 22:30
Jamill Shaw, band leader and tenor saxaphonist, has studied with Berkeley Fudge, Aaron Gardner, Mark Davis, and Eric Jacobson.
Yanni Chednow on drums, Ian Howard on bass, Clay Lyons on alto sax, Tael Estremera on piano, and Jon Wood on guitar.

The GIL Jazz Combo
2024-02-24 20:00 - 22:30
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

THE MUSIC OF THELONIOUS MONK - Monk's Music Group
2024-02-23 20:00 - 22:30
Monk’s Music Group has been playing the music of Thelonious Monk in various formats since March of 2023. Each group member is a practicing Jazz musician in the Milwaukee area and many are music educators. Thelonious Monk is one of the most unique composers and musical innovators of the 20th century, the group looks forward to interpreting his music at bar centro.
DOORS AT 7

Ambient Piano - no cover
2024-02-22 20:00 - 22:30, 2024-02-08 20:00 - 22:30, 2024-01-25 20:00 - 22:30, 2024-01-11 20:00 - 22:30
Jane Han – piano / violin
Sam Kacala – drums
Come enjoy some live music with the spirit of collaborative improvisation!
this duo explores classicial pieces ranging from Bach to Joplin on piano and drums, medleying with jazz and original compositions. We also like to make music on the spot with some audience participation.
DOORS AT 7:30

MJI PRESENTS: AN EVENING WITH MARCYA DANEILLE
2024-02-17 22:30
Join us for an evening of romantic ballads and swingin’ standards featuring vocalist Marcya Daneille with Mark Davis (piano), Jeff Hamann (bass), and Sam Belton (drums).
https://www.marcyadaneille.net/
Seating is limited. Get your tickets today!
DOORS OPEN AT 7 PM

CLAUDIA JOHNSON TRIO
2024-02-16 20:00 - 22:30
Claudia Johnson’s music is an eclectic mix of rock, pop and contemporary singer songwriter styles and represents various musical influences. With Paul Westfahl on drums and Chris Newlin on guitar, both incredible writers and performers in their own right, the three celebrate an organic and intimate approach to the music.
DOORS AT 7

Jazzy Joan: "Jazz Where it is and Where it's Going." February Feature: Young Lions of New York
2024-02-15 19:00 - 23:30
If you can’t be there (New York), be here (bar centro)! There’s a great wave of young jazz artists in New York just itching to be heard, and Jazzy Joan will be featuring them during her monthly recorded jazz show on February 15.
Sample the warm vocals of Vanisha Gould, tender compositions of bassist Alex Tremblay, nostalgic-yet-contemporary compositions by pianist Emmet Cohen, and tin pan alley charm at its best, compliments of composer/guitarist/vocalist Vilray Bolles. Plus, others! Joan introduces her recorded jazz show at 7:00, so get there early for the hang. No cover.
DOORS AT 6:30

DONNA & DEUTSCH: Tunes for Two, An Eve of Valentine's Music
2024-02-14 19:30 - 22:30
Come with us to create an unforgettable romantic ambience, perfect for celebrating love and music. The evening promises to resonate with the spirit of Valentine’s Day through enchanting melodies and soul-stirring performances of Donna Woodall and Anthony Deutsch! A romantic Valentine’s Eve at ‘Tunes for Two,” featuring soulful vocals, expressive piano, resonant bass, and rhythmic drums. A perfect blend of love and music awaits you!
The full ensemble includes Donna Woodall vocals, Anthony Deutsch vocals/piano, Ethan Bender bass, Devin Drobka drums.

JERRY GRILLO - 80th Birthday "DECADES TOUR" Celebration
2024-02-10 20:00 - 22:30
Jerry Grillo has a strong, upbeat jazz voice with an edge of cockiness in it that allows him to put a personal touch on tunes made famous by other singers. Although Grillo’s voice is unique, his presentation of jazz standards draws comparison to any number of predecessors such as Buddy Greco, Bobby Darin, and of course Sinatra.
My Hometown Milwaukee Day was awarded to Jerry by Mayor Cavalier Johnson for his song and his 60 year career, hear it live at bar centro!
Limited reserved seating for early birds for $15 cover!
DOORS AT 7

SMOKE N' MIRRORS - MKE's Jazz Organ Trio For The Masses
2024-02-09 20:00 - 22:30
Smoke N’ Mirrors brings new life to the classic organ trio sound with original compositions and fresh improvisations. The band is a funk-soul organ trio from Milwaukee, Wisconsin consisting of Gabriel Hammer on keys, Pete Geraci on sax, and Sam Kacala on drums.
DOORS AT 7

The Sam Robinson Quintet
2024-02-03 20:00 - 22:30
Since 2003 Sam Robinson has played in Chicago venues such as Andy’s Jazz Club, The Green Mill, The Jazz Showcase, and many others. He was also a member of the Chicago-based Shelley Yoelin Jazz Workshop Septet and has been a repeated guest soloist at the Serbian Village jazz club. He currently leads the Sam Robinson Quartet. In 2019, he released his debut album, “Sweet Love of Mine,” his second album, “Be With Me: Live at the Eastgate Cafe,” in 2022, and his third album, “Third Time’s a Charm,” in 2023.
According to Chicago Jazz Magazine, Robinson plays, at times, with “elegant restraint and muted tones,” and at other times with “an intelligent extemporization that has a burnished sound and simmering passion.”

Troubadours of Rhythm
2024-02-02 20:00 - 22:30
Jon Mroz – string bass
Aidan White – guitar & banjo
S.A. Anderson – piano
Kyle Samuelson – cornet & trombone
Jon Lovas – clarinet
Debuting in 2023, the Troubadours of Rhythm are a captivating journey through time, skillfully led by string bassist Jon Mroz. Drawing inspiration from the electrifying ambiance of the late 1920s and early 1930s south side Chicago (and north side Milwaukee!), the Troubadours are a musical time machine, transporting listeners and dancers to an era of exuberance and innovation.
From stomps to rags; from blues to swing, Mroz and his musical comrades have traveled the country to cleverly revive the syncopated rhythms, timeless melodies and improvisational spirit that defined the golden age of jazz on the cusp of swing. This eclectic five-piece combo features guitar, banjo, upright string bass, acoustic piano, cornet, clarinet, trombone, washboard with vocal shouts and harmonies.
Embark on a sonic journey with the Troubadours as they pay homage to the timeless magic of early jazz & blues, ensuring that its infectious excitement resonates with audiences, both nostalgic and new.

GARRETT WAITE TRIO - live album recording
2024-02-01 20:00 - 22:30
Milwaukee’s maverick guitarist, refracting elements of rock, blues, folk, and world music through the improvisational structures of jazz. Garrett has been a strong presence in the MIlwaukee music scene since 2022, adding his versatile playing to original acts such as Match Stick, Craig Baumann and the Story, and Day TVVo.
There could be no more fitting a place for Garrett to record his own originals than bar centro’s intimate and vital space.
“This band was created and has evolved in front of a live audience. We’ve never had a real rehearsal and most of our discussions about the music happen minutes before we walk on stage, so all of the musical events that occur happen as a result of the chemistry and trust built between us as players and the energy we receive from the audience. Centro has been the perfect laboratory for us to develop our sound, so recording here with a live audience will allow the listeners of this record to feel the same excitement and intensity they would get from sitting in the front row at one of our shows. I can’t wait to see where the music leads.” Garrett Waite
Tickets for sale on Eventbrite $17
Cover at door $20
DOORS AT 7:30

ANNE DAVIS & MIKE KUBICKI
2024-01-27 20:00 - 22:30
Soulful and spirited, Anne Davis sings the songs that have stood the test of time. The incomparable Mike Kubicki joins her on keys. A night of spectacular jazz in the intimate setting of bar centro.
DOORS AT 7

ROBIN PLUER - "Me and the Boys"
2024-01-26 20:00 - 22:30
An intimate singer/songwriter trio; of course a little French, a little country, and a lot of soul!
Robin Pluer on piano, vocals, and accordion, Chris Hanson on guitar, and John Sieger on guitar and vocals
Doors at 7

MJI NIGHT
2024-01-20 20:00 - 22:30
MJI PRESENTS: LENARD SIMPSON TRIO
Originally hailing from Milwaukee, Chicago-based alto saxophonist Lenard Simpson is “quickly becoming one of the most important saxophonists of this generation” (Kiefer) and has secured a spot as a rising star among his contemporaries. From his early days in Milwaukee to formal studies at Northern Illinois University (B.M., jazz performance) and UCLA’s Herbie Hancock Institute (M.M., music performance jazz), Simpson’s natural ability and outstanding musicianship have been recognized by some of the most celebrated jazz musicians and pedagogues across the world, including Herbie Hancock, Christian McBride, Wayne Shorter, and many more. Don’t miss this chance to hear this all-star trio.
Featuring:
Lenard Simpson – alto saxophone
Runere Brooks – bass
Samuel Jewell – drums
Seating is limited. Get your tickets today!
DOORS OPEN AT 7 PM

HEIRLOOM
2024-01-19 20:00 - 22:30
From soaring melodies to infectious grooves to exhilarating ensemble interplay, Heirloom is Milwaukee’s most exciting modern jazz group helmed by drummer Hannah Johnson and guitarist Ben Dameron. Joining them on the 19th will be Sam Taylor on tenor saxophone and Eli Naragon on upright bass.
DOORS AT 7

Jazzy Joan: "Jazz Where it is and Where it's Going." January Feature: Sweden!
2024-01-18 19:00 - 23:30
Jazzy Joan welcomes you to her new monthly recorded jazz show featuring contemporary jazz artists. Jazz from Sweden, perfectly written for a winter night. Beautiful soprano Amanda Ginsburg sings in English, Swedish and French. Also featuring harmonicist Filip Jers, multi-instrumentalist Robert Elovsson, pianist Jan Lundgren and more. IT’S BIG SWEATER NIGHT! Wear yours! Joan introduces the show at 7:00. Get there early for the hang. No cover.
DOORS AT 6:30

TAEL ESTREMERA 4TET
2024-01-13 20:00 - 22:30
DOORS AT 7

B. D. and the gents
2024-01-12 20:00 - 22:00

CAM SPANN
2024-01-06 20:00 - 22:30
