 |
| 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 60th 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 |
