It looks like a great spring week coming our way with national headliners and local talents—talents that could be national headliners.
Big Gigs This Week
Friday, May 12. One of the most lauded composers and bandleaders of his generation, saxophonist Steve Coleman brings his rarely performed project, Natal Eclipse, to the McGuire Theater at the Walker. The New York Times describes Coleman as “one of the most rigorously conceptual thinkers in improvised music." Usually that means it is over my head but a pleasure to hear anyway. And his band—without percussion— includes such unique talents as trumpeter Jon Finlayson, pianist Matt Mitchell and vocalist Jen Shyu.
A last-minute addition to the Jazz Central “Masters" series tonight, multi-instrumentalist Rodney Ruckus—officially now a California resident— is back in town with a quartet of monsters: Aaron Hedenstrom on sax, Will Kjeer on piano, Jax Ravel on bass, and of course The Ruckus on drums.
Pianist, vocalist and composer Linda Peterson finishes her run of happy hours at Crooners Lounge, followed by the always chariming Sophia Shorai; savvy singer Lila Ammons is back at the Hennepin Steam Room; at the Icehouse, Patrick Harison and James Buckley provide some accordion/bass duo charms over the dinner hours; and at Vieux Carre', Jeremy Walker plays the first set of a triple header, followed by the Twin Cities Hot Club and then Cedric Fuller's Global Sounds.
Saturday, May 13. Jazz Central hosts a special night with the Max Johnson Trio, featuring Russ Johnson, Max Johnson and Tim Daisy. TrumpeterRuss recently left New York City for the Midwest, bassist Max remains in New York, and drummer Daisy is active in Chicago. All three are well-known in improvised music circles.
At the Black Dog, it's Open Story, a relatively new trio of Dean Magraw, Bryan Nichols and Jay Epstein, headlining the Saturday Night Jazz series. They follow an opening set on the JazzINK Youth Showcase featuring the Walker West Jazz Ensemble, a group of teen musicians who are well versed in the jazz idiom.
Charmin & Shapira are back at Midtown Global Market for a midday break; Benny Weinbeck brings his trio to Parma 8200; the Kronick Quintet lands at Public Kitchen; the Travis Anderson Trio entertains at the Normandy Kitchen
Sunday, May 14. It's Mother's Day and there's a wide range of choices for Mom, from brunch with Patty and the Buttons at the Aster or with Southside Aces at the Dakota or Debbie Duncan at Crooners, to the Birthday Club in the Dunsmore Room with Dan Chouinard and Gwen Matthews, contemporary piano whiz Keiko Matsui at the Dakota, and the Zacc Harris Trio at the Riverview Wine Bar; or take mom dancing to the sounds of Charmin Michelle and the Jerry O'Hagan Orchestra at Cinema Ballroom.
Monday, May 15. The Dakota hosts a one night, two-show delight with vocalist/pianist and honorary Minnesotan Karrin Allyson, who has never yet, in my experience, delivered anything but an inspired performance. She comes with a new project, “Allyson Sings Allison," as in Mose Allison. Given Karrin's affinity for the blues (e.g., her terrific album, In Blue), this pairing of performer and composer should be a winner.
And at the Icehouse, JT's Jazz Implosion goes heavy on percussion with an opening solo set from Billy Martin of Medeski, Martin and Wood, followed by a quartet featuring visiting St Paul native guitarist Todd Clouser and percussion with Martin, JT Bates and Martin Dosh.
At Jazz Central, the spotlight hits trombone master Dave Graf. So often a sideman with big bands (JazzMN Orchestra), Latin Projects (Salsa del Soul) and smaller ensembles (Source Code), we need these reminders of Dave's dazzling skills as soloist and bandleader.
Monday-Tuesday, May 15-16. In the Dunsmore Room, enjoy two nights with the Dave King Trio—that's Dave on drums with Bill Carrothers on piano and Billy Peterson on bass. They released one acclaimed album a few years ago (I've Been Ringing You) with another due out soon.
Tuesday, May 16. Get a taste of modern New Orleans jazz with a visit from the Extended Trio at the Black Dog. With Brad Webb on drums, Matt Booth on bass, and Oscar Rossignoli on piano, the trio is gaining a strong following in NOLA and spreading its wings northward.
A tantalizing duo brings sublime intensity to the early sets at Vieux Carre' tonight, with pianist Steven Hobertjoining forces with eclectic guitarist John Penny. Across town at Jazz Central, the Explosion Big Band (led by Scott Agster and Doug Haining) bursts out on Big Band Night.
Tuesday-Wednesday, May 16-17. It's been a while since we enjoyed the Marcus Roberts Trio in the Twin Cities, and they take the stage at the Dakota for two nights. Aside from the remarkable artistry of pianist Roberts, the trio's longevity has allowed their music to develop its own momentum—drummer Jason Marsalis has been part of the unit for over 20 years; bassist Rodney Jordan is the newbie with only an 8-year association. Things will swing.
Wednesday, May 17. TheDunsmore Room hosts drummer Daniel Glass of the Royal Crowne Revue, along with Duluth-based bassist Veikko Lepisto, and Twin Cities heroes Andrew Walesch on piano and vocals and Dave Karr on sax.
At Jazz Central the Chris Lomheim Quintet takes the bandstand. Better known for his trios, pianist Lomheim leads an enviable cast with Adam Rossmiller on trumpet, Pete Whitman on sax, Jay Young on bass, and Dave Schmalenberger on drums.
Thursday, May 18. New York City's Kristen Lee Sargent comes to town, performing with the great saxophonist Ted Nash at Vieux Carre'. They're celebrating her new album, Inside Out. Nash, a veteran of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, has been heard locally with Jeremy Walker's Atrium Jazz Ensemble. A double-header at Reverie: The opening set features one of the busiest teen jazz bands in town, Below Zero. This band of mostly 9th-10th graders started out as a MacPhail Center for Music ensemble and now has a life of its own. Later in the evening, Steve Kenny leads a trio with older young lions including Ted Olsen on bass and Miguel Hurtado on drums.
Rare Medium appears at Whiskey Junction with some original music from saxophonist Joan Hutton; Vicky Mountainreturns to Jazz Central's Vocal Jazz night; Lori Dokken joins the Wolverines Trio at Crooners Lounge; and at Khyber Pass, saxophonist Michael Lewis takes the spotlight, with or without colleagues....only Michael knows for sure.
Big Gigs This Week
Friday, May 12. One of the most lauded composers and bandleaders of his generation, saxophonist Steve Coleman brings his rarely performed project, Natal Eclipse, to the McGuire Theater at the Walker. The New York Times describes Coleman as “one of the most rigorously conceptual thinkers in improvised music." Usually that means it is over my head but a pleasure to hear anyway. And his band—without percussion— includes such unique talents as trumpeter Jon Finlayson, pianist Matt Mitchell and vocalist Jen Shyu.
A last-minute addition to the Jazz Central “Masters" series tonight, multi-instrumentalist Rodney Ruckus—officially now a California resident— is back in town with a quartet of monsters: Aaron Hedenstrom on sax, Will Kjeer on piano, Jax Ravel on bass, and of course The Ruckus on drums.
Pianist, vocalist and composer Linda Peterson finishes her run of happy hours at Crooners Lounge, followed by the always chariming Sophia Shorai; savvy singer Lila Ammons is back at the Hennepin Steam Room; at the Icehouse, Patrick Harison and James Buckley provide some accordion/bass duo charms over the dinner hours; and at Vieux Carre', Jeremy Walker plays the first set of a triple header, followed by the Twin Cities Hot Club and then Cedric Fuller's Global Sounds.
Saturday, May 13. Jazz Central hosts a special night with the Max Johnson Trio, featuring Russ Johnson, Max Johnson and Tim Daisy. TrumpeterRuss recently left New York City for the Midwest, bassist Max remains in New York, and drummer Daisy is active in Chicago. All three are well-known in improvised music circles.
At the Black Dog, it's Open Story, a relatively new trio of Dean Magraw, Bryan Nichols and Jay Epstein, headlining the Saturday Night Jazz series. They follow an opening set on the JazzINK Youth Showcase featuring the Walker West Jazz Ensemble, a group of teen musicians who are well versed in the jazz idiom.
Charmin & Shapira are back at Midtown Global Market for a midday break; Benny Weinbeck brings his trio to Parma 8200; the Kronick Quintet lands at Public Kitchen; the Travis Anderson Trio entertains at the Normandy Kitchen
Sunday, May 14. It's Mother's Day and there's a wide range of choices for Mom, from brunch with Patty and the Buttons at the Aster or with Southside Aces at the Dakota or Debbie Duncan at Crooners, to the Birthday Club in the Dunsmore Room with Dan Chouinard and Gwen Matthews, contemporary piano whiz Keiko Matsui at the Dakota, and the Zacc Harris Trio at the Riverview Wine Bar; or take mom dancing to the sounds of Charmin Michelle and the Jerry O'Hagan Orchestra at Cinema Ballroom.
Monday, May 15. The Dakota hosts a one night, two-show delight with vocalist/pianist and honorary Minnesotan Karrin Allyson, who has never yet, in my experience, delivered anything but an inspired performance. She comes with a new project, “Allyson Sings Allison," as in Mose Allison. Given Karrin's affinity for the blues (e.g., her terrific album, In Blue), this pairing of performer and composer should be a winner.
And at the Icehouse, JT's Jazz Implosion goes heavy on percussion with an opening solo set from Billy Martin of Medeski, Martin and Wood, followed by a quartet featuring visiting St Paul native guitarist Todd Clouser and percussion with Martin, JT Bates and Martin Dosh.
At Jazz Central, the spotlight hits trombone master Dave Graf. So often a sideman with big bands (JazzMN Orchestra), Latin Projects (Salsa del Soul) and smaller ensembles (Source Code), we need these reminders of Dave's dazzling skills as soloist and bandleader.
Monday-Tuesday, May 15-16. In the Dunsmore Room, enjoy two nights with the Dave King Trio—that's Dave on drums with Bill Carrothers on piano and Billy Peterson on bass. They released one acclaimed album a few years ago (I've Been Ringing You) with another due out soon.
Tuesday, May 16. Get a taste of modern New Orleans jazz with a visit from the Extended Trio at the Black Dog. With Brad Webb on drums, Matt Booth on bass, and Oscar Rossignoli on piano, the trio is gaining a strong following in NOLA and spreading its wings northward.
A tantalizing duo brings sublime intensity to the early sets at Vieux Carre' tonight, with pianist Steven Hobertjoining forces with eclectic guitarist John Penny. Across town at Jazz Central, the Explosion Big Band (led by Scott Agster and Doug Haining) bursts out on Big Band Night.
Tuesday-Wednesday, May 16-17. It's been a while since we enjoyed the Marcus Roberts Trio in the Twin Cities, and they take the stage at the Dakota for two nights. Aside from the remarkable artistry of pianist Roberts, the trio's longevity has allowed their music to develop its own momentum—drummer Jason Marsalis has been part of the unit for over 20 years; bassist Rodney Jordan is the newbie with only an 8-year association. Things will swing.
Wednesday, May 17. TheDunsmore Room hosts drummer Daniel Glass of the Royal Crowne Revue, along with Duluth-based bassist Veikko Lepisto, and Twin Cities heroes Andrew Walesch on piano and vocals and Dave Karr on sax.
At Jazz Central the Chris Lomheim Quintet takes the bandstand. Better known for his trios, pianist Lomheim leads an enviable cast with Adam Rossmiller on trumpet, Pete Whitman on sax, Jay Young on bass, and Dave Schmalenberger on drums.
Thursday, May 18. New York City's Kristen Lee Sargent comes to town, performing with the great saxophonist Ted Nash at Vieux Carre'. They're celebrating her new album, Inside Out. Nash, a veteran of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, has been heard locally with Jeremy Walker's Atrium Jazz Ensemble. A double-header at Reverie: The opening set features one of the busiest teen jazz bands in town, Below Zero. This band of mostly 9th-10th graders started out as a MacPhail Center for Music ensemble and now has a life of its own. Later in the evening, Steve Kenny leads a trio with older young lions including Ted Olsen on bass and Miguel Hurtado on drums.
Rare Medium appears at Whiskey Junction with some original music from saxophonist Joan Hutton; Vicky Mountainreturns to Jazz Central's Vocal Jazz night; Lori Dokken joins the Wolverines Trio at Crooners Lounge; and at Khyber Pass, saxophonist Michael Lewis takes the spotlight, with or without colleagues....only Michael knows for sure.
