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| Charles Lloyd at the Dakota on March 11 - plenty of open seats at the late set! |
© Andrea Canter
Sometimes I wonder if I am just fooling myself (and anyone
who asks) that jazz is really alive in the Twin Cities. When I am at Jazz
Central, the Artists Quarter, Black Dog or Studio Z, for example, the vitality
of the music is beyond question. Veterans like Donald Washington, George
Cartwright, Peter Schimke, Milo Fine, Dave Karr, Pete Whitman, Dean Magraw (and
so many more) lead ensembles of all jazz leanings in performing new music and
reinventing the innovative music of past generations. And young monsters like Adam Meckler, Nelson Devereaux, Miguel Hurtado and Brian Courage keep rising to the top, guaranteeing the longevity of the local scene.
But when I am at these and other venues, typically on a week
night, I am often one of a small handful of listeners. Sometimes I can count
the audience on one hand. This holds true for mainstream vocalists, not just
the more “out” instrumental ensembles. Clearly the art of making jazz music is
alive and well in the Twin Cities. But what about the audience?
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| Dave King at the Artists Quarter |
And then comes the weekend and things perk up. The Dakota is
generally packed on Friday and Saturday, although one might argue that the
crowd is there to have a good time, not necessarily pay much attention to the
music. The Artists Quarter, if not routinely sold out, typically boasts a
strong weekend crowd, and at least those sitting from the front of the bar
forward are generally listening intently. And just this past Saturday night,
when it seemed there were too many conflicts for any one event to draw well,
the presence of top national as well as local talents seemed to feed itself –
Randy Brecker with the JazzMN Orchestra sold out the Hopkins High School
Performing Arts Center; McCoy Tyner had similar success at the Hopkins Center
for the Arts; Dave King Trio filled the house at the AQ; Jazz at Studio Z,
boasting Fat Kid Wednesdays, had one of its best crowds; even the relatively
small series, Jazz @St. Barneys in Plymouth, drew at least its usual 50-60 for
the Travis Anderson Trio. I am confident
Nachito Herrera drew a full house at the Dakota, so throw in another 200. By my
rough, conservative estimate, those shows alone drew at least 1600. That’s
probably a good 1500 more than the total metro jazz audience on a Monday or
Tuesday.
Someone pointed out that weekends draw regardless of the
music – and series like JazzMN or Hopkins will typically fill a lot of seats,
also regardless of any one concert or artist.
Still, the Artists Quarter and Studio Z have no such drawing power – you
don’t go to those venues without some commitment to the music. There are plenty
of bars, restaurants, and other arts activities.
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| Miguel Hurtado at Jazz Central |
So what’s with the dim attendance on week nights? Even
Charles Lloyd, by all accounts one of the most inspiring musicians to come to
the Twin Cities, could not fill the late sets at the Dakota Sunday and Monday.
Does every jazz fan have an 8-5 day job these days? If so, who are all those
folks I see in neighborhood coffee shops from 9 am til noon? The best bargains
in town, for jazz anyway, are often on weeknights. Covers for local music are
often $5 at the Dakota and Artists Quarter, and both venues have free nights or
free early sets. (Come early—you can be home and in bed by 10!) Jazz Central
asks for a donation to cover the musicians and rent, typically in the $7-$10
range and you don’t have to worry about spending more money on food or drink.
(Or parking on the east side of the street!) The Black Dog is often free or a
low cover. The relatively new Icehouse, which often does draw a young and late audience midweek, is generally $5. The list of free and cheap goes on and on.
Jazz isn’t dead in the Twin Cities. But from Monday through
Thursday, too much is heard by too few. As we anticipate Jazz Appreciation Month in
April, let’s show our appreciation Monday – Thursday. Jazz -- not just for night owls or weekends anymore!
P.S. Check out world renowned percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani when he meets up with bassists Adam Linz and Chris Bates on Monday night, March 18 at the Black Dog. 8 pm, $5-10 suggested cover. Don't worry, you won't fall asleep or stay out past your bedtime. Or hear anything else remotely like it.
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| Tatsuya Nakatani, man of many gongs, coming Monday night to the Black Dog. |
