The Lead Sheet: Twin Cities Live Jazz, August 22-28

Brian Courage plays his last sets as a MN resident Monday night at the Icehouse!

© Andrea Canter

This week we are in the midst of the State Fair, the start of the school year in most area districts, and the end of the vacation season for most Minnesotans. That means there's a boom in street repair, garden harvests, and trips to Target. The only way to manage all these "countdown to winter" activities is to set aside time for some live music. And there's plenty to choose from --even some jazz at the State Fair!  This week we say good-bye and good luck to one of our honorary Minnesotans who managed to either start up or become an essential part of numerous bands in his two years on the local scene (Brian Courage); we celebrate the release of a guitar duo CD featuring another transplant (David Martin) with multiple gigs; we have one more opportunity to hear an ensemble that keeps the Twin Cities on the international jazz map (Phil Hey Quartet); and there's a lot more to keep our ears well oiled as we head into the Labor Day holiday weekend. And if you are heading to the Chicago or Detroit Jazz Festivals next weekend, local music this week will help rev up your jazz motors.

Big Gigs This Week

Phil Hey

Friday, August 22. Did you hear the Phil Hey Quartet last Monday at the Icehouse? If so, you want an encore. Did you miss it? Then surely you don't want to miss this veteran band again! On the Bridge Series at Jazz Central tonight, you not only get a couple sets from one of the truly great quartets in modern jazz, you can also stick around for a one-of-a-kind late set with former resident tubist Stefan Kac. Currently based in Los Angeles, Kac gathers up some old pals to play some new music -- Geoff Senn, Shilad Sen, and Pete Hennig as "Band on the Run."

Maryann Sullivan

The Black Dog has seldom presented a jazz vocalist, but why not start with Maryann Sullivan? Maryann with guitarist Robert Bell, clarinetist Tony Balluff and bassist Jim Chenoweth bring a new slant to Friday night music at the Dog, featuring songs from the trad and swing eras as well as some of Maryann's favorites.

Lulu's Playground

Saturday, August 23. Big music in small places-- and for this Saturday afternoon, it's playful music in an even more playful setting as Lulu's Playground hits the patio at the Fun Art Gallery in Stillwater. Just the instrumentation makes you smile-- accordion, cello, trumpet and guitar, with Steven Hobert, Cory Grossman, Adam Meckler and Ben Abrahamson.  In case of rain, the music moves into Tim Nyberg's studio/gallery which resembles an oversize garage with wall to wall whimsical paintings -- seems like a perfect fit for Lulu's music!

Pavel Janey

Sunday, August 24.  Alexis Bailey Vineyards has hosted "Jazz in the Vineyard" on Sundays throughout the summer, and this afternoon you can enjoy guitarist Pavel Janey and the Talking Strings (violinist Gary Schulte and bassist Dan Weston). Almost any tune is fair game for their jazz/global music interpretations.

Jazz Central All-Stars

Monday, August 25. It's an all-star night on many levels. You can start your evening at Jazz Central where the Jazz Central All-Stars make their first appearance on their home turf. Organized with support from Jefferson Lines and the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, this sextet of JC regulars (Dave Graf, Doug Haining, Zack Lozier, Tanner Taylor, Graydon Peterson and Mac Santiago) has toured throughout Greater Minnesota this summer and helped open the festival in June with a gig in Highland Park. Since Tanner moved to Iowa last month, this will be his first return visit to Jazz Central.

David Martin

JT's Jazz Implosion at the Icehouse will be a triple-header tonight, starting a little earlier than usual (9 pm) with the first of several CD release gigs from guitarists David Martin and Portland, Oregon guitarist Mike Doolin. The recording, Tough Commute, would help ease the frustration of any commute!  

Brian Courage

Up next is the two-part Brian Courage Farewell Party, with the first set featuring Brian with Mike Lewis and JT Bates, and the quartet Courageous Endeavors coming on for the late set, with Joe Strachan, Nelson Devereaux and Miguel Hurtado.  And speaking of "courageous endeavors," be sure to come hear Brian tonight on his last local gigs before heading to the Big Apple. We know he will do fine in New York -- we just hope he comes back now and then as he has made a significant impact on Twin Cities jazz in the two years he has spent with us.

Geoff Senn

Tuesday, August 26. Under the leadership of trumpeter Geoff Senn and drummer Mac Santiago, the Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra launched early in 2014 and has been holding down a monthly slot on the Jazz Central Big Band night ever since. They also performed at this summer's Twin Cities Jazz Festival, showing off a corps of the best of local jazz artists. Not much room to dance at Jazz Central-- but plenty of up-close-and-personal opportunities to appreciate Latin jazz.

Davu Seru

Wednesday, August 27. Usually heard at the Black Dog, tonight percussion monster Davu Seru brings a quartet to the New Music night at Jazz Central, featuring Scott Fultz, Tom Reichard and Josh Granowski. Seru is both an aural and visual delight to witness as he flails at the drums and whatever else is in reach.

Arne Fogel

Thursday, August 28.  Two popular artists on both sides of the river tonight: Veteran crooner and vocal jazz encyclopedia Arne Fogel takes over Vocal Jazz Night at Jazz Central, bringing his interpretations of Bing, Frank and more. This is a great chance to hear him in an intimate space filled with folks who listen!!   

Atlantis Quartet at Studio Z

Over at Studio Z, the Atlantis Quartet (Zacc Harris, Brandon Wozniak, Chris Bates and Pete Hennig) fills the slot for the All Originals concert series, performing original compositions, both new and some favorites from past recordings.

Dean Granros

It's a rather odd spot for music, perhaps, but the Khyber Pass Cafe near the Macalester campus is serving up more than korma and chai. Thursday nights, the dining room becomes a small jazz club with some of the most inventive performers in town. This week, guitar magician Dean Granros is featured-- a rare occurrence these days regardless of venue.

More Jazz Every Night

Keep up with the live jazz scene in the Twin Cities -- check out calendars at Jazz Police, KBEM, Rhythm and Grooves and All About Jazz, as well as here on the blog.  More jazz to tickle your ears:

Friday, August 22. Todd Harper solo piano at the Black Dog; Irv Williams and Steve Blons, happy hour at the Dakota; Bryan Nichols and James Buckley, dinner sets at the Icehouse; Andrew Walesch at Parma 8200; Vic Volare at Hell's Kitchen

Irv Williams and Steve Blons

Saturday, August 23. Charmin & Shapira at Midtown Global Market (12:30 pm); Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma 8200

Sunday, August 24. Charmin Michelle, Denny Malmberg and Steve Pikal at the State Fair, Musician's Union Booth at the AFL-CIO Pavilion (4:30 pm); Zacc Harris, Chris Bates and Pete Hennig Trio at State Fair, Mn Wine Country Pavilion (6:30 pm); Jerry O'Hagan Orchestra with Charmin Michelle at Cinema Ballroom; Moonlight Serenaders at Como Park Pavilion; T-Collective at the Icehouse

Monday, August 25. Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza

Tuesday, August 26. Annie Lawler, Jazz on the Patio at Burger Mo's; Cafe Accordion at Loring Pasta Bar; Rick Carlson Trio at Cafe Maude; David Martin/Mike Doolin CD Release at the 318 Cafe

Wednesday, August 27. Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Jazz Night at The Tangiers; John Devine and Friends at Loring Pasta Bar; Dave Martin/Mike Doolin CD Release at the Black Dog; Lori Dokken at Cafe Maude

Thursday, August 28. Siama Matuzungidi with Scott Fultz at the Black Dog;

Coming Soon!

. August 29, Reynold Philipsek, live documentary taping at 318 Cafe

. August 29, Maud Hixson at Parma 8200

. August 29, Eric Gravatt and Source Code at Jazz Central

. August 30, Dave Martin and Mike Doolin, Guitar Repair Clinic, CD release at Jazz Central
. August 30, Foreign Motion with Patty Peterson at the Icehouse

. August 31, Connie Evingson and Jon Weber, Best of the Ella Fitzgerald Songbooks at Jungle Theater (matinee and evening)

. September 1, Dave Martin/Mike Doolin, CD Release (brunch) at Hell's Kitchen
. September 2, Bill Simenson Orchestra at Jazz Central
. September 4, Nichols/Bates/Bates at Studio Z
. September 4-6, Concrete and Grass Lowertown Music Festival at Mears Park

. September 10, Evan Christopher at the Dakota

. September 10, Lila Ammons at The Tangiers
. September 10, Enormous Quartet at Jazz Central

. September 11, Adam Meckler Orchestra at Studio Z
. September 11, Jack Brass Band at the Amsterdam 

. September 11, Colleen Raye at Jazz Central
. September 12, Dean Granros Quartet at Jazz Central

. September 13, John Raymond Trio with Gilad Hekselman and Colin Stranahan, Jazz at Studio Z

. September 13, Selby Avenue Jazz Festival featuring Harvey Mason (Selby and Milton Av, Saint Paul)

. September 16, Meshell Ndgeocello at the Dakota

. September 17, Nellie McKay and the Turtle Island Quartet at the Dakota

. September 20, Steven Hobert CD Release at Friends Meeting, St Paul

. September 20, Mary Louise Knutson Trio, Jazz @ St Barneys, St. Barnabas Lutheran Church
. September 20, Joel Harrison Trio at Jazz Central

. September 21, Ticket to Brasil, Adieu Summer Concert at Como Park

. September 24, Chick Corea and Vigil at the Dakota

. September 25, The Cookers at the Dakota

. September 25, Joan Griffith at Khyber Pass

. September 26, Pablo Ziegler Tango Project at the Dakota

. September 26, Adam Meckler Orchestra at MacPhail (Antonello Hall)

. September 28, French 75 with Maud Hixson, Schneider Theater, Bloomington Center for the Arts (2 pm)

. September 30-October 1, Larry Coryell/Victor Bailey/Lenny White at the Dakota

. October 11, JazzMN Orchestra with Dave Weckl at Hopkins High School Auditorium

. October 12, Laura Caviani and JazzAX at Carleton College (3 pm)

. October 18, Chris Lomheim Trio CD release at Studio Z

. October 18-20, Herb Alpert and Lani Hall at the Dakota

. November 5-6, Hiromi Trio Project at the Dakota

. November 6, Terri Lynne Carrington's Mosaic Project (with Rachel Z and Lizz Wright) at O'Shaughnessy

. December 2, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Cecile McLorin Salvant at Orchestra Hall

. December 21-22, Karrin Allyson Holiday Show at the Dakota

. March 12, 2015, Jack DeJohnette at Walker Art Center, McGuire Theater

. March 25-26, Delfeayo Marsalis (Southern Gentleman) at the Dakota

. May 2, 2015, Jason Moran and Robert Glasper at Walker Art Center, McGuire Theater

Eric Gravatt and Source Code, coming to Jazz Central on August 29