centro

TLALOK RODRIGUEZ QUARTET - latin, r&b, jazz
2026-02-20 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | bar centro, 804 E. Center St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53212
Tlalok is a bilingual singer / songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Milwaukee. Originally from Chicago, Tlalok comes from a long line of musicians dating back to his great-grandfather, a composer from Vicente Guerreo, Mexico. A century later he keeps the family tradition alive through boleros, bossa novas, and vibrant performances channeling the passion of his ancestors.

MJI PRESENTS: "A" TRAIN ENSEMBLE
2026-02-21 20:00 - 22:30
CELEBRATING MJI’S AWARD-WINNING STUDENTS FRESH FROM NYC
Selected through a competitive recorded submission process, MJI’s “A” Train ensemble has been invited, for the second year in a row, to compete in the Charles Mingus Festival & High School Competition in New York City this February. The “A” Train Ensemble was selected as one of only three schools nationwide in the Specialized School Category of this prestigious competition.

The ensemble is made up of four dedicated young musicians who have been putting in the work, week after week, under the direction of MJI Artistic Director Mark Davis:

Emmet Fettig, alto saxophone, senior at Fort Atkinson High School

Sam Caiola, piano, senior at Beloit Memorial High School

Thomas Renz, bass, senior at Madison West High School

Adrian McCants, drums, junior at Milwaukee High School of the Arts

After returning from New York, the “A” Train will bring the music home with this special performance, sharing what they’ve learned with our local community. We would love to see you there and celebrate this milestone together.

FERNANDO FERRARONE QUARTET - jazz trumpeter and alto saxophonist
2026-02-26 20:00 - 22:00
Jazz Trumpeter and alto saxophonist Fernando Ferrarone will be performing with his quartet music from his recently released debut Album titled ‘Now till Forever’. Fernando is a 2-time DownBeat Award winner on trumpet and alto saxophone. He is a band leader, composer and arranger. Fernando attended Berklee College of Music on a full tuition scholarship in Boston. He has performed in various jazz festivals such as the Pompano Beach Jazz Festival, Monterey jazz festival and the Montreal jazz festival in Canada. Fernando has performed throughout New York City jazz clubs such as Smalls, Ornithology, Birdland and many others. He has also performed with bands like La Legendaria Sonora Dinamita and Grupo Rebolu. Internationally he has performed extensively in Peru and Colombia. Beyond leading his own ensemble, Ferrarone is a sought-after sideman, having recorded various albums for diverse artists including Tony Succar, The Horizons Jazz Orchestra and many others. He was also presented an Outstanding Trumpet Soloist Award from Wynton Marsalis at the 2013 and 2014 Essentially Ellington Competition at jazz at the Lincoln Center.
Fernando Ferrarone – Trumpet
Sam Hart – Drums
Bob Bruya – Upright Bass
Roberto Acosta – Piano

BLACK COW TRIO - A Steely Dan Revue
2026-02-27 20:00 - 21:30
Neil Davis – guitar
Ethan Keller – guitar / voice
Emory Keller – piano / keys

ALEC BACA'S Jazz In Vivo - Wayne Shorter Tribute
2026-02-28 20:00 - 22:00
Jazz In Vivo is a Milwaukee-area jazz project led by trumpeter Alec Baca with a passion for swing, bossa nova, bebop, and modern jazz. Join them for a night celebrating the music of the esteemed hard bop and post-bop saxophonist Wayne Shorter with a performance featuring many of his greatest works.

Alec Baca (Trumpet)
Luis Solis (Tenor Sax)
Sam Catral (Guitar)
Alex Julien (Bass)
Christian Fox (Drums)

JAZZ JAM - every 1st Thursday - no cover + drink specials
2026-03-05 20:30 - 23:30, 2026-04-02 20:30 - 23:30
doors at 7 / no cover

BULL FIDDLE FOUR - post-war electric blues
2026-03-06 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.

JULIA DANIELLE - dynamic jazz vocalist
2026-03-07 20:00 - 22:00
Julia Danielle is a dynamic vocalist, arranger, educator, and composer making a significant impact in the jazz scenes of Chicago and New York. In 2022, she won the prestigious International Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition, which propelled her into the spotlight, leading to performances alongside The Tierney Sutton Band at the esteemed Blues Alley Jazz Club in Washington, D.C. Julia has since headlined her own shows, showcasing her unique voice and engaging stage presence.
Her debut album, released in November 2024, has received critical acclaim, with Jazz Weekly describing it as “a fresh voice” with “a folksy wisp that floats with a bohemian glide.” Julia has collaborated with numerous celebrated artists, including Ben Paterson, Clark Sommers, and Sharel Cassity, enriching her musical experience and expanding her creative horizons. A 2024 Luminarts Winner and recognized by DownBeat Magazine as an “Outstanding Vocal Soloist” in its 46th annual Student Music Awards, Julia is widely acknowledged in the jazz community.
Currently, Julia is pursuing a Master of Music in Jazz Studies at The Juilliard School, where she is mentored by renowned artists such as Charenee Wade, Kenny Washington, Gerald Cannon, and Marc Cary. Her studies focus on vocal interpretation, composition, and improvisation, further refining her artistry. Julia’s performance history includes esteemed venues such as The Jazz Showcase and Chris’ Jazz Café, as well as festivals like The Hyde Park Jazz Festival, establishing her as a prominent figure in the jazz scene.
With a foundation in classical training at Northwestern University and experiences such as touring with the Campanella Children’s Choir, Julia’s musical journey began early. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from DePaul University in 2023, where she explored Black American Music and pedagogy under the guidance of esteemed faculty such as Dana Hall and Jeremy Kahn.

GLEEFUL - jazz-funkified Leonard Cohen
2026-03-12 20:00 - 22:00
Gleeful is a Milwaukee-based jazz-funk band consisting of Preston Carr on vocals and drums, Sam Patterson on keys, Liam Phillips on bass, and Tommy Zaliewski on guitar. They’ve developed a set featuring jazz-funkified hits and deep cuts from the catalog of legendary singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, revitalizing these monumental songs with a contemporary, eclectic jazz-funk sound and a soulful manner inspired by the likes of Bobby Womack, Steely Dan, and KNOWER. Having coalesced through Riverwest/east side music scenes of different genres, Gleeful revere the musical past and reach into the stylistic future.

Russ Johnson Quartet
2026-03-13 20:00 - 22:00
Russ Johnson – trumpet
Mark Feldman – violin
Ethan Philion – bass
Timothy Daisy – percussion

Performing a book of new compositions for an upcoming recording following the critically acclaimed “Reveal,” released in 2023 on Calligram Records.

“From the opening intervals of “Skips,” trumpeter and composer Russ Johnson’s “Reveal” makes good on the promise inherent in the album’s title. Slyly unveiling interconnected themes and infectious grooves, the chord-less quartet — an unusual front-line of Johnson’s trumpet and Mark Feldman’s violin with drummer Timothy Daisy and bassist Ethan Philion — revels in a vast palette of sonic combinations and permutations. Along the way Johnson and his associates navigate an impressive range of material, from the funky odd-meter groove that suddenly emerges in “Skips” to a masterful plunger elegy for Jamie Branch (“The Long Branch”) and a synthesis of the structured freedom of the AACM with lush post-Romantic harmonies (“The Slow Reveal”). “My entire career has been built on playing music in the cracks between ‘modern jazz’ and more ‘improvised’ musics, says Johnson. “I do not draw a distinction between the two.””

BEN DAMERON QUARTET - modern jazz
2026-03-14 20:00 - 22:00
Ben Dameron – guitar
Solomon Lindenberg – piano
Hannah Johnson – drums
Ethan Philion – bass

THE SAM TAYLOR SOUND
2026-03-19 20:00 - 22:00
Sam Taylor is a saxophonist, composer and educator based in Chicago after spending almost a decade in New Orleans. Originally from South Florida, Sam has performed with International artists such as The Temptations, Chicago, and Marcus Roberts as well as New Orleans jazz legends Jason Marsalis, Roland Guerin, Kermit Ruffins, Wess ‘Warmdaddy’ Anderson, Ashlin Parker and Steve Masakowski. In Chicago, Sam has a year round residency at Andy’s Jazz Club with The ‘Mario Abney Quintet’ every Thursday night. He also performs regularly with Milwaukee based quartet, ‘Heirloom’. In addition to keeping a busy performance schedule, Sam has taught clinics and masterclasses at Tulane University, University of New Orleans, Louisiana State University, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts High School and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.

ANDREW TRIM TRIO - jazz and improvised music
2026-03-20 20:00 - 22:00
Andrew Trim is a guitarist and composer. He can regularly be found working with many talented and unique musicians in the midwest region and creating everything from mind-altering improvised flights to tightly contained, composed melodies. He has released 7 albums as a leader with his groups Hanami, Retroreflector, & Dim Lighting. His most recent release, Ordinary Poems (2024), is a duo collaboration with Milwaukee based trumpeter Jamie Breiwick and features the gorgeously sparse instrumentation of trumpet and acoustic guitar.

For this performance at Bar Centro, Trim will lead a trio featuring two of Milwaukee’s very best through an organic mix of standard and original material. Their deeply creative approach to jazz & improvised music, further enhanced by their decade-long musical relationships with each other, is undeniable – not to be missed!

Andrew Trim – Guitar
Clay Schaub – Bass
Devin Drobka – Drums

MJI PRESENTS: GABRIEL WADE QUINTET
2026-03-21 20:00 - 22:30
Join us for a special performance by a tight-knit ensemble active on the Chicago jazz scene, performing at venues such as the Jazz Showcase.

The Gabriel Wade Quintet is composed of a group of friends who first connected at Northern Illinois University, though they hail from various parts of the United States. This dynamic ensemble features Jared Schultz on alto saxophone, Isaiah Jones Jr. on piano, Nat Lin on bass, Jonathan Garrett on drums, with Gabriel Wade on trumpet.
Little Rock, Arkansas, native Gabriel Wade is a versatile trumpeter, pianist, and educator with a rich performance history. He has shared the stage with iconic ensembles and artists such as the Count Basie Orchestra, as well as Chicago staples like the Clif Wallace Big Band, Tom Garling Jazz Orchestra, Marlene Rosenberg Quartet, and the Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective.
As a sideman, he has appeared at notable venues, colleges, and festivals across the United States, including various colleges in Wyoming; Dazzle (Denver, CO); the Bop Stop (Cleveland, OH); Merriman’s Playhouse (South Bend, IN); the Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts (Milwaukee, WI); the Elmhurst Jazz Festival (Elmhurst, IL); and the Chicago Jazz Festival (Chicago, IL). As a bandleader, he has performed on stages in Arkansas, Milwaukee, and Illinois, including Chicago’s Fulton Street Collective, Andy’s Jazz Club, and the Jazz Showcase.
Recent achievements include qualifying as a semi-finalist in the Jazz Improvisation Division for the International Trumpet Guild’s 2024 and 2025 Ryan Anthony Memorial Trumpet Competition, being selected for the prestigious 2024 Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy Big Band led by artistic director Christian McBride, and earning 1st place in the 2024 Tom Williams Jazz Division of the National Trumpet Competition.
Gabriel Wade is also an avid music educator. His roles include Adjunct Professor of Trumpet at Harper College (Palatine, IL) and College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn, IL), Trumpet Instructor for the Ravinia Lawndale Family Music School (Chicago, IL), Combo Instructor for the Milwaukee Jazz Institute (Milwaukee, WI), and trumpet/piano teacher at the Northern Illinois University Community School of the Arts (DeKalb, IL).
Seating is limited. Get your tickets today!
DOORS OPEN AT 7 PM

Troubadours of Rhythm
2026-03-26 20:00 - 22:00
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.

CLAUDIA JOHNSON TRIO
2026-03-27 20:00 - 22:00
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

Los Nenes Del Lago - Sabor Latin Night
2026-03-28 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 5 — 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
$10 in advance & $15 at door

JULI WOOD with Mrs Fun. & Outer Limits Duo
2026-04-03 20:00 - 22:00
Complex. Sophisticated. Adventurous. The music of MRS..FUN is a unique blend of off-center jazz, ultra-funk, spoken word rap, and neo-cabaret. MRS FUN is Connie Grauer- keyboards and Kim Zick -drums.
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) venture to places explored by jazz avant-gardists such as Archie Schepp and Max Roach in a relentless sonic assault.

ANTHONY DEUTSCH SOLO - An Evening of Musings
2026-04-04 20:00 - 22:00
Join Anthony for an evening of eclectic musings and explorations of tunes ranging from old jazz favorites to pop classics, folk, gospel, originals and beyond!
“Anthony Deutsch is a Wisconsin-based pianist and vocalist with a passion for improvisation. Drawing from a vast array of genres and influences, he performs from the heart, weaving together jubilant gospel melodies, tripped-out piano musings, and classic songs by the likes of Duke Ellington, the Beatles, Dolly Parton, and Muddy Waters – his music spans great distances! Anthony shines as a jazz pianist, captivating audiences as a soloist, with his piano trio, and through a diverse palette of creative ventures including: Father Sky, an original music project offering heart-song medicine music for the masses; WITH, a future-pop duo collaboration with producer Isaiah Leavitt; and Fraktal Frank, his explorative/production moniker.”

YONAT PIVA; Daughter Undone - brooding indie grooves
2026-04-09 20:00 - 22:00
This is music in the act of becoming. Drawing from the wells of jazz, blues, experimental indie, and world music, the ensemble blends a distinctive voice that ranges from sultry to fierce, driving bass and electronic layers under blues-infused guitar.
opening band to be announced

MJI PRESENTS: TIERNEY SUTTON & TAMIR HENDELMAN
2026-04-10 20:00 - 22:30
9-time GRAMMY®-nominated vocalist and Milwaukee native Tierney Sutton and virtuosic pianist Tamir Hendelman celebrate the release of their new duo album, Spring. Recorded live after a run of Spring 2025 tour dates, the album captures the effortless chemistry between two voices as they bloom through moods that feel hopeful, tender, swinging, and quietly electric. Drawing from a beautifully curated songbook that includes Antônio Carlos Jobim, Johnny Mercer, Peggy Lee, and Paul Simon, they reimagine these classics with warmth, restraint, and a sense of discovery that makes each track feel freshly born, just like the season that inspired them. Though cut as a live set, Spring delivers audiophile-level polish, blending spontaneity with exquisite sonic craft—an album that feels intimate, alive, and made for repeat listens as the days get longer and the light shines through.
https://springthealbum.com/about

Seating is limited. Get your tickets today!
DOORS OPEN AT 7 PM

MIKE ARNDT II QUINTET
2026-04-11 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

Jazzy Joan Presents: European Gentlemen of Jazz – Italy, France & Germany
2026-04-16 19:00 - 23:30
There is such a wealth of outstanding current-day jazz in Europe… which posed a problem for Joan: How could she narrow her selections to a single night? It wasn’t easy, but she was up for the task.
What you can expect is a night of recorded jazz brought to you by artists from Italy, France and Germany – specifically, European gentlemen of jazz. (A night of European gentlewomen of jazz is coming soon).
You’ll hear a mix of instruments recorded by artists whose names are household names in their respective countries. From Italy, Paolo Fresu (trumpet), Mario Biondi (voice), Giuseppi Millaci (bass), and Max Ionata (sax). From France, Richard Galliano (accordion), Ludovic Louis (trumpet), Manu Katche’ (percussion). From Germany, Till Bronner and Jeff Cascaro (trumpet and voice), Wolfgang Haffner (percussion) and Wolfgang Lackerschmid (vibes).
Get there early! Joan starts her show at 7pm with an intro of the night’s musical experience. No cover.

JIMMY FARACE - Album release
2026-04-17 20:00 - 22:00
Big Shoulders, Big Sounds Album Release Party
Jimmy Farace Trio
Jimmy Farace – Sax
Ethan Philion – Bass
Devin Drobka – Drums

Baritone saxophonist Jimmy Farace brings his trio to Bar Centro in support of his new album Big Shoulders, Big Sounds. Following his 2025 debut Hours Fly, Flowers Die—named one of the Best Jazz Albums of 2025 by All About Jazz and a Top 100 Jazz Album of 2025 by Bill Milkowski—Farace strips things down to a pianoless trio: baritone saxophone, bass, and drums. Joined by Ethan Philion and Devin Drobka, two of the Midwest’s most trusted musicians, the group explores music rooted in lineage, risk, and the thrill of seeing how much three artists can create together.

MJI NIGHT - MARDRA & REGGIE THOMAS
2026-04-18 20:00 - 22:30
DETAILS TO FOLLOW

MR. CHAIR - piano trio
2026-04-23 20:00 - 22:00
Mr. Chair is a piano trio, plus horn player; Jon Irabagon or Jon Hoel. Mr. Chair recently released their third studio album on vinyl; “Rhapsody in Blue”, featuring a re-imagination of Gershwin’s classic and original music. Mr. Chair also just released an original single and music video, “Bitter Cold Medicine,” with a string orchestra. www.mrchairmusic.com

Mr. Chair recently sold out Madison’s “North Street Cabaret , “Lemon” in Chicago, and Charlie Brown Christmas shows at the Orpheum in Madison, Ravinia in Chicago and “Lola’s . A collaborative group of theirs; Spectaculous, recently had a packed show at Milwaukee’s “Cactus Club”.

The GIL Jazz Combo
2026-04-24 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

SMOKE N' MIRRORS - MKE's Jazz Organ Trio For The Masses
2026-04-25 20:00 - 22:00
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, $15 at the door

HANNAH JOHNSON TRIO
2026-04-30 20:00 - 22:00
Hannah Johnson – drums
