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| Kenny Horst, back at the trapset at Jazz Central, December 5th |
© Andrea Canter
Memories of
the Artists Quarter burn a bit brighter this weekend, as former AQ owner Kenny
Horst and friends help "bridge" the gap in gigs since the club closed.
But there are a lot of gigs this week at the venues that seem to be carrying
the torch for live, high flying jazz in the Twin Cities, particularly Jazz
Central, the Black Dog and Studio Z. Even though it's a week without a visiting
national headliner, we generate our own legends here!
Big Gigs This Week
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| Kenny Horst |
Friday, December 5. Kenny
Horst may have considered retirement when he closed the Artists Quarter 11
months ago, but apparently that did not mean his drumming days were done. He's appeared at Jazz Central, the Black Dog
and The Nicollet over the past few months, and tonight he returns to Jazz
Central on the Bridge Series with former AQ cohorts Brandon Wozniak, Zacc
Harris and Chris Bates. Don't be surprised if Davis Wilson greets you at the
door. And you can count on some treats from Vanessa.
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| Dave Karr |
One of the
tastiest duos in town, Dave Karr and
Chris Lomheim come together at the Icehouse for dinner hour magic, while in
Bloomington, Benny Weinbeck and his
trio (Gordy Johnson and Phil Hey) move up to Friday night (this week only) for
sublime music at Parma 8200. Both of these venues offer good values in
bar/dining room fare that melds perfectly with the music.
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| Larry McDonough |
And a
holiday riddle: What do Christmas, Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck,
John Coltrane, Ludwig van Beethoven, Mr. McGoo, Paul Simon, Ornette Coleman,
Shakers, the Middle East, award-winning
American poetry, and the art of international illustrator Eric Hanson have in
common? Answer: The Larry
McDonough Holiday CD, Angels, Kings,
My Favorite Things, to be performed at The Nicollet tonight with Larry's
quartet and some special guests, including Larry's daughter Rosie on African
drums.
Saturday, December 6. Jazz @St Barneys presents two
concerts this month, starting tonight with Dan Newton and his Cafe Accordion Orchestra, "a
loungy, elclectic mix, full of French flare, Latin heat and Bohemian
attitude."
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| Babatunde Lea |
In St. Paul, you can walk
fast and juggle the clock a bit but chances are you can make a double header,
starting with Jazz at Studio Z and the Babatunde
Lea Quintet. Master percussionist and educator Babatunde will host a master
class in African rhythms at 5:30, followed by his ensemble concert at 7. And what an ensemble-- Nelson Devereaux, Zacc
Harris, Chris Bates and Phil Aaron. In theory the concert goes til 8:30-9 pm.
Just hang on and follow Chris and Zacc over to the Black Dog for a scheduled
8:30 start with the Atlantis Quartet
on the Saturday Night Jazz series. The Atlantis (with Brandon Wozniak, Zacc
Harris and Pete Hennig) recently recorded a live CD at the Icehouse, and likely
we will get some previews! If you choose to stay in one place, note the 7 pm
opening band at the Black Dog, Central
Standard Time, featuring some old pals from River Falls
including Saturday Night curator Steve Kenny.
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| Atlantis Quartet |
Sunday, December 7. It's a busy weekend for the Atlantis Quartet. Tonight they appear with
the MacJazz Big Band at Macalester
(Maris Concert Hall), along with MacJazz guest artist Doug Little. The bands will
debut three big band arrangements of Atlantis tunes. MacJazz Band director Joan
Griffith ensures that this is not just another college jazz band concert! (And
it's free!)
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| Thomas Strommen |
Monday, December 8. Just a few years ago, young tenor
saxophonist Thomas Strommen was
playing for the Wayzata
High School band and
Dakota Combo. Moving on to UW-River
Falls for studies with
David Milne, Thomas started Dark Blue, a quartet with pals from UW-RF. Now a
college junior and long-standing member of Steve Kenny's Group 47, Thomas
brings Dark Blue to Jazz Central as the Featured Artist of the week. He's
joined by Dylan Nelson on guitar, Jason McLean on bass and Alex Burgess on
drums.
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| Jana Nyberg |
We didn't
hear much from the Jana Nyberg Group
this fall, with trumpeter Adam Meckler on the road, but the band is back at the
Dakota for Foodie Night and a few sets of vocal finery, from the Great American
Songbook to jazz arrangements of pop tunes to original songs.
Tuesday, December 9. At the recently revived The
Nicollet, now with beer and wine to go with music and swing dancers, vocalist Maryann Sullivan returns with her Corner
Jazz ensemble for a night of swinging oldies, standards and new discoveries.
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| Chris Olson |
At
the Black Dog, Chris Olson hosts Framework,
featuring Olson on guitar, Chris Bates on bass and Jay Epstein on drums. This
veteran trio is always worth the listen, from their own originals to inventive
arrangements.
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| Chris Bates |
Wednesday, December 10. One of the most interesting
ensembles yet to grace the stage at Jazz Central, tonight Chris Bates has
assembled a Bass Summit ("to
have a Merry Bass-Mas in the Bass-Ment"). So far he has Casey O'Brien,
Charles Fletcher, Chris Hunnicut and Brian Roessler, with support from JT Bates
and Martin Dosh on drums.
Thursday, December 11. It's a vocal night like no other
at Jazz Central, as Sarah Greer
brings in an a cappella improv ensemble. She's gathered some of the most
innovative voices in the metro, with Aimee K. Bryant, Mankwe Ndosi, Libby
Turner Opanga and Alicia Steele.
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| Charles Lazarus |
Another unique talent, Minnesota Orchestra
trumpeter Charles Lazarus is back
with another holiday brass party, "Merry and Bright" at the Wayzata Community Church.
And speaking of brass, the Jack Brass
Band takes its monthly turn at the Amsterdam,
and some holiday tunes are likely on the menu.
More Jazz This Week
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, December 5. Irv Willliams and Steve Blons,
happy hour, followed by the Nachito Herrera Trio at the Dakota; Todd Harper,
solo piano (happy hour) at the Black Dog; Tim Patrick and His Blue-Eyed Band at
the Eagle's Aerie Club; Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske in the Lobby Bar, Saint
Paul Hotel; Patty Peterson and Friends at Bunkers; Classic Big Band and the
Nostalgics at KC Hall (Bloomington); Jason Weissman Quartet at Crooners Lounge;
RADD Jazz Holiday Swing Dance with Charmin Michelle at the University of
Wisconsin-River Falls (Falcon's Nest)
Saturday, December 6. Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske in the
Lobby Bar, Saint Paul Hotel; Jana Nyberg Group at Hell's Kitchen; Pig's Eye
Jass Band at Eagle's Aerie Club; Mama Digdown's Brass Band and the Southside
Aces at the Parkway Theater; Wind-Wood Trio with Paula Lammers at The Mason Jar; The Skruffians at Jazz Central; Katia Cardenas,
Late Night at the Dakota
Sunday, December 7. Patty and the Buttons, brunch at
the Aster; Robert Everest, brunch at Maria's; Century Jazz Ensemble with Debbie
O'Keefe (Holiday Show) at Century College; Zacc Harris Trio at Riverview Wine
Bar
Monday, December 8. Charmin Michelle and Denny
Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Jazz Implosion at the Icehouse; Twin Cities Cabaret Network at Nautilus Music Theater ("Rough Cuts"); Bookhouse Trio at
Barbette
Tuesday, December 9. Cafe Accordion at Loring Pasta Bar;
Cedar Avenue
Big Band at Jazz Central; NOVA Jazz Orchestra at Minnesota Music Café
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| Lila Ammons |
Wednesday, December 10. Charmin Michelle and Denny
Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Wolverines Trio with Judi Vinar at Hell's Kitchen; Patrick Harison
at Cafe Maude; Lila Ammons Trio at The Tangiers; Matra at the Black Dog
Thursday, December 11. Minnesota
Jazz Orchestra at Wabasha
Street Caves;
Connie and Herb at The Bean; Denny Malmberg Trio with Paula Lammers at the Mason Jar; Embezzler (Linz, Bates, Metzger) at Khyber Pass
Coming Soon!
. December
12, Connie Evingson with Rick Carlson at Parma
8200
. December
13, PipJazz Holiday Concert at Maplewood Community Center Theater
. December
13, Red 5 at the Black Dog
. December
14, Maud Hixson, Wolverines, Bob DeFlores films, "Let It Snow" at
the Capri Theater
. December
14, Medeski, Scofield, Martin and Wood at First Avenue
. December
15, Larry McDonough Holiday Show at the Icehouse
. December
15-16, Roberta Gambarini at the Dakota
. December
16, Adam Meckler Orchestra at Jazz Central
. December
18, Mike Lewis solo at Khyber Pass
. December
19, Barbara Meyer and Phil Mattson at the 318 Cafe
. December
19 & 21, Doc Severinsen with the Minnesota
Orchestra at Orchestra Hall
. December
20, Twin Cities Jazz Sampler at Jazz Central
. December
20, Peterson Family "Jam Before Christmas" at the Dakota
. December
21-22, Karrin Allyson Holiday Show at the Dakota
. December
25-28, The Bad Plus at the Dakota
. December
26, Good Vibes Trio at Jazz Central
. December
26, Jake Baldwin Quartet, Late Night at the Dakota
. December
27, Big Band Christmas, Jazz @ St Barneys at St Barnabas Lutheran Church
. December
27, Fat Kid Wednesdays at the Black Dog
. December
27, Aaron Hedenstrom CD Release, Jazz at Studio Z
. December
27, Laura Caviani and Bob Bowman at Jazz Central
. December
31, Jazz Awards Night at Jazz Central
. January 1, Seru/Roessler/Hanson at Khyber Pass
. January 1, Seru/Roessler/Hanson at Khyber Pass
. January
3, Group 47 at the Black Dog
. January
9, Joel Shapira/Dean Granros CD Release at the Black Dog
. January
10, Bill Carrothers Trio, Jazz at Studio Z
. January
13, Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education Fundraiser at the Dakota
. January
17, Joan Griffith and Reuben Ristrom at Hosmer Library
. January
17, Bottomless Pit at the Black Dog
. January
20-21, Jose James at the Dakota
. January
22, David Berkman at Orchestra Hall (Target Atrium)
. January
23, Maryann Sullivan's Corner Jazz at the Black Dog
. January
24, Illicit Sextet at the Black Dog
. January
25, Leigh Kamman Memorial Tribute at the Saint Paul Hotel (Ballroom)
. January
25, Chris Potter Quartet at the Dakota
. January
27-28, Dianne Reeves at the Dakota
. January
31, Dave Brattain Quartet, Dean Granros Quartet at the Black Dog
. February
13, The Assad Brothers with Romero Lubambo at the Dakota
. March 9,
David Sanchez Quartet at the Dakota
. March 12,
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
. March 29,
Tierney Sutton and Mark Summer at the Dakota
. April 16,
Anthony Cox and Jeremy Walker, "Rage of Achilles" at Orchestra Hall
(Target Atrium)
. April 25,
JazzMN Orchestra with Bob Mintzer at Hopkins
High School Auditorium
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| The Adam Meckler Orchestra returns to Jazz Central, December 16 |
