The end of October— colors are past peak in central Minnesota, nights are getting cooler, and Halloween will soon bring little goblins to the neighborhood (because the Strib so smartly identified my part of town as candy heaven!). But the real treats (and musical tricks) await jazz fans at every turn— from one of the longest-running team of bandleaders on the local avant-garde scene gigging at the Black Dog to another long-standing ensemble melding jazz and poetry, from favorite local vocals to internationally renowned improvisers at the Icehouse. From trad to rad, it's right here in the Mini-Apple.
Big Gigs This Week
Saturday, October 29. The Jazz at Studio Zconcert series returns for a fifth season, curated by Zacc Harris. Starting things off will be saxophonist Aaron Hedenstrom and his quintet with pianist Bryan Nichols; guitarist Zacc Harris; bassist Graydon Peterson; and drummer Miguel Hurtado. And an hour before the concert, Aaron leads a free workshop on Strategies for Improvising on Complex Chord Structures.
Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog features the Ellen Lease Pat Moriarty Quartet with Chris Bates on bass and Pete Hennig on drums. My opinion—Ellen Lease is one of the secret weapons of local avant-garde jazz, a superb pianist who doesn't gig enough! The Roseville Area High School Combo appears on the monthly JazzINK Youth Showcase to open the evening.
At the Icehouse, Javi Santiago joins James Buckley for some sophisticated dinner music; Pavel Jany and the Talking Strings continued weekly at the Loring Pasta Bar; the Benny Weinbeck Trio holds its weekly session in the lounge at Parma 8200; JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske serenade in the Lobby Bar of the Saint Paul Hotel; Maud Hixson with Rick Carlson and Matt Peterson performs at Bistro LaRoux, and Paul Harper's Bardo Quartetperforms at Mendoberri in Mendota Heights.
Sunday, October 30. After nearly a decade, Soul Cafe continues to perform, if less often, at the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, melding poetry and jazz around a common theme— and that theme tonight is “Dancing With Our Fears," poetry primarily addressing the anxieties of modern living, while the music is more inclined toward dancing, a sure antidote. Steve Blons (guitar), Brad Holden (alto sax), Steven Hobert (piano) and Daryl Boudreaux (percussion) play a set list ranging from Fats Waller to McCoy Tyner.
In White Bear, the Century Jazz Ensemblepresents its fall concert in the Century College Theater (3 pm), the Zacc Harris Trio continues its long-running Sunday night gig at the Riverview Wine Bar, Gypsy Mania swings at Hell's Kitchen, and in the Dunsmore Room, multi-talented Jennifer Grimmlaunches a new monthly series of song.
Monday, October 31. Trick or Treat!At the Icehouse, it's the first of two world-class nights, tonight featuring the band dubbed NOH— saxophonist Tim Berne, guitarist David Torn, and drummer Dave King. Berne was in town last spring and kept our ears on full alert. With three of the world's most adventurous musicians, this will be an evening of free-range excitement. With or without goblins.
Renowned violinist Christian Howes turns up at Jazz Central withthe U of M Jazz Combo (during his U of M residency, see Tuesday), while sassy vocalist Erin Schwab and pianist Jay Fuchsoffer some spooky fun in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners.
Tuesday, November 1. The Icehouse presents McKnight composer and 2016 Doris Duke Award winner Wayne Horvitz, a renowned composer and keyboardist who has been touring throughout Minnesota this fall. Horvitz will be joined by some of the Twin Cities top improvisers: Michelle Kinney (cello), Nathan Hanson (saxophone), Chris Cunningham (guitar) and Greg Schutte (drums).
Christian Howes performs at Ted Mann tonight with the U of M Jazz Ensembles I and II, the culmination of his residency with the jazz program. It's a free concert! At Vieux Carre', Patrick Harison (accordion) opens the evening, followed by songbird Sophia Shorai. And it's First Tuesday— the Bill Simenson Orchestra fills Big Band Night at Jazz Central, while at the Black Dog, guitar and drum magic will be on stage with Dean Magraw and Eric Gravatt.
Wednesday, November 2. The piano master, Chris Lomheim and his Trio return to Vieux Carre', and Anthony Coxpresents his monthly Continuum series at Jazz Central.
Thursday, November 3. Vieux Carre' presents the Twin Cities Seven led by Doug Haining with vocalist Maryann Sullivan, while Vicky Mountain returns to Vocal Jazz Night at Jazz Central. At Khyber Pass, something wild is bound to happen with Mercy Button— Nathan Hanson, Pat O'Keefe, Brett Wartcho, Geoff West Senn, and Nick Zielinski.
Big Gigs This Week
Saturday, October 29. The Jazz at Studio Zconcert series returns for a fifth season, curated by Zacc Harris. Starting things off will be saxophonist Aaron Hedenstrom and his quintet with pianist Bryan Nichols; guitarist Zacc Harris; bassist Graydon Peterson; and drummer Miguel Hurtado. And an hour before the concert, Aaron leads a free workshop on Strategies for Improvising on Complex Chord Structures.
Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog features the Ellen Lease Pat Moriarty Quartet with Chris Bates on bass and Pete Hennig on drums. My opinion—Ellen Lease is one of the secret weapons of local avant-garde jazz, a superb pianist who doesn't gig enough! The Roseville Area High School Combo appears on the monthly JazzINK Youth Showcase to open the evening.
At the Icehouse, Javi Santiago joins James Buckley for some sophisticated dinner music; Pavel Jany and the Talking Strings continued weekly at the Loring Pasta Bar; the Benny Weinbeck Trio holds its weekly session in the lounge at Parma 8200; JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske serenade in the Lobby Bar of the Saint Paul Hotel; Maud Hixson with Rick Carlson and Matt Peterson performs at Bistro LaRoux, and Paul Harper's Bardo Quartetperforms at Mendoberri in Mendota Heights.
Sunday, October 30. After nearly a decade, Soul Cafe continues to perform, if less often, at the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, melding poetry and jazz around a common theme— and that theme tonight is “Dancing With Our Fears," poetry primarily addressing the anxieties of modern living, while the music is more inclined toward dancing, a sure antidote. Steve Blons (guitar), Brad Holden (alto sax), Steven Hobert (piano) and Daryl Boudreaux (percussion) play a set list ranging from Fats Waller to McCoy Tyner.
In White Bear, the Century Jazz Ensemblepresents its fall concert in the Century College Theater (3 pm), the Zacc Harris Trio continues its long-running Sunday night gig at the Riverview Wine Bar, Gypsy Mania swings at Hell's Kitchen, and in the Dunsmore Room, multi-talented Jennifer Grimmlaunches a new monthly series of song.
Monday, October 31. Trick or Treat!At the Icehouse, it's the first of two world-class nights, tonight featuring the band dubbed NOH— saxophonist Tim Berne, guitarist David Torn, and drummer Dave King. Berne was in town last spring and kept our ears on full alert. With three of the world's most adventurous musicians, this will be an evening of free-range excitement. With or without goblins.
Renowned violinist Christian Howes turns up at Jazz Central withthe U of M Jazz Combo (during his U of M residency, see Tuesday), while sassy vocalist Erin Schwab and pianist Jay Fuchsoffer some spooky fun in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners.
Tuesday, November 1. The Icehouse presents McKnight composer and 2016 Doris Duke Award winner Wayne Horvitz, a renowned composer and keyboardist who has been touring throughout Minnesota this fall. Horvitz will be joined by some of the Twin Cities top improvisers: Michelle Kinney (cello), Nathan Hanson (saxophone), Chris Cunningham (guitar) and Greg Schutte (drums).
Christian Howes performs at Ted Mann tonight with the U of M Jazz Ensembles I and II, the culmination of his residency with the jazz program. It's a free concert! At Vieux Carre', Patrick Harison (accordion) opens the evening, followed by songbird Sophia Shorai. And it's First Tuesday— the Bill Simenson Orchestra fills Big Band Night at Jazz Central, while at the Black Dog, guitar and drum magic will be on stage with Dean Magraw and Eric Gravatt.
Wednesday, November 2. The piano master, Chris Lomheim and his Trio return to Vieux Carre', and Anthony Coxpresents his monthly Continuum series at Jazz Central.
Thursday, November 3. Vieux Carre' presents the Twin Cities Seven led by Doug Haining with vocalist Maryann Sullivan, while Vicky Mountain returns to Vocal Jazz Night at Jazz Central. At Khyber Pass, something wild is bound to happen with Mercy Button— Nathan Hanson, Pat O'Keefe, Brett Wartcho, Geoff West Senn, and Nick Zielinski.
