Fly Me To The Moon: The Max Wellman Big Band Plays Sinatra & More

Fly Me To The Moon: The Max Wellman Big Band Plays Sinatra & More

Fri, Jan 09

In the latest innovative revue at Noce, Max Wellman and his big band highlight the works of Frank Sinatra, his contemporaries, and those that followed. Fly Me to The Moon features songs made famous by Harry Connick Jr, Michael Bublé, Dean Martin, and more. Wellman includes newly commissioned arrangements from some of today’s great Big Band arrangers; this new format will allow for an ever-changing, dynamic set list each time the band takes the stage. –––––––––– Vocalist Max Wellman continues to entice music lovers throughout the region, with a sound evoking Sinatra and Connick. Wellman’s recordings & performances proclaim that the Great American Songbook is alive and well for a new generation of listeners. Noce is a state-of-the-art jazz club (co-founded by Wellman) in the Western Gateway neighborhood of downtown Des Moines. In addition to performing at Noce, Wellman has appeared at some of the great clubs around the country, including Dizzy's Club Coca Cola at Lincoln Center, Andy's Jazz Club in Chicago, and Dazzle in Denver. 

After Hours @ Noce

After Hours @ Noce

Fri, Jan 09

Noce presents a late night show hosted by a rotation of musicians every Friday night following the conclusion of the prime time show. No cover & happy hour prices at the bar! 

Latin Night w/ Son Peruchos

Latin Night w/ Son Peruchos

Sat, Jan 10

Son Peruchos, based in Des Moines, Iowa, is a fusion of Andean and South American folk music utilizing traditional instruments such as the zampona, quena and charango. This musical group also integrates their traditional Andean sound with more modern Latin and Caribbean rhythms such as cumbia, bachata and rock en español. --- Come to listen, or come to dance! 

The Des Moines Big Band, in residence

The Des Moines Big Band, in residence

Tue, Jan 13

The Des Moines Big Band, a storied ensemble that goes back to the 1950s, has played with some of the greatest names in jazz, from legends like Clark Terry to some of the more local household names such as Scott Smith. --- The band often invites high school & college groups in to play during the set break. The first Tuesday of every month, though, the band plays their own full night highlighting the work of a different iconic jazz artist or composer. 

Jazz on the House w/ Hannah Goodwin & Co.

Jazz on the House w/ Hannah Goodwin & Co.

Wed, Jan 14

Every Wednesday night, Noce hosts an all night happy hour. Doors at 6, music 7-10pm, no cover all night! $5 green tea shots, $6 well drinks, $7 house wine, $8 specialty cocktails. Some of the top jazz musicians in the region are featured each week. --- Hannah Claire Goodwin is a Dallas-Fort Worth–based vocalist and songwriter known for her expressive style, genre versatility, and fresh approach to jazz and contemporary music. A dynamic performer, she brings emotional honesty and fearless artistry to every stage—whether in intimate venues or alongside major artists like Christian McBride, Laila Biali, and Rosana Eckert. Originally from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Hannah studied at the School for Music Vocations before transferring to the University of North Texas, where she became a featured member of the acclaimed UNT Jazz Singers and lead vocalist for the Grammy-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band. In 2024, she received a DownBeat Award for Vocal Jazz Soloist and joined the 2025 JAS Academy Big Band Session under McBride’s direction. 

Fly Me To The Moon: The Max Wellman Big Band Plays Sinatra & More

Fly Me To The Moon: The Max Wellman Big Band Plays Sinatra & More

Fri, Jan 16

In the latest innovative revue at Noce, Max Wellman and his big band highlight the works of Frank Sinatra, his contemporaries, and those that followed. Fly Me to The Moon features songs made famous by Harry Connick Jr, Michael Bublé, Dean Martin, and more. Wellman includes newly commissioned arrangements from some of today’s great Big Band arrangers; this new format will allow for an ever-changing, dynamic set list each time the band takes the stage. –––––––––– Vocalist Max Wellman continues to entice music lovers throughout the region, with a sound evoking Sinatra and Connick. Wellman’s recordings & performances proclaim that the Great American Songbook is alive and well for a new generation of listeners. Noce is a state-of-the-art jazz club (co-founded by Wellman) in the Western Gateway neighborhood of downtown Des Moines. In addition to performing at Noce, Wellman has appeared at some of the great clubs around the country, including Dizzy's Club Coca Cola at Lincoln Center, Andy's Jazz Club in Chicago, and Dazzle in Denver. 

After Hours @ Noce

After Hours @ Noce

Fri, Jan 16

Noce presents a late night show hosted by a rotation of musicians every Friday night following the conclusion of the prime time show. No cover & happy hour prices at the bar! 

Vocalist Aviana Gedler w/ Her Band - National Act!

Vocalist Aviana Gedler w/ Her Band - National Act!

Sat, Jan 17

Aviana Gedler is a jazz singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with a passion for music and performance artistry. As the 1st Place Winner of the Ravenscroft Jazz Prize and 2nd Place Winner of the 2024 Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition, she has developed her voice and improvisational ear in the worlds of swing, bossa nova, bebop, modern jazz, and many more, and has spread her artistry across her home state of Iowa, with performances at Noce Jazz & Cabaret, Turner Jazz Center, and Hoyt Sherman, to name a few. She has performed alongside many other renowned musicians and ensembles, including Gabriel Espinosa, Kim Nazarian, Nate Sparks, and the Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra, and has performed at summer festivals such as the Iowa City Jazz Festival and Jazz in July in Des Moines. After earning her Associate of Applied Arts degree in professional music at the School for Music Vocations in Creston, Iowa, under the direction of Tobi Crawford and Grammy-nominated Dr. Jeremy Fox, Aviana studied jazz performance at the New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts with Jason Moran, Dominique Eade, Hankus Netsky and Ran Blake. She entered the New England scene, playing at Wally’s Jazz Cafe, the Mad Monkfish, and has performed at the Regattabar alongside the NEC Jazz Orchestra. Aviana now resides in Chicago, where she continues to write and perform her original music and collaborate with those around her. Aside from music, in her free time, Aviana enjoys eating food, reading, running, and petting her cats, Iris and June. 

Last Call w/ Max Wellman

Last Call w/ Max Wellman

Sat, Jan 17

Vocalist/pianist Max Wellman along with local jazz musicians play standards from the end of Saturday night's primetime show (9:30 or 10:30) until 11:30 or midnight. --- Vocalist Max Wellman is enticing music lovers throughout the region. With a sound evoking the likes of Sinatra and Connick, Wellman’s recordings & performances promise that the Great American Songbook is alive & well for a new generation of listeners. Wellman co-founded Noce, a state-of-the-art jazz club in the Western Gateway neighborhood of downtown Des Moines. Additionally, Wellman has appeared at some of the great clubs throughout the country, from Dizzy's Club Coca Cola at Lincoln Center to Andy's Jazz Club in Chicago to Dazzle in Denver & many in between. 

The Des Moines Big Band, in residence

The Des Moines Big Band, in residence

Tue, Jan 20

The Des Moines Big Band, a storied ensemble that goes back to the 1950s, has played with some of the greatest names in jazz, from legends like Clark Terry to some of the more local household names such as Scott Smith. --- The band often invites high school & college groups in to play during the set break. The first Tuesday of every month, though, the band plays their own full night highlighting the work of a different iconic jazz artist or composer. 

Jazz on the House w/ Trombonist & Composer Levi Temple & Co.

Jazz on the House w/ Trombonist & Composer Levi Temple & Co.

Wed, Jan 21

Every Wednesday night, Noce hosts an all night happy hour. Doors at 6, music 7-10pm, no cover all night! $5 green tea shots, $6 well drinks, $7 house wine, $8 specialty cocktails. Some of the top jazz musicians in the region are featured each week. --- Levi Temple is a trombonist, composer, and educator from Monticello, Iowa. Fresh off a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa, Levi is known for his dynamic compositions and charismatic playing. Performance accomplishments include selection to the 2024 Telluride Jazz Festival Student All-Stars and winning the Collegiate division of the Iowa Brass Young Artist Competition. Levi is credited as a performer and/or composer in several recording sessions, including his 2023 debut album of original music, What Once Was, and his 2025 release, How We Got Here. Equally respected as a composer, he has had over a dozen compositions and arrangements premiered, including a commissioned score for the UNI Theatre Department’s 2024 production of The Tempest. In addition to his career as a performer/composer, Levi serves as the band director at Union High School in La Porte City, IA. 

The Art of the Trio w/ Mike Conrad

The Art of the Trio w/ Mike Conrad

Thu, Jan 22

Mike Conrad explores the music of some of the great trios in jazz, from Oscar Peterson to Bill Evans to Brad Mehldau and beyond. The trio format allows for maximum interaction, expressiveness, and creativity — all of the things that are beautiful about Jazz. ––– Mike Conrad is a composer and improviser currently serving as Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Iowa. He has been recognized for his arranging and composing with four ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards and seven awards from Downbeat Magazine, as well as many other accolades. Conrad’s music has been performed all over the world, including a 2017 concert by the Metropole Orkest in the Netherlands, a 2014 Carnegie Hall Premiere, and a performance at the US Presidential Inauguration in 2013. As a performer, he has toured China, played at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy, and appeared at various jazz festivals and venues all over the United States. Aside from his own projects like the All Angles Orchestra, the Mike Conrad Trio, and the co-led big band COLOSSUS, Conrad has enjoyed playing and/or recording with Alexa Tarantino, Dave Chisholm, the Bob Washut Dodectet, Christopher’s Very Happy. Band., the Max Wellman Big Band, and many other groups. Some of his more recent projects include a reimagination of Beethoven’s 3rd symphony in collaboration with the Berlin-based Stegreif Orchester, and a suite of four Iowa-inspired big band pieces for the Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra, which he founded. Equally accomplished on both trombone and piano, Conrad truly loves collaborating with other musicians, and always brings his creativity and expressiveness to everything he does. 

Torch Songs: Lauren Vilmain w/ Her Jazz Orchestra

Torch Songs: Lauren Vilmain w/ Her Jazz Orchestra

Fri, Jan 23

Noce is proud to present a new show from Lauren Vilmain featuring a full 10-piece jazz orchestra playing the arrangements of Brian Martin from some of Lauren's favorites along with some new tunes, ranging from Amy Winehouse to Kander & Ebb & more. This is a fully produced show for one of Iowa's great singers in one of Iowa's most beautiful rooms. --- Vocalist, Lauren Vilmain is a graduate of Drake University where she majored in vocal performance with a minor in musical theatre. In her studies she fell in love with both the thrill of live performance and the beauty of self-expression. While being classically trained, Lauren also dove into musical theater repertoire. After her studies she found a challenging and deep love for American Jazz music. Her repertoire ranges widely from Nina Simone, Melody Gardot and Madeleine Peyroux to blues artists like Lizz Wright, Tracy Chapman, and Eva Cassidy. She performs locally with NOLA Jazz Band as well as her Quintet and is proud to regular the Noce Jazz Club in Downtown Des Moines. Lauren is privileged to work with some of the best musicians in the state and to collaborate with them for her personal projects. 

After Hours @ Noce

After Hours @ Noce

Fri, Jan 23

Noce presents a late night show hosted by a rotation of musicians every Friday night following the conclusion of the prime time show. No cover & happy hour prices at the bar! 

The Paul Lichty Jazz Orchestra

The Paul Lichty Jazz Orchestra

Sat, Jan 24

Paul Lichty has become one of Des Moines’ most prolific freelance musicians and composers since moving there in 2020. Now the bandleader of the Paul Lichty Jazz Orchestra (PLJO), trombonist/music director for BYOBrass and "The Domita Show" and jazz chair of the Iowa Pride Ensembles, Paul balances these duties while also working as a band director at Winterset Junior High School. Paul has developed a unique and personal approach at composing and arranging for ensembles of all sizes and skill levels. PLJO’s first album, “Dark Soul”, was released in 2021 and can be found on all steaming platforms, BandCamp, as well as Paul’s website.
 BYOBrass' second album, "Breathe", was released in 2025 and features several of his newest arrangements and compositions. In 2024, Paul was recipient of the CJC Des Moines Hall of Fame "Next Generation" award which recognizes an up-and-coming musician who has made an impact on the music scene in Des Moines. 

After Hours @ Noce

After Hours @ Noce

Sat, Jan 24

Noce presents a late night show hosted by a rotation of musicians every Friday night following the conclusion of the prime time show. No cover & happy hour prices at the bar! 

The Des Moines Big Band, in residence

The Des Moines Big Band, in residence

Tue, Jan 27

The Des Moines Big Band, a storied ensemble that goes back to the 1950s, has played with some of the greatest names in jazz, from legends like Clark Terry to some of the more local household names such as Scott Smith. --- The band often invites high school & college groups in to play during the set break. The first Tuesday of every month, though, the band plays their own full night highlighting the work of a different iconic jazz artist or composer. 

Jazz on the House w/ Trumpeter Scott Davis & Co.

Jazz on the House w/ Trumpeter Scott Davis & Co.

Wed, Jan 28

Every Thursday night, Noce hosts an all night happy hour. Doors at 6, music 7-10pm, no cover all night! $5 green tea shots, $6 well drinks, $7 house wine, $8 specialty cocktails. Some of the top jazz musicians in the region are featured each week. 

KC Percussionist John Kizilarmut & Co.

KC Percussionist John Kizilarmut & Co.

Thu, Jan 29

John Kizilarmut is a Kansas City area percussionist who has performed or recorded with a wide range of artists and groups including Aretha Franklin, Doc Severinsen, Clark Terry, Matt Wilson, Jimmy Heath, Branford Marsalis, Adam Larson, Logan Richardson, New York Voices, Ana Gasteyer, Conspirare, Shirley Jones, DJ Starscream, and the Des Moines Symphony. He is also a frequent guest performer and clinician at percussion and jazz festivals throughout the midwest. Additionally, he was a featured performer at the PASIC convention in 2013. John is also an active composer and arranger. His works have been featured by many award-winning music programs, including the 2013 State Jazz champion Waukee High School Jazz Ensemble, Lake Central High School Band, several DCI Drum Corps, and the University of Texas percussion ensemble. John has served as a percussion teacher on the faculties of Drake University, Grinnell College, University of Missouri Kansas City, Avila University and Northwest Missouri State University. John currently resides in Kansas City, Missouri with his son, Evan. 

Fly Me To The Moon: The Max Wellman Big Band Plays Sinatra & More

Fly Me To The Moon: The Max Wellman Big Band Plays Sinatra & More

Fri, Jan 30

In the latest innovative revue at Noce, Max Wellman and his big band highlight the works of Frank Sinatra, his contemporaries, and those that followed. Fly Me to The Moon features songs made famous by Harry Connick Jr, Michael Bublé, Dean Martin, and more. Wellman includes newly commissioned arrangements from some of today’s great Big Band arrangers; this new format will allow for an ever-changing, dynamic set list each time the band takes the stage. –––––––––– Vocalist Max Wellman continues to entice music lovers throughout the region, with a sound evoking Sinatra and Connick. Wellman’s recordings & performances proclaim that the Great American Songbook is alive and well for a new generation of listeners. Noce is a state-of-the-art jazz club (co-founded by Wellman) in the Western Gateway neighborhood of downtown Des Moines. In addition to performing at Noce, Wellman has appeared at some of the great clubs around the country, including Dizzy's Club Coca Cola at Lincoln Center, Andy's Jazz Club in Chicago, and Dazzle in Denver. 

After Hours @ Noce

After Hours @ Noce

Fri, Jan 30

Noce presents a late night show hosted by a rotation of musicians every Friday night following the conclusion of the prime time show. No cover & happy hour prices at the bar! 

The Fab 4: Gina Gedler Sings Bette Midler, Peggy Lee, Barbra Streisand, & Linda Ronstadt

The Fab 4: Gina Gedler Sings Bette Midler, Peggy Lee, Barbra Streisand, & Linda Ronstadt

Sat, Jan 31

Along with Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and Linda Ronstadt, Gina is adding Miss Peggy Lee to her celebration of female singers! This is going to be a stellar show packed with favorites and deep cuts alike led by Gina Gedler and a fabulous 8 piece band. 

Last Call w/ Max Wellman

Last Call w/ Max Wellman

Sat, Jan 31

Vocalist/pianist Max Wellman along with local jazz musicians play standards from the end of Saturday night's primetime show (9:30 or 10:30) until 11:30 or midnight. --- Vocalist Max Wellman is enticing music lovers throughout the region. With a sound evoking the likes of Sinatra and Connick, Wellman’s recordings & performances promise that the Great American Songbook is alive & well for a new generation of listeners. Wellman co-founded Noce, a state-of-the-art jazz club in the Western Gateway neighborhood of downtown Des Moines. Additionally, Wellman has appeared at some of the great clubs throughout the country, from Dizzy's Club Coca Cola at Lincoln Center to Andy's Jazz Club in Chicago to Dazzle in Denver & many in between. 

Music From The Big Apple: A Tribute To The Village Vanguard w/ The Des Moines Big Band

Music From The Big Apple: A Tribute To The Village Vanguard w/ The Des Moines Big Band

Tue, Feb 03

Since 1935, The Village Vanguard has hosted the finest music New York City has to offer. From Lester Young and Ben Webster hosting jam sessions in the 1930’s (In between poetry readings!) to Miles Davis, Horace Silver, Dexter Gordon and on to today’s Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, this legendary club has seen it all. Come on down and get a taste of life in the Village, while we paint a portrait of the greatest jazz scene in America right here in the greatest jazz scene in the Midwest, Noce! 

Jazz on the House w/ Tyler Utter & Co.

Jazz on the House w/ Tyler Utter & Co.

Wed, Feb 04

Every Wednesday night, Noce hosts an all night happy hour. Doors at 6, music 7-10pm, no cover all night! $5 green tea shots, $6 well drinks, $7 house wine, $8 specialty cocktails. Some of the top jazz musicians in the region are featured each week. 

Torch Songs: Lauren Vilmain w/ Her Jazz Orchestra

Torch Songs: Lauren Vilmain w/ Her Jazz Orchestra

Fri, Feb 06

Noce is proud to present a new show from Lauren Vilmain featuring a full 10-piece jazz orchestra playing the arrangements of Brian Martin from some of Lauren's favorites along with some new tunes, ranging from Amy Winehouse to Kander & Ebb & more. This is a fully produced show for one of Iowa's great singers in one of Iowa's most beautiful rooms. --- Vocalist, Lauren Vilmain is a graduate of Drake University where she majored in vocal performance with a minor in musical theatre. In her studies she fell in love with both the thrill of live performance and the beauty of self-expression. While being classically trained, Lauren also dove into musical theater repertoire. After her studies she found a challenging and deep love for American Jazz music. Her repertoire ranges widely from Nina Simone, Melody Gardot and Madeleine Peyroux to blues artists like Lizz Wright, Tracy Chapman, and Eva Cassidy. She performs locally with NOLA Jazz Band as well as her Quintet and is proud to regular the Noce Jazz Club in Downtown Des Moines. Lauren is privileged to work with some of the best musicians in the state and to collaborate with them for her personal projects. 

Carson Parker: Progression of the Trio

Carson Parker: Progression of the Trio

Sat, Feb 07

A new show from sensational young pianist Carson Parker, presenting music from some of the great piano trios in jazz history. --- Carson Parker, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, has emerged as one of the Midwest's most captivating young jazz pianists, blending a mix of jazz, blues, and funk into his distinctive style. Carson's musical journey began at the age of six, when he first played the piano, setting a foundation for a lifelong dedication to the craft. His music, marked by passion and precision, shows a deep appreciation for jazz greats like Cedar Walton, Oscar Peterson, and Benny Green who have significantly shaped his sound. Carson’s talent has taken him to some of the region’s greatest venues, including Chicago's Fulton Street Collective, Clara Chicago, Opus Concert Cafe, Des Moines’ Noce Jazz Club, and the Iowa City Jazz Festival. Carson is grateful to be influenced by many teachers and mentors including Nate Sparks, Nick Ruckert, and Dr. William Menefield. His versatility as both a solo artist and collaborator has allowed him to work with musicians including trumpeter Sean Jones, drummer Isaiah Spencer, trumpeter Benny Bennack III, vocalist Max Wellman, drummer Jerome Gillespie II, and singer-songwriter James Tutson. In 2023, Carson achieved the honor as the sole pianist of the National Jazz Band of America. Now an established professional, he continues to play for audiences across the Midwest, both with his ensemble and as a sought-after sideman, consistently showcasing his passion and commitment to the music. Carson’s journey is only just beginning as he pushes forward, leaving a mark on the jazz world