Have we really seen the last of winter? Maybe, but the nonstop jazz fest of winter 2016 keeps on rolling as we “spring" ahead this weekend, as young lions and inventive veterans fill club schedules, and we welcome visits from two of the finest vocalists in jazz.
Friday, March 11. The monthly JazzINK Youth Showcase, on the Friday Night Jazz at Reverie schedule, features a young group from the MacPhail Center for Music (MacPhail Student Jazz Combo), led by renowned jazz educator Greg Keel. This ensemble of 8th and 9th graders warms up the stage for one of area's most creative duos, pianist Steven Hobertand guitarist Dean Magraw.
At Vieux Carré tonight, it's a triple header: Jon Pemberton shows off his piano chops with the free early evening show, followed by a shared headline act, with the University of Minnesota Morris Jazz Ensemble leading off before joining the intrepid trio Bates-Nichols-Bates for a few tunes, then turning over the club to Chris, Bryan and JT to finish off the night with their special brand of creative magic. That's a lot of music for $8 (bring cash!).
Vocalist Judi Vinar returns to Crooners Lounge with the Wolverines, Arne Fogel croons at Parma with Mary Louise Knutson on keys, JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske are in the Lobby Bar of the Saint Paul Hotel (and again tomorrow), and Jazz Central Studios welcomes the Peter Schimke Trio, with the fiery pianist on stage with internationally renowned bassist Anthony Cox and rising star drummer Cory Healey.
Saturday, March 12. Local vocalists and vocal students have a rare opportunity to learn from the best— Tierney Sutton, in town to perform tomorrow with the JazzMN Orchestra, leads a master class at Jazz Central Studios this morning. Register and info on the Jazz Central website!
There's a Saturday Night Special at Jazz Central Studios, as former resident and current U of North Texas doctoral candidate Aaron Hedenstromis back in town for a bit, playing his sax tonight with old pals Javi Santiago (piano), Dan Carpel (bass) and Mac Santiago (drums).
Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog brings back Bottomless Pit, a quartet of seasoned pros led by guitarist Joel Shapira. The band launched about a year ago at the Black Dog, bringing together Shapira, sax monster Pete Whitman, sublime bassist Tom Lewis, and Weather Report alum, drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt. Opening set features some of the most talented young artists in town— the Will Schmid-Jordan Anderson Quartet, with guitarist Will and pianist Jordan joining bassist Drew Stinson and drummer Ben Beyene.
It's the last of the “Frozen Apple" concert series in Apple Valley, with Patty Peterson and Friends at the Valleyview Golf Course and Country Club, and it's free! Patty takes the stage with Bobby Vandell, Ronny Loew, Billy Franze, and Jason Peterson Delaire.
More young talents play a late gig at Public Kitchen in St. Paul— saxophonist Thomas Strommen, a veteran of Group 47 and his own Dark Blue, leads a quartet with Dylan Nelson guitar, Eric Graham on keys, and Alex Burgess on drums. A couple pairings that seem odd at first glance. Gypsy jazz and pizza? Check out the Parisota Hot Club at Dulano's! And can you hear great jazz at a Vietnamese Restaurant? Apparently, at least at Ngon Bistro in St. Paul, where percussion master Davu Seru brings his trio (featuring bassist Chris Bates). Think of it as sonic pho.
Sunday, March 13. An afternoon of virtuosic big band with one of the most revered jazz singers of the modern era awaits patrons of the JazzMN Orchestra, as Doug Snapp and his ensemble welcome Tierney Sutton. With a repertoire from bebop to Songbook, from Bill Evans to Joni Mitchell, Sutton makes every arrangement her own. Most often heard in small ensemble settings, it's a real treat to her Tierney in the company of one of the finest big bands in the region, and beyond. In JazzMN's home hall, the auditorium at Hopkins High School.
Another afternoon option, the Cuban rhythms of Charanga Tropical, led by Doug Little, fill the air of the high ceiling bar and restaurant at the Icehouse for their monthly Sunday gig. And late afternoon at the Black Dog features Fuzzy Math— aproject led by pianist and composer Mark Vandermyde, with Andrew Schwandt on sax, Matt Peterson on bass and Haralds Bondaris on drums, playing originals and covers from an eclectic perspective. Also late afternoon, what might be a cultural hodgepodge with Klezmerica performing at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis?
In the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge, Dan Chouinard hosts another “Birthday Party," tonight with singer-songwriter-guitarist Ann Reed. Their songlist includes music of artists and composers with March birthdays, audience requests, and personal favorites. And like every Sunday evening, Solomon (Parham)'s Sessions provides an opportunity to jam with the trumpeter and his band, at The Bedlam in Lowertown St. Paul.
Sunday-Monday, March 13-14. Three-time Grammy winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater is no stranger to the Twin Cities or the Dakota, having appeared here a number of times in the past decade. Now she returns to the Dakota for two nights with another familiar artist, former Director of Jazz for Minnesota Orchestra Hall, trumpeter Irvin Mayfield. Together they recently released Dee Dee's Feathers, a tribute to New Orleans described as “a fine-tuned program that travels from swanky supper club environs to swampy down-home dives to the rhythmic heart of the city—Congo Square. And in the act of balancing all of that out, Bridgewater and Mayfield manage to bring out the best qualities in this music—spunk, soul, polish, passion, and joie de vivre" (Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz).
Monday, March 14. Ever since drummer Rodney Ruckus broke onto the scene in the past year, he's been gaining fans with his no-holds-barred attack and joyful displays behind the trapset. He's in the spotlight tonight at Jazz Central, pulling together some like-minded friends for a set before the weekly jam session.
In a “departure from out longstanding tradition of improvised duos," Nathan Hanson and Doan Roessler bring a larger project to JT's Jazz Implosion at the Icehouse, adding Laura Harada, Christopher McGuire and Cole Pulice, “premiering some new tunes from our not-quite-done-yet record." The second set brings together Luke Polipnick, Tim Glenn and Erik Fratzke.
Tuesday, March 15. Pianist Chris Lomheim starts the night solo at Vieux Carré, followed by another sublime pianist, Bryan Nichols, with his trio, featuring bassist Cody McKinney and drummer Lars-Erik Larson. Another of our top-shelf pianists, Laura Caviani, makes a return to the Dunsmore Room (where she played the soft opening in December), joined by Chris Bates (bass) and Dave Schmalenberger (drums).
Big Band Night at Jazz Central brings in the Explosion Big Bandheaded by Doug Haining and Scott Agster.
Wednesday, March 16. Jazz after work? The Tangiers features vocalist Lila Ammons and her trio, while the Lupine Brewery in Delano jazzes it up with the Pete Snell Trio. (Seems the plethora of new breweries and distilleries has opened more opportunities for live music!) Thursday, March 17. Can you get green beer tonight at a NOLA-style club? Probably if it is in St. Paul! Find out at Vieux Carré tonight while enjoying the modern sounds of the Adam Meckler Orchestra, playing their monthly gig. As long as you are with the AMO, you are having a party.
Over at Jazz Central, a deviation from the usual Vocal Jazz Night brings the young guns of Dark Blue to the stage. Led by U of M saxophonist Thomas Strommen, Dark Blue features most of Strommen's Quartet, with Dylan Nelson on guitar, Alex Burgess on drums, and adding Jason McLean on bass.
Friday, March 11. The monthly JazzINK Youth Showcase, on the Friday Night Jazz at Reverie schedule, features a young group from the MacPhail Center for Music (MacPhail Student Jazz Combo), led by renowned jazz educator Greg Keel. This ensemble of 8th and 9th graders warms up the stage for one of area's most creative duos, pianist Steven Hobertand guitarist Dean Magraw.
At Vieux Carré tonight, it's a triple header: Jon Pemberton shows off his piano chops with the free early evening show, followed by a shared headline act, with the University of Minnesota Morris Jazz Ensemble leading off before joining the intrepid trio Bates-Nichols-Bates for a few tunes, then turning over the club to Chris, Bryan and JT to finish off the night with their special brand of creative magic. That's a lot of music for $8 (bring cash!).
Vocalist Judi Vinar returns to Crooners Lounge with the Wolverines, Arne Fogel croons at Parma with Mary Louise Knutson on keys, JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske are in the Lobby Bar of the Saint Paul Hotel (and again tomorrow), and Jazz Central Studios welcomes the Peter Schimke Trio, with the fiery pianist on stage with internationally renowned bassist Anthony Cox and rising star drummer Cory Healey.
Saturday, March 12. Local vocalists and vocal students have a rare opportunity to learn from the best— Tierney Sutton, in town to perform tomorrow with the JazzMN Orchestra, leads a master class at Jazz Central Studios this morning. Register and info on the Jazz Central website!
There's a Saturday Night Special at Jazz Central Studios, as former resident and current U of North Texas doctoral candidate Aaron Hedenstromis back in town for a bit, playing his sax tonight with old pals Javi Santiago (piano), Dan Carpel (bass) and Mac Santiago (drums).
Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog brings back Bottomless Pit, a quartet of seasoned pros led by guitarist Joel Shapira. The band launched about a year ago at the Black Dog, bringing together Shapira, sax monster Pete Whitman, sublime bassist Tom Lewis, and Weather Report alum, drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt. Opening set features some of the most talented young artists in town— the Will Schmid-Jordan Anderson Quartet, with guitarist Will and pianist Jordan joining bassist Drew Stinson and drummer Ben Beyene.
It's the last of the “Frozen Apple" concert series in Apple Valley, with Patty Peterson and Friends at the Valleyview Golf Course and Country Club, and it's free! Patty takes the stage with Bobby Vandell, Ronny Loew, Billy Franze, and Jason Peterson Delaire.
More young talents play a late gig at Public Kitchen in St. Paul— saxophonist Thomas Strommen, a veteran of Group 47 and his own Dark Blue, leads a quartet with Dylan Nelson guitar, Eric Graham on keys, and Alex Burgess on drums. A couple pairings that seem odd at first glance. Gypsy jazz and pizza? Check out the Parisota Hot Club at Dulano's! And can you hear great jazz at a Vietnamese Restaurant? Apparently, at least at Ngon Bistro in St. Paul, where percussion master Davu Seru brings his trio (featuring bassist Chris Bates). Think of it as sonic pho.
Sunday, March 13. An afternoon of virtuosic big band with one of the most revered jazz singers of the modern era awaits patrons of the JazzMN Orchestra, as Doug Snapp and his ensemble welcome Tierney Sutton. With a repertoire from bebop to Songbook, from Bill Evans to Joni Mitchell, Sutton makes every arrangement her own. Most often heard in small ensemble settings, it's a real treat to her Tierney in the company of one of the finest big bands in the region, and beyond. In JazzMN's home hall, the auditorium at Hopkins High School.
Another afternoon option, the Cuban rhythms of Charanga Tropical, led by Doug Little, fill the air of the high ceiling bar and restaurant at the Icehouse for their monthly Sunday gig. And late afternoon at the Black Dog features Fuzzy Math— aproject led by pianist and composer Mark Vandermyde, with Andrew Schwandt on sax, Matt Peterson on bass and Haralds Bondaris on drums, playing originals and covers from an eclectic perspective. Also late afternoon, what might be a cultural hodgepodge with Klezmerica performing at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis?
In the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge, Dan Chouinard hosts another “Birthday Party," tonight with singer-songwriter-guitarist Ann Reed. Their songlist includes music of artists and composers with March birthdays, audience requests, and personal favorites. And like every Sunday evening, Solomon (Parham)'s Sessions provides an opportunity to jam with the trumpeter and his band, at The Bedlam in Lowertown St. Paul.
Sunday-Monday, March 13-14. Three-time Grammy winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater is no stranger to the Twin Cities or the Dakota, having appeared here a number of times in the past decade. Now she returns to the Dakota for two nights with another familiar artist, former Director of Jazz for Minnesota Orchestra Hall, trumpeter Irvin Mayfield. Together they recently released Dee Dee's Feathers, a tribute to New Orleans described as “a fine-tuned program that travels from swanky supper club environs to swampy down-home dives to the rhythmic heart of the city—Congo Square. And in the act of balancing all of that out, Bridgewater and Mayfield manage to bring out the best qualities in this music—spunk, soul, polish, passion, and joie de vivre" (Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz).
Monday, March 14. Ever since drummer Rodney Ruckus broke onto the scene in the past year, he's been gaining fans with his no-holds-barred attack and joyful displays behind the trapset. He's in the spotlight tonight at Jazz Central, pulling together some like-minded friends for a set before the weekly jam session.
In a “departure from out longstanding tradition of improvised duos," Nathan Hanson and Doan Roessler bring a larger project to JT's Jazz Implosion at the Icehouse, adding Laura Harada, Christopher McGuire and Cole Pulice, “premiering some new tunes from our not-quite-done-yet record." The second set brings together Luke Polipnick, Tim Glenn and Erik Fratzke.
Tuesday, March 15. Pianist Chris Lomheim starts the night solo at Vieux Carré, followed by another sublime pianist, Bryan Nichols, with his trio, featuring bassist Cody McKinney and drummer Lars-Erik Larson. Another of our top-shelf pianists, Laura Caviani, makes a return to the Dunsmore Room (where she played the soft opening in December), joined by Chris Bates (bass) and Dave Schmalenberger (drums).
Big Band Night at Jazz Central brings in the Explosion Big Bandheaded by Doug Haining and Scott Agster.
Wednesday, March 16. Jazz after work? The Tangiers features vocalist Lila Ammons and her trio, while the Lupine Brewery in Delano jazzes it up with the Pete Snell Trio. (Seems the plethora of new breweries and distilleries has opened more opportunities for live music!) Thursday, March 17. Can you get green beer tonight at a NOLA-style club? Probably if it is in St. Paul! Find out at Vieux Carré tonight while enjoying the modern sounds of the Adam Meckler Orchestra, playing their monthly gig. As long as you are with the AMO, you are having a party.
Over at Jazz Central, a deviation from the usual Vocal Jazz Night brings the young guns of Dark Blue to the stage. Led by U of M saxophonist Thomas Strommen, Dark Blue features most of Strommen's Quartet, with Dylan Nelson on guitar, Alex Burgess on drums, and adding Jason McLean on bass.
