CLAUDIA JOHNSON TRIO
2024-08-23 20:00 - 22:30 (America/Chicago) | bar centro, 804 E. Center St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53212
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

Leo Sidran
2024-08-22 08:00 - 17:00
“There is nothing superficial about this singer who, like no other, combines carefree character and a finessed manner.” – Telerama, Paris
Multi-instrumentalist, journalist, composer, and producer Leo Sidran is celebrating a quarter century of songwriting, record making, and performing around the world. Surrounded by music and musicians since his childhood, Leo began writing songs professionally when he was still a teenager living in Madison, when the Steve Miller Band recorded his songs.
Named the “Discreet genius of pop jazz” by Spanish critic Fernando Neira, Sidran’s sound reflects both the rich heritage to which he belongs and a curiosity for new ideas. He has been compared to jazz-folk singer-songwriters of previous generations, from Bob Dorough, Mose Allison, and Nat King Cole to Michael Franks, Donald Fagen (Steely Dan) or his own father, Ben. In Jazz Times, Christopher Louden wrote: “Vocally, he suggests a blend of his father Ben with a touch of Donald Fagen. His relaxed and fluid style is reminiscent of Bob Dorough.”
In France’s Jazz Magazine, Noadya Arnoux wrote, “Leo Sidran makes pop music swing in the style of Mose Allison et Nat King Cole.”
What’s Trending (2023), Leo’s most recent solo album, was a deeply personal exploration of how music can make life more bearable in difficult times. The album was celebrated as “an irresistible series of timeless songs” (Jazz Magazine, France).
His compositions also contain an element of journalism. “Sidran navigates the pitfalls of everyday life with elegance and swing, inviting us to smile and reflect, and impressively proving that he has long become a consummate chronicler of his surroundings,” writes the German magazine West Coast Soul.
In fact, much of his life in the last decade has been spent sharing the work of other artists on his acclaimed radio and podcast show, The Third Story, where he interviews musicians, producers, composers, and other creators about their personal stories and professional journeys.
In addition to his solo career, Leo is a producer of both Grammy and Oscar winning music. He continues to tour and record with his father, Ben (Leo has produced all of his dad’s albums for the past 20 years.)
He will be joined by some of Wisconsin’s finest musicians musicians, players with whom he shares a long history:
Tim Whalen: piano
John Christensen: bass
Jamie Ryan: drums

BIG STYLE BRASS BAND
2024-08-17 19:30 - 21:00
Big Style Brass Band is a ten-piece group performing music rooted in the New Orleans tradition. BSBB hails from Milwaukee, WI and is well known throughout the state’s burgeoning New Orleans brass band scene. They balance traditional with modern New Orleans and pop covers you are sure to recognize!
NO COVER

John Christensen's Soft Rock album release
2024-08-16 20:00 - 22:30
Come celebrate the release of SOFT ROCK.
The tunes, written as odes and anthems to simple and grand things alike are built to inspire.
John Christensen – Bass
Tony Barba – Tenor Saxophone
Jason Kutz – Piano
Ben Dameron – Guitar
Neil Hemphill – Drums

Jazzy Joan Presents Jazz Where it is and Where it's Going: Jazz Goes Rock
2024-08-15 19:00 - 23:30
It’s true what Duke Ellington said, “there are only two kinds of music, good and bad.” That includes rock music and many jazz artists can’t help but take their own spin on rock classics!
Jazzy Joan welcomes you to her next monthly recorded jazz show on Thursday, August 15 for a night of recorded music featuring contemporary jazz artists playing rock hits by Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, U2 and more! Their music reminds us that jazz has no bounds. Come to the show and I guarantee you’ll be humming (and maybe singing) along! Jazzy Joan introduces her recorded jazz show at 7:00, so get there early!
NO COVER
DOORS AT 6:30

GARRETT WAITE
2024-08-10 20:00 - 22:30
DOORS AT 7

MJI PRESENTS: ORDINARY POEMS ALBUM RELEASE SHOW
2024-08-09 20:00 - 22:30
THE BAND:
Jamie Briewick – trumpet
Andrew Tim – guitar

Shuga Blu
2024-08-08 20:00 - 22:30
Shuga Blu is the new baby of Milwaukee musician, Keshena Armon. We pride ourselves on performing feel good music for our audience of all ages. They perform classic to current gems in the R&B, Soul, Pop and Rock genres!

CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS? 9PM SHOW
2024-08-03 21:00 - 22:30
A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong; writing for All About Jazz, music critic David Rickert stated that the collaborations were “a match made in heaven” and remarked, “Their work together is a highlight of the 1950s, a busy time for classic vocal jazz records, and both were in fine form on these dates, Fitzgerald’s sweetly melodic voice contrasting nicely with Armstrong’s coarse rasp.”
bar centro welcomes Faith Hatch and Ricardo Jimenez and their quartet as they share the songs recorded by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
–Faith Hatch; a multi-genre vocalist, pianist, and guitarist based in Milwaukee. Her act features songs reimagined 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 Vocal Jazz Soloist of 2020 by Downbeat Magazine.
-Ricardo Jimenez; Ricardo Jimenez is a Chicago-based, internationally renowned trumpet player, vocalist and educator. Having performed and taught in eight countries across five continents, Mr. Jimenez wields a diverse and colorful musical palette and educational perspective. Ricardo received his Bachelors in Music from Lawrence University, specializing in trumpet performance.
Faith Hatch & Ricardo Jimenez – vocals
Steve Peplin – guitar
George Ballesteros – bass
Yanni Chudnow – drums
Ricardo Jimenez – trumpet

CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS? 7PM SHOW
2024-08-03 19:00 - 21:30

BADLAND
2024-08-02 20:00 - 22:30
Ben Dameron’s BADLAND has one foot in the past and another in the future. Powerful guitar tones punctuate a distinct modern jazz aesthetic – from epic soundscapes to haunting arias.
DOORS AT 7

JAZZ JAM - every 1st Thursday - no cover + drink specials
2024-08-01 20:30 - 23:30
doors at 7 / no cover

SAM NUEFELD QUINTET
2024-07-27 20:00 - 22:30
Sam Neufeld has played trumpet for 20+ years with artists or groups such as the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Leslie Odom Jr., and Brian Lynch. He has performed at: Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, Monterey Jazz Festival, Millennium Park, International Jazz Festival Bern, and more.
Join Sam, pianist Lucas Labeau and friends for en evening of exciting jazz music.

ANNE DAVIS & friends
2024-07-26 20:00 - 22:30
Soulful and spirited, Anne Davis sings the songs that have stood the test of time. A night of spectacular jazz in the intimate setting of bar centro.
Ann Davis – vocals, Mike Kubicki – piano, Jim Paolo – bass, Devin Drobka – drums.
DOORS AT 7

PETER ROLLER - an evening of acoustic music
2024-07-25 20:00 - 22:30
Guitarist – Roller is a performer of many Roots guitar styles, a kid from suburban NJ who wound up as the main accompanist for one of the last of the early Southern bluesmen. As a working musician, he is currently performing in settings that range from acoustic and electric blues to French chanson to Soul-Jazz organ trio to Jamaican rock steady to bluegrass and country rock.

Teacher – A retired college professor devoted to teaching guitar students to play a variety of styles including: bottleneck and lap slide/Dobro, acoustic fingerstyle, blues and roots-rock electric guitar.

Composer – A composer of music with influences from ragtime blues, Hawaiian slack key and steel guitar, bossa nova, R&B, and the American fingerstyle guitar tradition. Roller currently has original Soundtrack pieces in the European shows: Monty Don’s American Gardens & Hiking in the Alps Foothills.

Author/Scholar – With a PhD in Ethnomusicology focused on ethnic and popular musics of North America: published the only book documenting U.S. amateur garage bands in generations from the late 50s through the 90s; presenter on music topics at festivals, colleges, bookstores, cultural centers and in documentaries.

MJI NIGHT at bar centro - Paul Silbergleit Trio
2024-07-20 20:00 - 22:30

JEANNE MARIE FARINELLI QUARTET
2024-07-19 20:00 - 22:30
Jeanne Marie Farinelli is a saxophonist and educator in the Milwaukee area. In her music, Jeanne Marie fuses modern and traditional sounds to create a unique and soulful approach to improvised music.
“Modern Soul” is a celebration of the traditions and modern sounds of jazz. In this special showcase the Jeanne Marie Farinelli Quartet will be performing the classic 1960 Soul Station album by Hank Mobley. During the second set they will be exploring modern compositions by artists such as Ben Wendel, Brandee Younger, and Jonathan Greenstein.
Jeanne Marie Farinelli (saxophone) will be joined by some of the area’s top musicians with Lucas Labeau on piano, John Christensen on bass, and Hannah Johnson on drums.

Jazzy Joan Presents Jazz Where it is and Where it's Going: Current Day Jazz Artists from Armenia
2024-07-18 19:00 - 23:30
“Jazz Artists from Armenia & the Diaspora” will be a beautiful night of recordings from current day artists, with special guests Michael Kamalian and Vahan Kamalian providing live, musical interludes as they “jam” with the recordings on dumbeg and oud. They will also play traditional Armenian music. Is there a connection between traditional folk music and current-day jazz? You bet!
NO COVER
DOORS AT 6:30

HEIRLOOM
2024-07-13 20:00 - 22:30

ALVIN COBB JR. TRIO
2024-07-12 20:00 - 22:30
A native of Atlanta, Alvin Cobb, Jr., is a drummer, composer-songwriter, producer, and photographer currently based in Chicago. Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune once wrote, “Here was a drummer who can make his instrument sing, the lyricism of his work sustaining listener interest…Cobb has emerged as a distinctly charismatic player.” Graduating from Florida State University (B.A.) and Northwestern University (M.M.) with degrees in Music Performance, Alvin has gone on to work with countless artists, including Chance the Rapper, Nola Adé, Marcus Printup, Sherman Irby, Victor Goines, Dee Alexander, Patricia Barber, and Sarah Marie Young. He is the leader of the Alvin Cobb, Jr. Trio, consisting of bassist/vocalist Katie Ernst and pianist Julius Tucker. This trio formed during the pandemic to independently produce livestream concerts that would help raise funds for various charity organizations. Since their start in late 2020, the trio has performed at multiple festivals, held a residency at Chicago’s Andy’s Jazz Club, toured original live film scores, and placed 3rd in the 2022 Chicago Reader, “Best of Chicago” Poll for Best Jazz Ensemble. Heavily inspired by straight-ahead jazz trio playing, their music also incorporates cinematic textures, folk melodies, free improvisation, and modern Black music elements from Hip-Hop and R&B. Alvin’s debut album featuring this trio performing his new original compositions was released in May 2024.

LUCAS LABEAU QUINTET
2024-07-11 20:00 - 22:30
Lucas Labeau – piano
DOORS AT 7

bar centro closed during Summerfest
2024-07-06 20:00 - 22:30, 2024-07-05 20:00 - 22:30, 2024-06-29 20:00 - 22:30, 2024-06-28 20:00 - 22:30, 2024-06-22 20:00 - 22:30

bar centro closed for The 4th of July Holiday
2024-07-04 20:00 - 22:30

bar centro closed during the 3 Thursdays of Summerfest
2024-06-27 20:00 - 22:30

BRIAN LYNCH and THE SPHERES OF INFLUENCE third coast edition - PRESENTED by MJI
2024-06-26 20:00 - 22:30
