The Lead Sheet: Twin Cities Live Jazz This Weekend and Beyond

Chick Corea and Bela Fleck, coming to the Dakota on April 1

©Andrea Canter

Is it spring yet? My pollen alert says "yes" so can warm weather be far behind? At least we have some hot music to look forward to this week.

Highlights This Week

Quentin Tschofen

Friday, March 29. Once in a while there’s a special gig at Jazz Central on a Friday night. Tonight, veteran drummer Pete Hennig (Atlantis Quartet, Fantastic Merlins) keeps pace with two of the area’s protégé’s, bassist Ted Olsen and pianist Quentin Tschofen. Ted played around locally with the Three-Way Stop trio in-between class sessions at Luther College. Now he’s back in town and accumulating his gigging credentials with Joe Mayo, Miguel Hurtado, Joe Strachen and other young lions. Quentin Tschofen is still in his teens, now in his second year at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary music, studying piano with Marc Copland and Vijay Iyer and working on his composition chops. A very interesting evening is in store at Jazz Central.

Dave King

Friday-Saturday, March 29-30. It’s hard to come up with some new superlatives for the Dave King Trucking Company. Each time they drive onto the stage (which is often at the Artists Quarter or Icehouse when not touring), they bring along something new. Drummer King keeps things in overdrive, and his fellow truckers---Brandon Wozniak, Adam Linz and Erik Fratzke—toss out the GPS and invent new paths at every turn. And if Dave King is near a microphone, you know the evening will be part music and part edgy commentary… about everything.

Monday, April 1. Really, this is not an April Fool’s joke. Chick Corea and Bela Fleck come to the Dakota for one night, two sets, the only club venue on their limited spring tour. Neither needs much of an introduction – two multi Grammy winners who have enthralled audiences in solo and ensemble contexts for decades. Their collaboration may seem a big far-fetched but their virtuosity and imaginative approaches allow the music to develop in exciting directions, as documented on their 2007 duet, The Enchantment. Once again, “enchantment” awaits.

Tuesday-Wednesday, April 2-3. Madeleine Peyroux has always been a bit difficult to classify. She’s been a jazz singer, a “singer songwriter,” and more recently a pop-oriented vocalist. Her latest recording, In the Blue Room, leans more toward the pop end, but her roots and Billie Holiday sound keep jazz sensibilities in the foreground. She’s at the Dakota for two nights.

Butch Thompson

Wednesday, April 3.  It’s a boogie woogie extravaganza as local master of trad piano Butch Thompson joins vocalist Lila Ammons and German boogie woogie monster Axel Zwingenberger for a tribute to Lila’s grandfather, the great Albert Ammons, in Schmitt Music’s concert space at Southdale Center.  Lila has been touring Europe with Axel, and now they are taking their show into the Midwest for a few weeks.

John Raymond

Thursday, April 4. With the Eau Claire Jazz Festival getting underway tomorrow, it seems only fitting that the Artists Quarter hosts a UW-EC alumni get-together tonight. The recipe is simple: Bring to the bandstand a trio of UW-EC grads who have been churning out exciting music  at a variety of small venues this winter, and throw into the mix another EC grad who is making wave upon wave with his trumpet as he burrows into the New York jazz scene. The trio is Triosé, with guitarist Vinnie Rose, bassist Jeremy Boettcher and drummer Adrian Suarez. The trumpeter is John Raymond, who also completed his master’s degree at SUNY Purchase where he was mentored by Jon Faddis.  Triosé will return to Eau Claire to open Friday’s nights festival headliner concert with Geoffrey Keezer and Claudio Roditi.

More Jazz!
Be sure to check live jazz calendars on Jazz Police and KBEM sites. Also find a growing number of events on the Jazz Near You site, a service of All About Jazz. A few more gigs of note:

·         Friday, March 29: Irv Williams and Peter Schimke, happy hour at the Dakota; JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Ticket to Brasil at Faces Mears Park; Patrick Harison and Tim O’Keefe, dinner set at the Icehouse

·         Saturday, March 30: Patrick Harison and Tim O’Keefe, dinner set at the Icehouse; Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma; JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Joel Schapira Trio at Loring Pasta Bar; Lila Ammons Quintet at Honey; Ted Olsen and Joe Strachen at Angelina’s Kitchen

·         Sunday, March 31: Patty and the Buttons, brunch at the Aster Café; Robert Everest, brunch at Maria’s Café; Jerry O’Hagan Orchestra with Charmin Michelle at Cinema Ballroom; Zacc Harris Trio at Riverview Wine Bar; Off the Cuff #2 at the Aster Cafe'

·         Monday, April 1: Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Peter Schimke, Graydon Peterson, Phil Hey and Dave Brattain at Jazz Central; Southside Aces at Famous Dave’s (Uptown)

Tony Balluff of the Southside Aces

·         Tuesday, April 2. Dean Magraw and Davu Seru at the Black Dog; Cory Wong Quartet (early set) at the Artists Quarter; Bill Simenson Big Band at Jazz Central; Triosé at Café Maude (Penn Av); Jack Brass Band at the Amsterdam Bar

·         Wednesday, April 3. Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Steve Kenny and the Bastids, followed by the Brian Grivna Quartet at the Artists Quarter; John Devine and Friends at the Loring Pasta Bar; Evan Montgomery, Park Evans, Jay Epstein and Cory Grossman at Jazz Central

·         Thursday, April 4. John Devine and Friends at the Loring Pasta Bar; Vocal Night at Jazz Central; Connie Evingson with Tanner Taylor and Dave Karr, “Jazz in the Lounge” at the Minneapolis Woman’s Club

Coming Soon!

. April 5-7, Eau Claire Jazz Festival, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus and beyond (headliners Geoffrey Keezer, Claudio Roditi)

. April 5-6, Billy Holloman at the Artists Quarter

· April 6, John Zorn 60^th Birthday at Walker Art Center

. April 7, Max Raabe and Palster Orchester at the Dakota

. April 8-9, John Scofield Hollowbody Band with Mike Stern at the Dakota

. April 12, 2 Cellos at the Dakota

. April 13, Charanga Tropicale at Studio Z

. April 13, Jeremy Walker’s “Seven Psalms” (world premiere) at Benson Great Hall (Bethel College)

. April 13, Arne Fogel’s “We Love Our Pianos” with Connie Evingson and Nancy Harms at Hopkins Center for the Arts

. April 14, PipJazz Sundays with Gary Schulte and Zosha Warpeha

. April 14, Paquito D’Rivera and the Assad Brothers at the Dakota

· April 15-16, Doc Severinsen Big Band at the Dakota

. April 20, Francisco Mela at Antonello Hall (MacPhail Center for Music)

. April 21, Red Planet at Landmark Center (TCJS Jazz From J to Z)

. April 21, Soul Café at Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church

. April 24, MacPhail Center for Music Annual Music Matters Luncheon (fundraiser) at Minneapolis Convention Center

. April 24, Denny Malmberg Quartet, CD release at Fireside Pizza

· April 26, Craig Taborn at Walker Art Center

. April 27, Insurgent at Studio Z

. April 28, Diana Krall (Glad Ragdoll Tour) at the State Theater

. May 1-2, Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers Trio at the Dakota

. May 11, Zacc Harris at Studio Z

. May 12, PipJazz Sundays with the Women in Jazz Ensemble

. May 15-16, Jane Monheit at the Dakota

. May 16, Dakota Combo at Antonello Hall (MacPhail Center for Music)

. May 19, Illicit Sextet at Jazz Central (TCJS Jazz From J to Z)

, June 4-5, Terence Blanchard Quintet with Jeff Tain Watts at the Dakota

. June 9, PipJazz Sundays with John Penny, Will Kjeer

. June 19-20, Ramsey Lewis Trio with Dee Dee Bridgewater at the Dakota

. June 27-29, Twin Cities Jazz Festival with Cyrus Chestnut, Kenny Werner, Matt Slocum, Ariel Pockock and more TBA

. July 5-7, Iowa City Jazz Festival with Pharoah Sanders, Fred Hersch, Charlie Hunter, Lonnie Smith and more

John Scofield heads to the Dakota with Mike Stern, April 8-9

The Lead Sheet: Twin Cities Live Jazz, March 22-28

The Atlantis Quartet returns to the Artists Quarter

© Andrea Canter

A night of cabaret, a weekend of cutting edge jazz, and a big band world premiere all contribute to an eclectic week in the Twin Cities jazz community. And maybe spring will finally make an appearance?

Big and Recommended Gigs

Rhonda Laurie

Friday, March 22. Some of the area's top jazz vocalists are active members of the Twin Cities Cabaret Artists Network (TCCAN), which reprises its February product "Women: A Broad View" at Bryant Lake Bowl, a salute to Women's History Month. Eight singers share their personal stories and sources of inspiration--Joey Babay, Connie Dussl, Mary Keepers, Rhonda Laurie, Vicky Mountain, Jonathan Peterson, Debbie Scheriff and Eileen Wisienwski, with Tom Linker on piano.
 
For utterly sublime jazz collaboration, look no farther than the Icehouse tonight as pianist Chris Lomheim and bassist Gary Raynor team up over the dinner hours. Each has a signature sound and touch, and together they will soothe the stress of the work week without letting your ears slide into a passive haze. Listen and be rejuvenated.

Peter Schimke and Irv Williams

Speaking of rejuvenation, 93-year old sax legend Irv Williams continues his weekly Happy Hour stint at the Dakota with Peter Schimke (and often, Billy Peterson). Every chance to hear Irv is a gift. 

Friday-Saturday, March 22-23. The ever-evolving Atlantis Quartet returns to the Artists Quarter with a preview of their upcoming new release as well as favorite original compositions.
This ensemble defines the collaborative artistic ingenuity of the local modern jazz scene while boasting four strong individual voices (and composers) in Zacc Harris, Brandon Wozniak, Chris Bates and Pete Hennig. (Saturday is Zacc’s birthday so expect some extra special touches.)

Joe Strachan

Saturday, March 23. If you are looking for music and a family-friendly atmosphere in the east burbs, check out the young duo of Joe Strachen (piano) and Ted Olsen (bass) at Angelina’s Kitchen in Woodbury. Joe is one of the rising stars on the Twin Cities scene, soon to graduate from the U of M and blazing new trails with folks like John Raymond, Miguel Hurtado, Nelson Devereaux and more; Ted attended the jazz program at Luther College and similarly is making his way into the local go-to directory. They have a regular Saturday night gig at Angelina’s.

And come back to the Icehouse tonight as the duo cast switches to sax and piano, with the cross-generation pairing of Dave Karr and Bryan Nichols.  Karr of course is one of the local kings of bebop, but no doubt he can keep up with the post-bop antics of pianist Nichols. Together this should be a stellar partnership.

Mac Santiago

Sunday, March 24. Looking for some guidance as you listen to jazz? Jazz Central Studios is hosting a workshop designed to help listeners better understand the music. With expert mentoring from Jazz Central leader Mac Santiago with Ted Godbout and Matt Peterson, participants will learn about two classic jazz forms—blues and rhythm changes. Spend the afternoon listening to some cool music and upping your jazz IQ! 

One of the area’s premiere big bands, the Nova Jazz Orchestra will perform at Studio Z,  premiering the “Concerto for Big Band” written for Nova by Kenton and Ellington Orchestra alum W. A. Mathieu. In addition to the six-movement jazz suite, other Mathieu works in the program will include music he wrote especially for the Stan Kenton and Duke Ellington Orchestras. A rare opportunity to see a big ensemble in this intimate space. 

Andrew Foreman and Alicia Steele

The second installment of Off the Cuff, the improvisation series led by bassist Andrew Foreman at the Aster Café, takes off tonight. Inspired by the cipher settings of Hip Hop and double trio formats of jazz, each of the two sets features a trio of instrumentalists and a trio of vocalists/wordsmiths in spontaneous collaboration. Jazz artists will include Kahlil Brewington, Pete James-Johnson, Sten Johnson, Thomas Nordlund and Foreman, with song and word from Irenic, Mayda, Sarah White, and See More Perspective. To quote Foreman, “We don’t know what will happen.”  All the better! 

Paula Lammers

Monday, March 25. One of the longest running gigs in the Twin Cities, usually it’s Denny Malmberg and Charmin Michelle at Fireside Pizza. When Charmin has a night off, it’s a chance for Denny to mix it up with another area siren, tonight Paula Lammers. Just off the Phil Mattson Singers gig with Richie Cole, Paula will be in swinging mode tonight. A great companion to one of the area’s best thin crust delights. 

Tuesday, March 26. There seems to be no end to either the energy or talents of trumpeter Adam Meckler. Monthly he brings his Adam Meckler Orchestra into Jazz Central, barely fitting a raft of mostly young hotshots into the studio space. But the tight squeeze is always worth it, and the opportunity to have an acoustic evening with a big band is worth any effort to find a free parking space. We can always count on some new tunes and new charts. 

Across town at the Artists Quarter, it’s another Tuesday of Dean Magraw and friends, tonight featuring steady cohorts Bryan Nichols, Billy Peterson and Kenny Horst. Maybe this quartet deserves a name, finally? Come early and catch guitar monster Cory Wong and his quartet opening the night. 

Graydon Peterson

Wednesday, March 27. Eau Claire grad Graydon Peterson returns to Jazz Central with his quartet, UW-EC cohorts Vinnie Rose and Adrian Suarez, and another Wisconsin-trained star, Adam Meckler (Lawrence University), who perhaps keeps a sleeping bag at Jazz Central? Apparently there’s plenty of jazz karma in Cheesehead land, and we’re fortunate these guys settled on this side of the state line. 

Thursday, March 28. Too many choices tonight: Large ensemble madness with the Pete Whitman X-Tet at the Artists Quarter – always a great choice and opportunity to hear a who’s who in local jazz playing through original compositions and inventive charts. At Jazz Central, a dyamic pairing of vocalist Rhonda Laurie and pianist Phil Mattson for the weekly Vocalists Night. Hard to top the intimacy of the studio space, maybe the best space to hear a voice/piano duo in the metro. Intimate in another way is the tiny performance space at Barbette in Uptown, tonight featuring the long-running duo of Charmin (Michelle) and (Joel) Shapira. It will be dark, it will be jammed, and the late night menu will be divine. And the chatter will be audible.

More Music Every Night

Be sure to check live jazz calendars on Jazz Police and KBEM sites. Also find a growing number of events on the Jazz Near You site, a service of All About Jazz. A few more gigs of note:

 Friday, March 22. Todd Harper and Nathan Hanson at the Black Dog; Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Tommy O’Donnell Trio at Parma; Ticket to Brasil at Faces Mears Park; John Devine at the Red Stag

Saturday, March 23. Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma; Rhizosphere at the Black Dog; Nick Haas Trio at the Loring Pasta Bar; Ticket to Brasil at School II Bistro; Crow With No Mouth (electronic improvisation) at Studio Z

Zacc Harris

Sunday, March 24. Patty and the Buttons, brunch at the Aster Café; Robert Everest, brunch at Maria’s Café; Jerry O’Hagan Orchestra with Charmin Michelle at Cinema Ballroom; Zacc Harris Trio at the Riverview Wine Bar

Monday, March 25. Headspace at the Artists Quarter; JT’s Jazz Implosion at the Icehouse

Tuesday, March 26. Jack Brass Band at the Amsterdam Bar. 

Wednesday, March 27. Vital Organ at Hell’s Kitchen; Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Steve Kenny and the Bastids followed by the Dave Karr Quartet at the Artists Quarter; John Devine and Friends at the Loring Pasta Bar

Thursday, March 28. John Devine and Friends at the Loring Pasta Bar; Benny Weinbeck Duo at the Wine Market.

Coming Soon!

. March 29, Quentin Tschofen and Ted Olsen at Jazz Central

. March 29-30, Dave King Trucking Company at the Artists Quarter

. April 1, Bela Fleck and Chick Corea at the Dakota

. April 2-3, Madeleine Peyroux at the Dakota

. April 4, John Raymond and Triosé at the Artists Quarter

. April 4-6, Eau Claire Jazz Festival, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus and beyond (headliners Geoffrey Keezer, Claudio Roditi)

. April 5-6, Billy Holloman at the Artists Quarter

· April 6, John Zorn 60^th Birthday at Walker Art Center

. April 7, Max Raabe and Palster Orchester at the Dakota

. April 8-9, John Scofield Hollowbody Band with Mike Stern at the Dakota

. April 12, 2 Cellos at the Dakota

. April 13, Charanga Tropicale at Studio Z

. April 13, Jeremy Walker’s “Seven Psalms” (world premiere) at Benson Great Hall (Bethel College)

. April 13, Arne Fogel’s “We Love Our Pianos” with Connie Evingson and Nancy Harms at Hopkins Center for the Arts

. April 14, PipJazz Sundays with Gary Schulte and Zosha Warpeha

. April 14, Paquito D’Rivera and the Assad Brothers at the Dakota

· April 15-16, Doc Severinsen Big Band at the Dakota

. April 20, Francisco Mela at Antonello Hall (MacPhail Center for Music)

. April 21, Red Planet at Landmark Center (TCJS Jazz From J to Z)

. April 21, Soul Café at Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church

. April 24, MacPhail Center for Music Annual Music Matters Luncheon (fundraiser) at Minneapolis Convention Center

. April 24, Denny Malmberg Quartet, CD release at Fireside Pizza

· April 26, Craig Taborn at Walker Art Center

. April 27, Insurgent at Studio Z

. April 28, Diana Krall (Glad Ragdoll Tour) at the State Theater

. May 1-2, Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers Trio at the Dakota

. May 11, Zacc Harris at Studio Z

. May 12, PipJazz Sundays with the Women in Jazz Ensemble

. May 15-16, Jane Monheit at the Dakota

. May 16, Dakota Combo at Antonello Hall (MacPhail Center for Music)

. May 19, Illicit Sextet at Jazz Central (TCJS Jazz From J to Z)

, June 4-5, Terence Blanchard Quintet with Jeff Tain Watts at the Dakota

. June 9, PipJazz Sundays with John Penny, Will Kjeer

. June 19-20, Ramsey Lewis Trio with Dee Dee Bridgewater at the Dakota

. June 27-29, Twin Cities Jazz Festival with Cyrus Chestnut, Kenny Werner, Matt Slocum, Ariel Pockock and more TBA

. July 5-7, Iowa City Jazz Festival with Pharoah Sanders, Fred Hersch, Charlie Hunter, Lonnie Smith and more

  

Chick Corea and Bela Fleck, coming to the Dakota April 1st

 

 

 

 

 


 
 
 
 



 

Jazz Face: Nakatani in St. Paul

Tatsuya Nakatani at the Black Dog

© Andrea Canter

Tatasuya Nakatani is a mystic of percussion. A native of Osaka based in Easton, PA, he’s not only a master of the standard trapset, but a genie who summons other worlds from a formidable arsenal of intended and unintended “instruments” – gongs, cymbals, sticks, mallets, bowls, boxes, bows – pretty much anything one can hold and hit, rub or scrape. My first two encounters with Nakatani were at the Rogue Buddha Gallery in northeast Minneapolis, a long narrow space that easily accommodated a three-sided array of gongs. In solo, Nakatani began at one end and gonged around the perimeter and back, like a thunderstorm that began with a low rumble, reached a peak of intensity in a shower of rain, and receded into mist.

At the Black Dog last week, however, space was limited to the small square stage, and Nakatani similarly limited his playground to one middle-size gong hanging by the trapset, accompanied by a toybox filled with bowls, blocks, cymbals and bows. (He brings along more bows than a concert violinist. And he uses them all.) As he had on the earlier gigs, Nakatani played one solo set, turned over the stage (or in this case, the tight adjacent floor space) to the double bass duo of Adam Linz and Chris Bates, and finished the evening in spontaneous trio improvisation.

Adam Linz and Chris Bates

The three musicians are ideally suited to collaboration. Nakatani uses the bow as a major force in creating soundscapes. Linz and Bates use their hands and bows as percussive forces in augmenting their range of dynamics and rhythms. And none of these artists is confined by convention in any fashion, physically or musically. Yet the result is clearly music, not mere sound. Most fascinating to me is the range of pitches lurking within the thin metal of the gong, as struck by a mallet or set into imperceptible vibration by a bow sliding across its edge.  Or the qualitative alterations of the double bass sound when the strings are bowed at the extreme top or bottom of the instrument.

Did that bowl really slip away?

At one point I marveled at Nakatani’s ability to wreak havoc on a set of metal bowls balancing atop the drum head without dropping any—like a veteran circus juggler. Then suddenly a bowl crashed to the floor. He is human after all. Or was that just one more strategic ploy?

The Lead Sheet: Twin Cities Live Jazz, March 15-21

Debbie Duncan returns to the Artists Quarter this weekend

© Andrea Canter

If this weekend seems tame compared to last, maybe that is not such a bad thing. Might be able to get to more enticing events if they are more spread out in time! Still, there are plenty of jazz gigs, and a few tough choices along the way. Longer days might encourage more evening outings, especially during the week when one can most often find free and cheap music without sacrificing quality.

Big Gigs This Week

Jana Nyberg and Adam Meckler

Friday, March 15. Always full of energy and charm, the Jana Nyberg Group lands at Hell’s Kitchen tonight. Vocalist, flautist and songwriter Jana can be sultry, wistful or just sassy as she leads a quintet featuring husband Adam Meckler on trumpet, Evan Montgomery on guitar, Matt Peterson on bass, and Zach Schmidt on drums.

Friday-Saturday, March 15-16. The Divine Miss D—Debbie Duncan returns to the Artists Quarter, filling the room with blues, ballads and standards, with tears, smirks and belly laughs. This is how one defines “entertainer.”

Atlantis Quartet

Saturday, March 16. In a unique project, the Atlantis Quartet has lined up a limited public live recording session at Filter Lab, to be broadcast live via Misplaced Music, the third annual installment of Live From the Filter Lab.The live audience has been invited from the Atlantis mailing list, limited to 20 people who are asked for a $10-$20 donation. Attendees also receive a physical copy of the recording. The set list for the evening will include a few tunes from the AQ’s previous releases, a couple standards, and never-recorded orginals. There were a few tickets left for the live session, but anyone can join remotely via live streaming. To see if you can still get into the live session, email the Atlantis Quartet.

Although they did not get together that often, the quartet East Side generated a strong following with its energetic swing and unique takes on more adventurous repertoire. Underground since harmonicist Clint Hoover moved to Pittsburgh, the remaining musicians—guitarist Reynold Philipsek, bassist Matt Senjem, and percussionist Michael Bissonnette – are warming up for a full-blown reunion next month with a trio gig at Hell’s Kitchen tonight. Maybe they will test out some tunes from their upcoming second recording.

Back at least 6-7 years ago when KBEM sponsored a Winter Jazz Fest, I first heard guitarist Mimi Fox. She’s (finally) back in town, performing at Sundin Hall of Hamline University tonight. Dubbed “a prodigious talent who has not only mastered the traditional forms but has managed to reinvigorate them" (Guitar Player Magazine), Fox has released nine recordings in the past 20 years and has performed with many of the major stars of jazz. Her concert and latest release show off her talents in the bare-bones context of solo guitar.

Tatsuya Nakatani

Monday, March 18. In case things were too tame on St. Patrick’s Day: One of the most remarkable jazz gigs I’ve seen in recent years was Japanese percussionist/gong specialist Tatsuya Nakatani. I caught a couple shows at Rogue Buddha Gallery, featuring a solo set by Nakatani as well as interactions in varying combinations with bassists Chris Bates and Adam Linz. The three reunite at the Black Dog (where seating is more limited and incidental noise more likely). Come early. You want to sit close enough to see what Nakatani is doing to generate a menagerie of sound….and Chris and Adam will no doubt be pulling off some surprise antics of their own.  Adam has a big night as he next heads to the Icehouse to join fellow Fat Kid Wednesdays musicians, Mike Lewis and JT Bates for a show that probably will not start on time at 9:30!  So no need to rush, enjoy the Black Dog and come on over to the Icehouse with Adam.

Robin Eubanks, SF Jazz Collective

Tuesday, March 19. When it debuted in 2004 under the leadership of Joshua Redman, the SF Jazz Collective was unique as a resident ensemble of top jazz artists devoting a season to the music of one jazz legend. The idea was to perform the legend’s music as well as original works written by members of the Collective. Redman’s tenure ended a few years ago but the Collective has successfully continued with other personnel changes, always featuring the very best in jazz. The 2013 edition rolls into the Dakota for just one night, two sets. This year, the band honors the music of Chick Corea. The music is in good hands—Miguel Zenon (alto sax), David Sanchez (tenor sax), Avishai Cohen (trumpet), Robin Eubanks (trombone), Stefon Harris (vibes), Edward Simon (piano), Matt Penman (bass), and Obed Calvaire (drums).

Jay Epstein

Wednesday, March 20.  An intriguing blend of youth and experience from start to finish at the Artists Quarter tonight: As they do every week, Steve Kenny and the Bastids kicks off the evening with a free 7 pm set of hard-hitting bop, with veteran trumpeter Kenny fronting a band of up-and-comers. The prime time show tonight, unnamed, features long-standing stalwart Jay Epstein on piano, still sort of young stars Bryan Nichols on piano and Park Evans on guitar, and local newbie and recent Lawrence grad Brian Courage on bass. It’s always cool when the generations mix it up.

Richie Cole

Thursday, March 21. Vocal music leaped a few giant steps ahead when pianist, arranger, composer and vocal coach Phil Mattson moved to the Twin Cities a few years ago. His Phil Mattson Singers has garnered a long list of fans, and tonight they join forces with sax star Richie Cole at the Artists Quarter. Cole has been connected to the Twin Cities recently through his work with Five By Design. 

More Music Every Night

Be sure to check live jazz calendars on Jazz Police and KBEM sites. A few more gigs of note:

Friday, March 15. Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske in the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Arne Fogel at Parma; Classic Big Band at KC Hall (Bloomington); Phil Aaron and Gary Raynor, dinner set at the Icehouse; Ticket to Brasil at Faces Mears Park; Brad Bellows/Donald Washington Quartet at the Black Dog; Vicky Mountain and James Allen at the Wine Market; Pat O’Keefe, new (solo) works at Studio Z

Saturday, March 16. Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske in the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma; Kat Edmondson at the Dakota; Phil Aaron and Gary Raynor, dinner set at the Icehouse

Sunday, March 17. Robert Everest, brunch at Maria’s Café; Zacc Harris Trio at Riverview Wine Bar; Jerry O’Hagen Orchestra with Charmin Michelle at Cinema Ballroom

Monday, March 18. Headspace at the Artists Quarter; Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Geoff Senn at Jazz Central; Twin Cities Hot Club at Famous Dave’s (Uptown)

Cory Wong

Tuesday, March 19. Cory Wong Quartet followed by Dean Magraw/Bryan Nichols/Billy Peterson/Kenny Horst at the Artists Quarter; Explosion Big Band at Jazz Central; Jack Brass Band at the Amsterdam Bar

Wednesday, March 20. Charmin & Shapira and Friends at the Dakota; Wolverines with Arne Fogel at Hell’s Kitchen; Zacc Harris Trio at Café Maude (Penn Av); Maryann Sullivan and Rhonda Laurie at the Eagle’s Club; Pete Whitman at Jazz Central, Vicky Mountain and Dave Martin at Fireside Pizza

Thursday, March 21. Beasley’s Big Band at Wabasha Street Caves; Jon Pemberton at Barbette; Arne Fogel and Rick Carlson at Jazz Central; Nate Wooley at Walker Art Center

Coming Soon!

. March 22-23, Atlantis Quartet at the Artists Quarter

. March 24, Nova Jazz Orchestra at Studio Z

. March 26, Adam Meckler Orchestra at Jazz Central

. March 27, Graydon Peterson Quartet at Jazz Central

. March 28, Pete Whitman’s X-Tet at the Artists Quarter

. March 28, Phil Mattson and Rhonda Laurie at Jazz Central

. March 29, Quentin Tschofen and Ted Olsen at Jazz Central

. March 29-30, Dave King Trucking Company at the Artists Quarter

. April 1, Bela Fleck and Chick Corea at the Dakota

. April 2-3, Madeleine Peyroux at the Dakota

. April 4, John Raymond and Triosé at the Artists Quarter

. April 4-6, Eau Claire Jazz Festival, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus and beyond (headliners Geoffrey Keezer, Claudio Roditi)

· April 6, John Zorn 60^th Birthday at Walker Art Center

. April 7, Max Raabe and Palster Orchester at the Dakota

. April 8-9, John Scofield Hollowbody Band with Mike Stern at the Dakota

. April 12, 2 Cellos at the Dakota

. April 13, Charanga Tropicale at Studio Z

. April 13, Jeremy Walker’s “Seven Psalms” (world premiere) at Benson Great Hall (Bethel College)

. April 13, Arne Fogel’s “We Love Our Pianos” with Connie Evingson and Nancy Harms at Hopkins Center for the Arts

. April 14, PipJazz Sundays with Gary Schulte and Zosha Warpeha

. April 14, Paquito D’Rivera and the Assad Brothers at the Dakota

· April 15-16, Doc Severinsen Big Band at the Dakota

. April 20, Francisco Mela at Antonello Hall (MacPhail Center for Music)

. April 21, Red Planet at Landmark Center (TCJS Jazz From J to Z)

. April 21, Soul Café at Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church

. April 24, MacPhail Center for Music Annual Music Matters Luncheon (fundraiser) at Minneapolis Convention Center

· April 26, Craig Taborn at Walker Art Center

. April 27, Insurgent at Studio Z

. April 28, Diana Krall (Glad Ragdoll Tour) at the State Theater

. May 1-2, Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers Trio at the Dakota

. May 11, Zacc Harris at Studio Z

. May 12, PipJazz Sundays with the Women in Jazz Ensemble

. May 15-16, Jane Monheit at the Dakota

. May 16, Dakota Combo at Antonello Hall (MacPhail Center for Music)

. May 19, Illicit Sextet at Jazz Central (TCJS Jazz From J to Z)

, June 4-5, Terence Blanchard Quintet with Jeff Tain Watts at the Dakota

. June 9, PipJazz Sundays with John Penny, Will Kjeer

. June 19-20, Ramsey Lewis Trio with Dee Dee Bridgewater at the Dakota

. June 27-29, Twin Cities Jazz Festival with Cyrus Chestnut, Kenny Werner, Matt Slocum, Ariel Pockock and more TBA

. July 5-7, Iowa City Jazz Festival with Pharoah Sanders, Fred Hersch, Charlie Hunter, Lonnie Smith, Sachal Vasandani and more

Adam Meckler Orchestra, at Jazz Central March 26th