The Artists Quarter Countdown continues, with two of its long-time favorite national artists joining together this weekend and one of its longest-running local bands closing out the week. Meanwhile the holidays bring heroines of song to concert and club stages, and the annual Bad Plus residency begins at the Dakota. The weather outside might be frightful, but the jazz inside is bountiful.
Big Gigs This Week
Friday, December 20. Last month, Jazz Central launched a monthly series of Friday night jams led by students dubbed the Young Beasts. On the stage tonight — The Farmington Quintessential Quintet; The Eau Claire Ice Bergh Combo; and The Will Kjeer Combo, followed by an open jam. Over in St Paul, guitarist/composer Todd Clouser comes back to town to celebrate his latest recording, The Naked Beat, which does have more of a rock bent than much of his earlier work. He brings his national touring edition of A Love Electric (bassist Aaron Cruz and drummer Hernan Hecht) to the Amsterdam Bar, part of a rockish triple bill.
Friday-Saturday, December 20-21.On their own, both Eric Alexander and David Hazeltine are worthy of SRO in any club, and over time they have found strong support for their gigs at the Artists Quarter. But this weekend they perform together as the countdown to the AQ's closing continues as the final note draws ever closer. With Billy Peterson and Kenny Horst filling out the rhythm section, tenor sax titan Alexander and piano virtuoso Hazeltine make this one of jazz's top “going out of business" gigs.
Saturday, December 21. No one celebrates the holidays with more flair than songbird Maud Hixson. At Bloomington's Schneider Theater, Maude and the Wolverines Trio (Rick Carlson, Steve Pikal and Jendeen Forberg) “Let It Snow" with vintage film clips and carols. Adding to Maud's journey through the holiday songbooks of the 1930-w-50s are rare films from the famed collection of Bob DeFlores.
With a family that knows how to hold a holiday party on stage, singer Patty Peterson finds plenty of support from more Petersons and friends for a “Jam Before Christmas" show at the Dakota. Patty will be joined by sister Linda, brothers Ricky and Paul, and nephew Jason DeLaire, along with usual cohorts Billy Franze, Bobby Vandell, Cory Wong and more.
Sunday, December 22. A few days after his St Paul celebration of Angels, Kings, My Favorite Things, pianist/vocalist/composer Larry McDonough comes to Minneapolis for a reprise at the Icehouse. The new recording is trademark McDonough, with new compositions and arrangements that highlight quirky time signatures, off-beat harmonies and fine ensemble interplay.
Sunday-Monday, December 22-23.Enroute to international acclaim, vocalist/pianist Karrin Allyson stopped in the Twin Cities for a few years to hone her chops. Recently voted Top Rising Star Female Vocalist by Downbeat, the honor seems a bit late given the acclaim from critics for her dozen or so albums and her four Grammy nominations to date. Well, perhaps you are a rising star until you release a holiday album? Karrin is in town at the Dakota to celebrate her new Yuletide Hideaway, which should confirm her rightful place among the “stars." Joining her will be long-time friend Laura Caviani, who will be on the piano bench —except for those songs on which Karrin chooses to accompany herself. Some all-time favorites will be interspersed with original and seldom-heard tunes.
Monday, December 23. Jazz Central continues its series of interesting artist combinations with “Jake Vs B-3" night. Young trumpeter Jake Baldwin goes head-to-bridge with Tanner Taylor, who tonight shows off his organ chops with some help from drummer Mac Santiago. Meanwhile, the Icehouse as always on Mondays hosts JT's Jazz Implosion, tonight featuring house favorites, Fat Kid Wednesdays with Mike Lewis, Adam Linz and JT himself. If these two venues seem to have competing agendas tonight, remember Jazz Central begins at least an hour earlier and they are not that far apart.
Thursday, December 26. It's the first night of the Bad Plus residency at the Dakota, with the trio's “usual" nights of mayhem offered Thursday through Saturday. But they will stay around an extra day this visit to reprise their 2012 Rite of Spring next Sunday.
At the Artists Quarter, the Phil Hey Quartetends a run that began on Jackson Street and continued in the Hamm Building, as they have one last gig at the AQ. For Phil, the November gig was a comeback after illness kept him off the band stand for a couple months this fall, and wow—did he come back! Now it's one more blast for Phil and pals Phil Aaron, Tom Lewis and Dave Hagedorn before the AQ shuts down, and this gig promises to be the most incendiary of the PHQ's long tenure.
More Jazz Every Night Be sure to check live jazz calendars on Jazz Policeand KBEM sites. Also find a growing number of events on the Jazz Near You site, a service of All About Jazz. A few more gigs of note:
Friday, December 20. Irv Williams and Peter Schimke, happy hour at the Dakota; Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Vicky Mountain at Parma 8200; Bryan Nichols and Brian Courage, dinner sets at the Icehouse; The Brad Bellows/Donald Washington Quartet at the Black Dog; Vic Volare at Hell's Kitchen; James Wallace at the Red Stag
Saturday, December 21. Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma 8200; Zacc Harris Trio at Merlin's Rest; Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske with Gary Schulte and Steven Marking at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Chris Lomheim and Jeremy Boettcher, dinner sets at the Icehouse; Jana Nyberg Group followed by Jason Weisman at Hell's Kitchen; Debbie Duncan Christmas Benefit for We Care Performing Arts at Jazz Central
Sunday, December 22. Patty and the Buttons, brunch at the Aster Café; Robert Everest, brunch at Maria's; Larry McDonough CD Release at the Icehouse; Zacc Harris Trio at Eat Street Social; Nova Jazz Orchestra at St. James Lutheran Church (West St Paul); George Winston at the Fitzgerald Theater; Charmin Michelle with Vic Volare, Swinging Holiday at Jax Café
Monday, December 23. Headspace at the Artists Quarter; Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Triosé at Barbette
Tuesday, December 24. Joel Shapira, brunch at Hell's Kitchen
Wednesday, December 25. The Steeles at the Dakota
Thursday, December 26. Maurice Jacox, brunch at Hell's Kitchen; Connie and Herb at The Bean (Andover)
Big Gigs This Week
Friday, December 20. Last month, Jazz Central launched a monthly series of Friday night jams led by students dubbed the Young Beasts. On the stage tonight — The Farmington Quintessential Quintet; The Eau Claire Ice Bergh Combo; and The Will Kjeer Combo, followed by an open jam. Over in St Paul, guitarist/composer Todd Clouser comes back to town to celebrate his latest recording, The Naked Beat, which does have more of a rock bent than much of his earlier work. He brings his national touring edition of A Love Electric (bassist Aaron Cruz and drummer Hernan Hecht) to the Amsterdam Bar, part of a rockish triple bill.
Friday-Saturday, December 20-21.On their own, both Eric Alexander and David Hazeltine are worthy of SRO in any club, and over time they have found strong support for their gigs at the Artists Quarter. But this weekend they perform together as the countdown to the AQ's closing continues as the final note draws ever closer. With Billy Peterson and Kenny Horst filling out the rhythm section, tenor sax titan Alexander and piano virtuoso Hazeltine make this one of jazz's top “going out of business" gigs.
Saturday, December 21. No one celebrates the holidays with more flair than songbird Maud Hixson. At Bloomington's Schneider Theater, Maude and the Wolverines Trio (Rick Carlson, Steve Pikal and Jendeen Forberg) “Let It Snow" with vintage film clips and carols. Adding to Maud's journey through the holiday songbooks of the 1930-w-50s are rare films from the famed collection of Bob DeFlores.
With a family that knows how to hold a holiday party on stage, singer Patty Peterson finds plenty of support from more Petersons and friends for a “Jam Before Christmas" show at the Dakota. Patty will be joined by sister Linda, brothers Ricky and Paul, and nephew Jason DeLaire, along with usual cohorts Billy Franze, Bobby Vandell, Cory Wong and more.
Sunday, December 22. A few days after his St Paul celebration of Angels, Kings, My Favorite Things, pianist/vocalist/composer Larry McDonough comes to Minneapolis for a reprise at the Icehouse. The new recording is trademark McDonough, with new compositions and arrangements that highlight quirky time signatures, off-beat harmonies and fine ensemble interplay.
Sunday-Monday, December 22-23.Enroute to international acclaim, vocalist/pianist Karrin Allyson stopped in the Twin Cities for a few years to hone her chops. Recently voted Top Rising Star Female Vocalist by Downbeat, the honor seems a bit late given the acclaim from critics for her dozen or so albums and her four Grammy nominations to date. Well, perhaps you are a rising star until you release a holiday album? Karrin is in town at the Dakota to celebrate her new Yuletide Hideaway, which should confirm her rightful place among the “stars." Joining her will be long-time friend Laura Caviani, who will be on the piano bench —except for those songs on which Karrin chooses to accompany herself. Some all-time favorites will be interspersed with original and seldom-heard tunes.
Monday, December 23. Jazz Central continues its series of interesting artist combinations with “Jake Vs B-3" night. Young trumpeter Jake Baldwin goes head-to-bridge with Tanner Taylor, who tonight shows off his organ chops with some help from drummer Mac Santiago. Meanwhile, the Icehouse as always on Mondays hosts JT's Jazz Implosion, tonight featuring house favorites, Fat Kid Wednesdays with Mike Lewis, Adam Linz and JT himself. If these two venues seem to have competing agendas tonight, remember Jazz Central begins at least an hour earlier and they are not that far apart.
Thursday, December 26. It's the first night of the Bad Plus residency at the Dakota, with the trio's “usual" nights of mayhem offered Thursday through Saturday. But they will stay around an extra day this visit to reprise their 2012 Rite of Spring next Sunday.
At the Artists Quarter, the Phil Hey Quartetends a run that began on Jackson Street and continued in the Hamm Building, as they have one last gig at the AQ. For Phil, the November gig was a comeback after illness kept him off the band stand for a couple months this fall, and wow—did he come back! Now it's one more blast for Phil and pals Phil Aaron, Tom Lewis and Dave Hagedorn before the AQ shuts down, and this gig promises to be the most incendiary of the PHQ's long tenure.
More Jazz Every Night Be sure to check live jazz calendars on Jazz Policeand KBEM sites. Also find a growing number of events on the Jazz Near You site, a service of All About Jazz. A few more gigs of note:
Friday, December 20. Irv Williams and Peter Schimke, happy hour at the Dakota; Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Vicky Mountain at Parma 8200; Bryan Nichols and Brian Courage, dinner sets at the Icehouse; The Brad Bellows/Donald Washington Quartet at the Black Dog; Vic Volare at Hell's Kitchen; James Wallace at the Red Stag
Saturday, December 21. Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma 8200; Zacc Harris Trio at Merlin's Rest; Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske with Gary Schulte and Steven Marking at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Chris Lomheim and Jeremy Boettcher, dinner sets at the Icehouse; Jana Nyberg Group followed by Jason Weisman at Hell's Kitchen; Debbie Duncan Christmas Benefit for We Care Performing Arts at Jazz Central
Sunday, December 22. Patty and the Buttons, brunch at the Aster Café; Robert Everest, brunch at Maria's; Larry McDonough CD Release at the Icehouse; Zacc Harris Trio at Eat Street Social; Nova Jazz Orchestra at St. James Lutheran Church (West St Paul); George Winston at the Fitzgerald Theater; Charmin Michelle with Vic Volare, Swinging Holiday at Jax Café
Monday, December 23. Headspace at the Artists Quarter; Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Triosé at Barbette
Tuesday, December 24. Joel Shapira, brunch at Hell's Kitchen
Wednesday, December 25. The Steeles at the Dakota
Thursday, December 26. Maurice Jacox, brunch at Hell's Kitchen; Connie and Herb at The Bean (Andover)
