As we head into the week before Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanza, our jazz options seem to increase exponentially! Not only do we have area favorites, we also have some special visitors back in town for annual holiday performances, including the start of the annual Bad Plus residency at the Dakota. The weather outside is expected to be frightful over the weekend, but as intrepid Minnesotans, don't let some flakes and a deep freeze interfere with your jazz moments!!
Big Gigs This Week
Jazz Central's Masters Series features the Dave Brattain Quartet, with the leader on saxophone, Kevin Daley on guitar, Ted Olsen on bass and Mac Santiago on drums. Youth prevail on the late night schedule, as Simon Petrick leads the student jam—and with many college students back for winter break, it's likely to be one of the best jam sessions of the year.
Friday-Saturday, December 16-17. One of the nation's most beloved musicians is back with his Jingle Bell Doc show at Orchestra Hall. Of course I mean Doc Serverinsen, still blowing a mean trumpet and leading his bands at nearly 90. This concert with the Minnesota Orchestra features our own Mary Louise Knutson on piano, the Minnesota Chorale, and the handbell ensemble, Twin Cities Bronze.
JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske continue their holiday schedule at the Lobby Bar of the Saint Paul Hotel, but Saturday night is special—their annual Deck the Halls show, expanding the band to include violinist Gary Schulte and baritone Steven Marking for a swinging holiday celebration.
Saturday, December 17. The long-running duo of Charmin Michelle and Joel Shapira, aka Charmin and Shapira, celebrates the holidays with an afternoon show at Andrew Riverside Church. Family friendly with both holiday and jazz fare.
Big gigs this evening in Lowertown: The Babatunde Lea Sextet performs on the Jazz at Studio Z series, with Lea on drums, Brandon Wozniak on saxophones, JC Sanford on trombone, Zacc Harris on guitar, Phil Aaron on piano and Graydon Peterson on bass. The renowned percussionist premiers a new work co-written with series curator Harris, titled “New Rituals of Unity," based on traditional West African chants. They start off the evening with another live podcast recording at 6 pm.
Down the hill, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog opens with the monthly JazzINK Youth Showcase featuring a young quintet directed by Greg Keel at MacPhail, dubbed Below Zero, which will likely describe the temperatures. They warm up the stage for Rodney Ruckus, who leads The Ruckus in the headline sets, with Ruckus on drums, Anthony Cox on bass, Javi Santiago on keys and Steve Kenny on Flumpet.
Also Saturday, a special double bill at Jazz Central— Fall of the House of Usher and Six Families. The Benny Weinbeck Trio performs in their weekly slot at Parma 8200, Travis Anderson Trio plays at the Normandy Kitchen, Tim Sparks and Gary Raynor team up at the Icehouse, the Talking Strings “talk" at the Loring Pasta Bar, Katia Cardenas is in the lounge at Crooners, Southside Aces swing at Vieux Carre', and Maryann Sullivanbrings her Corner Jazz to the north burbs, on stage at Bistro LaRoux.
Sunday, December 18. It's the season and that means the annual Peterson Family's Jam Before Christmas to the Dakota, with at least three generations of Petersons on stage for three shows. With siblings Linda, Patty, Billy, Ricky and Paul, and nephew Jason DeLaire, it's an amazing leading cast. Tickets remain only for the 2:30 pm matinee.
Two guitar trios tonight— the Zacc Harris Trioappears in their regular time slot at the Riverview Cafe' while Firebell (with Park Evans) warms up the stage at the Aster Cafe.
Monday, December 19. Judi Vinar and Lori Dokken spend “Christmas With Friends" in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners, while Dunsmore Room curator Andrew Walesch shows off his talents as singer and pianist at the Dakota, where he celebrates the holidays with Minnesota's First Layd of Song, Debbie Duncan, with support from Dave Karr.
On the late side, JT's Jazz Implosion at the Icehouse features the Zacc Harris Quartet—with Bryan Nichols, Chris Bates and JT himself.
Tuesday, December 20. In the Dunsmore Room, Laura Caviani and her trio with Chris Bates and David Schmalenberger celebrate the Winter Solstice, and likely will include some tunes from her Holly, Jolly and Jazzy recording.
The Explosion Big Band will fill the Big Band Night slot at Jazz Central, and the monthly “hot jazz" night with Connie Evingson and her hot club pals follows a solo piano set from Jon Pemberton at Vieux Carre'. Tuesday-Wednesday, December 20-21. An explosive return to the Dakota, Nachito Herrera and the Universals sports an impressive cast, including of course leader, Cuban keyboard dynamo Nachito, along with a global, cross-genre cast including violinist Karen Briggs (Yanni), saxophonist Mike Phillips (Stevie Wonder, Prince), drummer Raul Pineda (Chucho Valdes) and bassist Chelkh Ndoye (Dave Weckl, Randy Brecker).
Wednesday, December 21. The Chris Lomheim Quartet—with elegant pianist Lomheim leading a band with saxophonist Pete Whitman, bassist Matt Peterson and drummer Dave Schmalenberger— heats up Jazz Central. Retro Swing Sister—aka Maryann Sullivan and Rhonda Laurie— return to the Eagles Club with some holiday cheer (and dancing), while the veterans of the Pete Snell Triomix it up in Delano at the Lupine Brewery.
Thursday, December 22. The internationally acclaimed Bad Plusstart a four-night residency at the Dakota. This has become an annual holiday event and certainly a high point on the local jazz calendar as Dave King, Reid Anderson and Ethan Iverson come home before their annual New Year's Eve weekend at the Village Vanguard.
In St Paul at Khyber Pass, saxophonist George Cartwright brings an interesting ensemble of improvisers to the little performance space, with Noah Ophoven Baldwin (Le Percheron) on trumpet, Michelle Kinney (JelloSlave) on cello and Heather Barringer (Zeitgeist) on percussion.
Warming up for their New Year's Eve gig at the Black Dog, Hoaxer is featured at the Reverie. This band includes four of the top college musicians you will hear—here or anywhere— with Peter Goggin (sax), Will Kjeer (piano), Charlie Lincoln (bass) and Edmund Catlin (drums).
There's a Holiday Piano Bar at Jazz Central—curator/vocalist Sarah M. Greer and pianist Jon deVaal, “part open mic, part jam session, part caroling sing-along," savvy young singer Katia Cardenas returns to Vieux Carre', and Debbie Duncan holds her own vocal holiday at Hell's Kitchen.
Big Gigs This Week
Jazz Central's Masters Series features the Dave Brattain Quartet, with the leader on saxophone, Kevin Daley on guitar, Ted Olsen on bass and Mac Santiago on drums. Youth prevail on the late night schedule, as Simon Petrick leads the student jam—and with many college students back for winter break, it's likely to be one of the best jam sessions of the year.
Friday-Saturday, December 16-17. One of the nation's most beloved musicians is back with his Jingle Bell Doc show at Orchestra Hall. Of course I mean Doc Serverinsen, still blowing a mean trumpet and leading his bands at nearly 90. This concert with the Minnesota Orchestra features our own Mary Louise Knutson on piano, the Minnesota Chorale, and the handbell ensemble, Twin Cities Bronze.
JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske continue their holiday schedule at the Lobby Bar of the Saint Paul Hotel, but Saturday night is special—their annual Deck the Halls show, expanding the band to include violinist Gary Schulte and baritone Steven Marking for a swinging holiday celebration.
Saturday, December 17. The long-running duo of Charmin Michelle and Joel Shapira, aka Charmin and Shapira, celebrates the holidays with an afternoon show at Andrew Riverside Church. Family friendly with both holiday and jazz fare.
Big gigs this evening in Lowertown: The Babatunde Lea Sextet performs on the Jazz at Studio Z series, with Lea on drums, Brandon Wozniak on saxophones, JC Sanford on trombone, Zacc Harris on guitar, Phil Aaron on piano and Graydon Peterson on bass. The renowned percussionist premiers a new work co-written with series curator Harris, titled “New Rituals of Unity," based on traditional West African chants. They start off the evening with another live podcast recording at 6 pm.
Down the hill, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog opens with the monthly JazzINK Youth Showcase featuring a young quintet directed by Greg Keel at MacPhail, dubbed Below Zero, which will likely describe the temperatures. They warm up the stage for Rodney Ruckus, who leads The Ruckus in the headline sets, with Ruckus on drums, Anthony Cox on bass, Javi Santiago on keys and Steve Kenny on Flumpet.
Also Saturday, a special double bill at Jazz Central— Fall of the House of Usher and Six Families. The Benny Weinbeck Trio performs in their weekly slot at Parma 8200, Travis Anderson Trio plays at the Normandy Kitchen, Tim Sparks and Gary Raynor team up at the Icehouse, the Talking Strings “talk" at the Loring Pasta Bar, Katia Cardenas is in the lounge at Crooners, Southside Aces swing at Vieux Carre', and Maryann Sullivanbrings her Corner Jazz to the north burbs, on stage at Bistro LaRoux.
Sunday, December 18. It's the season and that means the annual Peterson Family's Jam Before Christmas to the Dakota, with at least three generations of Petersons on stage for three shows. With siblings Linda, Patty, Billy, Ricky and Paul, and nephew Jason DeLaire, it's an amazing leading cast. Tickets remain only for the 2:30 pm matinee.
Two guitar trios tonight— the Zacc Harris Trioappears in their regular time slot at the Riverview Cafe' while Firebell (with Park Evans) warms up the stage at the Aster Cafe.
Monday, December 19. Judi Vinar and Lori Dokken spend “Christmas With Friends" in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners, while Dunsmore Room curator Andrew Walesch shows off his talents as singer and pianist at the Dakota, where he celebrates the holidays with Minnesota's First Layd of Song, Debbie Duncan, with support from Dave Karr.
On the late side, JT's Jazz Implosion at the Icehouse features the Zacc Harris Quartet—with Bryan Nichols, Chris Bates and JT himself.
Tuesday, December 20. In the Dunsmore Room, Laura Caviani and her trio with Chris Bates and David Schmalenberger celebrate the Winter Solstice, and likely will include some tunes from her Holly, Jolly and Jazzy recording.
The Explosion Big Band will fill the Big Band Night slot at Jazz Central, and the monthly “hot jazz" night with Connie Evingson and her hot club pals follows a solo piano set from Jon Pemberton at Vieux Carre'. Tuesday-Wednesday, December 20-21. An explosive return to the Dakota, Nachito Herrera and the Universals sports an impressive cast, including of course leader, Cuban keyboard dynamo Nachito, along with a global, cross-genre cast including violinist Karen Briggs (Yanni), saxophonist Mike Phillips (Stevie Wonder, Prince), drummer Raul Pineda (Chucho Valdes) and bassist Chelkh Ndoye (Dave Weckl, Randy Brecker).
Wednesday, December 21. The Chris Lomheim Quartet—with elegant pianist Lomheim leading a band with saxophonist Pete Whitman, bassist Matt Peterson and drummer Dave Schmalenberger— heats up Jazz Central. Retro Swing Sister—aka Maryann Sullivan and Rhonda Laurie— return to the Eagles Club with some holiday cheer (and dancing), while the veterans of the Pete Snell Triomix it up in Delano at the Lupine Brewery.
Thursday, December 22. The internationally acclaimed Bad Plusstart a four-night residency at the Dakota. This has become an annual holiday event and certainly a high point on the local jazz calendar as Dave King, Reid Anderson and Ethan Iverson come home before their annual New Year's Eve weekend at the Village Vanguard.
In St Paul at Khyber Pass, saxophonist George Cartwright brings an interesting ensemble of improvisers to the little performance space, with Noah Ophoven Baldwin (Le Percheron) on trumpet, Michelle Kinney (JelloSlave) on cello and Heather Barringer (Zeitgeist) on percussion.
Warming up for their New Year's Eve gig at the Black Dog, Hoaxer is featured at the Reverie. This band includes four of the top college musicians you will hear—here or anywhere— with Peter Goggin (sax), Will Kjeer (piano), Charlie Lincoln (bass) and Edmund Catlin (drums).
There's a Holiday Piano Bar at Jazz Central—curator/vocalist Sarah M. Greer and pianist Jon deVaal, “part open mic, part jam session, part caroling sing-along," savvy young singer Katia Cardenas returns to Vieux Carre', and Debbie Duncan holds her own vocal holiday at Hell's Kitchen.
