Warmer weather, hotter music, maybe spring is not that far off after all!. And we'll have some smoldering jazz in the metro this week, a slow burn til it all explodes at O'Shaughnessy Thursday night when Maria Schneider and Orchestra make a long-overdue return to the Twin Cities to perform her Grammy-winning “Thompson Fields." Not that we will be jazz-starved til then!
Big Gigs This Week
Friday, February 10. It might be difficult to stay in your seat at Orchestra Hall as vocalists Hilary Kole and Tony Desare join the Minnesota Orchestra to present “The Great American Songbook." Sarah Hicks conducts an exceptionally large big band through favorites by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Frank Sinatra, even Prince, with two exceptional singers— Tony DeSare has been compared to Harry Connick, Jr and Jamie Cullum; Hilary Kole was the youngest singer to perform in the legendary Rainbow Room.
At Jazz Central, the Underground Jazz Collective takes the “Masters" slot, led by saxophonists Joe Mayo and Dave Brattain. They're followed in the “Emerging Artists" late night spot by the young guns of the Mitch Rand Quartet.
At the Dakota, Shaun Johnson's Big Band Experience is a modern, cross-genre extravaganza led by St John's alum Johnson (Tonic Sol-fa); the music nods to Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble and everything in-between. Vieux Carre' presents an opening set from Jeremy Walker, followed by the grand dame of entertainment, Debbie Duncan. Strings rule at the Icehouse with Tim Sparks and James Buckley on stage for the dinner sets.
Saturday, February 11. It's UW-Eau Claire night at the Black Dog, as Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog presents back-to-back ensembles reflecting current student talents of Jazz Ensemble I ("Surreal McCoy") and faculty/alums/friends led by Michael Shults and Aaron Hedenstrom, with Javi Santiago and the Bates Brothers. Shults heads the saxophone unit in the UW-EC's acclaimed jazz program.
Vocal talents shine tonight, with singing bassist Kate Lynch and her Most Excellent Fellows at Vieux Carre', and the timeless Debbie Duncan at Crooners Lounge. Jacob Hanson joins James Buckley at the Icehouse, the Saint Peter Street Stompersswing at Bistro LaRoux, and at Public Kitchen, the Kronick Quintet is back in action, with keyboardist Ann Marie McIntire sitting in for Scott Ives.
Saturday-Sunday, February 11-12. At the Capri Theater, “Sweeping Through the City" is a new installment in the Legends Series, saluting gospel, “the songs that were heard in churches all across the country during the civil rights era. The music will be spirited and joyful and it will bring a beautiful, bright light to North Minneapolis" (Dennis Spears, Artistic Director). The show stars Shirley Marie Graham with a special appearance by Paris Bennett.
At the Saint Paul Hotel's Lobby Bar, JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske hold their weekly conversation, disguising their sophisticated jazz as lounge music—but we can't be fooled, we know there's no better piano/voice/bass duo in town.
Sunday, February 12. Music swings from brunch til closing at the Aster Cafe, with Patty and the Buttons' weekly Swing Brunch, and later guitarist Robb Henry leads the Parisota Hot Club for some gypsy jazz magic. Cole Mahlum leads the weekly B-3 Organ Jam at Jazz Central and, at the Riverview Wine Bar, it's time for the weekly evening with the Zacc Harris Trio.
And at Chanhassan Dinner Theater, spend the afternoon with great artists of the past, as Bob DeFlores presents a new installment in his Legends of Jazz series of classic film clips. (Erroneously announced last week, really this is scheduled for this afternoon!)
Monday, February 13. The Dakota welcomes back funky saxman Maceo Parker, who counts James Brown, George Clinton and Prince among his collaborators. Better wear a windbreaker as Maceo will blow up a storm!
At Crooners Lounge, it's the monthly night with the Acme Jazz Company and vocalist Arne Fogel, sure to keep your feet tapping and your ears smiling. Come early as Charmin Michelle and Rick Carlson start three nights of suave Happy Hour delights.
Double your jazz at the Icehouse as JT's Jazz Implosion features the Icehouse debut of the Ted Olsen Quartet (with Aaron Hedenstrom, Javier Santiago, and Miguel Hurtado), followed by a mighty trio of Jeremy Ylvisaker, Mike Lewis and JT Bates.
Tuesday, February 14. What's in store for Valentine's Day? The Black Dog does romantic dining right—adding some superb music featuring vocalist Jennifer Grimm and a band—what a band, Laura Caviani, Greg Byers, Chris Olson, and Dan Hanzel.
Five different ensembles accompany dinner at Crooners Lounge; The Cedar Avenue Big Band takes its usual spot at Jazz Central; Chris Bates and Zacc Harris cover the dinner hour at the Icehouse; the music of William Bolcum is presented by members of the Minnesota Opera at the Dakota.
Wednesday, February 15. You might expect to hear this one at the Walker but it's the Amsterdam Bar hosting Liquid Music's night with acclaimed trumpeter Ambrose Akinmisure and rapper Kool A.D. Akinmisure joins his “unfurling lines that confound expectation” (Chicago Tribune) with rapper Kool A.D.’s “social consciousness infused irreverence” (Colorlines) to create a brand new chamber music work co-commissioned by Liquid Music and the Ecstatic Music Festival; they collaborate with the Mivos Quartet, pianist Sam Harris and drummer Justin Brown for this world premiere.
At Vieux Carre', pianist/composer Jeremy Walker reunites with vocalist Jason Harmes as Songtet, along with his usual trio partners bassist Jeff Brueske and drummer Tim Zhorne, performing great songs from Ellington to Dylan to Walker's originals.
Thursday, February 16. At Jazz Central, curator Jon Morgan holds a special show with avant-garde saxophonist Dave Rempis as he starts his solo tour. An alum of the Vandermark Five, Rempis has done more solo performing lately but tonight, in addition to a solo set, will also join forces with Levi Schwartzberg and Davu Seru.
At the Dakota, a special night with the Adam Meckler Orchestra welcomes the jazz educators in town for the annual Minnesota Music Educators Association convention. This performance is sponsored by the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education. In St Paul, dancers and big band fans return to the Wabsha Street Caves to swing with Beasley's Big Band.
And what will no doubt be one of the big shows of the year, O'Shaughnessy Auditorium and the Women of Substance Series hosts Windom native, multi-Grammy winning composer, arranger and bandleader Maria Schneider and her 21-piece orchestra which, by itself, is a who's who on the national jazz scene— with the likes of pianist Frank Kimbrough, saxophonists Steve Wilson and Donny McCaslin, drummer Clarence Penn and more. The MSO will present its Grammy-winning Thompson Fields. The orchestra's scheduled last appearance in the Twin Cities was supposed to be at the Dakota in 2010— and derailed by an East Coast blizzard. Their return is long overdue, long anticipated. (Note Schneider returns alone in early March to conduct the JazzMN Orchestra.)
Big Gigs This Week
Friday, February 10. It might be difficult to stay in your seat at Orchestra Hall as vocalists Hilary Kole and Tony Desare join the Minnesota Orchestra to present “The Great American Songbook." Sarah Hicks conducts an exceptionally large big band through favorites by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Frank Sinatra, even Prince, with two exceptional singers— Tony DeSare has been compared to Harry Connick, Jr and Jamie Cullum; Hilary Kole was the youngest singer to perform in the legendary Rainbow Room.
At Jazz Central, the Underground Jazz Collective takes the “Masters" slot, led by saxophonists Joe Mayo and Dave Brattain. They're followed in the “Emerging Artists" late night spot by the young guns of the Mitch Rand Quartet.
At the Dakota, Shaun Johnson's Big Band Experience is a modern, cross-genre extravaganza led by St John's alum Johnson (Tonic Sol-fa); the music nods to Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble and everything in-between. Vieux Carre' presents an opening set from Jeremy Walker, followed by the grand dame of entertainment, Debbie Duncan. Strings rule at the Icehouse with Tim Sparks and James Buckley on stage for the dinner sets.
Saturday, February 11. It's UW-Eau Claire night at the Black Dog, as Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog presents back-to-back ensembles reflecting current student talents of Jazz Ensemble I ("Surreal McCoy") and faculty/alums/friends led by Michael Shults and Aaron Hedenstrom, with Javi Santiago and the Bates Brothers. Shults heads the saxophone unit in the UW-EC's acclaimed jazz program.
Vocal talents shine tonight, with singing bassist Kate Lynch and her Most Excellent Fellows at Vieux Carre', and the timeless Debbie Duncan at Crooners Lounge. Jacob Hanson joins James Buckley at the Icehouse, the Saint Peter Street Stompersswing at Bistro LaRoux, and at Public Kitchen, the Kronick Quintet is back in action, with keyboardist Ann Marie McIntire sitting in for Scott Ives.
Saturday-Sunday, February 11-12. At the Capri Theater, “Sweeping Through the City" is a new installment in the Legends Series, saluting gospel, “the songs that were heard in churches all across the country during the civil rights era. The music will be spirited and joyful and it will bring a beautiful, bright light to North Minneapolis" (Dennis Spears, Artistic Director). The show stars Shirley Marie Graham with a special appearance by Paris Bennett.
At the Saint Paul Hotel's Lobby Bar, JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske hold their weekly conversation, disguising their sophisticated jazz as lounge music—but we can't be fooled, we know there's no better piano/voice/bass duo in town.
Sunday, February 12. Music swings from brunch til closing at the Aster Cafe, with Patty and the Buttons' weekly Swing Brunch, and later guitarist Robb Henry leads the Parisota Hot Club for some gypsy jazz magic. Cole Mahlum leads the weekly B-3 Organ Jam at Jazz Central and, at the Riverview Wine Bar, it's time for the weekly evening with the Zacc Harris Trio.
And at Chanhassan Dinner Theater, spend the afternoon with great artists of the past, as Bob DeFlores presents a new installment in his Legends of Jazz series of classic film clips. (Erroneously announced last week, really this is scheduled for this afternoon!)
Monday, February 13. The Dakota welcomes back funky saxman Maceo Parker, who counts James Brown, George Clinton and Prince among his collaborators. Better wear a windbreaker as Maceo will blow up a storm!
At Crooners Lounge, it's the monthly night with the Acme Jazz Company and vocalist Arne Fogel, sure to keep your feet tapping and your ears smiling. Come early as Charmin Michelle and Rick Carlson start three nights of suave Happy Hour delights.
Double your jazz at the Icehouse as JT's Jazz Implosion features the Icehouse debut of the Ted Olsen Quartet (with Aaron Hedenstrom, Javier Santiago, and Miguel Hurtado), followed by a mighty trio of Jeremy Ylvisaker, Mike Lewis and JT Bates.
Tuesday, February 14. What's in store for Valentine's Day? The Black Dog does romantic dining right—adding some superb music featuring vocalist Jennifer Grimm and a band—what a band, Laura Caviani, Greg Byers, Chris Olson, and Dan Hanzel.
Five different ensembles accompany dinner at Crooners Lounge; The Cedar Avenue Big Band takes its usual spot at Jazz Central; Chris Bates and Zacc Harris cover the dinner hour at the Icehouse; the music of William Bolcum is presented by members of the Minnesota Opera at the Dakota.
Wednesday, February 15. You might expect to hear this one at the Walker but it's the Amsterdam Bar hosting Liquid Music's night with acclaimed trumpeter Ambrose Akinmisure and rapper Kool A.D. Akinmisure joins his “unfurling lines that confound expectation” (Chicago Tribune) with rapper Kool A.D.’s “social consciousness infused irreverence” (Colorlines) to create a brand new chamber music work co-commissioned by Liquid Music and the Ecstatic Music Festival; they collaborate with the Mivos Quartet, pianist Sam Harris and drummer Justin Brown for this world premiere.
At Vieux Carre', pianist/composer Jeremy Walker reunites with vocalist Jason Harmes as Songtet, along with his usual trio partners bassist Jeff Brueske and drummer Tim Zhorne, performing great songs from Ellington to Dylan to Walker's originals.
Thursday, February 16. At Jazz Central, curator Jon Morgan holds a special show with avant-garde saxophonist Dave Rempis as he starts his solo tour. An alum of the Vandermark Five, Rempis has done more solo performing lately but tonight, in addition to a solo set, will also join forces with Levi Schwartzberg and Davu Seru.
At the Dakota, a special night with the Adam Meckler Orchestra welcomes the jazz educators in town for the annual Minnesota Music Educators Association convention. This performance is sponsored by the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education. In St Paul, dancers and big band fans return to the Wabsha Street Caves to swing with Beasley's Big Band.
And what will no doubt be one of the big shows of the year, O'Shaughnessy Auditorium and the Women of Substance Series hosts Windom native, multi-Grammy winning composer, arranger and bandleader Maria Schneider and her 21-piece orchestra which, by itself, is a who's who on the national jazz scene— with the likes of pianist Frank Kimbrough, saxophonists Steve Wilson and Donny McCaslin, drummer Clarence Penn and more. The MSO will present its Grammy-winning Thompson Fields. The orchestra's scheduled last appearance in the Twin Cities was supposed to be at the Dakota in 2010— and derailed by an East Coast blizzard. Their return is long overdue, long anticipated. (Note Schneider returns alone in early March to conduct the JazzMN Orchestra.)
