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| Bill Carrothers returns to the Artists Quarter, October 11-12 |
© Andrea Canter
The jazz
community is reeling from the announcement that the Artists Quarter will close
at the end of the year, rent increases far outpacing revenue in a market that,
if anything, suffers from too much music relative to the number of listeners on
any given night. Still I hear people complain that they just don't know what's
out there. If you know someone interested in jazz but more inclined to stay
home listening to their record collection or i-Pods, give them the heads up on
the live attractions in the metro area. There's bound to be something of
interest close to home, and there is always something special worth traveling
across town to hear. Recordings and broadcasts are of course vital to the
survival of jazz, but it's live music that keeps both musicians and audiences
moving forward. We need some of that
forward motion right now! Due to a California
vacation, this blog covers the upcoming two
weeks of live jazz. So plan for now,
and plan ahead.
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| Ellen Lease and Pat Moriarty |
Big Gigs, This Week and Next
Friday, October 11. The Community Pool/Deep End series
at the Black Dog is a treasure chest of cool music trending on the avant garde,
and tonight is no exception-- but it is exceptional! Ellen Lease and Pat Moriarty have been leaders on the free and
experimental edges for several decades, working in various combinations with
like-minded spirits. Tonight they premiere a new trio, adding young but wise
bassist Brian Courage to an evening
of new and spontaneous compositions.
Friday-Saturday,
October 11-12.
Over the past year, we have heard pianist Bill
Carrothers more often, and that is always a good thing. He's back on his
"home" stage at the Artists Quarter this weekend, which only
reinforces the need to keep this or a similar venue alive and well. Bill shares
the stage with Billy Peterson and Kenny Horst, a combination that has proven to
be as simpatico as any working in modern jazz. Anywhere else, this would be a
$30+ ticket. In true AQ fashion, the cover is half that.
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| Maryann Sullivan |
Saturday, October 12. Vocalist Vicky Mountain
and former mentee Maryann Sullivan
channel two of the most interesting women in vocal jazz history--Anita O'Day
and Blossom Dearie. Their "Dearie and O'Day" tribute is live on the
Jazz @ St. Barney's series at the St Barnabas Lutheran Church Art Center in Plymouth. Hats off to
Jeff Whitmill who curates this growing series of early Saturday night jazz.
In
Lowertown, Studio Z will host the smoldering genius of the Atlantis Quartet, hot off their new CD release -- Expansion. Come early (6 pm) for an
informative presentation, followed at 7 by a couple sets of stunning and
provocative original music by Zacc Harris, Brandon Wozniak, Chris Bates and
Pete Hennig.
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| Levi Schwartzberg |
Sunday, October 13. If one
vibraphone is fun, then two must be illegal! PipJazz Sundays (at Landmark Center) continues its monthly concert
season with a double vibes night, featuring local artist/entrepreneur Steve Kimmel on one set, and student
guest artist Levi Schwartzberg on
another. There's to be one vibes duet in
addition to the solo spots for each musician, and of course the splendid fare
from vocalist/host Pippi Ardennia and her PipJazz Experience band. You will not
have many opportunities to see a teenager going all out with four mallets!
Monday, October 14. JT's Jazz Implosion at the Icehouse
is a sure bet each week, be it Fat Kid Wednesdays, Atlantis Quartet or a double
drum clinic with JT and Dave King. Tonight, it's Chris Bates' Red Five, the acclaimed ensemble that recorded what
many dubbed the best local jazz release of 2012. Stick around for the late set
with the new Fall of the House of Usher,
a world music experience with Chris Cunningham, Chris Thomson, Elliot Wachs, Adrian Larkin, Jon Davis and Greg
Schutte.
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| Dean Magraw |
Tuesday, October 15. A double
dose of dynamic guitar tonight, starting at Hell's Kitchen with Vinnie Rose and Triosé and then Dean Magraw and Friends at the Artists
Quarter. At both gigs you will enjoy some cutting-edge arrangements of original
music and sophisticated covers.
Tuesday-Wednesday, October 15-16. It's
been fusion drummer month at the Dakota, starting with Billy Cobham on 10/1 and
now two nights with Ginger Baker's Jazz
Confusion. The
timekeeper for Cream and Blind Faith, native Brit Baker has been known to
incorporate a variety of styles, from rock, jazz and even African rhythms. On
his current tour, Baker keeps company with saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis,
bassist Alec Dankworth and percussionist Abass Dodoo.
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| Lucia Newell |
Wednesday, October 16. Yet more guitar with the Zacc Harris Trio at Cafe Maude. Since
music was shut down at the Riverview Wine Bar, Zacc has been busy lining up
gigs across the metro area for this ensemble with Matt Peterson and Pete
Hennig. And down at the Artists Quarter, note scheduling change-- following Steve Kenny's Group 47 will be Lucia Newell, one of the few vocalists
who appears there regularly. Given the fate of the club, this gig is extra
special.
Thursday, October 17. A doubleheader at the Artists
Quarter tonight features the young talents of the McNally X-Tet, directed by Pete Whitman, followed by the grand old
man of bebop, Dave Karr and his
Quartet.
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| Arne Fogel |
Friday, October 18. It might be too cool to sit on the
patio at Parma
8200-- more reason to come inside and enjoy jazz in the bar, tonight with
crooner Arne Fogel! Nice piano,
affordable menu, a great relaxing way to start the weekend. For more
adventurous tastes, head to the Black Dog for the Brad Bellows/Donald Washington Quartet, trombone and sax leading
the way.
Friday-Saturday,
October 18-19. A
new ensemble for Cory Wong, Foreign
Motion, holds a CD release party at the Artists Quarter for their new In Flight. The band includes Kevin
Gastonguay on keyboards, Yohannes Tona on bass, and Peter Janjic on drums. Each
member of the band contributes at least one tune to the set list, Wong writing
about half. Some of this suggests The Bad Plus Meets Return to Forever, some of
the rhythms will push you onto the dance floor while others will just make you
turn somersaults.
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| Kelly Rossum |
Saturday, October 19. Former coordinator of jazz for
MacPhail and well-respected trumpeter, composer and bandleader Kelly Rossum returns for one day! He's
conducting a brass master class at MacPhail in the afternoon, and joining
former colleagues in the Antonello Hall stage in the evening. The concert is
billed as the Kelly Rossum Quartet + Marimba, featuring classical marimba
specialist Annie Stevens and Rossum's old quartet with Bryan Nichols, Chris
Bates and JT Bates. The program promises all new music from Rossum that highlights
the marimba.
Tuesday, October 22. It's been a while so it is all the more
exciting to have Framework return to
the Artists Quarter. Chris Olson, Chris Bates and Jay Epstein offer original
music and inventive arrangements for this stellar guitar trio.
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| Pippi Ardennia |
Thursday, October 24. After teasing us for a couple years
with an EP of a handful of songs, Pippi
Ardennia finally releases the full-length Love So Good with a release party at FACES Mears
Park in Lowertown St.
Paul. The original title track is just the tip of the iceberg -- this is a diverse set of vocals that reflect the
power, energy and soul of a singer deserving much wider recognition.
Chris Lomheim, one of our most sublime pianists,
brings his trio into the Artists Quarter tonight. And as much as he is known
for his Bill Evans-ish touch, Chris can
really spin around bebop and post bop covers as well, and his originals deserve
full attention as well.
More Jazz 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, October 11. Irv Williams and Peter Schimke,
happy hour at the Dakota; Patty Peterson Trio at Parma 8200; Maurice Jacox at
Hell's Kitchen; John Penny, Rey Rivera and Pippi Ardennia at Senor Wong; Robert
Robinson CD Release at the Dakota
Saturday, October 12. Mill City Hot Club at Harriet
Brewing (3 pm); Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma 8200; Joan Funk and Jeff Brueske
at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); The New Standards at the Dakota; East Side at
Hell's Kitchen; Paul Harper Trio at Loring Pasta Bar
Sunday, October 13. Robert Everest, brunch at Maria's;
Patty and the Buttons, brunch at the Aster Cafe; Century Jazz Ensemble at Central
Park Indoor Amphitheater (Woodbury); Jerry O'Hagan Orchestra at Cinema Ballroom
Monday, October 14. Charmin Michelle and Denny
Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; HeadSpace at the Artists Quarter; Adam Meckler at
Jazz Central
Tuesday, October 15. Cafe Accordion at Loring Pasta
Bar; Explosion Big Band at Jazz Central
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| Steve Kenny |
Wednesday, October 16. Steve Kenny Group 47 followed by
the Graydon Peterson Quartet at the Artists Quarter; Charmin Michelle and Denny
Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; St Peter Street Stompers at Minnesota Music Cafe; Pete
Whitman at Jazz Central
Thursday, October 17. Vocal Night at Jazz Central; Beasley's
Big Band at Wabasha
Street Caves;
Tommy and the Liebermen at the Dakota
Friday, October 18. Irv Williams and Peter Schimke,
happy hour at the Dakota; Sophia Shorai at Hell's Kitchen; Luke Polopnik and
James Buckley at the Icehouse
Saturday, October 19. Dean Brewington at Loring Pasta
Bar; Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Lila Ammons
Quintet at Honey; Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma 8200
Sunday, October 20. Patty and the Buttons, brunch at
the Aster; Robert Everest, brunch at Maria's; Jerry O'Hagan Orchestra at Cinema
Ballroom; Mike Lewis/Jeremy Ylvisaker/Adrian Suarez at the Icehouse
Monday, October 21. JT's Jazz Implosion at the
Icehouse; Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; HeadSpace at
the Artists Quarter; Featured Artist Night at Jazz Central; U of M Jazz
Ensemble II at Ted Mann
Tuesday, October 22. Jack Jones at the Dakota; Nova
Jazz Orchestra at Jazz Central
Wednesday, October 23. Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg
at Fireside Pizza; Jack Jones at the Dakota
Thursday, October 24. Vocal Night at Jazz Central;
Connie and Herb at the Bean
Coming Soon!
. October
25, Maud Hixson at Parma
8200
. October
25-26, Eric Kamau Gravatt and Source Code at the Artists Quarter
. October
26, Rhonda Laurie, Jazz @ St Barneys (St Barnabas Arts Center)
. October
29, Adam Meckler Orchestra at the Artists Quarter
. October
30, Mountain King at the Artists Quarter
. October
31, Pete Whitman X-Tet at the Artists Quarter
. November
1, Erik Friedlander and Mitch Epstein at the Walker Art Center
. November
3, Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education Fundraiser featuring Lynne Arriale Trio
at the Dakota
. November
6, Marcus Roberts Trio at the Dakota
. November
7, Patricia Barber at the Dakota
. November
7-10, Zeitgeist New Music Cabaret
. November
9, Alan Toussaint at the Dakota
. November
9, JazzMN Orchestra with Rey Rivera, Tribute to Tito Puente at Hopkins High School Auditorium
. November
10, PipJazz Youth All-Stars at Landmark
Center
. November
16, Laura Caviani, Jazz @ St Barneys (St Barnabas Arts Center)
. November
16, Steve Cole CD Release with the Petersons at the Dakota
. December 6, Reynold Philipsek CD release at 318
Café
. December
8, Bill Frisell's Big Sur Quartet at The Cedar
. December
21, Maud Hixson and the Wolverines Trio, "Let It Snow" at Bloomington Center for the Arts, Schneider Theater
. December
26-29, The Bad Plus at the Dakota (12/29 Rite of Spring)
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| Three Bass Hit: Mountain King at the Artists Quarter, October 30th |
