The Cottonwood Club, a Helena string jazz ensemble playing in the tradition of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, is scheduled to perform at On Broadway, located at 106 East Broadway. The group plays what's known as hot club jazz — an acoustic, string-driven style rooted in 1930s Paris that has maintained a devoted following among jazz listeners drawn to its energy and improvisation.
The Cottonwood Club's set list draws from Reinhardt and Grappelli's recorded catalog, jazz standards from across the 20th century, and original compositions. The hot club format typically features lead guitar, rhythm guitars, and violin or fiddle, giving the music a sound that's distinct from big band or bebop jazz and that tends to translate well in an intimate venue setting.
On Broadway sits just off the Walking Mall in a space that regularly hosts live music. For Helena listeners looking for a midweek or weekend option with a specific sound and some historical depth behind it, the Cottonwood Club offers something different from the standard bar-band calendar.