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Young guns -- The Dakota Combo at the Black Dog, March 28 |
© Andrea Canter
It's always good to return
to the Twin Cities and one of the nation's most
vibrant (and accessible) jazz scenes. And there's lots for all local jazz fans
to enjoy in the coming week -- some of our favorite veterans (and youngest
stars) on stages from The Nicollet and Jazz Central across the river to the
Black Dog as well as around the metro from Bloomington to Fridley; an
impressive list of visitors from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Orchestra
Hall to Tierney Sutton, Eliane Elias and Chris Potter all coming into the
Dakota. And if you happen to be in London
this weekend, don't miss a chance to hear our own Maud Hixson! That should be
something for everyone, everywhere.
Big Gigs This Week
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Phil Aaron |
Friday, March 27. Longtime bandleader and favorite sideman Phil Aaron brings a quartet into Jazz
Central for the weekly Bridge Series. The Chicago-born pianist spends his days
scoring for film and television, and his nights tinkling the keys for a wide
range of local projects, from vocalists like Lucia Newell to exciting ensembles
like the Phil Hey Quartet and Tom Ashworth's new Fireside Five. He's joined
tonight by Zacc Harris, Matt Peterson and Jay Epstein. Students from the
acclaimed UW-Eau Claire Jazz program
put on a jam for the late night show.
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How Birds Work-- Horst and Bates |
A favorite ensemble at the
Artists Quarter for a decade, How Birds
Work seldom flies these days but they land on the Friday Night Jazz at The
Nicollet series tonight. Join Peter Schimke, Dean Granros, Chris Bates and
Kenny Horst as they take flight, soaring with post bop wonders and original
works.
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Preservation Hall Jazz Band |
At Orchestra Hall, the
almost annual visit from the legendary Preservation
Hall Jazz Band will appeal to fans of more traditional jazz as well as
anyone who likes some foot-stomping, brass-heavy swinging fun. There's an open
rehearsal at 6 pm requiring prior but free registration (contact Orchestra
Hall).
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Dakota Combo |
Saturday, March 28. It's another double-header with young hotshots
followed by veteran statesmen as Saturday Night at the Black Dog continues.
Start out with the high school ensemble, the Dakota Combo, an octet of amazingly talented teens playing
surprising covers and sophisticated original works. Directed by Adam Linz, the
Combo boasts some of the busiest young artists in town-- you'll find Charlie
Lincoln, Aidan Sponheim and Peter Goggin on the bandstand at Jazz Central and
beyond.
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Dave Brattain |
After a short break, the vets take over as the Daley-Brattain Report makes its Black Dog debut. In addition to
guitarist Kevin Daley and saxophonist Dave Brattain, the Report includes
bassist Bruce Heine and drummer Dave Stanoch. This is a new band but the
musicians have earned their stripes many times over.
What will Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg do
for the next few months while Fireside Pizza undergoes a face lift? Play
elsewhere, of course! Tonight they bring in bassist Jim Chenoweth for a gig at
the Mason Jar in Eagan.
And stay tuned for more!
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Maud Hixson and Rick Carlson |
And attention any readers
within driving distance of London,
UK. Minnesota songbird Maud Hixson and pianist/husband Rick Carlson bring wits to the Brits!
Making her debut at Crazy Coqs, Maude reprises her "Skyscraper Wits"
show-- celebrating the songwriting "wits" of Mercer, Coward, Hart,
Porter and more, along with a special appearance by UK star singer Claire Martin in a
tribute to mutual friend, the late pianist Sir Richard Rodney Bennett. Housed
within the Brasserie Zedel, Crazy Coqs is dubbed "London's most exquisite cabaret venue."
Don't get too comfortable, Maude, we miss you back home.
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Jana Nyberg and Adam Meckler |
Sunday, March 29. There might not be a lot more opportunities to hear Jana Nyberg before she takes a little
"maternity leave" so consider brunch at Hell's Kitchen today and
enjoy the Jana Nyberg Group-- Adam Meckler, Thomas Nordlund, Matt Peterson and
Andres Crovetti. Pop with a jazz sensibility, jazz with a pop sheen, and it's
all musically and personally entertaining.
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Tierney Sutton |
The Dakota welcomes the
return of another songbird, Tierney
Sutton, in the fine company of Turtle Island Quartet cellist Mark Summer
and French guitarist Serge Merlaud. After wowing the Dakota audience last
summer, Sutton and Summer are back with the music of Joni Mitchell, Sutton even
out-Joni-ing some of the original tunes which she covered on her 2014 release, After Blue.
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Bob Bowman |
Monday, March 30. It's a special bass night at Jazz Central, as local
hero Doan Brian Roessler and Kansas City titan Bob Bowman share the Featured Artist
spotlight. They will be supported by Peter Schimke on piano, Marc Anderson on
percussion and Kansas-based saxophonist Matt Otto. Roessler is often heard in
the company of Nathan Hanson, Davu Seru and other top improvising musicians;
Bowman has long associations with pianist Laura Caviani and vocalist Karrin
Allyson, and was in town a few months ago to perform with Laura and a short
time later, with Allyson.
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Jake Baldwin (Drones Band) |
Another special night-- JT's Jazz Implosion at the Icehouse
features two sets presented by Six Families via a state arts grant, which means
there is no cover tonight. First set --International Novelty Gamelan; second
set--Drone Band's "Meditations on Hypnosis" with Jake Baldwin and
Noah Ophoven-Baldwin on trumpets, Evan Clark on tuba, Cole Pulice on saxophone,
Jim Pfeffer on bass and Cory Healey on drums.
Tuesday, March 31. Popular Brazilian pianist/vocalist Eliane Elias brings her trio to the
Dakota in support of her latest recording, Made
in Brazil-- set for official release today on Concord. Serving as producer, composer,
lyricist, arranger, keyboardist and vocalist, Elias uncovers her Brazilian
roots in exquisite fashion.
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Pete Hennig (Atlantis Quartet) |
Brazilian music also figures
into a double header at the Icehouse tonight, with the instrumental band DIBIGODE offering rock/jazz/folk sounds
blended with Brazilian rhythms. They're followed by all-American modern jazz
artists, the Atlantis Quartet-- Zacc
Harris, Brandon Wozniak, Chris Bates and Pete Hennig.
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Adam Meckler Orchestra |
Like the recent "good
old days," the Adam Meckler
Orchestra returns to Jazz Central for the open fifth Tuesday of the month.
The AMO most recently performed at the 2015 Winter Jazz Festival at Studio Z.
The space will be tighter at Jazz Central but the music will soar just as high.
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Anthony Cox |
Wednesday, April 1. Every first Wednesday, Anthony Cox brings his Continuum Series to Jazz Central. Tonight,
he features Peter Schimke and Jay Epstein, as well as his own bass and cello,
exploring the concept and possibilities of the trio format. Special guest Sarah
Greer joins in on vocals.
Downtown at the Dakota, the Rebirth Brass Band returns with it
unique brand of New Orleans
funk. The first brass band to win a Grammy (2012 "Best Regional Roots
Album"), RRB released Move Your Body
last year and promises to inspire you to move yours!
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Connie Evingson |
Connie Evingson continues her monthly Jazz in the Lounge at the Minneapolis Woman's
Club, but tonight she has a handful of guests-- Patty and the Buttons. A
frequent collaborator with area and international hot club ensembles, Connie
will be right at home with Patrick Harison's accordion and his swinging cohorts
(Dean Harrington and Mark Kreitzer on guitars, Keith Boyles on bass, Tony
Balluff on clarinet).
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Chris Potter |
Thursday, April 2. Barring blizzards or tsunamis, tonight is the
long-awaited-rescheduled visit from the Chris
Potter Underground Quartet, scheduled and rescheduled for early February at
the Dakota only to be wiped out by one of the season's worst East Coast storms.
They're blowing in from the West this time. Saxophonist Potter is one of the
most lauded performers and composers of his generation; his quartet tonight will
include guitarist Adam Rogers, bassist Fima Ephron and drummer Nate Smith.
More Jazz!
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, March 27. Todd Harper, happy hour at the Black Dog; Irv
Williams and Steve Blons, happy hour at the Dakota; Connie Olson at Parma 8200;
John Paulson with Swing, Inc. at Signatures (Winona); Jake Hanson and James
Buckley, dinner sets at the Icehouse; JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske in the Lobby
Bar (Saint Paul Hotel); Barbara Meyer at the Black Dog
Saturday, March 28. Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma 8200; JoAnn Funk in
the Lobby Bar (Saint Paul Hotel); Tim Sparks and James Buckley, dinner sets at
the Icehouse; Pavel Jany's Talking Strings at Loring Pasta Bar; Sidewalk Cafe
at 318 Cafe
Sunday, March 29. Patty and the Buttons, brunch at the Aster Cafe; Robert
Everest, brunch at Maria's; Jazz Jam and Brunch at Crooners' Lounge; Dean Magraw and Joe Schwen at Oak Center General Store (Lake City, MN at 3 pm); Joel
Shapira solo guitar at the Black Dog (4 pm); Zacc Harris Trio at Riverview Wine Bar;
Century Jazz Ensemble at Jethro's Charhouse
(St Paul); St Cloud State University Jazz Buffet at Ruth Grant Recital
Hall (St Cloud State U)
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Joel Shapira |
Tuesday, March 31. Jason Weismann, happy hour at Crooners Lounge; Cafe
Accordion at Loring Pasta Bar; Joel Shapira at Underground Music Cafe'; Jacob
Hanson and James Buckley at Cafe Maude
Wednesday, April 1. Connie Evingson with Patty and the Buttons at the Minneapolis Woman's Club;
Andrew Walesch Quartet at Crooners Lounge; Zack Lozier Three at the 331 Club; Parisota Hot Club at The Tangiers
Thursday, April 2. Acme Jazz Company at Crooners Lounge; Vocal Jazz
Night at Jazz Central; Moonlight Serenaders at Wabasha Street
Caves; Marc Anderson/Michelle Kinney/Carla Vagle at Khyber Pass; BDP at Day Block Brewing Co
Coming Soon!
. April 3,
Mancrush at The Nicollet
. April 3,
Maud Hixson at Parma
8200
. April 3,
Dean Magraw and Steven Hobert at Jazz Central
. April 4,
Pete Snell Trio/Steve Kenny Quartet at the Black Dog
. April 6,
Davu Seru/Brandon Wozniak/Chris Bates at the Icehouse
. April 10,
Patty Peterson at Parma
8200
. April 11,
Solomon Parham Group/Paul Harper Show and Tell at the Black Dog
. April 11,
Charanga Tropicale at Studio Z
. April 12,
Anat Cohen Quartet at the Dakota
. April 13,
Javi Santiago Trio at Crooners Lounge
. April 13,
Chris Cunningham's Fall of the House of Usher at the Icehouse
. April 14, Robben Ford at The Cedar Cultural Center
. April 14, Robben Ford at The Cedar Cultural Center
. April 16,
Anthony Cox and Jeremy Walker, "Rage of Achilles" at Orchestra Hall
(Target Atrium)
. April 16,
Bettye LaVette at the Dakota
. April 16, Charlie Hunter and Bobby Previte at James J Hill Library (Real Phonic Radio Hour)
. April 16, Charlie Hunter and Bobby Previte at James J Hill Library (Real Phonic Radio Hour)
. April 17,
Javi Santiago Quartet at The Nicollet
. April 17,
Ann Hampton Callaway at Orchestra Hall
. April 17,
Thomas Bruce at Parma
8200
. April 17,
Patty Peterson and Friends at the Dakota
. April 18,
Jay Young's Lyric Factory at the Dakota
. April 18,
Lucia Sarmiento Group/Reid Kennedy Trio at the Black Dog
. April 19,
Chris Thomson Quartet CD Release at the Icehouse
. April 19,
Soul Cafe at Hennepin
Ave Methodist
Church
. April 21,
Eden Prairie High School Jazz Band with John Raymond
at EPHS
. April 22,
Danilo Perez at the Dakota
. April 24,
Tuck and Patti at the Dakota
. April 24,
Arne Fogel at Parma
8200
. April 24,
Endeavors followed by the Dakota Combo at Jazz Central
. April 25,
JazzMN Orchestra with Bob Mintzer at Hopkins
l High School Auditorium
. April 25,
Jon Wood CD Release/Mancrush at the Black Dog
. April
25-26, Irv Williams, Legends concert at The Capri
. April 26,
KBEM's Jazz Noir at Vieux Carré
. April 26,
Nellie McKay at the Dakota
. April
29-30, Madeleine Peyroux at the Dakota
. May 2,
Jason Moran and Robert Glasper at the Walker
. May 8,
Ron Miles with the Atrium Jazz Ensemble at Orchestra Hall (Target Atrium)
. May 9,
PipJazz "Women in Jazz" -- afternoon workshop and evening concert at
The Bedlam
. May 11,
Tim Berne's Snake Oil at the Icehouse
. May
27-28, Rachelle Ferrell at the Dakota
. June 3,
Steve Smith and Vital Information, NYC Edition at the Dakota
. June 22,
Kurt Elling at the Dakota
. June 23, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue at the Cabooze
. June 23, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue at the Cabooze
. June
23-24, Cecile McLorin Salvant at the Dakota
. June
25-27, Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Mears Park and beyond (Dr John,
Potter/Holland/Louke/Harland Quartet, Francisco Mela with Nicholas Payton,
Araya-Orta Quartet, Marquis Hill Blacktet)
. July 2-4,
Iowa City Jazz Festival (Charles Lloyd, Dave Douglas, Rudresh Mahanthappa,
Julian Lage, Brian Charette, Atlantis Quartet, Becca Stevens, COLOSSUS, Dakota
Combo)
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Anat Cohen returns to the Dakota on April 12 |