Home » Jazz News » Performance / Tour

1

The Lead Sheet: Twin Cities Live Jazz, September 19-25

Source:

Sign in to view read count
The fall jazz harvest is in full swing, and the coming week show no signs of a slow-down, from New York guitarist Joel Harrison at Jazz Central to Chick Corea and Vigil and The Cookers at the Dakota, as well as local highlights— the return of Monk in Motian, Connie Evingson at Parma, Mary Louise Knutson at St. Barneys, Kenny Horst and Friends at the Icehouse... and more!

Friday, September 19. After a two-year hiatus, the Monk in Motian project reunites tonight at Jazz Central. Led by guitarist Zacc Harris, this unique two-guitar. two-sax ensemble reinterprets Monk through the musical style of the late Paul Motian's Electric Bebop Band— the compositions of one genius as filtered through the mind of another. It's an all-Monk evening, perhaps as you have never imagined it, with Harris and Park Evans on guitars, Brandon Wozniak and Scott Fultz on saxophones, Matt Peterson on bass, and Cory Healey on drums

You can always count an a relaxing Friday evening at Parma 8200, and tonight you will be rewarded by a few hours with Connie Evingson. Her songbook is huge, from Django Reinhardt to George Gershwin, from John Lennon to Dave Frishberg, and her partners (Rick Carlson and Gordy Johnson) are the best of the best.

Saturday, September 20. We have had few opportunities to hear Steven Hobertin a leading role performing his own compositions. Best known in local jazz circles as the pianist with the Adam Meckler Orchestra and accordionist with Lulu's Playground, Hobert has put together an album that showcases his creative approach to composition and spontaneous improvisation, as well as his skills as a pianist and vocalist. The album, Ocean Eyes, is celebrated tonight at the Friends Meeting House in Saint Paul.

A rare Saturday night at Jazz Central brings us the opportunity to hear New York-based guitar veteran Joel Harrison with the local A-Team of Chris Bates and Pete Hennig. In town for the Arts Midwest Conference, Harrison currently heads the Joel Harrison Five (Chris Cheek, Jacob Sacks, Drew Gress, Jordan Perlson) as well as other ensembles and plays with a who's who list.

In Plymouth, it's the opening concert of the Jazz @ St. Barney's season, and it's off to a great start with pianist Mary Louise Knutson and her trio with new-in-town bassist Geoff Brennan and drummer Greg Schutte. This is a casual concert setting at the St. Barnabas Lutheran Church's Art Center, with snacks and beverages, no advance tickets, and always the best Twin Cities musicians.

A last-minute gig that should surely be fun as well as musical— new ensemble Stella an' All plays at the Black Dog early Saturday evening as part of “Jazz Along the Green Line." This is an “all girl" band featuring international touring vocalist Lila Ammons with sax ladies Sue Leigh (also on keys) and Kari Musil, bassist Margo Breivick, and drummer Evelyn Romero.

Sunday, September 21. The annual Adieu Summer concert featuring Pavel Jany's Ticket to Brasil is back at Como Park (Lake Como Pavilion) this afternoon, starting at 3 pm with a Touch of Spain, and continuing with the World Jazz Collegium, Kenna-Kamara Cottman's Voices of Culture, and closing with Jany's Ticket to Brasil.

Monday, September 22. The Artists Quarter might be closed but the bands that made it the best jazz room in the region rise again and again in other spaces. Tonight at the Icehouse hear AQ veterans Kenny Horst, Billy Peterson, Pete Whitman and Peter Schimke take over JT's Jazz Implosion.

Tuesday, September 23. Rick Carlson is best known for his roles as swinging sideman and music director, but the pianist cuts loose in his own right monthly at Cafe Maude. Tonight is his night! Over on Eat Street, the The Nicollet Coffee  has been revived and is starting to schedule music. Maryann Sullivan picks up the mic tonight with a band featuring hubby Doug Haining, son Trevor Haining, and pal Dave Martin.

Wednesday, September 24. Chick Coreahas led enough projects to be an annual feature at the Dakota. Tonight he brings his latest ensemble, Vigil, reinventing Chick's classics with youthful vigor and a standout cast of younger artists —  modern-day monster of bass, Carlitos Del Puerto; creative force Marcus Gilmore on drums (carrying on the lineage of jazz from his grandfather, Roy Haynes); saxophones, flute, bass clarinet and innovation from Tim Garland; and a rising-sun (although from the West Coast), guitarist Charles Altura.

Thursday, September 25. The chance to hear seven modern giants in one band is too good to pass up! Tonight the Cookers play one show (2 sets) at the Dakota, featuring  Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, David Weiss, Craig Handy, George Cables, Cecil McBee, and Billy Hart. The band takes its name from the 1965 Blue Note Album, Night at the Cookers, headed by the late Freddy Hubbard.

Khyber Pass Cafe in Saint Paul continues its lively music series on Thursday nights, and this week enjoy the sublime sounds of Brazil from guitarist Joan Griffith and recorder artist Clea Galhano. The pair have performed together for a number of years, collaborating on Circle of the Dance. Samba, choro, bossa and more, from arrangements of the greatest Brazilian composers to original compositions.

More Jazz Every Night! Keep up with the live jazz scene in the Twin Cities — check out calendars at Jazz Police, KBEM, Rhythm and Grooves and All About Jazz, as well as here on the blog.  More jazz to tickle your ears:

Friday, September 19. Irv Williams and Steve Blons, happy hour at the Dakota; Todd Harper, solo piano happy hour at the Black Dog; Dave Karr and Bryan Nichols, dinner sets at the Icehouse; the New Standards at the Dakota

Saturday, September 20. Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma 8200; Judi Vinar and the Wolverines at Hell's Kitchen; Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske in the Lobby Bar (Saint Paul Hotel); Tim Sparks and James Buckley, dinner sets at the Icehouse; Ginger Commodore Quartet at the Dakota; Sublime Curve at the Normandy Kitchen

Sunday, September 21. Jazz Factory, brunch at Famous Dave's (Uptown); Fuzzy Math at the Black Dog (4 pm); Zacc Harris Trio at Riverview Wine Bar; Butch Thompson, Le Duc Historic Estate (Hastings); Jerry O'Hagan Orchestra with Charmin Michelle at Cinema Ballroom

Monday, September 22. Larry McDonough at Jazz Central; Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Raul Midón at the Dakota

Tuesday, September 23. Cafe Accordion at Loring Pasta Bar; Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra at Jazz Central; Eric Leeds and Paul Peterson at the Icehouse

Wednesday, September 24. Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; New music night at Jazz Central; Don King at The Tangiers; Mobile Jazz Project featuring Jana Nyberg and more at Calhoun Square (outdoor lot); Linda Peterson at Schoolhouse II; Byron Johnson-Blanchard Quartet at the Black Dog

Thursday, September 25. Martha Alkins at Jazz Central; Swingbeat Big Band at Wabasha Street Caves; Donald Washington Quartet at the Black Dog

Continue Reading...

Comments

Tags

View events near Minneapolis
Jazz Near Minneapolis
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

News

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.