The Century Room’s Dynamic October Lineup Celebrates Jazz, Global Sounds, and Tucson’s Music Community

Century RoomTucson AZ (Sept. 25, 2026) – The Century Room, Tucson’s intimate destination for live jazz, presents a full month of programming featuring celebrated touring artists, Tucson favorites, special presentations, late-night sessions, and genre-spanning performances.

From the music of Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, Art Blakey, and Thelonious Monk to Afro-Cuban jazz, New Orleans swing, Disney standards, and contemporary compositions, October offers audiences an opportunity to experience jazz in its many forms.

The Century Room is also expanding their partnership with Arizona Arts Live, with four collaborations in October; Irving Flores Afro-Cuban Jazz Trio on Oct 2, Devon Gates, Luke Schneider on Oct 8, Eden Mastriani-Levi on Oct 22, and Mauricio Morales’ Día de Muertos Trio on Oct 30.

The month opens on Thursday, October 1, with Mingus Dynasty: The Legacy of Charles Mingus, a celebration of the groundbreaking work of jazz icon Charles Mingus with an all-star NYC based group. The Grammy-winning ensemble will perform two sets at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

On Friday, October 2, pianist Irving Flores brings his Afro-Cuban Jazz Trio to the Century Room for an evening of Latin jazz presented with Arizona Arts Live! The weekend continues with Katherine Byrnes & Jeff Haskell: The Music of George & Ira Gershwin on Saturday, October 3, followed by late-night performances from Eric Nakanishi Quartet and Unified Field Theory.

October also continues The Century Room’s popular recurring programming. Jazz Jam with Max Goldschmid returns on October 4 and 11, inviting musicians to sit in with the Century Room house band. Mondays feature the 17-piece Century Jazz Orchestra, with performances throughout the month alongside the University of Arizona Concert Jazz Band and special guest vocalist Liz Cracchiolo.

Wednesday nights spotlight Tucson’s vibrant traditions of jazz. Grupo Arizona launches the month’s Latin Jazz Wednesday series on October 7, followed by The Hot Club of Tucson on October 14 and 28, and Marco & The Polos on October 21. These performances showcase the depth of Tucson’s local jazz community, from jazz manouche (classic swing jazz) to traditional New Orleans swing and Latin jazz.

A special Diaspora Showcase: Jazz Acoustics of Africa arrives Thursday, October 8, bringing together three master musicians whose work connects musical traditions across continents and cultures. The evening also features a performance by pedal steel guitarist Luke Schneider, whose work explores the instrument through a contemporary, new-age lens.

The following weekend features two special presentations led by Grammy Award-winning author, music historian, journalist, and educator Ashley Kahn. On Friday, October 9, Kahn and Arthur Vint present The Big Beat of Art Blakey, followed Saturday, October 10, by Kahn & Brice Winston Present: Coltrane’s Sound. Both programs combine live performance with stories and historical context surrounding two of jazz’s most influential figures.

The Century Room then welcomes three-time GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist Troy Roberts for a two-night residency. On Thursday, October 15, the Troy Roberts Organ Trio explores the music of Stanley Turrentine, followed by the Troy Roberts Quartet: Green Lights on Friday, October 16.

October’s eclectic programming continues with Felíz Torralba’s “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: Felíz Sings the Disney Songbook” on Saturday, October 17, bringing jazz arrangements of beloved Disney songs to the Century Room. Later in the month, audiences can experience contemporary jazz and chamber influences with Devon Gates featuring Eden Mastriani-Levi on October 22 also presented with Arizona Arts Live, explore Pittsburgh’s important jazz history with the Chris Molinari Sextet: The Pittsburgh Sound on October 23, and hear Pete Swan & Nelly Hawley Hayes Play Monk on October 24.

The month concludes with a series of distinctive performances. Award winning vocalist G. Thomas Allen arrives October 29 presented with Mister Bing, followed by Mauricio Morales’ Día de Muertos Trio on October 30 presented with Arizona Arts Live. On Halloween, Saturday, October 31, The Century Room transforms for a Candlelit Séance with Space Travelers Union, an atmospheric evening featuring candlelit tables, minimalistic lighting, and an appropriately mysterious soundtrack to close out the month.

In addition to its main evening performances which are all ages, The Century Room offers selection of late-night performances on Friday and Saturday nights which are 21+, featuring artists including Eric Nakanishi, Unified Field Theory, Thøger Lund, Matt Mitchell, Sarah Tolar, and Anthony Gibes. There is no cover at the bar for late night shows, but advance tickets are also offered to guarantee a seat.

October Highlights

· Oct. 1: Mingus Dynasty: The Legacy of Charles Mingus

· Oct. 2: Irving Flores Afro-Cuban Jazz Trio

· Oct. 3: Katherine Byrnes & Jeff Haskell: The Music of George & Ira Gershwin

· Oct. 4 & 11: Jazz Jam with Max Goldschmid

· Oct. 5, 12, 19 & 26: Century Jazz Orchestra

· Oct. 7: Grupo Arizona: Latin Jazz Wednesday

· Oct. 8: Diaspora Showcase: Jazz Acoustics of Africa; Luke Schneider

· Oct. 9: The Big Beat of Art Blakey with Ashley Kahn & Arthur Vint

· Oct. 10: Coltrane’s Sound with Ashley Kahn & Brice Winston

· Oct. 14 & 28: The Hot Club of Tucson: Hot Jazz Wednesday

· Oct. 15–16: Troy Roberts two-night residency

· Oct. 17: Felíz Sings the Disney Songbook

· Oct. 21: Marco & The Polos: Hot Jazz Wednesday

· Oct. 22: Devon Gates feat. Eden Mastriani-Levi

· Oct. 23: Chris Molinari Sextet: The Pittsburgh Sound

· Oct. 24: Pete Swan & Nelly Hawley Hayes Play Monk

· Oct. 26: Century Jazz Orchestra feat. Liz Cracchiolo

· Oct. 29: G. Thomas Allen: Mister Bing’s Presents

· Oct. 30: Mauricio Morales’ Día de Muertos Trio

· Oct. 31: Candlelit Séance with Space Travelers Union

For tickets, show details and the complete October schedule visit https://hotelcongress.com/venues/centuryroom/