Some spooky jazz and Halloween fun kick off a busy music weekend that includes the return of Soul Cafe and What Would Monk Do. In the coming week, Hiromi makes her quasi-annual pilgrimage to the Dakota, Mike Lewis returns to the Icehouse, and Zeitgeist launches their annual New Music Cabaret. That's just the start of the list.
Big Gigs This Week
Friday, October 31. Any day is a holiday with Patty Peterson and Friends, so imagine spending Halloween with one of Minnesota's favorite entertainers at Parma 8200? Joining Patty will be nephew Jason Peterson DeLaire and friends Bobby Vandell, Billy Franze and Cory Wong.
Even spookier, check out the Halloween Party at Jazz Central, starting off with a daring duo of B-3 specialist Kevin Gastonguay and drummer Mac Santiagoand then moving into the far reaches of the jazz universe with the Atlantis Quartet, complete with costumes, reprising Coltrane's full A Love Supreme. Atlantis has a history of making Halloween the best holiday of the year. Expect some appropriate treats from Vanessa Lopez and bring your own mask if you like.
And St Paul hosts another haunting night with Skeleton Crew, a “mixed chamber ensemble" playing works by Philip Glass, Wendy Carlos, Radiohead and...Halloween themed music. With local artists Julie Sweet, Sean O'Hea, Jake Fisher and Scott Fultz.
Saturday, November 1. What would Monk do at the Black Dog? Probably create a new rhythm in sync with the espresso machine. Monk won't be on the premises, at least not in body, but in spirit his music will take off in new directions with What Would Monk Do, featuring Steve Kenny, Peter Schimke, Billy Peterson and Kenny Horst. Add that up — a lot of experience across the spectrum of jazz. If only Monk could join them!
Sunday, November 2. Gigs with Soul Café have been few and far between over the last few years, but they keep alive the connection between jazz and poetry. With the current configuration of leader Steve Blons (guitar), Brad Holden (alto sax), Dave Graf (trombone) and Phil Aaron (piano), they tackle music around the theme “The Wisdom of Insecurity—Dancing With Fear and Trust." As always, music is paired with poetry readings. They perform in their home space at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church.
Monday, November 3. JT's Jazz Implosion really implodes tonight with a visit from former resident Mike Lewis, joining Gordy Johnson and JT himself at the Icehouse.
Wednesday, November 5. If this is the first Wednesday of the month, then it's the Continuum Series at Jazz Central, curated by Anthony Cox and showcasing new music with open discussion. Tonight's ensemble is the PBR Street Gang, warming up to record for Sunnyside. The gang includes Dean Granros, Brandon Wozniak, Dave King and Cox (cello and bass). “High voltage electro-acoustic music" with originals from Cox. The discussion will address the definition and meaning of electro-acoustic music.
Wednesday-Thursday, November 5-6. When she first played the Twin Cities in 2004, Hiromi was a young (early 20s) pianist who was taking the jazz world by storm with a style that was akin to Tatum on steroids— musical but ferocious. She has harnessed some of the energy over the years but her monster technique and boundless imagination still define her art, be it in solo, duo (with Chick Corea or Stanley Clarke) or with her own trio or quartet. Her Trio Project returns to the Dakota for two nights with long-time collaborators Anthony Jackson and Steve Smith, both also known for high energy antics.
Thursday, November 6. A night for guitar lovers — Ben Abrahamson, Park Evans and Nick Champeaumake it a three-guitar trio at the Black Dog. The three will perform new compositions by Ben as well as arrangements in the style of Paco de Lucía, John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, Ralph Towner and more.
At Jazz Central, vocalist Sarah Greerpresents a tribute to Nina Simone. Sarah just finished a series of vocal workshops at Jazz Central, and now teacher shows that those who teach... can!
Thursday-Sunday, November 6-9. Zeitgeist's annual New Music Cabaret gets underway at Studio Z with multiple sets of music each night. And each night starts out with a Young Performers Showcase followed by an array of bands playing eclectic new music. Tonight, bands include the Zeitgeist Ensemble, Dream Songs Project and Red Planet. Visit the website for the full schedule.
More Jazz! Keep up with the live jazz scene in the Twin Cities — check out calendars at Jazz Police, KBEM, Rhythm and Grooves and All About Jazz, as well as here on the blog. More jazz to tickle your ears:
Friday, October 31. Irv Williams and Steve Blons, happy hour at the Dakota; Todd Harper, solo piano at the Black Dog; Bryan Nichols and James Buckley, dinner sets at the Icehouse; Joel Shapira at Ingredients Cafe; Steven Hobert, Zack Lozier and Steve Pikal at the 331 Club
Saturday, November 1. Paula Lammers and Windwood at Mason Jar; JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske in the Lobby Bar (Saint Paul Hotel); Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma 8200; Zacc Harris Trio at Loring Pasta Bar; Pigs Eye Jass Band at Eagles Club; Maud Hixson and the Wolverines Trio at the Social Dance Studio; David Martin and Joel Shapira at Senor Wong
Sunday, November 2. Robert Everest, brunch at Maria's; Century Jazz Ensemble with the Phil Mattson Singers at Century College; Zacc Harris Trio at Riverview Wine Bar
Monday, November 3. Denny Malmberg and guest at Fireside Pizza; Pete Enblom at Jazz Central; Charmin and Shapira and Friends at the Dakota; Southside Aces at Famous Dave's (Uptown)
Tuesday, November 4. Travis Anderson Trio at the Dakota; Cafe Accordion at Loring Pasta Bar; Three Loud Trio at Cafe Maude; Bill Simenson Orchestra at Jazz Central
Wednesday, November 5. Connie Evingson with Dave Karr and Phil Aaron, Jazz in the Lounge at the Minneapolis Woman's Club; Byron Johnson-Blanchard at Hell's Kitchen; Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Patrick Harison at Cafe Maude
Thursday, November 6. Moonlight Serenaders at Wabasha Street Caves; Joel Shapira at Hell's Kitchen
Big Gigs This Week
Friday, October 31. Any day is a holiday with Patty Peterson and Friends, so imagine spending Halloween with one of Minnesota's favorite entertainers at Parma 8200? Joining Patty will be nephew Jason Peterson DeLaire and friends Bobby Vandell, Billy Franze and Cory Wong.
Even spookier, check out the Halloween Party at Jazz Central, starting off with a daring duo of B-3 specialist Kevin Gastonguay and drummer Mac Santiagoand then moving into the far reaches of the jazz universe with the Atlantis Quartet, complete with costumes, reprising Coltrane's full A Love Supreme. Atlantis has a history of making Halloween the best holiday of the year. Expect some appropriate treats from Vanessa Lopez and bring your own mask if you like.
And St Paul hosts another haunting night with Skeleton Crew, a “mixed chamber ensemble" playing works by Philip Glass, Wendy Carlos, Radiohead and...Halloween themed music. With local artists Julie Sweet, Sean O'Hea, Jake Fisher and Scott Fultz.
Saturday, November 1. What would Monk do at the Black Dog? Probably create a new rhythm in sync with the espresso machine. Monk won't be on the premises, at least not in body, but in spirit his music will take off in new directions with What Would Monk Do, featuring Steve Kenny, Peter Schimke, Billy Peterson and Kenny Horst. Add that up — a lot of experience across the spectrum of jazz. If only Monk could join them!
Sunday, November 2. Gigs with Soul Café have been few and far between over the last few years, but they keep alive the connection between jazz and poetry. With the current configuration of leader Steve Blons (guitar), Brad Holden (alto sax), Dave Graf (trombone) and Phil Aaron (piano), they tackle music around the theme “The Wisdom of Insecurity—Dancing With Fear and Trust." As always, music is paired with poetry readings. They perform in their home space at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church.
Monday, November 3. JT's Jazz Implosion really implodes tonight with a visit from former resident Mike Lewis, joining Gordy Johnson and JT himself at the Icehouse.
Wednesday, November 5. If this is the first Wednesday of the month, then it's the Continuum Series at Jazz Central, curated by Anthony Cox and showcasing new music with open discussion. Tonight's ensemble is the PBR Street Gang, warming up to record for Sunnyside. The gang includes Dean Granros, Brandon Wozniak, Dave King and Cox (cello and bass). “High voltage electro-acoustic music" with originals from Cox. The discussion will address the definition and meaning of electro-acoustic music.
Wednesday-Thursday, November 5-6. When she first played the Twin Cities in 2004, Hiromi was a young (early 20s) pianist who was taking the jazz world by storm with a style that was akin to Tatum on steroids— musical but ferocious. She has harnessed some of the energy over the years but her monster technique and boundless imagination still define her art, be it in solo, duo (with Chick Corea or Stanley Clarke) or with her own trio or quartet. Her Trio Project returns to the Dakota for two nights with long-time collaborators Anthony Jackson and Steve Smith, both also known for high energy antics.
Thursday, November 6. A night for guitar lovers — Ben Abrahamson, Park Evans and Nick Champeaumake it a three-guitar trio at the Black Dog. The three will perform new compositions by Ben as well as arrangements in the style of Paco de Lucía, John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, Ralph Towner and more.
At Jazz Central, vocalist Sarah Greerpresents a tribute to Nina Simone. Sarah just finished a series of vocal workshops at Jazz Central, and now teacher shows that those who teach... can!
Thursday-Sunday, November 6-9. Zeitgeist's annual New Music Cabaret gets underway at Studio Z with multiple sets of music each night. And each night starts out with a Young Performers Showcase followed by an array of bands playing eclectic new music. Tonight, bands include the Zeitgeist Ensemble, Dream Songs Project and Red Planet. Visit the website for the full schedule.
More Jazz! Keep up with the live jazz scene in the Twin Cities — check out calendars at Jazz Police, KBEM, Rhythm and Grooves and All About Jazz, as well as here on the blog. More jazz to tickle your ears:
Friday, October 31. Irv Williams and Steve Blons, happy hour at the Dakota; Todd Harper, solo piano at the Black Dog; Bryan Nichols and James Buckley, dinner sets at the Icehouse; Joel Shapira at Ingredients Cafe; Steven Hobert, Zack Lozier and Steve Pikal at the 331 Club
Saturday, November 1. Paula Lammers and Windwood at Mason Jar; JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske in the Lobby Bar (Saint Paul Hotel); Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma 8200; Zacc Harris Trio at Loring Pasta Bar; Pigs Eye Jass Band at Eagles Club; Maud Hixson and the Wolverines Trio at the Social Dance Studio; David Martin and Joel Shapira at Senor Wong
Sunday, November 2. Robert Everest, brunch at Maria's; Century Jazz Ensemble with the Phil Mattson Singers at Century College; Zacc Harris Trio at Riverview Wine Bar
Monday, November 3. Denny Malmberg and guest at Fireside Pizza; Pete Enblom at Jazz Central; Charmin and Shapira and Friends at the Dakota; Southside Aces at Famous Dave's (Uptown)
Tuesday, November 4. Travis Anderson Trio at the Dakota; Cafe Accordion at Loring Pasta Bar; Three Loud Trio at Cafe Maude; Bill Simenson Orchestra at Jazz Central
Wednesday, November 5. Connie Evingson with Dave Karr and Phil Aaron, Jazz in the Lounge at the Minneapolis Woman's Club; Byron Johnson-Blanchard at Hell's Kitchen; Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Patrick Harison at Cafe Maude
Thursday, November 6. Moonlight Serenaders at Wabasha Street Caves; Joel Shapira at Hell's Kitchen
