The Kash Wright Trio brings a perfect vibe to one of jazz’s great traditions: the classic piano trio. There’s a special chemistry when well matched acoustic piano is joined by sensitive upright bass and drums, and Kash’s fit with bassist Given Arnold and drummer Jim Crumble is spot on. For tonight’s show, the trio will be joined by Rishard, one of our favorite vocalists.

Since 2015, Barking Legs Theater has grown our weekly jazz program and will continue to do so with memberships and more, coming soon! Aside from the occasional touring act, we strive to support local artists and foster the talent within Chattanooga and surrounding areas. We appreciate everyone's support over the years and look forward to presenting these jazz events for many years to come. 

Weekly artist lineups, ticket prices and details are posted to our website and Facebook regularly. Please check there for the most up to date information. 

Ticket prices- $10 advance, $12 at the door. 

DOORS OPEN at 7:00pm

It is always a treat when we get to present trumpeter Nathan Warner on a Wednesday. Fantastic player, superb band. The quartet features Shawn Perkinson on guitar, David Schwab on bass and Matt Turnure on drums. Always hits the high notes!

Since 2015, Barking Legs Theater has grown our weekly jazz program and will continue to do so with memberships and more, coming soon! Aside from the occasional touring act, we strive to support local artists and foster the talent within Chattanooga and surrounding areas. We appreciate everyone's support over the years and look forward to presenting these jazz events for many years to come. 

Weekly artist lineups, ticket prices and details are posted to our website and Facebook regularly. Please check there for the most up to date information. 

Ticket prices- $10 advance, $12 at the door. 

DOORS OPEN at 7:00pm

These three will be making a Southeast tour in May and June 2026 that will involve collaborations with a variety of musicians in the South, All together, it's a kind of rolling festival involving ten musicians, not to mention sessions along the way. Participating musicians at Barking Legs will be drawn from frequent collaborators Brady Sharp, Bruce Kaplan, Randy Smith, Ernie Paik and Jon Brummit.

Jack Wright (b. 1942) is a musician described as playing "post-electronic saxophone, and dedicated to to free playing since 1979. Described thirty years ago as an "undergrounder by design," he is a veteran improviser based mainly in Philadelphia. He has played mostly on tour through the US and Europe since the early 80s in search of interesting partners and playing situations. Now at 83 he is still the "Johnny Appleseed of Free Improvisation," as guitarist Davey Williams called him in the 80s, on the road as much as ever. He continues to inspire players outside music-school careerdom, playing sessions with visiting and resident players old and new. He's said to have the widest vocabulary of any saxophonist, including leaping pitches, punchy, precise timing, sharp and intrusive multiphonics, surprising gaps of silence, and obscene animalistic sounds. Apart from interviews, for a true assessment of his and his partners music and for links to his writings (including The Free Musics) go here: Spring Garden Music,

Evan Lipson (b. 1981) has lived with the incurable disease of music since early adolescence, seeking the liminal realms in which intellect and instinct, history and myth, and creative and destructive force intersect. Drawn towards aberrant perspectives at an early age, his formative activities were primarily rooted in extreme and discordant forms stemming from various traditions of “underground” and ancient musics. He may or may not have some degree of affiliation with Rev. Fred Lane in addition to a social scientific think tank known as MEINSCHAFT.

“It's Disaster Amnesiac's wish that in, say, one hundred years, musicians such as Evan Lipson and their contributions to a truly creative culture are discussed and valued.” -Mark Pino (Disaster Amnesiac)

Show of hands: How many of you know the name of Sammy Nestico? I confess to having only a vague familiarity with Sammy until the Monday Nite Big Band began their First Monday shows at Barking Legs. He arranged for the Count Basie band for the better part of 20 years, which brought him a share in 4 Grammy awards. Sammy lived a long and highly productive musical life, and his Wikipedia page will give you a nice glimpse into his world.

The bottom line: The Monday Nite Big Band will bring his rich and swinging sounds to life at Barking Legs!

You're invited to a special performance Saturday, May 30th starting at 7pm. We hope you will join us for an intimate evening of solo performances and original choreography by our local and loved Teaching Artists who bring their passion and talent to our public schools, community centers, and adult dance studio everyday.

You're invited to a special performance Friday, May 29th starting at 7pm. We hope you will join us for an intimate evening of solo performances and original choreography by our local and loved Teaching Artists who bring their passion and talent to our public schools, community centers, and adult dance studio everyday.

The passing of Sonny Rollins earlier this week makes this show—a couple of years in the planning— even more special.

The concert is presented by Alan Wyatt and Rusty Holloway, and East Tennessee jazz fans will recognize that this is the perfect pair to present the music of the tenor titan, Sonny Rollins. The music and personnel cue off Sonny’s great 1956 LP, Tenor Madness, with Alan in the Sonny Rollins role and Rusty channeling the great bassist on the album, Paul Chambers. Rounding out the quartet are Summit Hetman on Red Garland’s piano bench and Keith Brown as drummer Philly Joe Jones. Young Austin Pettit, who is quickly becoming a favorite here, will be a guest second sax on a couple of tunes. Big shoes to fill, but these musicians are up to the task.

This will be an evening of bebop, swinging and demonstrating the timeless attraction of some of the most compelling music from the 1950s.

This is a Wednesday Jazz Special Event on the main stage. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer the usual Wednesday member benefit on this one.

Student Tickets are available for $10 at the door with proper ID.

Spring is here, and with it renewal and regrowth with our Monthly Jazz Jammer program.

We are expanding to two events to better serve students of jazz, players of differing levels of experience and the community of jazz listeners.

Professional/advanced players will have the opportunity to share their music with a house trio on the last Monday of the month from 7:30-9:30 pm. Audiences will be encouraged for these evenings, and admission charges will be in keeping with Wednesday Jazz! The house trio will rotate, but will be top-notch players from the community.

Beginners/Intermediate players will gather on the last Sunday of the month from 2-4 pm. Gordan Inman will guide the session. The first session will be Sunday, June 28. Beyond the participants, these sessions won't be for a listening audience.

Audience Tickets- $10 in advanced and $12 at the door

Dexter Bell has been one of the anchors of our Wednesday Jazz in the Lounge from the start. I’m not sure who his “friends” will be this week, but his groups have always brought the power. Big time.

Since 2015, Barking Legs Theater has grown our weekly jazz program and will continue to do so with memberships and more, coming soon! Aside from the occasional touring act, we strive to support local artists and foster the talent within Chattanooga and surrounding areas. We appreciate everyone's support over the years and look forward to presenting these jazz events for many years to come. 

Weekly artist lineups, ticket prices and details are posted to our website and Facebook regularly. Please check there for the most up to date information. 

Tickets - $10 advance, $12 at the door. 

Doors open at 7:00pm. Music begins at 7:30pm.

Join Seed Theatre for the world premiere of First Stone, Brianna Jean’s 15th stage show premiere—a new play about protest, belief, identity, and the fragile, necessary work of finding common ground. Set against the backdrop of a family-friendly drag show under siege by churches, activists, and outside agitators, First Stone explores what happens when queer people and religious people are forced to stop shouting across the street and start seeing one another as fully human. With humor, heartbreak, and surprising tenderness, the play asks whether love can still speak louder than fear, and whether faith and queerness can meet not in easy agreement, but in honesty, compassion, and shared humanity.

First Stone is built around a tense public conflict over a family-friendly drag event, but what makes it compelling is that it refuses to flatten either side into a cartoon. At its heart are Zeeky, a trans woman organizing the event, and Virgil, a pastor who opposes it but is still deeply committed to love, dignity, and protecting people from cruelty. The story repeatedly returns to the idea that even in the middle of protest, fear, and cultural division, there are still human beings trying to understand each other.

This work is inspired by protests that occurred at The Seed Theatre in November 2022, though the turnout was vastly different. 

An evening with the Alan Wyatt Quartet is two hours spent experiencing some of the finest jazz you’ll hear anywhere. Alan’s exquisite saxophone playing is beautifully complemented by Shawn Perkinson on guitar, David Schwab on bass and Stephen Humphries on drums. The Quartet has made First Wednesdays a Barking Legs institution. NYC level musicianship right on Dodds Avenue.

Since 2015, Barking Legs Theater has grown our weekly jazz program and will continue to do so with memberships and more, coming soon! Aside from the occasional touring act, we strive to support local artists and foster the talent within Chattanooga and surrounding areas. We appreciate everyone's support over the years and look forward to presenting these jazz events for many years to come. 

Weekly artist lineups, ticket prices and details are posted to our website and Facebook regularly. Please check there for the most up to date information. 

Tickets - $10 advance, $12 at the door. 

Doors open at 7:00pm. Music begins at 7:30pm.

Guitarist Stephen Powers has become one of our favorite jazzers here at the Legs. Prodigious technique on guitar coupled with continuous growth as a musician always make for a great evening. For this show, Stephen will be working with the sextet that blew minds when they played for us a few months ago. The band features Grady Dickinson and Matt Roehrich on saxes, Danny Sample on drums, Matt Turnure on drums and Given Graber on bass. Formidable! On the main stage.

Since 2015, Barking Legs Theater has grown our weekly jazz program and will continue to do so with memberships and more, coming soon! Aside from the occasional touring act, we strive to support local artists and foster the talent within Chattanooga and surrounding areas. We appreciate everyone's support over the years and look forward to presenting these jazz events for many years to come. 

Weekly artist lineups, ticket prices and details are posted to our website and Facebook regularly. Please check there for the most up to date information. 

Tickets - $10 advance, $12 at the door. 

Doors open at 7:00pm. Music begins at 7:30pm.

Dylan Foley is one of the most accomplished fiddlers in Irish traditional music today and a four-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion. Hailed by master fiddler Brian Conway as “one of the finest fiddlers of his generation,” Foley is known for his technical brilliance, dynamic style, and deep respect for the tradition.

Matt Mancuso is a talented multi-instrumentalist who plays both fiddle and trumpet. His playing is spirited and exuberant, yet underpinned by deep technical mastery. As a young child, Matt was introduced to Irish Music by his father Pete, a respected guitarist. Matt studied with the renowned musician and teacher Maureen Glynn and with Tony De Marco Matt went on to compete in the prestigious All Ireland competitions.

Have a Listen!

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO AUGUST 27th

An evening of poetry and live music

Doors Open at 6:30 PM

Early Worm: Late Bird 

$42.30

Time is relative like my little cousin Adele.

Charcuterie feast provided by Pedestrians Wine and Cheese.

Being part of the very first Hallelujah Chattanooga experience. Look at you go.

A typed by hand program that can serve as a bookmark

Fly Bird: Fiery Horse

$94.23

You get it. This is your year. You are the fiery horse. 

There’s no way with all your passion and drive, you cannot nor will not fly. Get it.

Early Worm + 

Hallelujah Chattanooga: Preface

signed book of poetry

Priority seating

Feathers of a Horse

$423

Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Horses have feathers and you already found yours. Hallelujah Chattanooga. You see the vision. You’re in the vision. It’s your vision. You want to invest and make sure this happens for the next decade. Thank you.

Hallelujah. 

Chattanooga.

For individuals or businesses alike.

Early Worm + Fly Bird

Hallelujah Chattanooga: Preface, Limited Edition Hardcover, signed

Table seating on the stage.

Free Fly Bird: Fiery ticket to the next Hallelujah Chattanooga experience this year.

One Artist Card:

One question to be submitted before the conversation starts that the artist has to answer.

Complimentary non alcoholic beverages:

Fiery Horse

Fly Bird 

Name(personal or business) mentioned as founding supporter for the next three events.

Eric Vaughn returns to Barking Legs (and this may be our last chance to enjoy him for a bit)! Eric is high energy, whether playing the piano or singing, and the evening should be serious fun. His band features bassist Spencer Blake, and there’s a good chance of some guests on hand.

Since 2015, Barking Legs Theater has grown our weekly jazz program and will continue to do so with memberships and more, coming soon! Aside from the occasional touring act, we strive to support local artists and foster the talent within Chattanooga and surrounding areas. We appreciate everyone's support over the years and look forward to presenting these jazz events for many years to come. 

Weekly artist lineups, ticket prices and details are posted to our website and Facebook regularly. Please check there for the most up to date information. 

Tickets - $10 advance, $12 at the door. 

Doors open at 7:00pm. Music begins at 7:30pm.

We are very thankful to be able to bring in Vance Thompson’s fantastic quintet as a special Sunday afternoon jazz matinee. Some of you may see a familiar face from prior performances at Barking Legs, but the mallets are throwing you off. We have known Vance as a trumpeter, but he has rechanneled his jazz skills to the vibraphone. Pretty impressive and pretty inspiring, but the full story will have to wait.

Vance is the founder of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, and his Knoxville-based quartet features Taber Gable on piano, Ken Brown on drums and Taylor Coker on bass. Bringing it to the quintet configuration is guitarist Steve Kovalcheck, who is something of a legend, now based in Colorado.

I was lucky enough to hear a slightly different version of this quartet during a live recording session for Vance’s album, Lost and Found, last year. Bringing this quintet to Barking Legs is really a treat for Chattanooga.

The Times of London. Four Stars. “[Lost and Found] is a joyous, jubilant portrait of musical rebirth that chimes with the rest of this irresistible album. In that sense, it’s very special. Just like its remarkable creator.”