As we settle in to cooler weather and earlier sunsets, the music scene continues to keep us warm and alert. Old friends, new residents, popular visitors and more are on the schedule this week.
Hot Gigs This Week
Friday, November 30. The Loring Park edition of Café Maude has not been in business long but has already established itself as a music venue with serious intent. Tonight, one of the hottest young musicians in town, guitarist Vincent Rose, takes the band stand with his trio—bassist Jeremy Boettcher and drummer Adrian Suarez. Yes, the same Jeremy Boettcher who went on the road with Delfeayo Marsalis earlier this fall.
Friday/Saturday, November 30-December 1. About six years ago, a quartet of young hipsters shook the local jazz community with their edgy compositions and commitment to collaborative invention. Now, three CDs later and ready to record #4, the Atlantis Quartet will offer a preview of new works as well as favorites at the Artists Quarter. The AQ at the AQ boasts a crew of the area's finest—Zacc Harris on guitar, Brandon Wozniak on sax, Chris Bates on bass and Pete Hennig on drums. Heck. These guys would be among the finest anywhere.
Saturday, December 1. There's a cool little jazz series out in Plymouth -Jazz @St. Barneys, a monthly presentation of top area artists, usually a duo or trio performing in the Arts Center of St Barnabus Lutheran Church. But tonight it's a larger ensemble as the Phil Mattson Singers make their St Barney's debut. Phil moved to the Twin Cities a couple years ago and brought with him his years as composer, arranger, pianist and vocal music instructor. His Phil Mattson Singers is a vocal sextet that performs arrangements of standards and original music under Phil's baton (and piano accompaniment). Young Trevor Haining adds drums. (Note this concert starts later than usual, at 7:30 pm.) If you can't make this one, you have a second chance later this week- the Phil Mattson Singers perform at the Artists Quarter on Thursday, December 6th.
Sunday, December 2. How about a little ride out to Cannon Falls? Songbird Maud Hixson and songful pianist Rick Carlson team up for some afternoon music in the Cannon River Winery. Can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Monday, December 3. Dean Sorenson is always cooking up something interesting for his U of M jazz ensembles, and tonight it's a centennial celebration of the great arranger, Gil Evans. Jazz Ensemble I boasts some mighty fine young musicians, including a few who are already making names for themselves with various pro projects around town - Joe Strachan, Noah Ophoven-Baldwin and more. This is a freebie at Ted Mann.
There's a heavy double header tonight at the Icehouse. Leading off will be Embezzler, a trio with Paul Metzger, Adam Linz and JT Bates. After a break, Adam and JT return with Mike Lewis for a steamy set from Fat Kid Wednesdays. (Bet you'll see most of the U of M Jazz Ensemble I here after their gig!)
Tuesday, December 4. Back by popular demand, Charmin Michelle and Joel Shapira, and friends, return to the Dakota for another “Foodie Night" filled with their swinging takes on standards and more. Across the river, it's “First Tuesdays" at the Black Dog with Dean Magraw and Davu Seru, and special guest, eclectic vocalist/songwriter Claudia Schmitt. Claudia recorded with Dean a few years ago and you would have to look really hard to find two more compatible souls for musical collaboration.
Wednesday, December 5. Sometimes there's too much in one night! Start out at the Dakota for at least the first set with the Jana Nyberg Group. They're young but they're savvy, and with singer/flautest Jana at the helm, this band will swing one moment and groove the next, with trumpeter Adam Meckler, guitarist Evan Montgomery, bassist Matt Peterson and drummer Zach Schmidt.
Later, head across the river for a rare engagement with Sue Orfield at the Artists Quarter. Sue lives in Eau Claire and plays in a number of area bands after earning her stripes as a popular blues saxophonist in the Seattle area. Sue most recently hit town to play with the Tuesday Night Band and has appeared in the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Now she has a new band with Eau Claire connections—pianist Josh Gallagher, bassist Jeremy Boettcher and drummer Mike Malone. Alternately, stay in Minneapolis and catch a rare Wednesday night gig at Jazz Central, this one featuring Doug Haining's Cannonball Collective. This quintet performed on the Twin Cities Jazz Society's Jazz From J to Z last spring and have been chomping at the bit to do it again.
Thursday, December 6. If you have been missing the voice of Maryann Sullivan since she left KBEM a few weeks ago, now you can hear it again, albeit a different context. Acting on a dare from her husband, Maryann decided to pursue a second career as a vocalist, studying with Vicky Mountain and Connie Olson. And now she has a new CD which she will celebrate tonight on the Third Floor at Dr. Chocolate's Chocolate Chateau (the old Vintage mansion) in St. Paul. The recording is filled with mostly under-performed songs, a few surprises, and that great “radio voice" set to music.
More Jazz, All Week!Can't find a date without some live jazz around town. For more listings, visit Jazz Police and KBEM sites. More suggestions:
Friday, November 30. JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske in the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Benny Weinbeck Trio at D'Amico Kitchen (Meridien Hotel); Nachito Herrera at the Dakota; Sophia Shorai at Hell's Kitchen
Saturday, December 1. Lucia Newell and Zacc Harris at Eat Street Social (1-3 pm); Mill City Hot Club at Lake Harriet Brewing Co. (1-3 pm); JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); James Buckley and Bryan Nichols, dinner set at the Icehouse; Benny Weinbeck Trio at D'Amico Kitchen (Meridien Hotel); Twin Cities Hot Club at the Red Stag
Sunday, December 2. Patty and the Buttons, brunch at the Aster Café; Robert Everest, brunch at Maria's Café; Zacc Harris Trio at Riverview Wine Bar; Charmin Michelle and the Jerry O'Hagan Orchestra at Cinema Ballroom; Jon Pemberton Trio at the Red Stag Monday, December 3. Headspace at the Artists Quarter; Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Dave Graf and the Jazz Central All Stars at Jazz Central; Robb Henry Trio at Barbette
Tuesday, December 4. Cory Wong Quartet followed by Brandon Wozniak/Phil Aaron/Billy Peterson/Kenny Horst at the Artists Quarter; Bill Simenson Big Band at Jazz Central; Beasley's Big Band at O'Gara's
Wednesday, December 5. Joel Shapira at Café Maude (Penn Av); Steve Kenny and the Bastids, early set at the Artists Quarter Thursday, December 6. Midnight Serenaders at Wabasha Street Caves; Maurice Jacox and Tanner Taylor at Jazz Central
Hot Gigs This Week
Friday, November 30. The Loring Park edition of Café Maude has not been in business long but has already established itself as a music venue with serious intent. Tonight, one of the hottest young musicians in town, guitarist Vincent Rose, takes the band stand with his trio—bassist Jeremy Boettcher and drummer Adrian Suarez. Yes, the same Jeremy Boettcher who went on the road with Delfeayo Marsalis earlier this fall.
Friday/Saturday, November 30-December 1. About six years ago, a quartet of young hipsters shook the local jazz community with their edgy compositions and commitment to collaborative invention. Now, three CDs later and ready to record #4, the Atlantis Quartet will offer a preview of new works as well as favorites at the Artists Quarter. The AQ at the AQ boasts a crew of the area's finest—Zacc Harris on guitar, Brandon Wozniak on sax, Chris Bates on bass and Pete Hennig on drums. Heck. These guys would be among the finest anywhere.
Saturday, December 1. There's a cool little jazz series out in Plymouth -Jazz @St. Barneys, a monthly presentation of top area artists, usually a duo or trio performing in the Arts Center of St Barnabus Lutheran Church. But tonight it's a larger ensemble as the Phil Mattson Singers make their St Barney's debut. Phil moved to the Twin Cities a couple years ago and brought with him his years as composer, arranger, pianist and vocal music instructor. His Phil Mattson Singers is a vocal sextet that performs arrangements of standards and original music under Phil's baton (and piano accompaniment). Young Trevor Haining adds drums. (Note this concert starts later than usual, at 7:30 pm.) If you can't make this one, you have a second chance later this week- the Phil Mattson Singers perform at the Artists Quarter on Thursday, December 6th.
Sunday, December 2. How about a little ride out to Cannon Falls? Songbird Maud Hixson and songful pianist Rick Carlson team up for some afternoon music in the Cannon River Winery. Can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Monday, December 3. Dean Sorenson is always cooking up something interesting for his U of M jazz ensembles, and tonight it's a centennial celebration of the great arranger, Gil Evans. Jazz Ensemble I boasts some mighty fine young musicians, including a few who are already making names for themselves with various pro projects around town - Joe Strachan, Noah Ophoven-Baldwin and more. This is a freebie at Ted Mann.
There's a heavy double header tonight at the Icehouse. Leading off will be Embezzler, a trio with Paul Metzger, Adam Linz and JT Bates. After a break, Adam and JT return with Mike Lewis for a steamy set from Fat Kid Wednesdays. (Bet you'll see most of the U of M Jazz Ensemble I here after their gig!)
Tuesday, December 4. Back by popular demand, Charmin Michelle and Joel Shapira, and friends, return to the Dakota for another “Foodie Night" filled with their swinging takes on standards and more. Across the river, it's “First Tuesdays" at the Black Dog with Dean Magraw and Davu Seru, and special guest, eclectic vocalist/songwriter Claudia Schmitt. Claudia recorded with Dean a few years ago and you would have to look really hard to find two more compatible souls for musical collaboration.
Wednesday, December 5. Sometimes there's too much in one night! Start out at the Dakota for at least the first set with the Jana Nyberg Group. They're young but they're savvy, and with singer/flautest Jana at the helm, this band will swing one moment and groove the next, with trumpeter Adam Meckler, guitarist Evan Montgomery, bassist Matt Peterson and drummer Zach Schmidt.
Later, head across the river for a rare engagement with Sue Orfield at the Artists Quarter. Sue lives in Eau Claire and plays in a number of area bands after earning her stripes as a popular blues saxophonist in the Seattle area. Sue most recently hit town to play with the Tuesday Night Band and has appeared in the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Now she has a new band with Eau Claire connections—pianist Josh Gallagher, bassist Jeremy Boettcher and drummer Mike Malone. Alternately, stay in Minneapolis and catch a rare Wednesday night gig at Jazz Central, this one featuring Doug Haining's Cannonball Collective. This quintet performed on the Twin Cities Jazz Society's Jazz From J to Z last spring and have been chomping at the bit to do it again.
Thursday, December 6. If you have been missing the voice of Maryann Sullivan since she left KBEM a few weeks ago, now you can hear it again, albeit a different context. Acting on a dare from her husband, Maryann decided to pursue a second career as a vocalist, studying with Vicky Mountain and Connie Olson. And now she has a new CD which she will celebrate tonight on the Third Floor at Dr. Chocolate's Chocolate Chateau (the old Vintage mansion) in St. Paul. The recording is filled with mostly under-performed songs, a few surprises, and that great “radio voice" set to music.
More Jazz, All Week!Can't find a date without some live jazz around town. For more listings, visit Jazz Police and KBEM sites. More suggestions:
Friday, November 30. JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske in the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Benny Weinbeck Trio at D'Amico Kitchen (Meridien Hotel); Nachito Herrera at the Dakota; Sophia Shorai at Hell's Kitchen
Saturday, December 1. Lucia Newell and Zacc Harris at Eat Street Social (1-3 pm); Mill City Hot Club at Lake Harriet Brewing Co. (1-3 pm); JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); James Buckley and Bryan Nichols, dinner set at the Icehouse; Benny Weinbeck Trio at D'Amico Kitchen (Meridien Hotel); Twin Cities Hot Club at the Red Stag
Sunday, December 2. Patty and the Buttons, brunch at the Aster Café; Robert Everest, brunch at Maria's Café; Zacc Harris Trio at Riverview Wine Bar; Charmin Michelle and the Jerry O'Hagan Orchestra at Cinema Ballroom; Jon Pemberton Trio at the Red Stag Monday, December 3. Headspace at the Artists Quarter; Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Dave Graf and the Jazz Central All Stars at Jazz Central; Robb Henry Trio at Barbette
Tuesday, December 4. Cory Wong Quartet followed by Brandon Wozniak/Phil Aaron/Billy Peterson/Kenny Horst at the Artists Quarter; Bill Simenson Big Band at Jazz Central; Beasley's Big Band at O'Gara's
Wednesday, December 5. Joel Shapira at Café Maude (Penn Av); Steve Kenny and the Bastids, early set at the Artists Quarter Thursday, December 6. Midnight Serenaders at Wabasha Street Caves; Maurice Jacox and Tanner Taylor at Jazz Central
