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| Larry Coryell, at the Dakota January 5th |
© Andrea Canter
Is there
jazz after the Artists Quarter? Fortunately, yes, if not in a traditional jazz
club setting, at least there are a number of venues around the metro that
present jazz at least some of the time, and at least one that still considers
jazz a major art form deserving its sole attention. This week visitors include
the great guitar guru Larry Coryell and vocal star Roberta Gambarini at the
Dakota, while local acts include First Tuesday with Dean Magraw and Davu Seru
at the Black Dog, Chris Bates' Good Vibes Trio at Jazz Central and a New
York-worthy double-header at the Icehouse. But it will be quiet along the 7th Place Mall.
Big Gigs This Week
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| Bryan Nichols |
Friday-Saturday,
January 3-4.
For the dinner and early evening crowd, the Icehouse often offers some of the
best jazz pairings in town. This weekend, piano/bass never had better
conversations than what will transpire between Bryan Nichols and James Buckley. At no cover, this is an amazing
bargain, even if you have to put up with dinner chatter. Come in from the cold
for some smoldering improvisation.
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| Nachito Herrera |
Nachito Herrera is not an uncommon booking at the
Dakota, but this is not even a typical gig for Nachito -- jazz ensemble plus
orchestra plus vocalists launch "Journey to the Americas." Traditional Cuban
fare and new compositions, we;ve been assured that there could be as many as
30+ musicians involved in this extravaganza, which features Nachito's daughter,
vocalist Mirdalys Herrera, and crooner Maurice Jacox.
Sunday, January 5. Larry
Coryell has been dubbed the Fusion God, his early career including stints
with Miles and Hendrix and co-leading Eleventh House with Randy Brecker. But
he's been equally monumental in his acoustic projects, the most recent trio
with Larry Gray and Paul Wertico maintaining his God-like standing. His trio
takes the stage for one night at the Dakota.
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| Dave Karr |
Monday, January 6. JT's Jazz Implosion at the
Icehouse is always worth a late night, but particularly the first Mondays are
special for the opportunity to hear veteran Dave
Karr mix it up with some much younger improvisers, this month Adam Linz and
JT Bates himself. The second set moves to an even younger generation of
talents, Courageous Endeavors led by
Brian Courage and Miguel Hurtado, with pals Nelson Devereaux and Joe Strachan.
Over at Jazz Central, more 20-somethings on the loose with drummer Matt Buckner and bassist Ted Olsen home on winter break.
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| Roberta Gambarini |
Monday-Tuesday,
January 6-7.
Although there is danger of over-hyping, critics have plenty of reason to rave
about vocalist Roberta Gambarini, who
returns to the Dakota for two nights. Is she really the best new artist in 50+
years as claimed by the late Hank Jones? Does it matter? Gambarini scats with
ease and swings mightily across the Great American Songbook.
Tuesday, January 7. First Tuesdays at the Black Dog
mean the dynamic duo of guitar titan Dean
Magraw and drummer Davu Seru.
Often the guys have a special guest.
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| Chris Bates |
Wednesday, January 8. Improv night and the second
Wednesday of the month bring Chris Bates to Jazz Central, and tonight it's with
his Good Vibes Trio. Dave Hagedorn and Phil Hey may be looking for some new
venues with the closing of the AQ, and Jazz Central provides just the right
vibe (no pun intended). Three of the most intelligent improvisers and
collaborators in local music.
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, January 3. Irv Wiliams, Peter Schimke and
Joshua Jones, happy hour at the Dakota; Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske at the
Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Todd Harper, solo piano early set at the Black Dog;
Tim Patrick and his Blue-eyed Band at the Minneapolis Eagles Club; Fuzzy Math
at the Red Stag; Zacc Harris Trio (with Chris and JT Bates) at the Union
Rooftop
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| Retro Swing Sisters |
Saturday, January 4. Mill City Hot Club, brunch at
Hell's Kitchen; Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel);
Joel Shapira Trio at Loring Pasta Bar; Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma 8200;
Rhizosphere at the Black Dog; Retro Swing Sisters at the Social Dance Studio;
Jeremy Ylvisaker, Mike Lewis, Adrian Suarez at Barbette; Zacc Harris Trio (with
Chris and JT Bates) at the Union Rooftop
Sunday, January 5. Robert Everest, brunch at Maria's
Cafe; Zacc Harris Trio at Riverview Wine Bar; T Collective (James Buckley, Mike
Lewis, Drew Christopherson, Joey Van Phillips) at the Icehouse
Monday, January 6. Charmin Michelle and Denny
Malmberg at Fireside Pizza
Tuesday, January 7. Bill Simenson Orchestra at Jazz
Central; Beasley's Big Band at O'Gara's
Wednesday, January 8. Patrick Harison at Cafe Maude;
Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Wolverines Trio at
Hell's Kitchen
Thursday, January 9. Vocal night at Jazz Central; Connie
and Herb at The Bean (Andover); Minnesota Jazz
Orchestra at Wabasha
Street Caves
Coming Soon!
. January
10, Arne Fogel at Parma
8200
. January 10, Debbie Duncan and Ginger Commodore at the Dakota
. January 10, Debbie Duncan and Ginger Commodore at the Dakota
. January
11, Lee Engele, Jazz @ St. Barneys
. January
11, Adam Meckler Orchestra, Jazz at Studio Z
. January
13, David Grisman Folk Jazz Trio at the Dakota
. January
14, Chris Olson Project at the Black Dog
. January
16, Michelle Weir and Phil Mattson at Jazz Central
. January
17, Maud Hixson at Parma
8200
. January
20, Fantastic Merlins at the Black Dog
. January
22, Graydon Peterson Quartet at Jazz Central
. January 23, Michael Janisch Quintet,
Jazz at Studio Z
. January
24, Katie Gearty at Parma
8200
. January
28, Nova Jazz Orchestra at Jazz Central
. January
28, Rick Carlson at Cafe Maude
. January
31, Thomas Bruce at Parma
8200
. January
31, East Side at Hell's Kitchen
. February
13, Kurt Elling at the Dakota
. February 15,
Koplant No at the Icehouse
. February
16, Gregory Porter at the Dakota
. February
19-20, "Guitars of Passion" (Romero Lubambo, Stanley Jordan and Sharon
Isbin) at the Dakota
. February
22, Connie Evingson, Jazz @ St. Barneys
. February
22-23, "Girl Talk" (Pippi Ardennia, Charmin Michelle) at the Capri
Theater
. February
25-26, Terence Blanchard Quintet at the Dakota
. March 9,
Cecile McLorin Salvant at the Dakota
. March 16,
JazzMN Orchestra with New York Voices (matinee) at Hopkins High School
Auditorium
. 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
. April 10,
Delfeayo Marsalis at the Dakota
. May
15-17, Ragamala Dance Company and Rudresh Mahanthappa at the Walker
. June
26-28, Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Mears
Park (St Paul)
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| Adam Meckler Orchestra, at Studio Z on January 11th |
