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Chris Lomheim Trio, celebrating CD Release on October 18th at Studio Z |
© Andrea Canter
I don't
remember when we last had three CD releases from top area jazz artists on the
same weekend! And that's just the beginning of a very hot week on the Twin
Cities jazz scene. Some tough choices must be made! Fortunately, you can't go
wrong.
Big Gigs This Week
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Connie Evingson and the Jorgenson Quintet |
Friday, October 17. Swinging hot club vocals or
avant-fusion dazzle? Two CD release events tonight cover much of the history of
jazz. At the Dakota, esteemed vocalist and gypsy jazz specialist Connie Evingson joins the John Jorgenson Quintet to celebrate All the Cats Join In, Connie's tenth
recording and her third in the hot club genre.
These musicians were a big hit at the Dakota a year ago, when they
warmed up for their studio date at Creation Audio. The result is a swinging
delight (including a special appearance by the great Jon Hendricks on the title
track). Even without Hendricks, this
live show will keep your toes tapping. In addition to Connie, enjoy the
fleet-fingered guitar of John Jorgenson and the acrobatic violin of Jason
Anick... and the whole band. Don't leave without a copy of the CD.
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Magraw and Gravatt |
For those
who follow the freer end of the jazz spectrum, two of the area's most
distinguished improvisers team up to release Fire on the Nile as Redhouse Records continues its concert series
at Landmark Center. When drummer Eric Gravatt (Weather Report, McCoy
Tyner) first worked with guitar wizard Dean
Magraw (Red Planet, Prairie Home Companion) in Gravatt's Source Code, they
sensed a magical connection. And after a few duo performances, they were
determined to put the magic on record, yielding Fire on the Nile, a collection of eleven tunes mostly created on
the spot. You'll find blues, funk, fusionesque explorations and even a traditional
Irish melody among the gemstones. And yes, it's another product of Creation
Audio -- engineer Steve Wiese has a lot of ground to cover in celebrating
tonight!
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Babatunde Lea |
But not
everything tonight involves a CD release. Jazz Central's Bridge Series presents
Babatunde Lea's quintet, tonight
featuring young sax sensation Nelson Devereaux along with Zacc Harris, Phil
Aaron and Graydon Peterson. Harris and percussionist Lea have been teaming up
ever since Lea relocated to the Twin Cities, and always in the company of the
metro's best.
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Chris Lomheim Trio |
Saturday, October 18. The one glaring omission from the Strib's "Big Gig" list is one
of the most anticipated local jazz events of recent months-- the celebration of
a new Chris Lomheim Trio recording,
the pianist's first release in 12 years and his first collection of all-new
originals since his debut 20 years ago. Armed with a state arts board grant,
Chris wrote ten new tunes and gathered up his pals from that 1994 recording--
Gordy Johnson and Jay Epstein. Timeline
is everything you would expect from this trio-- majestic, melodic,
collaborative music in the spirit of the great piano trios. Which of course
makes sense because this is one of the best. Celebrate at Studio Z tonight!
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Peter Goggin |
In its
fourth season, PipJazz Live (formerly
PipJazz Sundays) returns for three fall concerts, starting tonight at the Capri
Theater. In addition to vocalist Pippi
Ardennia and her house band, the concert will feature superb guest youth
artist Peter Goggin on alto sax.
Peter is into his third year with the Dakota Combo and is a senior at Mounds View
High School.
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Herb Alpert and Lani Hall (press photo) |
Saturday October
18-Monday October 20. If you grew up in the 60s, you no doubt remember Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.
Trumpeter/vocaist/composer/educator Alpert has proved his longevity, and currently
is touring with wife/vocalist Lani Hall
in support of their album, In the Mood.
The Dakota hosts the pair for three glorious nights.
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Bob Bowman |
Sunday, October 19. Pianist/composer Laura Caviani has been busy lately with
diverse projects. This afternoon she joins Kansas City bassist Bob Bowman for a sublime duo outing at Jazz Central, a prelude to
Bob's upcoming CD release in KC.
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Michael Attias |
Sort of the opposite of sublime, local jazz's
most avant couple, Pat Moriarty and Ellen
Lease, join creative forces with Chris
Bates and New York saxophonist Michael
Attias for an evening of mayhem at the Black Dog (starting at 6 pm). Attias
has most recently toured and recorded with the likes of John Hebert, Tom Rainey and Ralph Alessi. The evening will feature
compositions by all members of the group and some free improvisation.
Monday,
October 20. Hard to describe but easy to enjoy, the Fall of the House of Usher takes the stage at the Icehouse tonight
for JT's Jazz Implosion offering. Led by guitarist Chris Cunningham, the Ushers
usually include Chris Bates, Nelson Devereaux, Adam Larkin, Elliot Wachs, Jon
Davis and Greg Schutte.
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Steven Hobert |
Tuesday, October 21. If you missed his CD release
recently, tonight is a good opportunity to hear pianist/composer Steven Hobert, an outstanding improviser
and writer with classical and folk influences. Solo at the Black Dog.
Wednesday, October 22. An interesting pairing for new
music night at Jazz Central puts young veteran bassist Graydon Peterson
together with younger pianist Joe Strachan. Creativity squared.
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Joe Strachan |
Thursday, October 23. Vocal jazz night at Jazz Central
features Montreal-based soul jazz innovator Elizabeth Shepherd, whose music is
described as equal parts "Stevie Wonder, Salvation Army brass bands and
classical sonatas." Known internationally as a "jazz virtuoso with a
pop sensibility," Elizabeth
has a new recording (The Signal)
to share with a new audience in the Twin Cities. There's touches of Parlato,
touches of Esperanza.
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, October 17. Irv Williams and Steve Blons,
happy hour at the Dakota; Todd Harper solo piano, followed by the Donald
Washington Quartet at the Black Dog; Maryann Sullivan, Wine Republic
(Excelsior); Thomas Bruce at Parma 8200; Vic Volare at Hell's Kitchen; Patty
Peterson and Friends at School II;
Saturday, October 18. Mill City Hot Club, brunch at Hell's Kitchen; Charmin and Shapira, 12:30 pm at
Midtown Global Market; Benny
Weinbeck Trio at Parma 8200; Patrick Harison and James Buckley, dinner sets at
the Icehouse; JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske in the Lobby Bar, Saint Paul Hotel;
Viva Brasil at Loring Pasta Bar; GST Trio at Hell's Kitchen; Tommy and the Liebermen at the Aster
Sunday, October 19. Emily Davis and Robert Bell, brunch at Mattie's on Main; Robert Everest, brunch at Maria's;
Zacc Harris Trio at the Riverview Wine Bar
Monday, October 20. Paula Lammers and David Martin at Fireside Pizza; Dave Brattain at Jazz Central;
Twin Cities Hot Club at Barbette
Tuesday, October 21. Cafe Accordion at Loring Pasta
Bar; Explosion Big Band at Jazz Central; River
City Jazz Orchestra at Minnesota Music Cafe;
Patty and the Buttons at Cafe Maude
Wednesday, October 22. Charmin and Shapira and Friends at
the Dakota
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Pavel Jany |
Thursday, October 23. Axis Mundi at Hell's Kitchen;
Pavel Jany solo at the Black Dog
Coming Soon!
. October 24, Jeremy Walker Quartet followed by Aaron Keith Stewart at Jazz Central
. October 24, Kevin Washington Quartet at the Dakota (late night)
. October 24, Jeremy Walker Quartet followed by Aaron Keith Stewart at Jazz Central
. October 24, Kevin Washington Quartet at the Dakota (late night)
. October
25, Steve Kenny Quartet at the Black Dog
. October
27, Charlie Hunter at the Dakota
. October
29, Miguel Hurtado at Jazz Central
. November
1, What Would Monk Do at the Black Dog
. November
2, Soul Cafe at Hennepin
Ave Methodist
Church
. November
3, Mike Lewis/Gordy Johnson/JT Bates at the Icehouse
. November
5-6, Hiromi Trio Project at the Dakota
. November 6-9, Zeitgeist New Music Cabaret at Studio Z
. November 6-9, Zeitgeist New Music Cabaret at Studio Z
. November
7, Maryann Sullivan Corner Jazz at the Black Dog
. November
8, Bebel Gilberto at the Dakota
. November
8, Rick Carlson and Steve Pikal, Jazz @ St Barneys (St Barnabas Lutheran
Church)
. November
10, Jon Weber solo piano at the Dakota
. November
10, Tony Malaby with Anthony Cox and JT Bates at the Icehouse
. November
11, Maryann Sullivan Corner Jazz at The Nicollet
. November
13, Le Percheron at Khyber Pass
. November
14, Barbara Meyer and Phil Mattson, CD release at The Nicollet
. November
17, Firebell CD release at the Icehouse
. November
22, Chris Lomheim Trio at the Black Dog
. November
22, PipJazz Youth All-Stars at the Maplewood
Community Center theater
. November
22, JazzMN Orchestra at Hopkins
High School Auditorium
. November
22, Phil Mattson Singers, Jazz @ St Barneys (St Barnabas Lutheran Church)
. December
1, Joey DeFrancesco at the Dakota
. December
2, Jazz at Lincoln
Center Orchestra with Wynton
Marsalis and Cecile McLorin Salvant at Orchestra Hall
. December
6, Atlantis Quartet at the Black Dog
. December
13, PipJazz Holiday Concert at Maplewood
Community Center theater
. December
21-22, Karrin Allyson Holiday Show at the Dakota
. December
25-28, The Bad Plus at the Dakota
. January
20-21, Jose James at the Dakota
. March 12,
2015, Jack DeJohnette at Walker
Art Center,
McGuire Theater
. March 15,
Jazz Mn Orchestra with Pete Christlieb at Hopkins High School
Auditorium
. March
25-26, Delfeayo Marsalis (Southern Gentleman) at the Dakota
. April 25,
JazzMN Orchestra with Bob Mintzer at Hopkins
High School Auditorium
. May 2,
2015, Jason Moran and Robert Glasper at Walker Art Center, McGuire Theater