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| Roy Hargrove Returns to the Dakota |
© Andrea Canter
With the
Zeitgeist New Music Cabaret featuring some favorite jazz ensembles, a double
header weekend with Bryan Nichols at the Artists Quarter, Allen Toussaint at
the Dakota, PipJazz Youth All-Stars at Landmark Center,
and the JazzMN salute to Tito Puente-- all this weekend, there's no excuse for
staying home! And then there's the line-up for the coming week, which includes
Dean Magraw, Valve Meets Slide and a relatively new ensemble with Laura Caviani
and Pete Whitman at the Artists Quarter, Roy Hargrove at the Dakota..... The
fall jazz season is in full swing!
Big Gigs This Week
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| Bryan Nichols |
Friday, November 8. The first of two ensemble gigs this
weekend, pianist/composer Bryan Nichols
brings a new quartet to the Artists Quarter to celebrate Duke Ellington. Most
often heard playing original works and arrangements of the likes of Jarrett,
Coleman and others of a 21st century bent, this is a rare opportunity to hear
Nichols interpret a 20th century giant. He's on stage with frequent partners
Brandon Wozniak and James Buckley, along with area newcomer Cory Healy on
drums.
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| Maud Hixson |
For a
relaxed evening of swinging vocals, check out Maud Hixson with Phil Aaron and Gordy Johnson at Parma 8200 in
Bloomington, where you can enjoy first class music and a sure-to-please-all
menu in the bar/lounge. Personally I can't think of a better way to end the
week than with Maude and a plate of cannoli.
And tonight marks the first-ever Harrelson Trumpets Summit at Jazz Central Studios!
The showcase brings in three top trumpeters --Mark Bobnick, Geoffrey West Senn, and
Todd Tanji, performing with the "Jazz Central Trio" (Tanner Taylor,
Mac Santiago, and a bassist -- I'll bet on Graydon Peterson).
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| Anthony Cox (Mother of Masks) |
Friday-Sunday, November 8-10. The
remainder of the Zeitgeist New Music
Cabaret at Studio Z, which began on Thursday, promises many delights for
fans of modern jazz and generally "new music." Friday night promises
a student ensemble from Perpich, new music group the Renegade Ensemble, the
always-intriguing Zeitgeist, and the Zacc Harris Quartet. On Saturday, catch
the duo of Patrick Harison and Josh Granowski with accordion, bass and
electronics; Zeitgeist, and Mother of Masks, featuring Louis Alemayehu, Mankwe
Ndosi, Donald Washington, Anthony Cox and Davu Seru—-big-hearted stalwarts of
the Twin Cities jazz, spoken word, and improvised music scene. And Sunday, the
line-up includes the Adam Meckler Orchestra, Zeitgeist, and the Nathan Hanson
Saxophone Choir. Each evening is $10---for three bands.
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| Rey Rivera (JazzMN) |
Saturday, November 9. Where to go tonight? In Hopkins, the JazzMN Orchestra pays tribute to Latin
percussion legend Tito Puente, focusing on the talents of our own Latin legend,
Rey Rivera and vocalist Lucia Newell. This is a rare chance to
hear Lucia fronting a big band, reprising her early career gigs in Rio and Mexico City. In downtown Minneapolis, a legend of New Orleans, pianist/composer/songwriter Allen Toussaint performs two sets at the
Dakota. And in downtown St. Paul,
Bryan Nichols returns with his
Quintet for an evening of all original music, including some new works. Joining
Nichols tonight will be his usual quintet with Brandon Wozniak and Mike Lewis
on saxes, James Buckley on bass and JT Bates on drums. Nichols sadly notes that
this is likely his last time leading bands at the current incarnation of the
Artists Quarter before the lights go out at the end of 2013.
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| Steve Faison |
Saturday-Sunday,
November 9-10.
Another in the Capri Theater's outstanding productions, Knights in Harlem celebrates
the unsung baritones that fronted the Basie band. The Wolverines Trio
(celebrating 40 years) backs Dennis Spears and Stephen Faison, who will bring
us the songs of Joe Williams, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hartman, and Arthur
Prysock. (Saturday night and Sunday matinee!)
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| Will Kjeer |
Sunday, November 10. Every November for the past three season, the PipJazz
Sundays series focuses on the talents of young jazz artists. Featured "PipJazz Youth All-Stars" performing
with the PipJazz Experience band and Pippi Ardennia at Landmark Center
include pianists Will Kjeer and Jo Schad, saxophonist DeVante Jackson, vibist
Levi Schwartzberg and bassist Sam Worthington.
"Jazz
at the Jungle" resumes at the Jungle Theater under the leadership of
vocalist Connie Evingson. With a matinee and evening show,
"Ellingtonia" brings the music of Duke Ellington to life as Connie
sings backed by a lot of guys named Haining -- Doug Haining (alto sax), Preston Haining (trumpet), and Trevor Haining (drums), along with Dave
Karr (tenor sax), Tanner Taylor (piano), and Gordy Johnson (bass). (Call for ticket availability as this show is
nearly sold out.)
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| Connie Evingson |
Eat Street Social brings more jazz to South
Minneapolis, with weekly Sunday nights alternating between guitarist Zacc Harris and saxophonist Doug Little, each performing with a
revolving cast. Tonight and every second and fourth Sunday belong to Zacc.
Monday, November 11. With Mike Lewis in town, it's time for Fat Kid Wednesdays at the Icehouse for this week's installment of Jazz Implosion. With pals Adam Linz and JT Bates-- have to catch this band whenever we can!
I started writing about pianist Joe Strachan when he was still a student at Northfield High School, winning the Schubert Club/Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education Jazz Piano Scholarship Competition and taking over the piano bench for the Dakota Combo. Since, he has held the piano chair for Jazz I at the U of M, graduating last spring, and now is a much sought-after keyboardist for a growing list of young area bandleaders like Jake Baldwin and Miguel Hurtado. He's in the spotlight tonight as the featured artist at Jazz Central.
I started writing about pianist Joe Strachan when he was still a student at Northfield High School, winning the Schubert Club/Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education Jazz Piano Scholarship Competition and taking over the piano bench for the Dakota Combo. Since, he has held the piano chair for Jazz I at the U of M, graduating last spring, and now is a much sought-after keyboardist for a growing list of young area bandleaders like Jake Baldwin and Miguel Hurtado. He's in the spotlight tonight as the featured artist at Jazz Central.
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| Joe Strachan |
Tuesday-Wednesday, November 12-13. Leading a long-running and exceptionally simpatico quintet, Roy Hargrove returns for two nights at
the Dakota. With horn partner Justin
Robinson (alto) and distinguished young pianist Sullivan Fortner, Hargrove's
band has been blowing some of the finest mainstream modern on today's jazz
scene, and this marks a nearly annual gig at the Dakota.
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| Brad Bellows and Dave Graf |
Wednesday, November 13. Time for Chris Bates'
monthly improv night at Jazz Central, tonight with bassist Fred Bretschger of the SPCO. Across town at the Artists Quarter,
it's a command performance by the double bone quintet, Valve Meets Slide, with Brad Bellow playing valve, Dave Graf
playing slide, and both playing as only these great musicians can. Joyfully and
artfully.
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| Five by Design |
Thursday, November 14. Who are the Jesters of
Passion? I asked Laura Caviani -- it's an ensemble that has performed
infrequently and now is releasing a recording at the Artists Quarter. The band
includes long-time colleagues Laura on piano, Pete Whitman (sax), Chris Olson (guitar), Gary Raynor (bass);
and Dave Schmalenberger (drums). Can't find fault with that line-up. Over at
Jazz Central, it's Vocal Night, and you can multiply that by five as Five By Design squeezes into the studio
space to present a preview of their new recording, Live From the Ultra Lounge.
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, November 8. Irv Williams and Peter Schimke,
happy hour at the Dakota; Rick Carlson and Brian Courage, dinner sets at the
Icehouse; Acme Jazz Company, Chaska Community Theater; Classic Big Band,
Bloomington K of C Hall; Sophia Shorai at Hell's Kitchen; Tommy and the
Lieberman at the Aster Cafe; Ginger Commodore and Yolande Bruce at the Dakota
Saturday, November 9. Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske at the
Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma 8200; Tanner Taylor and Brian Courage,
dinner sets at the Icehouse; Triose' at Shanghai Bistro (Hudson, WI)
Sunday, November 10. Patty and the Buttons, brunch at
the Aster Cafe; Robert Everest, brunch at Maria's; Jerry O'Hagan Orchestra with
Charmin Michelle at Cinema Ballroom; Maud Hixson and Rick Carlson with Patty
and the Buttons at the Dakota
Monday, November 11. Charmin Michelle and Denny
Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Headspace at the Artists Quarter; JT's Jazz
Implosion at the Icehouse; South High School Jazz I and II at South High Auditorium; Twin Cities
Hot Club at Famous Dave's (Uptown)
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| Chris Olson |
Tuesday, November 12. Chris Olson Project at the Black
Dog; Cory Wong Quartet followed by Dean Magraw & Friends at the Artists
Quarter; Cedar Av Big Band at Jazz Central; Jack Brass Band at the Amsterdam
Bar
Wednesday, November 13. Steve Kenny's Group 47 followed by
Valve Meets Slide at the Artists Quarter; Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg
at Fireside Pizza; Wolverines Trio at Hell's Kitchen
Thursday, November 14. Connie and Herb at the Bean (Andover); Minnesota Jazz Orchestra at Wabasha Street
Caves; Patrick Harison,
early evening at the Icehouse
Coming Soon!
. November
15-16, Lew Tabackin 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
17, Soul Cafe at Hennepin Av Methodist
Church
. November
20, Zacc Harris Trio at Cafe Maude
. November
21, Pete Whitman X-Tet at the Artists Quarter
. November
22-23, Lulu's Playground CD Release at the Artists Quarter
. November
25-26, Roberta Gambarini at the Dakota
. November
26, Adam Meckler Orchestra at the Artists Quarter
. November
27, Phil Hey Quartet at the Artists Quarter
. November
29, Atlantis Quartet at the Icehouse
. November
29-30, Pat Mallinger and the Bill Carrothers Trio at the Artists Quarter
. December
2, Joey DeFrancesco at the Dakota
. December
5, Dakota Combo at the Artists Quarter (Young Artists Showcase)
. December 6, Reynold Philipsek CD release at 318
Café
. December 6-7, Happy Apple at the Artists Quarter
. 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 14, Tuesday Night Band Reunion at the Artists Quarter
. December 14, Tuesday Night Band Reunion at the Artists Quarter
. December
19, "Merry and Bright" with Charles Lazarus at Wayzata Community
Church
. December 19, Larry McDonough Holiday CD Release at the Artists Quarter
. December 20-21, Eric Alexander and David Hazeltine at the Artists Quarter
. December 19, Larry McDonough Holiday CD Release at the Artists Quarter
. December 20-21, Eric Alexander and David Hazeltine at the Artists Quarter
. 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
. February 24-25, Terence Blanchard Quartet at the Dakota
. February 24-25, Terence Blanchard Quartet at the Dakota
. 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 |
| Lew Tabackin Returns to the Artists Quarter, November 15-16 |
