A HARMONIOUS BLEND OF MUSIC, MEZCAL, WINE AND COCKTAILS
Missing from Tucson’s hitherto very active music scene, there was a place dedicated to jazz.
The Hall of the Century, located inside the Congress Hotel, is set to open for its first jazz concert on Friday, February 4.
Photo courtesy of the Century Room at the Congress Hotel
The origin story of the club
In collaboration with the Rio Nuevo Board, The Century Room space was transformed into a state-of-the-art club that aims to add to the nightlife of downtown Tucson. Shana Oseran, partner of Hotel Congress with her husband richard since 1985, partly found the inspiration to develop the project thanks to the jazz drummer Arthur Vint.
Vint, originally from Tucson, spent 15 years in New York performing and working at jazz clubs like the blue note and Dizzy’s Club. Since 2020, he has been a professor of jazz drums at the University of Arizona.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to open my own club and Shana has included me in every aspect of the planning for the Century Room – it’s an exciting project that we’re excited to bring to the community,” said Came.
And all that
The dedicated jazz club opens in February with a lineup of live entertainment, including a variety of regional and national jazz artists performing throughout the year. Most evening performances will be ticketed concerts, which are shared in line to help you plan your experience.
Photo courtesy of the Century Room at the Congress Hotel
“The Century Room has been so well received by all of my fellow musicians,” Vint said. “My friends in New York all want to come and perform here and my friends in Arizona are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase their music in an authentic jazz club. It’s an amazing addition to downtown and Tucson in general.”
Mezcal, wine and cocktails, oh my
Ear candy aside, there will be plenty of likes coming from the bar and lounge inside the Century Room. The menu is full of drinks that will keep you coming back for more, like the Sonora Sazerac and the The Spirit of the Southwest, both of which have Tucson notes mixed in.
Photo courtesy of the Century Room at the Congress Hotel
Century Room will also offer guided tastings of ancestral mezcals in small batches with a collection of seven Mata varieties, as well as Rancho Tapua Bacanora, Mazot Bacanora, Sotol Por Siembre, and more. Plus, a wide selection of local and Sonoran wines, locally brewed beers, and spirits will be available to you.
A menu of small bites will be available soon, but in the meantime, check out the different cocktail menus.
Exclusive cocktail menu
- Tépache mullet – Hotel Congress Vodka, lime, tepache, ginger beer, pineapple
- Sonora Sazerac – Whiskey Del Bac Dorado, Piloncillo, Angostura, Peychauds, Mezcal Banhez, Lemon, Orange, Tajin
- The Spirit of the Southwest – Paranubes Agricole Rum, Uruapan Rum, Pineapple Plantation Rum, Ancho Reyes Poblano, Lemon, Mexican Coke
- Meridian Jazz – Arette Tequila, Kalani Coconut, Lime, Pineapple, Reagans Orange, Himalayan Black Sea Salt
Exclusive cocktail menu
- Smoke and mirrors – Hotel Congress Vodka, Nuestra Soledad Sotol, Cocchi Rosa, Regan’s Orange Bitters, Lemon, Citrus Smoke
- old fashioned indigo – Empress Gin, Maple Syrup, Regans Orange Bitters, Angostura Bitters, Orange, Mezcal Banhez, Ghost Leaf
- Earth Promise – Mezcal Banhez, Tequila Arette, Lime, Strega, Yellow Curry, Thai Chilli Oil
- Noche De Los Muertos – Strawberry Washed Paranubes, Mezcal Banhez, Blood Orange, Meyer Lemon, Flying Lavender, Peychaud’s, Marigold
- bite the bullet – Mezcal, Cocchi Torino Sweet Vermouth, Pierre Firand Dry Curacao, Allspice Dram, Mole, Vanilla Bean infused Del Bac Dorado
- jazz hands – Xila Licor de Agave, Ancho Reyes Chili Liqueur, Lime, Orgeat, Pineapple, Egg White, Bittermans Hellfire Bitters, Orchid
- Fernet and Coke – Fernet Vallet, Bourbon, Angostura Bitters, Mexican Coke, Smoked Vanilla
- wild soul – Braulio, Cocchi Torino Sweet Vermouth, Banhez Mezcal, Monkey Shoulder Scotch, Passion Fruit, Peychauds, Orange
- Curious confection – Washed Cacao Nib Banhez Mezcal, Ancho Reyes, Chocolate Liqueur, Horchata, Espresso Mousse, Cinnamon
Temperance menu
- The cynic’s dilemma – Desert Forager Prickly Pear & Peach Shrub, apple cider vinegar, vanilla, Topo Chico, apple and cinnamon
- fun bird – Cordial Carrot and Parsley, Lemon, Pineapple, Ginger Beer
- Participation trophy – Beetroot, Local Honey, Lemon, Mango and Chili Tepache
Where is The Century Room located?
Upon entry, you will pass through the century-old double-door entrance on Congress Avenue and Fifth Street. Congress Hotel partner Shana Oseran considers the new jazz club a true labor of love and something that has gone through years of evolution at the hotel.
Photo courtesy of the Century Room at the Congress Hotel
“Historic Hotel Congress has been a leader in adaptive reuse since 1985,” said Oseran. “The Century Room occupies the space which over the years has housed the Valley National Bank, Stamp and Coin, bookstore, art gallery, Southwestern clothing manufacturer, men’s clothing store , the Copper Hall banquet hall and now Southern Arizona’s first dedicated jazz club. . We are pleased to introduce a third concert venue to the hotel, joining Club Congress and Hotel Congress Plaza. I think Tucson is ready for this one-of-a-kind location.
SHOWS PROGRAM FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2022
friday 4 february
Latin Jazz Quartet Homero Cerón
Homero Cerón is a local legend who was the Principal Percussionist of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra for over 40 years. He brings his quartet to the Century Room to play a mix of Latin jazz originals and classics. He is accompanied by Amilcar Guevara (piano), Mike Levy (bass) and Danny Brito (drums).
monday 7 february
Tim Kliphus Gypsy Jazz Duos
Dutch violinist Tim Kliphuis returns to the Hotel Congress with guitarist Jimmy Grant for an encore performance of their gypsy jazz duets.
Friday February 11
Susan Artemis plays love songs from the dark side of the living room
Pianist and singer Susan Artemis brings her quartet for a special Valentine’s Day weekend concert to perform “Love Songs from the Dark Side of the Lounge.”
Saturday February 12
Dirty Dozen Brass Band Afterparty
This show follows Dirty Dozen’s “Mardi Gras Mambo” performance at the Fox Tucson Theater. Keep the party going at the Century Room with fantastic local musicians.
Friday February 18
Howard Alden Trio
Howard Alden is a world famous guitarist from New York who recently moved to Phoenix. He’s played with a who’s who of jazz legends, including Benny Carter, Clark Terry and Dizzy Gilespie, among others, and has won numerous accolades from Downbeat and JazzTimes. He recorded the soundtrack for Woody Allen’s 1999 film “Sweet and Lowdown” and trained Sean Penn for the role. He brings a trio to the Century Room to perform his favorite songs from his illustrious career.
Saturday February 26
Rob Boone “Blue Trombone: The Music of JJ Johnson”
Rob Boone is the first trombonist from Tucson who organized a tribute concert to the great JJ Johnson called “Blue Trombone”, which takes its name from the 1957 album Blue Note.
Friday March 4
Jon Batiste After Party
This show follows Batiste’s performance at the Tucson Jazz Festival at Centennial Hall. Fresh off his eleven Grammy nominations, the multi-talented entertainer is approaching legendary status. The afterparty will feature local jazz musicians until the early hours and will be the place to be after the show.
Friday March 11
Mike Moynihan Quartet plays Sonny Rollins
Mike Moynihan is a prolific composer, songwriter and entertainer. He is the author of hundreds of jazz songs and compositions and has recorded and released over a hundred songs from his various projects. Moynihan will pay homage to the colossus of the saxophone himself, Sonny Rollins.
Friday 18th March
Zazu West hails Django Reinhardt
Founded in 2004, ZAZU West is Arizona’s premier ensemble dedicated to gypsy jazz, the style enshrined in the legacy of guitar legend Django Reinhardt. Whether playing dozens of unique Django compositions, traditional and contemporary jazz standards in the Gypsy Jazz style, or the music of today’s big names in gypsy jazz in Europe and the United States, ZAZU West creates a one-of-a-kind performance experience.
Friday March 25
Rachel Eckroth Trio plays “Money Jungle”
Grammy-nominated pianist Rachel Eckroth brings her trio of bassist Tim Lefebvre and drummer Caleb Michel to the Century Room to perform the highly influential jazz album “Money Jungle.” Released in 1963, this trio of Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus and Max Roach created an album from a particularly tense recording session.
The Century Club is located at 311 E. Congress St. For more information, visit hotelcongress.com or call (520) 622-8848.
