September 30, 2022
Peter Erskine Trio
with special guest, George Garzone
We've been outdoing ourselves lately! These four world-class players showed Taos what jazz can and should always be– a dazzling romp into the stratosphere of melody, rhythm and playfulness. The music was always accessible– always challenging. And full of surprises. Garzone's solos– just magic.
September 10, 2022
Emmet Cohen & Tootie Heath
This night was a thrill for so many reasons. Emmet Cohen is one of today's most exciting pianists– his style is eclectic, loose and joyous, and he swings HARD! And Tootie is a treasure to jazz and a showman– a funny character. The trio, with Russell Hall on bass, had us charmed and spellbound. Unforgettable– I hope you were there!
August 7, 2022
Greg Abate Quartet
Some kind of magic happened on this day– Greg payed better than we've ever heard. In fact, so did all the band members– John Rangel on piano, Terry Burns on bass and Pete Amahl on drums. The audience made it clear– it was one of the best concerts we've presented.
June 25, 2022
Purnell Steen & LeJazz Machine
It was a fun night at the Harwood when Purnell Steen appeared with his band of 5-Points Denver "Ambassadors". Swinging sounds and Purnell's heart-felt stories were met with happy audience woots and whistles.
August 29, 2020– TCA Drive In Concert!
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Doug Lawrence Quartet
The Covid-19 shutdown had us stymied for several months with all venues closed. But then this idea struck: Why not a DRIVE IN CONCERT in the TCA Backlot? Doug and the band were on fire– pouring out their JOY at playing for a live audience once again. And 45 cars-full of jazz fans applauded by honking and shouting through the windows. A magical night
March 7, 2020
Tootie Heath's "Whole Drum Truth"
Tootie's world famous drum ensemble came to Taos with his two chosen New Mexico drummers– John Trentacosta and Lorin Bienvenue. It was FUN!
February 16, 2020– Jazz On Tap at the Mothership
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Christine Fawson
Vocalist and Trumpeter Christine Fawson charmed us again with her lively, swinging delivery. A GREAT Jazz brunch at the Mothership!
December 7, 2019
Bill Frisell & Julian Lage
The audience listened in rapt attention while these two guitar masters probed each other's musical minds. It was riveting.
April 30, 2021
Doug Lawrence Septet!
The first live concert in 2021 was planned as a quartet– then grew to a septet because so many players wanted to play! An outstanding, joyous event. Watch a video of the whole concert by clicking on the VIDEOS tab above.
September 20, 2019– FREE Music at the PASEO
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Delvon Lamaar Trio
The streets of Taos were crowded with strolling art-lovers, come to witness the PASEO. We provided the missing ingredient: some big-hearted soul-jazz from the Delvon-Lamaar Trio.
May 5, 2019– JAZZ ON TAP Cinco de Mayo Celebration
this time showcasing "New Mexico LATIN Jazz Heroes"
Steve Figueroa Latin Jazz Quartet
A FUN afternoon of Latin Jazz. Spectacular keyboard fireworks by Steve Figueroa and a stellar lineup of young players… trumpeter Ryan Montaño and drummer Jonathan Rodriguez… with Andy Zadrozny displaying his considerable Latin chops on bass!
2019 Poetry & Jazz Fest– since April is National Poetry Month and as well as National Jazz Appreciation Month… we celebrate! Two great events:
Ebony Booth
She SLAYED us with her words and rhythmic, melodic delivery, seamlessly working with the band and the audience. A stunner.
Jamaal May
His poetry was fascinating. His delivery mercurial. Jazz and electronics by the always amazing John Rangel Trio.
March 3, 2019– JAZZ ON TAP Free Sunday Series at Taos Mesa Brewery– showcasing "New Mexico Jazz Heroes"
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Pete Amahl Quartet, featuring
Alex Murzyn
Lucky us that Alex moved to Santa Fe!
He rocked the house on Sunday with powerful, swinging tenor solos and a great song list. He WILL be back!
February 10, 2019– JAZZ ON TAP– Our Free Sunday Series at Taos Mesa Brewery– showcasing "New Mexico Jazz Heroes"
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Pete Amahl Quartet, featuring
Christine Fawson
An exciting New Mexico artist discovery!
Vocalist and trumpet player Christine Fawson is also a wonderful performer. With her heartfelt, swinging, scatting delivery– she had the audience in the palm of her hand– backed by the wonderful Pete Amahl.
August 14, 2018
Charlie Hunter Trio
The Willie Green Project
A Knock-out Double Bill
The Willie Green Project opened with a high-energy set that got the room rocking. Then Charlie Hunter arrived– and proceeded to knock out the crowd with his insanely tasty guitar chops. We WILL get them back!
August 25, 2018
Lorca Hart Trio
Lorca is a phenomenal drummer– sometimes driving, sometimes subtle and painterly. He's fascinating! Pianist Josh Nelson is an exciting player and composer. And bassist Michael Glynn holds it down with great taste and intonation. Truly a night of world-class jazz.
July 27, 2018
Charles McPherson Quartet
The second Taos concert of the New Mexico Jazz Festival
Powerful, lyrical and on fire– legendary saxophonist Charles McPherson held the Harwood audience with beautiful, challenging bebop from start to finish. His sensational band was right with him– the concert drew raves. Presented in partnership with the Harwood, and supported by Western Jazz Presenters Network, through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
July 19, 2018
Ranky Tanky
The first-ever Taos concert of the New Mexico Jazz Festival
This unique quintet from the Sea Islands off the South Carolina Coast amazed and delighted us with their absolutely fun, modern and thoroughly rocking take on traditional Gullah music. Presented in partnership with Roots & Wires at Taos Mesa Brewing Mothership.
April 20, 2018
Poetry & Jazz
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, Tyehimba Jess
and the John Rangel Trio
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SOMOS, Taos Jazz Bebop Society, and the Harwood Museum joined forces to present the acclaimed poet, Tyehimba Jess reading from his Pulitzer-Prize winning book OLIO. With astonishing accompaniment from jazz pianist and composer John Rangel, the evening was truly a thrill.
June 22, 2018
The Greg Abate Quintet with Richie Cole
Two Saxophone Legends Heat Up the Harwood
Another sold-out, stunning, entertaining and thoroughly great performance by our two favorite bebop legends. The rhythm section wasn't too bad either… the sensational improviser John Rangel on piano, cerebral Andy Zadrozny on bass, and the great Pete Amahl on drums.
July 14, 2017
Tribute To Dexter Gordon
The legendary Jimmy Cobb
with Special Guest Doug Lawrence
Paul Campbell, piano; John Weer, bass
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JImmy Cobb, the elder statesman of the Miles Davis bands with John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderly, put on a mighty show… while Doug Lawrence channeled Dexter's sound and feel. What a night!
February 15, 2018
Willie Green Project
The next generation of great jazz players emerging from New Orleans gave us a GREAT night. This was a FREE show too thank all our fans for their support. Willie is a talented, versatile drummer and swinging, fun bandleader– and his band is seriously outstanding.
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The next day they gave a Jazz Workshop to students at Taos Academy. Lovely, generous guys!
June 3, 2017
Celebrating Phil Woods
The Greg Abate Quartet with Special Guest Richie Cole
Paul Rangel, piano; Andy Zadrozny, bass; Pete Amahl, drums
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The music was stellar, performed by two of Phil Woods' most ardent followers. Both Greg and Richie were strongly influenced by Woods and performed with him as well. It was a beautiful night of saxophone fireworks and a whole lotta love.
The legendary Jimmy cobb
With Special Guest Doug Lawrence
John Campbell, Piano; John Weber, bass
October 1, 2016
Ali Ryerson Quartet
With John Trentacosta, Bert Dalton and Rob "Milo" Jaramillo
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Bop Jazz Flutist Ali Ryerson and her quartet gave us a night of eye-opening, swinging jazz. One of the most exciting and versatile flutists on the scene today, Ali Ryerson showed us why she has been sought out by such diverse talents as Billy Taylor, Kenny Barron, Stephane Grappelli, Frank Wess, Red Rodney, Laurindo Almeida, Art Farmer, Maxine Sullivan, Roy Haynes… and more. Special highlight of the night was the quartet's preview of their upcoming album, "The Brazil Project." Hope you caught the show!
January 14, 2017
Jazz Afro-Latino &
Salsa Criolla
Presented with the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. With internationally acclaimed jazz musicians Bobby Shew and Doug Lawrence and the sensational master Cuban musician César Bauvallet. Accompanied by an all-star nine-piece band and the fabulous vocalist, Jackie Zamora
April 8, 2017
A Jazz & Poetry Tribute to
Miles & Coltrane
Featuring Poet Quincy Troupe and the Doug Lawrence Quartet
A memorable night of poetry performed "in conversation" with jazz… with Amalio Madueño, Anne MacNaughton, and Paul Nelson reading their original poems and Steve Rose performing the poem, "Dog" by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Followed by a full set of Doug's band swinging hard on Miles and Coltrane tunes. It doesn't get any better.
July 1, 2016
Dweezil Zappa Plays Frank Zappa
Taos Mesa Brewing Amphitheater was the setting for an absolutely knock-out performance by Dweezil Zappa's 8-piece band. Yes, they played the Mothers of Invention debut album "Freak Out"… and then went waaay beyond. The Zappa influence is everywhere… yet their sound is entirely, powerfully NEW! After an all-day downpour, stars came out just in time… the audience of all ages didn't even need their umbrellas!
August 27, 2016
Jazz'n Salsa Dance Party!
As a huge shout-out and thank you all our supporters, Taos Jazz Bebop Society threw a FREE Latin Dance Party featuring Doug Lawrence (postively the hardest-swinging tenor sax man in the west) and his "Nuevo Mexicano Latin/Jazz AllStars"
The terrific Salsa dance band Calle 66 with singer Jackie Zamora shared the bill. They packed the dance floor at Taos Mesa Brewing Company– and it positively sizzled!
May 27, 2106
McKinley, Martin & Sydnor Trio
Taos Jazz Bebop Society partnered with Like a Boss Productions to bring you this live-wire musical group. The audience loved them… whoops, shouts and encores!
December 29, 2015
Pete Amahl
with Bobby Shew
Billed as a "Pre-New-Years Jazz Night," it was a great way to beat the usual crazy scene and swing-in the New Year. We welcomed 2106 with Pete Amahl, the powerfully swinging hard-bop drummer and the great Bobby Shew on trumpet. A great night of great jazz!
September 12, 2015
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Joe Krown Trio
Taos Jazz Bebop Society partnered with Roots & Wires to bring the Sunday night band from New Orleans' world-famous Maple Leaf Bar to Taos. And, no surprise, they brought the house down at Taos Mesa Brewing Company!
New Orleans funk and R&B musician, Joe Krown manned the Hammond B3 with driving bass and lead lines. Joe, winner of the New Orleans Big Easy Award in the Blues category, was joined by Walter “Wolf Man” Washington on vocals and his nothing-but-straight-soul guitar. Russell Batiste is their drummer… that would be Russell Batiste, drummer in the Funky Meters. Hope you made it to the show!
November 15, 2014
Doug Lawrence Quartet
Taos Mesa Brewery was filled to capacity with a crowd of jazz lovers from 18 to 80. Doug is the powerfully swinging lead tenor man with the Count Basie Band, and a touring and recording artist in his own right. He grabbed and held the TMB audience with his breathtaking musicianship and happy, hip showmanship.
"The professional credentials Doug Lawrence has racked up are astonishing!"
- Howard Mandel, Downbeat Magazine
February 22, 2015
Tootie Heath Trio
The one and only Tootie Heath led his quartet in an unforgettable evening at Taos Mesa Brewing Company. What an honor to have this great musician here in Taos!
April 15, 2015
Beats & Bebop
A Poetry & Jazz Tribute to Peter Rabbit
Beats & Bebop was an exciting, entertaining night of live poetry readings and jazz by the incomparable improvisor, Greg Abate. It promises more great things to come… bringing back the vibe of the raucus jazz and poetry performances by "The Luminous Animals" that electrified audiences at Taos Poetry Circus events, circa 1986. Those events drew people to Taos from around New Mexico, Texas, Colorado and beyond. Jazz and poetry feels new again… and it deserves to be done more often!
July 13 & July 20–
2019 New Mexico Jazz Festival– two Taos concerts
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Doug Lawrence New Organ Quartet
Aaron Diehl Trio
Two weekends, two world class concerts. Ample swing from Doug and Dan Trudell on Hammond B3. Then Aaron Diehl brought the Harwood audience to their feet with his tasty, cerebral piano.
March 18, 2022
Battle of the Tenor Titans
TCA audiences got a THRILL when Doug Lawrence, New Mexico's big, bad tenor master went head to head with Alex Murzyn, man of multiple genres from jazz to soul, rock, funk, latin– and back to bebop. The band was sensational too– Steve Figueroa at the piano, Terry Burns on bass, and new drummer-in-town, David Flores.
