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South High grad Jose' James comes back to the Dakota and Billie Holiday, January 20-21 |
© Andrea Canter
There seems
to be a South/Southeast Minneapolis Jazz Vortex tonight with top musicians
performing at the Icehouse, Jazz Central and The Nicollet, all within about a
three-mile radius. And there's more music if you spread out just a little bit
farther. That's just one night. Over the weekend and into the coming week, we
have such options as Arne and Maud saluting the centennials for Billie and
Frank; a rare duo gig with Joan Griffith and Reuben Ristrom; another
"pop-up" preview at the not-yet-really-open Vieux Carré, hosted by
Debbie Duncan; the annual Minnesota Guitar Summit; a homecoming/birthday visit
from José James (also saluting Billie Holiday), and the next installment of
Jazz in the Target Atrium with New York pianist David Berkman. And if that was
all the jazz for the week, this column would be done.
Big Gigs This Week
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JT Bates |
Friday, January 16. When Ayn Rand wrote the play Night of January 16th, I doubt she was
thinking of a long list of jazz gigs like the one facing us tonight. At Jazz
Central, JT Bates brings in Far Cry,
described as a group that "will dig around unhomogenized places to find
other melodies and shattered rhythms." And what else would we expect from
JT, Paul Metzger, Josh Granowski and Noah Ophoven-Baldwin? Stick around, the late set features a band
assembled by young vibraphonist/pianist Levi Schwartzberg, with drummer Ben Oni
and the even younger, still-in-high-school team of Aidan Sponheim, Peter Goggin
and Charlie Lincoln -- followed by an open jam.
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Steve Kenny |
Or you do a
little back and forth, starting at the Icehouse for the first dinner set with Zacc Harris and James Buckley on guitar
and bass, then head to Jazz Central for the first set, then back to Nicollet
Avenue for the Steve Kenny Quartet at
The Nicollet. The revived Nicollet (now with beer and wine) is hosting more and
more jazz these days, and tonight's band is one of the hottest to hit their
stage yet-- Kenny on trumpet, Brandon Wozniak on sax, Chris Bates on bass and
Babatunde Lea on drums/percussion.
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Joyce Lyons |
A newer
venue in the metro, the Underground Cafe in Falcon Heights
has presented some impressive music already, and tonight will host a quintet of
veteran musicians supporting one of the area's finest, if less familiar
vocalists. Joyce Lyons spent much of
her career in New York
before relocating ("for love") to the Twin Cities about 5 years ago.
Interpreting the music of Carmen McRae, Joyce is backed by a long-standing
support system featuring Zack Lozier, Phil Aaron, Graydon Peterson and Jay
Epstein. The cover ($20) includes sandwich or pizza.
And the new
epi-center of St Paul jazz, the Black Dog features the Donald Washington Trio tonight, with the veteran performer/educator
on sax, with fellow improvisers Doan
Brian Roessler on bass and Davu Seru on drums.
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Debbie Duncan |
Friday-Saturday,
January 16-17. In
the second "pop-up" event of 2015, Vieux Carré (the forthcoming club
in the old Artists Quarter space in the Hamm Building)
features hostess Debbie Duncan and
guest saxophonists (Pete Whitman Friday, Kenni Holmen Saturday) along with the
cast from the adjacent Park Square Theater's The Color Purple. At some point the club will close for
renovations, reopening later in the year, but in the meantime, enjoy live jazz
again on Seventh Place.
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Maud Hixson and Arne Fogel |
Friday-Sunday, January
16-18. This
show is nearly sold out--a few tickets remain for the Saturday night show only.
And that seems to be the case whenever singers Arne Fogel and Maud Hixson share the stage. This weekend at the
Bloomington Black Box Theater, it's Arne's production of "Holiday for Frank," a
salute to the centennials of Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra, with music
direction (and of course piano) from Rick
Carlson.
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Joan Griffith |
Saturday, January 17. Guitarist Joan Griffith spends most of her time teaching and playing for
shows at Orchestra Hall and the like, so it is a real treat when we have a
chance to hear her in a small ensemble gig. Over in South
Minneapolis (again!), the Hosmer Library hosts Joan in duo with
the ever-stellar Reuben Ristrom, a perfect
way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
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Bottomless Pit |
There will be ample time to rest up before heading to St Paul for Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog. Headliner this week is Bottomless Pit, which must be the description of the talent in this new quartet led by Joel Shapira-- with Pete Whitman, Tom Lewis and Eric Kamau Gravatt. Come early for the opening band (Jazz Front) and a chance to snare a table and pizza.
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Rondi Charleston |
For folks
in the Red Wing area as well as fans "commuting" from the Twin Cities
and nearby, the Sheldon Theater presents New
York vocalist/songwriter Rondi Charleston and her touring band. An award-winning television journalist who
followed her muse into vocal jazz, Rondi is a talented and original storyteller
whose concerts will take you on unexpected journeys.
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Dean Granros, guitar master |
Sunday, January 18. The annual Minnesota Guitar Summit will be held at Jazz Central (4-8 pm)
featuring a long list of Twin Cities' favorites-- Joan Griffith, Dave Singley,
Dean Granros, Reuben Ristrom, Zacc Harris, Chris Olson, Geoff Lecrone, Jon
Wood, David Feily and Ben Abrahamson, with backing from Chris Bates and Mac
Santiago. One guitarist not on the festival roster but instead heading his own
band, Paul Renz performs at the Aster
Cafe -- a short distance from Jazz Central so easy to make the festival last
well into the evening.
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Doug Little |
Monday, January 19. Yesterday it was guitars, tonight
flutes dominate the scene at Jazz Central, with a return of Flute Feature with Mark Yannie, Stan Scott, and special guest
Doug Little. Their set list will include Sam Rivers, Lee Morgan, John
Coltrane and Kurt Weill.
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Dave King, a "Real Bull" |
Shift your focus to drums for a later evening
blowout at the Icehouse. First set features two of the world's most inventive
drummers head to head-- JT Bates and Dave
King are "Real Bulls." Second set brings back PRB Street Gang with Anthony Cox, Dean
Granros, Brandon Wozniak and King.
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Jose' James |
Tuesday-Wednesday,
January 20-21.
The story of "hometown boy makes good" continues with vocalist José James' homecoming and birthday
celebration gig at the Dakota. Heading back to his jazz roots, José delves into
the music of muse Billie Holiday, soon to be released on Blue Note. The South
High grad seems to hit gold every time out, be it the music of Coltrane or his
own brand of R&B/hip hop. This is one of the most powerful and inventive
male voices in modern music.
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David Berkman |
Thursday, January 22. There was a lot of enthusiasm to
greet the early December kick-off concert in the new Jazz in the Target Atrium
series at Orchestra Hall. Curated by Jeremy Walker, the second concert features
acclaimed New York
pianist David Berkman, along with the
local Atrium Jazz Ensemble of Brandon Wozniak, Anthony Cox and JT Bates.
Berkman was in the Twin Cities a couple years ago for a fundraiser to support
Jeremy Walker's battle with Lyme Disease but it's been a long while since we
heard him lead an ensemble. Expect original compositions and inventive takes on
standards. And you can warm up your jazz
piano ears by stopping by the Dakota earlier in the evening to hear the very
swinging Travis Anderson Trio with
Steve Pikal and Nathan Norman.
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Gary Schulte |
In St Paul, the Black Dog
presents the Talking Strings Duo,
two-thirds of the original trio, with guitarist Pavel Jany and violinist Gary
Schulte. These musicians are true virtuosos, and they let their strings do the
talking.
More Jazz All Week!
Keep up
with the live jazz scene in the Twin Cities -- check out calendars at Jazz Police, KBEM, Rhythm and Grooves and Jazz Near You, as well as here
on the blog. More jazz to tickle your ears:
Friday, January 16. Todd Harper, solo piano happy hour
at the Black Dog; Irv Williams and Steve Blons, happy hour at the Dakota;
Thomas Bruce at Parma 8200; JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske in the Lobby Bar, St
Paul Hotel; The Standards Quintet at Crooner's Lounge
Saturday, January 17. JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske in the
Lobby Bar, St Paul Hotel; Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma 8200; Charmin Michelle
at the Grand Kabaret (New Ulm); Talking Strings at Loring Pasta Bar (first set,
Pavel Jany solo guitar); Minnesota Jazz Orchestra at the Phipps Center for the
Arts (Hudson, WI); Travis Anderson Trio at the Normandy Kitchen
Sunday, January 18. Patty and the Buttons, brunch at
the Aster Cafe; Charmin Michelle with the Jerry O'Hagan Orchestra at Cinema
Ballroom; Zacc Harris Trio at the Riverview Wine Bar; Martin Luther King
Concert with The Steeles at the Dakota
Monday, January 19. Charmin Michelle and Denny
Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; BZ3 Organ Trio at The Narrows
Saloon; Don Strong at Crooner's Lounge
Tuesday, January 20. Patty and the Buttons at Cafe
Maude; Explosion Big Band at Jazz Central; Acme Jazz Company with Arne Fogel at
Crooner's Lounge; River City Jazz Orchestra at Minnesota Music Cafe
Wednesday, January 21. Charmin Michelle and Denny
Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Wolverines Trio at Hell's Kitchen; Zacc Harris Trio
at Cafe Maude; McNally Smith College of Music Orchestra at Jazz Central; Jazz
at the Tangiers; Don Strong at Crooners Lounge
Thursday, January 22. Jennifer Parker at Jazz Central;
Swingbeat Big Band at Wabasha
Street Caves
Coming Soon!
. January
23, Maryann Sullivan's Corner Jazz at the Black Dog
. January
23, Atlantis Quartet at Jazz Central
. January
23, Seven Steps to Havana
(Doug Little) at the Dakota
. January
24, Winter Jazz Blast at McNally Smith, evening concert Ingrid Jensen at the
History Theater
. January
24, Illicit Sextet at the Black Dog (opening--Dark Blue)
. January
24, Dean Brewington at Loring Pasta Bar
. January
25, Leigh Kamman Memorial Tribute at the Saint Paul Hotel (Grand Ballroom), 4-8
pm
. January
26, Steve Davis at the Icehouse
. January
27-28, Dianne Reeves at the Dakota
. January
29, Maryann Sullivan (birthday gig) at Jazz Central
. January
30, What Would Monk Do at Jazz Central
. January
31, Steve Cole with Patty Peterson and Friends at the Dakota
. January
31, Dave Brattain Quartet, Dean Granros Quartet at the Black Dog
. February
2, Jazz Implosion: Matt Otto with the Fantastic Merlins at the Icehouse
. February
2-3, Chris Potter Quartet at the Dakota
. February
3, Patrice Michaels, "Jazz Meets Classical" at Macalester College,
Mairs Hall
. February
7, Kenny Horst and Friends at the Black Dog (Opening - Jon Pemberton Trio)
. February
7-8, Bruce Henry, Legends series at the Capri
. February
9, Firebell at the Black Dog
. February
9, Solomon Parham at Jazz Central
. February
13, The Assad Brothers with Romero Lubambo at the Dakota
. February
14, Paul Harper Quartet (Opening - Central Standard Time)
. February 14, Maud Hixson and Rick Carlson at the Icehouse
. February 14, The Girls at the Hopkins Center for the Arts
. February 14, Maud Hixson and Rick Carlson at the Icehouse
. February 14, The Girls at the Hopkins Center for the Arts
. February
17-18, David Sanborn at the Dakota
. February
21, Studio Z Winter Jazz Festival
. February
21, Good Vibes Trio at the Black Dog (Opening - Central Standard Time)
. February
28, U of M Jazz Festival with guest Pat Mallinger (evening concert)
. February
28, Zacc Harris Group at the Black Dog (Opening - Central Standard Time)
. February
28, Arne Fogel & Jennifer Eckes, “What The World Needs Now: The Songs of
Burt Bacharach and Hal David” at the Bloomington Center
for the Arts
. March 3,
Rene Marie at the Dakota
. March 7,
DD7 at the Black Dog (Opening - Charles Lincoln Group)
. March 9,
David Sanchez Quartet at the Dakota
. March 12,
Jack DeJohnette at Walker
Art Center,
McGuire Theater
. March 14,
Chris Botti at Orchestra Hall
. March 15,
Jazz Mn Orchestra with Pete Christlieb at Hopkins High School
Auditorium
. March
23-24, Steve Tyrell at the Dakota
. 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 16,
Bettye LaVette at the Dakota
. April 17,
Ann Hampton Callaway at Orchestra Hall
. April 18, The Manhattan Transfer at the Hopkins Center for the Arts
. April 18, The Manhattan Transfer at the Hopkins Center for the Arts
. April 25,
JazzMN Orchestra with Bob Mintzer at Hopkins
High School Auditorium
. April
25-26, Irv Williams, Legends concert at The Capri
. May 2,
Jason Moran and Robert Glasper at the Walker
. June
25-27, Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Mears
Park and beyond
. July 2-4,
Iowa City Jazz
Festival (Charles Lloyd, Dave Douglas, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Julian Lage, Brian
Charette...)
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Leigh Kamman (1922-2014) - Memorial Tribute at the Saint Paul Hotel, January 25 |