© Andrea Canter
Seems lots
of things are winding down -- Fall 2013, farmers' markets. And the Artists
Quarter. So far, there's no official word on a reprieve, replacement,
relocation. Meanwhile, Minnesota Monthly, among others, wonders if this means a
loss of opportunities for local jazz artists? That seems obvious -- it surely
is a loss of a first-class, world renowned venue. But take a quick look at the
range of venues offering jazz this week. There's nothing like the Artists
Quarter, the Dakota providing the only real "club" scene and jazz is
only part of their equation. But thankfully we have smaller venues with a
predilection for jazz -- Jazz Central, the Black Dog, Studio Z, Hell's Kitchen,
Cafe Maude, the Icehouse, and more. Check them out in coming weeks, but also be
sure to note the music that will help us long remember the Artists Quarter and
keep the desire for a real jazz club at the top of our cultural Wish List for
2014.
Big Gigs This Week
 |
| Maud Hixson |
Friday, October 25. Enjoy a cozy evening on this cool
night with Maude Hixson, Rick Carlson and
Gordy Johnson at Parma
8200. The cooler weather means a few more folks packed into the intimate bar
and lounge, so make a reservation to ensure a good listening experience. Maud
has a one of the biggest and most varied songbooks in town - you might hear
some tunes from her recent Michael Leonard project, or some less familiar works
from our most beloved songwriters, or -- who knows, there is always something
new.
A less
intimate space but a classy joint, the Dakota presents two of the most gifted
entertainers in the metro, Debbie Duncan
and Dennis Spears. Not only are they blessed with amazing voices, but separately and together, they will keep you laughing and wondering what will
happen next. Expect standards, blues, ballads and fun.
 |
| Eric Gravatt |
Friday-Saturday,
October 25-26.
As he has done every few months for the past decade, drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt brings his wiley Source Code ensemble into the Artists
Quarter to remind us that some of the jazz world's greats live here, and play
here. The alum of Weather Report and recent touring partner of McCoy Tyner
shines with long-time bassist Ron Evaniuk, trombone legend Dave Graf, feisty
trumpeter Solomon Parham, and maybe the genre's most versatile guitarist, Dean
Magraw.
 |
| Rhonda Laurie |
Saturday, October 26. Her show on the 2012 Jazz @ St.
Barney's concert season was such a hit, vocalist Rhonda Laurie was invited back for more, this time with pianist
Rick Carlson providing swinging support. Expect some favorites from her popular
"Happy Days Are Here Again" revue of the great standards, and
uncommon gems, of the 1930s-1950s. And she might sneak in some old-time swing
from the songbook of her new project with Maryann Sullivan, Retro Swing
Sisters.
Over in St. Paul,
pianist/vocalist Joann Funk continues
her weekly show in the Lobby Bar of the St Paul Hotel. Tonight, she's joined by
regular partner, bassist Jeff Brueske, and frequent drumming cohort Nathan
Norman. JoAnn has a thick book, from Gershwin to Blossom Dearie and everything
in-between. Watch for her holiday show starting in a few weeks!
 |
| Andrew Foreman/Off the Cuff |
Sunday, October 27. Closed out of the Aster Cafe last
month due to a plumbing fiasco, Off the
Cuff is back in its last Sunday of the month slot, bringing together
artists to explore collaboration, improvisation and the making of new music.
Two sets tonight bring together some familiar jazz names -- first set with Thomas
Nordlund, guitar; Joe Strachan, keys; Peter Leggett, drums; and curator Andrew
Foreman, bass. Set two features Ben Abrahamson, guitar; Jake Baldwin, trumpet;
Zach Schmidt, drums; and Foreman.
Named
Runner-Up as the Strib's 2012 "Best Jazz Act for People Bored with Jazz," Fuzzy Math is still going strong, tonight
at the Black Dog. "...original, contemporary material that swings quite
nicely, with traces of Latin and world music," noted KFAI's Larry
Englund. With Mark Vandermyde on piano, Andrew
Schwandt on sax, Matt Peterson on bass and Haralds Bondaris on drums.
 |
| Jake Baldwin |
Monday, October 28. Marking their 10th anniversary in
downtown Minneapolis
and 28th in the music business, the Dakota holds a happy hour celebration from
4-6 pm, bringing back some favorites of chefs past and present and a young band
that symbolizes the health of the local jazz scene -- the Jake Baldwin Quartet. And perhaps further symbolizing what's
happening with jazz clubs nationwide, the Dakota will move from this jazzy
celebration to "not jazz" in prime time (singer/songwriter Sarah
Morris). So come early, reminisce with a bowl of Brie Apple Soup, and then head
to Jazz Central for "featured
artist" night or to the Icehouse for JT's
Jazz Implosion!
 |
| Adam Meckler |
Tuesday, October 29.
Enjoy intimate big band jazz
while you can at the Artists Quarter. The Adam
Meckler Orchestra hold their monthly new music bash, working on new
compositions and charts from bandleader Adam, who fronts some of the hottest
young talents in the Midwest. For jazz on a
smaller scale, but swinging the roof off, Rick Carlson commands the keyboard at
Cafe Maude in southwest Minneapolis.
 |
| Mountain King |
Wednesday, October 30.
Steve Kenny's
new Group 47 has been generating interest in the fine art of the jam session as
the early evening enticement at the Artists Quarter, particularly with Kenny's
young cohorts (Adam Tucker on bass, Alex Burgess on drums, and really
young--17--Will Kjeer on piano) and some talented sit-ins like saxophonist Thomas
Strommen. Tonight they lead into one of the coolest new ensembles around -- the
triple bass Mountain King (Brian
Courage, Jeremy Boettcher and Graydon Peterson).
 |
| X-Tet |
Thursday, October 31. So many ways to spend Halloween --
one should be with the Pete Whitman X-Tet,
still generating plenty of energy at the Artists Quarter.
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:
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 25.
Irv Williams and Peter
Schimke, happy hour at the Dakota; Bryan Nichols and Brian Courage at the
Icehouse;
Saturday, October 26. Charmin and Shapira, 12:30 pm at
Midtown Global Market; Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma 8200; Dave Karr and Tanner Taylor at
the Icehouse
Sunday, October 27. Charmin Michelle with the Jerry
O'Hagan Orchestra at Cinema Ballroom
 |
| Vinnie Rose, Triose' |
Monday, October 28. Charmin Michelle and Denny
Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Headspace at the Artists Quarter; JT's Jazz
Implosion at the Icehouse; Triosé at Barbette
Tuesday, October 29. Cory Wong Quartet, early set at
the Artists Quarter; Cafe Accordion at the Loring Pasta Bar; Twin Cities Seven
at Jazz Central
Wednesday, October 30. Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg
at Fireside Pizza; Wolverines Trio at Hell's Kitchen; Mike Malone at Jazz
Central; Joel Shapira Quartet at the Black Dog; Rhonda Laurie and Robert Bell
at Barbette
Thursday, October 31. Bend in the River Big Band at Wabasha Street Caves
Coming Soon!
. November
1, Erik Friedlander and Mitch Epstein at the Walker Art Center
. November
1, Steve Kenny Group 47, Late Night at the Dakota
. November
1, Katie Gearty and Zacc Harris at Parma
8200
. November
3, Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education Fundraiser featuring Lynne Arriale Trio
at the Dakota
. November
5, Zacc Harris/Billy Peterson/Kenny Horst at the Artists Quarter
. 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
11-12, Roy Hargrove at the Dakota
. November
14, Jesters of Passion, CD Release at the Artists Quarter
. November
16, Laura Caviani and Pete Whitman, Jazz @ St Barneys (St Barnabas Arts Center)
. November
16, Richard Johnson and Tanner Taylor, Tribute to Oscar Peterson, Jazz at
Studio Z
. November
16, Steve Cole CD Release with the Petersons at the Dakota
. November
20, Zacc Harris Trio at Cafe Maude
. November
21, Pete Whitman X-Tet at the Artists Quarter
. November
25-26, Roberta Gambarini at the Dakota
. December
5, Dakota Combo at the Artists Quarter (Young Artists Showcase)
. December 6, Reynold Philipsek CD release at 318
Café
. December 7, Jana Nyberg Group CD Release at the
Dakota
. December
8, Bill Frisell's Big Sur Quartet at The Cedar
. December
13, Laura Caviani holiday CD Release at the Artists Quarter
. December
14, Lucia Newell, Jazz at Studio Z
. December
21, Maud Hixson and the Wolverines Trio, "Let It Snow" at Bloomington Center for the Arts, Schneider Theater
. December
22-23, Karrin Allyson Holiday Show at the Dakota
. December
26-29, The Bad Plus at the Dakota (12/29 Rite of Spring)
. December
31, New Year's Eve Party at the Artists Quarter
. January
11, Lee Engele, Jazz @ St. Barneys
. January
11, Adam Meckler Orchestra, Jazz at Studio Z
. February
22, Connie Evingson, Jazz @ St. Barneys
. March 16,
Pat Metheny Unity Group at the Fitzgerald Theater
. April 8,
Chris Thile and Brad Mehldau at the Walker
. April 9,
Brad Mehldau Trio at the Walker
 |
| Lynne Arriale returns to the Dakota, November 3 |
