LowDown's Upcoming Shows

What happens when a lifetime of shared music finds its way to the stage? Join us for Keys for Two, an unforgettable evening featuring Tulsa’s own Ryan & Ryan, a father-son piano duo whose bond is as evident in their playing as in their family connection.

Spanning the elegance of classical repertoire, the spontaneity of jazz, and one-of-a-kind arrangements that are entirely their own, this performance promises something for every listener in the room.

The evening will also offer audiences a rare first listen of the duo's upcoming album before it reaches the wider world. Expect previews, stories behind the music, and perhaps a few surprises along the way.

Whether you're a lifelong classical devotee, a jazz enthusiast, or simply someone who loves great music played with heart, 'Keys for Two' is an evening you won't soon forget!

ABOUT THE RYAN & RYAN DUO:

Ryan & Ryan is a dynamic father-son piano duo that draws upon classic and contemporary music to create enthralling concert experiences. From Rachmaninoff to Gershwin to Billy Joel, Donald and Barron Ryan combine their talents to create a dazzling blend of old and new schools.

As a performing team, Donald and Barron amaze audiences with their skill, expressiveness, and love of making music. Their experience in classical, jazz, ragtime, and funk allows them to create exciting new music and give fresh interpretations of old. Audiences everywhere have been thrilled by their renditions of selections from Dave Grusin’s The Firm soundtrack as well as Rachmaninoff’s Second Suite for Two Pianos. Their performance of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue has always earned a standing ovation.

Ryan & Ryan is a proven hit with audiences of all generations. Their inventiveness, infectiousness, skill and general joy of life make for irresistibly engaging performances. To sum it up, they make music that inspires.

What happens when a lifetime of shared music finds its way to the stage? Join us for Keys for Two, an unforgettable evening featuring Tulsa’s own Ryan & Ryan, a father-son piano duo whose bond is as evident in their playing as in their family connection.

Spanning the elegance of classical repertoire, the spontaneity of jazz, and one-of-a-kind arrangements that are entirely their own, this performance promises something for every listener in the room.

The evening will also offer audiences a rare first listen of the duo's upcoming album before it reaches the wider world. Expect previews, stories behind the music, and perhaps a few surprises along the way.

Whether you're a lifelong classical devotee, a jazz enthusiast, or simply someone who loves great music played with heart, 'Keys for Two' is an evening you won't soon forget!

ABOUT THE RYAN & RYAN DUO:

Ryan & Ryan is a dynamic father-son piano duo that draws upon classic and contemporary music to create enthralling concert experiences. From Rachmaninoff to Gershwin to Billy Joel, Donald and Barron Ryan combine their talents to create a dazzling blend of old and new schools.

As a performing team, Donald and Barron amaze audiences with their skill, expressiveness, and love of making music. Their experience in classical, jazz, ragtime, and funk allows them to create exciting new music and give fresh interpretations of old. Audiences everywhere have been thrilled by their renditions of selections from Dave Grusin’s The Firm soundtrack as well as Rachmaninoff’s Second Suite for Two Pianos. Their performance of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue has always earned a standing ovation.

Ryan & Ryan is a proven hit with audiences of all generations. Their inventiveness, infectiousness, skill and general joy of life make for irresistibly engaging performances. To sum it up, they make music that inspires.

A bold new voice in contemporary large ensemble jazz arrives this fall with the debut performance and album launch of The Aaron Spiers Jazz Orchestra. The evening will feature an 18-piece big band performing Spiers’ original compositions alongside works by Nick Mancini and Sarah Maud, as well as selected arrangements of music by Cole Porter, Clifford Brown, and Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Get ready for exciting grooves, dynamic arrangements and world class improvisations from some of Tulsa’s most creative jazz performers. Spiers’ writing blends contemporary jazz language with rhythmic influences drawn from his extensive background in rock music and international touring. Over the course of his career, Aaron has performed in more than twenty-seven countries alongside artists including KISS, Aerosmith, Slash, The Darkness, Bush, and Deep Purple.

Featuring an all-star lineup including Sarah Maud, Nick Mancini, Tommy Poole, Mitch Bell, Sam Vaughn, Mike Cameron, Bishop Marsh, Stephen Schultz, Willie Peterson and many more outstanding performers. The Aaron Spiers Jazz Orchestra promises an energetic evening of artistry and musical excellence in celebration of this special album launch.

ABOUT SPIERS:

Aaron Spiers is an electric bassist, composer, and arranger originally from Australia and currently based in the United States. His work focuses on contemporary large ensemble jazz, with an emphasis on writing modern, groove-driven music for big band alongside a broader performance practice that spans jazz and rock.

Aaron has performed internationally in over twenty-seven countries as a member of the UK-based rock trio RavenEye, appearing at major festivals including Download (UK), Reading & Leeds (UK), Rock Am Ring & Rock Im Park (GER), Monsters of Rock (ARG), ShipRocked (USA), and Aftershock (USA) among others.

Aaron also had the opportunity to support international artists such as KISS, Aerosmith, Slash, The Darkness, Bush and Deep Purple across the USA, UK and Europe. RavenEye released their debut album ‘NOVA’ on Frontiers Records to critical acclaim. While based in the UK, he also performed across Europe with recording artist Kim Wilde.

Alongside his performing career, Aaron has developed a substantial practice as a composer and arranger. He was recently commissioned by Oklahoma State University to compose a concert featuring the music of guitarist Kenny Reichert.

Aaron has also arranged a full concert for Australian country music icon John Williamson for the Australian Army Band Perth. His work has also been commissioned by the University of Tulsa Big Band featuring the music of Nick Mancini and Count Basie. Aaron, as a member of the Australian Army Band Perth, arranged several songs for Australian artists Kate Ceberano and Marina Prior.

Aaron has released two jazz albums as bandleader

'Rediscovery' and 'Play Your Own Way ' featuring international recording artists Troy Roberts (tenor saxophone), Tim Jago (guitar), Ben Vanderwal (drums), Tom O'Halloran (piano), Harry Winton (guitar) and is currently completing his debut big band album.

After years working as a session arranger, The Aaron Spiers Orchestra recording project marks a shift toward establishing his own compositional voice, with release scheduled for summer 2026. This album features some of the finest soloists in the USA and Australia including Mat Jodrell (trumpet), Nick Mainella (saxophone), Nick Mancini (vibraphone), Kenny Reichert (guitar), Harry Mitchell (piano), Ben Vanderwal (drums) and Luke Mailwicz (trombone). With a focus on rich orchestration, dynamic improvisation, and cross-continental collaboration, the album highlights the Aaron Spiers Orchestra’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of the large ensemble tradition while honoring its roots.

Aaron holds a Bachelor of Music (Jazz) with Honors from the West AustralianAcademy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).

The Soul Session Experience features an incredible lineup of powerhouse vocalists—Lawrence Rosenborough, Nikki Givens, Joe Dyer, J Friday, Angel Robbins and Valarie Harding each bringing their own unique style, passion, and personality to the stage. Together, they blend their voices to create unforgettable harmonies, heartfelt performances, and an authentic celebration of soul, R&B, funk, and timeless classics that invite every audience to sing along.

The band includes Valarie Harding, Nikki Givens, Joe Dyer, Lawrence Rosenborough, Angel Robbins, and J Friday

Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime

Ages 21+

Kansas City jazz pianist, vocalist, and composer Jackie Myers brings her soulful touch and blues-infused vocals to the LowDown stage. A seasoned performer with seven albums to her name and residencies at some of KC’s most notable venues, Myers blends jazz standards, inventive originals, and groove-forward keyboard work reminiscent of Ahmad Jamal and Les McCann. With the tight rhythm section of Less and Leifer, the Jackie Myers Trio delivers a vibrant mix of straight-ahead jazz, soul-jazz, and blues, creating an experience both fresh and rooted in tradition.

The trio includes Jackie Myers vocals, bassist Seth Lee, and drummer Matt Leifer.

Doors open at 7 p.m. | Show starts at 8 p.m.

Ages 21+

ABOUT JACKIE MYERS

Jackie Myers boasts a catalog of 8 albums, the most recent of which, What About The Butterfly, pushes jazz boundaries, showcasing a fusion of modern composition techniques and improvisation. The concept is modern vocal jazz paired with microtonal string arrangements. The record features some of the best in the scene, including one of Jackie’s mentors and musical heroes, Bobby Watson (Jazz Messengers), Seth Lee, Rich Wheeler, Matt Leifer, Aryana Nemati, players from The Fountain City String Quartet and a guest appearance by Iowa City’s own Blake Shaw on several tracks. The record was signed to 577 Records out of New York, NY. Following a sold-out release at the Blue Room, the album spent nine consecutive weeks on the Roots Music Weekly Top 50 Jazz Album Charts. The success of the album enabled several festival bookings (Boulevardia Music Festival, [2025], Kansas City Blues & Jazz Festival [2025] and Tongyeong Fringe Festival in South Korea [2026]) as well as a handful of prestigious regional jazz club bookings. Jackie is currently working on another album and steadily expanding her festival bookings and tour circuits.

New Orleans quartet NOLATET is bringing funky jazz to LowDown on Saturday, September 19!

Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.

Ages 21+ (Please provide a valid I.D. at the door)

ABOUT NOLATET

Acclaimed New Orleans ensemble Nolatet returns with its third album, Somethin’ To Relax With, arriving via RPF Records/Royal Potato Family. The group reunites the legendary Crescent City rhythm section of bassist James Singleton and drummer Johnny Vidacovich alongside two of the city’s most highly regarded and fearless improvisers: vibraphonist/percussionist Mike Dillon and pianist Brian Haas. Nolatet’s first new music since 2018’s No Revenge Necessary, the quartet recorded Somethin’ To Relax With live at LowDown in Tulsa over two sold-out shows in 2025.

“In the past, we’ve always worked out new material live, onstage, in front of the audience. Even after we’ve played a new composition a few times, we always treat this music as rough sketches, no matter how through-composed it might be,” explains Singleton. “Our specialty is collective improvisation and as a band we gravitate more towards creative, improvised music than sticking to charts. So when it came time to record these songs, we made the decision to do it live in front of an audience.”

“The first two albums were recorded in Esplanade Studios in New Orleans and have a very specific ‘live In a big room at a studio’ kind of sound. This third album was recorded live at a small club in Tulsa and I think the kinetic energy of a live audience makes for a more energetic, riskier album,” continues Haas. “The reason for recording at LowDown in Tulsa was definitely Johnny Vidacovich. Tulsa loves weird music and unique musicians with a voice of their own. JFJO was born in Tulsa and deep individuals like Leon Russell, JJ Cale and The Gap Band originated there as well. The first thing Johnny V. noticed when he started playing T-Town was that everybody knew who he was and everybody kept giving him free weed. When I called him at the end of 2024 to ask him where he wanted to record the new album, he said, ‘let’s go record it live at that cool little club in Tulsa where everyone is so nice.’ He’s the maestro, the elder and the teacher, so if he wants to do something, you just do it.’

Previously praised by JazzTimes for their “mix of quirky melodies, classically informed harmonies, gentle grooves, and punk-rock moxie” and hailed by DownBeat as “innovative in its improvisations and graceful in its execution,” Nolatet once again rises to such accolades across six new compositions, including highlights “Switchback,” “Doc Richter To You” and “Black Pencil,” that balance an earthy jazz finesse with swaggering syncopation and harmonic imagination.

“There are six songs on the album and I think they all hit hard, but my favorite one to play is by James Singleton and it’s called ‘Doc Richter To You.’ James is one of the greatest living composers and that piece is so deep. It’s completely different every time we play it,” says Haas. “The version that ended up on the album is bizarre; ‘Doc Richter’ has never sounded like that before that specific night.”

The four men who comprise Nolatet were in each other’s lives, either in close proximity or as distant heroes, for many years. Johnny Vidacovich and James Singleton have been New Orleans’ best rhythm section since 1977 having been the backbone of their own ensemble Astral Project, as well as supporting artists ranging from James Booker to Professor Longhair to Dizzy Gillespie and Jon Cleary. Mike Dillon and Brian Haas — who initially looked to Singleton and Vidacovich as heroes before sharing stages with them — have been playing co-bills and sitting in with each other’s bands on the same touring circuit for over 20 years, ranging from Punkadelick to Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and numerous points in between. All four musicians are fiercely independent iconoclasts and bandleaders who compose, play and navigate their musical lives in their own unique way.

As like vibration always attracts like vibration, it is no surprise that after years of loose collaboration with each other the four would form a band in 2016. Their debut album Dogs and its predecessor No Revenge Necessary, as well as the their most recent recording Somethin’ To Relax With features all original material influenced by the diverse lives and perceptions of these four jazz avatars. While traditional jazz is the backbone and starting point for Nolatet’s language, each member’s piercing individuality allows innovation to be a constant. Sketches for compositions are the starting point, but ultimately this is improvised music made in the moment alternating between meditative focus and wild abandon.

“Musically speaking, the Nolatet is limitless. The music ebbs and flows effortlessly, like rebirthing an amoeba,” says Dillon. “We have one of the all-time great New Orleans rhythm sections in Johnny V. and James. Like any great rhythm section, they make you find parts of yourself that you never knew existed. With that as our foundation, there’s no telling how far the music can expand with each performance.”