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Lee Engele Quartet at Midtown Global Market |
© Andrea Canter
Finally we
have some nice summer weather in store for the weekend, although the forecast
calls for more sizzle later in the week. Similarly we have some nice summer
jazz coming this weekend, but that of course does not preclude steam and
sizzle, from Friday right through to the following weekend. We have a new show
from the Lyric Factory, the first visit in a few years from sax titan James
Carter and his organ trio; another fine line-up early in the week at Jazz
Central and the growing list of musicians performing at the Icehouse. And of
course, it is still summer in the parks, and jazz is often on the agenda.
Highlights This Week
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Jay Young |
July 27-28: Since he first put together the
Lyric Factory a few years ago, bassist Jay Young has proven himself to be
as fine a bandleader as first-call support system. After a few performances
saluting the great Stevie Wonder, Jay is back at the Artists Quarter with the
music of Herbie Hancock and Earth, Wind and Fire, Friday and Saturday nights.
Not sure who will be on the bandstand with him, but count on drummer Kevin
Washington and colleagues from the McNally Smith Vocal Music Department among
others. It will surely be an amalgam of jazz, soul, R&B and lots of fun.
Back to
back bass/piano duos should keep diners at the Icehouse on full alert this
weekend. Friday night, it’s Adam Linz and Tommy O’Donnell, a
real treat since we rarely hear Tommy in club settings these days, and we
rarely get to hear Adam in the spare duo setting that offers extended
opportunities for soloing. Come back Saturday night for James Buckley and Bryan Nichols,
offering their unique brand of inventive conversation. South
Minneapolis has never been so hip!
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Dakota Combo at the TC Jazz Festival |
Part of the
Kelly Park Friday nights of music in Apple Valley, it’s MacPhail Faculty Night
from 6-9 pm. Featured musician Vicky Mountain will be singing standards are
more with MacPhail colleagues, including the young talents of the Dakota
Combo – on their own and backing Vicky on a few tunes. Free, family fun
and concessions.
Last year
the Midtown
Global Market hosted its first jazz festival. This year the festival
has expanded to include a wider range of music on Saturday, with jazzters Lee
Engele swinging and singing at 2 pm on the inside stage with her trio, Carei
Thomas and his cohorts in Ancestor Energy on the outdoor Allina Stage
mid afternoon, and headliner Charanga Tropicale, led by globally
inspired Doug Little, set on the Allina stage to end the evening. It’s all free
with concessions from Midtown marketers.
July 29. The Midtown Global Market Festival
will be over, but music continues at 12:30 pm with the Chris Lomheim Trio
(Gordy Johnson and Jay Epstein). Chances are high that Chris will be warming up
for his annual Bill Evans tribute at the AQ in mid August!
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James Carter at the Dakota |
It’s been a
few years since saxophone peacock James Carter came to town. Now he’s
back for just one night at the Dakota with his electrifying Organ Trio,
featuring B-3 man Gerard Gibbs and drummer Leonard King—all fellow Detroiters.
King has been leaving in the Twin Cities for a while, still gigging out and
about with Carter and others.
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Brandon Wozniak |
July 30. I’ve always admired saxophonist
Brandon Wozniak’s versatility but it will really be tested tonight as he is
scheduled at 8:15 at Jazz Central for two sets, but also at the Icehouse with
Adam Linz and Eric Gravatt for two sets at 9:30 and 11:30. Wherever he lands,
and when, it will be worth a bit of confusion to hear his spiraling tenor (or
alto) and maybe a little bass clarinet as well. At Jazz Central, he jams with
Tanner Taylor, Matt Peterson and Mac Santiago, which means the music could go
just about anywhere. The Wozniak/Linz/Gravatt partnership was
in fine exploratory form last week at Icehouse and we can expect more of their interpretations
of such figures as Ellington and Monk, as well as some original fare. The
chordless trio format allows plenty of space for soloing from each musician.
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Adam Meckler Orchestra |
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Jimmy Cobb |
August 1-2. Three living legends salute two
late legends at the Dakota for two nights: A hard-to-beat trio of Joey
DeFrancesco, Larry Coryell and Jimmy Cobb pay homage to the great Jimmy
Smith and Wes Montgomery. Joey D is barely into his 40s but already he has made
an indelible mark as one of the major figures on Hammond B-3, and one of his
early idols was the late Jimmy Smith. Similarly, guitar guru Larry Coryell
can’t deny the influence of Wes Montgomery. As for Jimmy Cobb, he played with
everyone from Miles to Coltrane to Dizzy … and he’s still going full speed.
(This must be Organ Trio week at the Dakota!)
Wednesday
night (8/1) brings three true explorers to Café Maude –maybe the best jazz and
dining experience you’ll find in a metro neighborhood hang. Tonight it’s Peter
Schimke, James Buckley and Jay Epstein with a side of lamb skewers,
fries, or those great Hoisin ribs?
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Tyler Anderson leads the Coriolis Effect |
Thursday
night (8/2) marks an unplanned salute to young artists at the Artists Quarter
as the Twin Cities Jazz Society’s “Young Artists Series” begins a third season
with a band of young lions opening for slightly older lions who debuted on the
YA Series a year ago. Opening at 7 pm on the YA Series will be the Emerson
Hunton Jazz Experience, an ensemble led by recent South High graduate
and soon-to-be Oberlin freshman, drummer Emerson Hunton, and featuring 2 former
cohorts in the Dakota Combo, saxophonist Brad Allen (Northwestern University)
and bassist Caitlin Kelliher (Columbia University), along with guitarist Brett
Studer. Following their set, it’s a sort of farewell gig for saxophonist Tyler
Anderson who leads the Coriolis Effect. About a year ago,
Coriolis Effect was the featured Young Artist ensemble at the AQ; now the band
has toured the Midwest and played additional
gigs around the metro area. Tyler graduated from
UW-Eau Claire this spring and will head out to Durham, NC
to study with Branford Marsalis, although he promises some return visits. His
colleagues include UW-EC students Cody Peterson (piano) and Jordan Jenkins
(bass), and 2011 Manhattan School of Music grad, drummer Miguel Hurtado. You
couldn’t ask for a better demonstration of the future of jazz than this double
header at the AQ!
More Jazz!
It was a
seamless transition for the Twin Cities Live Jazz Calendar, moving from Pamela
Espeland’s Bebopified site to Don Berryman’s Jazz Police. Just visit Jazz Police home page and you will see
the same format to the local live jazz calendar. Also hear updates and daily
music happenings on KBEM and KFAI radio, and check out the highlights on Jazz
Police. More suggestions for the coming week:
Friday, July 27. Benny Weinbeck Trio at D’Amico
Kitchen; Dan Musselman, Altamir Coehlo and Josh Alfaro at Rodizio Grill; Patty
Peterson at the Lexington; Pirates of Possibilities (Todd Harper, Andrew
Foreman and Peter Leggett) at the Black Dog
Saturday, July 28. Benny Weinbeck Trio at D’Amico
Kitchen; Mary Louise Knutson at The Marsh; Maud Hixson and the Wolverines on
the plaza of Ted Mann Concert Hall; Arne Fogel at The Lexington
Sunday, July 29. Mary Louise Knutson and Paula
Lammers at Como Lakeside Pavillion (3 pm); Zacc Harris Trio at the Riverview
Wine Bar; Kari Musil and Friends at the Fine Line; Charmin Michelle and the
Jerry O’Hagan Orchestra at Cinema Ballroom; Lucia Newell with Gordy Johnson,
Joan Griffith and Mac Santiago (Jazz in July) at All Saints Lutheran Church
(Cottage Grove); Jazz on the Prairie Big Band at Staring Lake Park (Eden Prairie)
Monday, July 30: Headspace at the Artists Quarter;
Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Robb Henry Trio at
Barbette
Tuesday, July 31: Cory Wong Quartet early set followed by the Phil Hey Quartet at the
Artists Quarter; Jack Brass at the Driftwood CharBar; James Buckley Trio at
Hell’s Kitchen
Wednesday, August 1. Jazz in the Lounge with Connie
Evingson and the Parisota Hot Club at the Women’s Club of Minneapolis; Steve
Kenny and the Bastids followed by the Michael Gold Quintet at the Artists
Quarter; Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Joel Shapira Trio with Tom Lewis and Eric Gravatt (rescheduled from last week)
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Arne Fogel |
Thursday, August 2. Patty Peterson and Friends at the
Hilde Center (Plymouth); Bloomington Jazz Festival with Steve Clarke and the
Working Stiffs followed by the George Maurer Big Band, at Normandale Lake Park
Amphitheater; Arne Fogel with the Tanner Taylor Trio at Hell’s Kitchen.
Coming Soon!
·
August
3, Pat Mallinger at the Artists Quarter
·
August
4, Atlantis Quartet at the Artists Quarter
·
August
8, Tribute to Blossom Dearie with Joann Funk at the Artists Quarter
·
August
10-11, Anthony Cox Group at the Artists Quarter
·
August
11, Dave King Trucking Company at the Dakota
·
August
12, PipJazz Sundays with Yolande Bruce at Landmark Center
·
August
13, Dave Hagedorn at Jazz Central
·
August
16, Chris Lomheim Tribute to Bill Evans at the Artists Quarter
·
August
17-18, Brandon Wozniak, Adam Linz, Eric Gravatt at the Artists Quarter
·
August
18, Burnsville Art and All That Jazz Festival (Nicollet Commons Park)
·
August
18, Jake Baldwin Quartet at the Dakota (late night)
·
August
20, Erin Bode at the Dakota
·
August
24, Media Addicts CD Release at the Artists Quarter
·
August
24, Boot Camp (Jeremy Walker) at the Dakota (late night)
·
August
25, Whitman/Schimke/Lewis/Horst at the Artists Quarter
·
August
30, Birthday Bash with Jeanne Arland Peterson, Irv Williams and Cliff Brunzell
at the Artists Quarter
·
August
31-September 1, Phil Hey Quartet at the Artists Quarter
·
September
4-5, Pat Metheny Unity Band at the Dakota
·
September
8, Selby Avenue
Jazz Festival
·
September
9, Dakota Combo Auditions at MacPhail
Center for Music
·
September
11-12, Marcus Miller at the Dakota
·
September
14-15, Chris Bates’ Red 5 CD Release at the Artists Quarter
·
September
15, Arne Fogel, Jazz @St. Barney’s (St. Barnabas Arts Center, Plymouth)
·
September
18, John Scofield Trio at the Dakota
·
September
26-27, Chick Corea and Gary Burton at the Dakota
·
September
30, Esperanza Spalding’s Radio Society at the State Theater
·
September
30, Men With Mics (Gregg Marquardt, Reeves Carey, Dan Ristrom) at the Artists
Quarter (TCJS, Jazz From J to Z)
·
October
13, Connie Evingson, Jazz @St. Barney’s (St. Barnabas Arts Center, Plymouth)
·
October
14-15, Cassandra Wilson
at the Dakota
·
October
30-31, Maria Schneider Orchestra at the Dakota
·
November
4, Spiral Visions (Milne, Hagedorn, Aaron, Lewis, Hey) at Landmark Center
(TCJS Jazz From J to Z)
All photos by Andrea Canter.