Past Events

Tuesday
September 9
2025

Sanders, Boyd, Page & Hall

Sanders, Boyd, Page & Hall distill the pure essence of improvisational expression, converging as alchemists of sound, transmuting musical elements into their most essential forms. This quartet embodies the philosophical concept of quintessence—the fifth element beyond earth, air, fire, and water—representing the fundamental substance from which all musical reality springs.

Their original compositions crystallize the essential qualities of diverse influences, oscillating between through-composed musical themes, groove-based soul explorations, traditional jazz-influenced pieces, Americana-inspired peaceful melodicism, world music influences, free jazz adventures, and occasional forays into cacophonous noise music. Through years of improvisational study, they've learned to access that rarefied space where genres dissolve into pure creative energy.

In this musical laboratory, Sanders' guitar becomes a conduit for universal vibration, Boyd's reeds channel the breath of consciousness itself, Page's bass provides the fundamental frequency of existence, while Hall's percussion creates the rhythmic heartbeat of the cosmos.

Alan Hall - Drums
Zack Page - Acoustic & Electric Bass
Will Boyd - Sax, Flute, Clarinet, EWI
Jay Sanders - Guitar and Effects
Admission: FREE!
Monday
September 8
2025

Dr. Bill Bares presents the return of Hard Bop Explosion

Fans of the hard-hitting, iconic Blue Note jazz albums of the 1950s and 1960s will feel right at home with Hard Bop Explosion, a band dedicated to playing hits and rare grooves with authenticity and fire. The band ignited the Asheville scene at Tressas Jazz and Blues in 2012 and was the house band at the Isis from 2013-2015. This September, the band re-ignites at Little Jumbo with a new drummer and a decade’s worth of pent-up energy. Look out!

Zack Page - Acoustic & Electric Bass
Jacob Rodriguez - Saxophone
Bill Bares - Piano
Joe Enright - Drums
Justin Ray - Trumpet
Admission: FREE!
Tuesday
September 2
2025

Sanders, Boyd, Page & Hall

Sanders, Boyd, Page & Hall distill the pure essence of improvisational expression, converging as alchemists of sound, transmuting musical elements into their most essential forms. This quartet embodies the philosophical concept of quintessence—the fifth element beyond earth, air, fire, and water—representing the fundamental substance from which all musical reality springs.

Their original compositions crystallize the essential qualities of diverse influences, oscillating between through-composed musical themes, groove-based soul explorations, traditional jazz-influenced pieces, Americana-inspired peaceful melodicism, world music influences, free jazz adventures, and occasional forays into cacophonous noise music. Through years of improvisational study, they've learned to access that rarefied space where genres dissolve into pure creative energy.

In this musical laboratory, Sanders' guitar becomes a conduit for universal vibration, Boyd's reeds channel the breath of consciousness itself, Page's bass provides the fundamental frequency of existence, while Hall's percussion creates the rhythmic heartbeat of the cosmos.

Alan Hall - Drums
Zack Page - Acoustic & Electric Bass
Will Boyd - Sax, Flute, Clarinet, EWI
Jay Sanders - Guitar and Effects
Admission: FREE!
Monday
September 1
2025

Steve LaSpina

When a bass legend who's anchored Stan Getz, Jim Hall, and Chet Baker meets Asheville's most intimate jazz room, magic happens. Steve LaSpina brings four decades of New York City jazz mastery to Little Jumbo, joined by drummer Alan Hall (whose sticks have danced behind Lee Konitz across three continents), guitarist Dr. Tim Fischer (where USC precision meets street-level groove), and pianist Dr. Bill Bares (Harvard professor turned piano poet).

This Labor Day evening promises the kind of musical conversation that only happens when four lifetimes of jazz experience converge in one room. At Little Jumbo Bar, where the walls lean in when real musicians take the stage, prepare for bass lines that connect Texas dance halls to Manhattan's most hallowed stages, all wrapped in the intimate atmosphere that makes every note feel like a personal revelation.

Some musical conversations are worth four decades in the making.

Alan Hall - Drums
Tim Fischer - Guitar
Bill Bares - Piano
Steve LaSpina - Bass
Admission: FREE!
Tuesday
August 26
2025

Jay Sanders, Will Boyd, Zack Page & Alan Hall

Sanders, Boyd, Page & Hall distill the pure essence of improvisational expression, converging as alchemists of sound, transmuting musical elements into their most essential forms. This quartet embodies the philosophical concept of quintessence—the fifth element beyond earth, air, fire, and water—representing the fundamental substance from which all musical reality springs.

Their original compositions crystallize the essential qualities of diverse influences, oscillating between through-composed musical themes, groove-based soul explorations, traditional jazz-influenced pieces, Americana-inspired peaceful melodicism, world music influences, free jazz adventures, and occasional forays into cacophonous noise music. Through years of improvisational study, they've learned to access that rarefied space where genres dissolve into pure creative energy.

In this musical laboratory, Sanders' guitar becomes a conduit for universal vibration, Boyd's reeds channel the breath of consciousness itself, Page's bass provides the fundamental frequency of existence, while Hall's percussion creates the rhythmic heartbeat of the cosmos. The Jay Sanders Quintessence:

Jay Sanders - Guitar, ERAE Touch Synthesizer, and Effects
Will Boyd - Reeds, Flute, EWI, and Effects
Zack Page - Bass and Effects
Alan Hall - Drums and Percussion

Admission: FREE!
Monday
August 25
2025

The CORE

Admission: FREE!
Saturday
August 23
2025
Tuesday
August 19
2025

Jay Sanders' Empyrean Trio featuring Zack Page & Alan Hall

The Empyrean Trio ascends to the highest sphere of musical expression, where Sanders, Page, and Hall commune in the celestial realm of pure improvisation. Like ancient philosophers who believed the empyrean was the highest heaven—a place of fire and light beyond the physical world—this trio inhabits the ethereal space where earthbound genres dissolve into transcendent musical dialogue.

Their original compositions float between the terrestrial and the sublime, oscillating from groove-laden explorations that anchor listeners to the physical realm, to free-form adventures that lift consciousness into the empyrean heights of pure sonic possibility. Through jazz, rock, blues, and world music influences refined by years of improvisational alchemy, the trio channels the luminous fire of creative spontaneity.

In this rarefied atmosphere, Sanders' guitar becomes a conduit between the material and immaterial, Page's bass provides the gravitational pull that keeps the music tethered to human experience, while Hall's percussion creates the rhythmic cosmos in which their empyrean visions unfold.

The Empyrean Trio:
Jay Sanders - Acoustic & Electric Guitar, ERAE Touch Synthesizer, and Effects
Zack Page - Acoustic & Electric Bass and Effects
Alan Hall - Drums and Percussion

Admission: FREE!
Monday
August 18
2025

Brian Felix

Admission: FREE!
Tuesday
August 12
2025

Jay Sanders, Will Boyd, Zack Page & Alan Hall

Sanders, Boyd, Page & Hall distill the pure essence of improvisational expression, converging as alchemists of sound, transmuting musical elements into their most essential forms. This quartet embodies the philosophical concept of quintessence—the fifth element beyond earth, air, fire, and water—representing the fundamental substance from which all musical reality springs.

Their original compositions crystallize the essential qualities of diverse influences, oscillating between through-composed musical themes, groove-based soul explorations, traditional jazz-influenced pieces, Americana-inspired peaceful melodicism, world music influences, free jazz adventures, and occasional forays into cacophonous noise music. Through years of improvisational study, they've learned to access that rarefied space where genres dissolve into pure creative energy.

In this musical laboratory, Sanders' guitar becomes a conduit for universal vibration, Boyd's reeds channel the breath of consciousness itself, Page's bass provides the fundamental frequency of existence, while Hall's percussion creates the rhythmic heartbeat of the cosmos. The Jay Sanders Quintessence:

Jay Sanders - Guitar, ERAE Touch Synthesizer, and Effects
Will Boyd - Reeds, Flute, EWI, and Effects
Zack Page - Bass and Effects
Alan Hall - Drums and Percussion

Admission: FREE!
Monday
August 11
2025

Aaron Irwin TRIO

Aaron Irwin -  Saxophones & Clarinets
Mike Baggetta - Guitar
Bill Campbell - Drums

Admission: FREE!
Sunday
August 10
2025

Authors in Conversation with Denise Kiernan and Bonnie Kistler

CRAFT’s concept is simple:

Denise Kiernan sits down with a writer in this speakeasy setting to discuss not only the writer’s latest publication, but also the craft of writing itself. For each featured author, the Little Jumbo staff will create a specialty cocktail—or mocktail—inspired by either the featured book or the author themselves.

WHO
Me, Denise, sitting down with authors from all walks—literary fiction, nonfiction, graphic novelists, mystery authors, romance writers, TV and film folks…You get the idea.

WHAT
An hour of conversation about the guest author’s work, writing process and more, with time for audience questions. Conversations are followed by an author signing. Books provided by Malaprop’s.

WHERE
Little Jumbo, located at 241 Broadway Street in Asheville, a bar and then some, offering classic and classically-inspired craft cocktails, food, games, and more. When

WHEN
The second Sunday of every month. Doors open at 4. Conversation starts no later than 4:30 PM.

Free parking is available in the lot at 5 Points Restaurant across Broadway, in addition to general street parking. On-site book sales will be provided by Malaprop’s.

Admission: FREE!
Tuesday
August 5
2025
Monday
August 4
2025

Will Boyd and the Knoxville Crew

Will Boyd- Reeds
Taber Gable- Keys
David Becher- Bass
Kenneth Brown- Drums

Admission: FREE!
Tuesday
July 29
2025
Monday
July 28
2025
Tuesday
July 22
2025

AJC Electric 5-Tet

Admission: FREE!
Monday
July 21
2025
Saturday
July 19
2025
Tuesday
July 15
2025

Will Boyd Quartet

Admission: FREE!
Monday
July 14
2025

Tim Fischer

Admission: FREE!
Sunday
July 13
2025

Denise Kiernan & Angie Flynn-McIver

Angie Flynn-McIver is the author of Before You Say Anything: How to Have Better Conversations, Love Public Speaking, and Finally Know What to Do with Your Hands

Admission: FREE!
Tuesday
July 8
2025
Monday
July 7
2025

The CORE

Admission: FREE!
Tuesday
July 1
2025
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