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| Victor Wooten - coming to the Dakota September 7-8 |
© Andrea Canter
Labor Day Weekend
traditionally marks the end of summer, but on the local jazz scene, the heat
wave continues. A new Minnesota transplant celebrates his debut CD at Vieux
Carré; a new band of local veterans launches at The Nicollet; an established
ensemble celebrates Monk at the Black Dog; the Dave King Trucking Company
"implodes" at the Icehouse; Jon Weber sticks around for two more gigs
this weekend including another Jazz at the Jungle with Connie Evingson;
Chicago's brilliant flautist Nicole Mitchell opens the new 8 O'Clock Jump
series at Walker West; expat Minnesotan Michael O'Brien plays the first of his four Twin Cities evenings; Dave Karr brings his quartet to Crooners;Victor Wooten
returns to the Dakota; and hot sax star Kamasi Washington hits the Icehouse at
the end of the week. For starters.
Big Gigs This Week
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| Joel Shapira |
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| Phil Aaron |
In south Minneapolis, Friday Night Jazz at The Nicollet helps launch a new project-- the Phil Aaron/Zacc Harris Quartet with Matt Peterson and Jay Epstein. Technically a cross-generational ensemble, even the "youngsters" Matt and Zacc have at least a decade's worth of credentials and Harris probably has one of the longest list of working bands in the region.
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| Jon Weber |
The encyclopedic sage of
jazz piano Jon Weber arrived from New York earlier this
week to perform with Connie Evingson at the Minneapolis Woman's Club. Tonight
he brings his "Joplin
to Jarrett" show to the Dakota to inform and entertain. (See Sunday below
for his next gig!)
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| Andrew Schwandt |
Saxophonist Andrew Schwandt moves into the leader
position with his quartet at Jazz Central,doubling on tenor sax with Joe Mayo and featuring Pierre Lewis on piano. Eric Graham on bass and Batume on drums.
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| Katia Cardenas |
Young vocalist Katia Cardenas continues to build a fan
base across the metro, in part because she is as likely to sing Ella as Sting. She returns to Vieux Carré tonight,
where she had the club's grand opening gig in July.
Saturday, September 5. The State Fair will be jammed for its final
weekend, and this afternoon you can hear Doug
Haining's Twin Cities 7 with singer Maryann Sullivan (1-3 pm) at the
Carousel Stage.
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Jana Nyberg |
Jana Nyberg is back in full swing after her
"maternity leave," and brings a new quartet to her debut at Crooners' Lounge: Chris Lomheim on piano, Graydon Peterson on bass,
and Pete James-Johnson on drums join singer/songwriter/flautist Jana."All jazz," she says.
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| Kenny Horst-- What Would Monk Do? |
Saturday Night Jazz at the
Black Dog features the always-popular What
Would Monk Do, providing interpretations of the Monk repertoire as well as
original compositions inspired by Monk. WWMD includes Steve Kenny on trumpet, Kenny Horst on drums, and original bassist Billy
Peterson,home for a while after a summer of European gigs. Phil Aaron is filling in on piano for Peter Schimke who has a date with Prince. Come early for an
opening set with some talented college students -- "VVG" (Very Very Groovy) with saxophonist Josh Johnson,
vibraphonist/pianist Levi Schwartzberg, trumpeter/bassist DeCarlo Jackson, and
drummer Ben Beyene.
Vieux Carré welcomes Texas transplant Adam Booker for a CD release party. The
bassist is currently on faculty at the University of Minnesota
Duluth, whose jazz director Ryan Frane serves as
pianist on Booker's Unraveled Rival, released
this week on the local Shifting Paradigm Records. The recording features a
largely Texas crew, while the CD Release Party will be a Minnesota affair, with
Frane, Pete Whitman, Zacc Harris and Pete Hennig on board.
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| John Penny |
The Normandy Kitchen in
downtown Minneapolis
continues to expand its bookings, tonight offering the John Penny Trio. The versatile guitarist/vocalist/composer joins
forces with the formidable pianist Thomas West and swinging drummer Nathan
Norman.
For a swinging good time,
check out vocalists Judi Vinar and Lori Dokken at the Townhouse Lounge in St. Paul.
Sunday, September 6. Jazz brunch options today include Andrew Walesch with Gordy Johnson and
Jay Epstein at Crooners' Lounge; Patty
and the Buttons at the Aster; and Robert
Everest at Maria's.
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| Connie Evingson |
Connie Evingson has been presenting Jazz at the Jungle (Theater) productions for the
past few years, including a series with pianist Jon Weber that celebrated the Songbooks of Ella Fitzgerald. One of
their first collaborations was a celebration of the songs of David Frishberg,
and today (two shows) they reprise that production with Dave Karr and Gordy
Johnson. "Fresh Frish" presents favorite Frishberg tunes with a fresh
sound.
The first of the 8 O'Clock
Jump series at Walker West takes place tonight, and there may be no tickets
left. Chicago-based flautist Nicole
Mitchell is the founder of Black Earth Ensemble, Black Earth Strings, Ice
Crystal and Sonic Projections, as well as a perennial poll-topper. She's at
Walker West with her quartet.
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| Michael O'Brien |
Monday, September 7. Former Twin Citian Michael O'Brien is a first-call bassist as well as bandleader and
composer in New York.
He's back this week with four gigs, starting tonight in Joel Shapira's Convergence Trio at the Black Dog, featuring Eric
Gravatt on drums. (Michael appears in duo format next weekend at Vieux
Carré and leading a quartet at The Nicollet.)
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| Dave King and Chris Speed |
Another homecoming of sorts
-- The Dave King Trucking Company,
complete with New York saxophonist Chris Speed and (formerly local bassist) Chris Morrissey,
brings new meaning to the "Jazz Implosion" series at the Icehouse
tonight. King, Brandon Wozniak and Erik Fratzke round out the company.
Monday-Tuesday, September 7-8. Bassist, 5-time Grammy winner and a member of Bela
Fleck's Flecktones, Victor Wooten returns
for two nights, four sets at the Dakota. He's a three-time winner of Bassist of
the Year from Bass Player Magazine, the only artist to win more than once.
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| Dave Karr |
Tuesday, September 8. The Tuesday night instrumental jazz series hosts
another top ensemble as the Dave Karr
Quartet makes its Crooners' debut. Joining the 80-something sax legend will
be long-time cohorts, Chris Lomheim on piano, Gordy Johnson on bass and Phil
Hey on drums. Crooners is seeking to make this a night for serious music and
serious listeners, but fortunately Dave Karr never takes himself too seriously!
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| Thomas Bruce |
Another debut night,
vocalist Thomas Bruce takes the stage
for his first turn at Vieux Carré, backed by Phil Aaron and Steve Pikal. Tommy
brings a Chet Baker-like vulnerability and elegance to his tunes, but with Phil
and Steve on the bandstand, there will be some fun as well!
At the Black Dog, the
monthly "Chris Olson Project"
expands to the full Framework trio (with Chris Bates and Jay Epstein) plus
special guest, vocalist Tony DeMarco.
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| Framework |
For big band fans, look no
farther than Jazz Central tonight, as the Cedar
Avenue Big Band takes the stage for its monthly blowout. With more than 25
years together, the CABB is the real deal and features a who's who in Twin
Cities jazz.
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| Judi Vinar |
Wednesday, September 9. Tonight at Crooners', it's vocalist/songwriter Judi Vinar (Donaghy) with the Wolverines
Trio (Rick Carlson, Steve Pikal, Jendeen Forberg) -- a band she has worked with
for more than 20 years.
Thursday,
September 10. Seems everywhere I
turn lately, someone is talking about Kamasi
Washington. The eclectic multi-instrumentalist makes his Icehouse debut
tonight with his Dectet. Washington has played
with McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Burrell, and George Duke while also
working with Lauryn Hill, Jeffrey
Osborne, Mos Def, and Quincy Jones; more recently he has toured with Stanley
Clarke, Harvey Mason and Chaka Khan. In his band “The Next Step,” Kamasi boasts
two drummers, two bassists (upright and electric), piano and keyboards, three
horns, and a vocalist. They just released a triple disc entitled The Epic. (Reservations recommended.)
At MacPhail's Antonello Hall, pianist/instructor Tom Pletscher performs a farewell concert with a powerhouse
ensemble featuring Jim Bierma on bass, Phil Hey
on drums, Greg Keel on sax, and Nathan Norman on drums. After more than two
decades at MacPhail, Tom is relocating to Washington state.
More Jazz!
Keep up with the live jazz
scene in the Twin Cities. The most comprehensive jazz calendar can be found at Jazz
Police, but you will also find jazz listings at KBEM, Rhythm and Grooves and Jazz
Near You. KBEM and KFAI radio host jazz programs regularly and provide
daily notices of jazz gigs and concerts. The live edition of The Lead Sheet can
be heard at 4:40 pm on Thursdays on KBEM, excerpts rebroadcast at 7:40 am on
Fridays. (Special guest September 3--Peter Leggett of Walker West, on the new
jazz series with Nicole Mitchell and soon Ron Carter.) Venues and artists are
reminded to send information to online and print calendars (e.g. tc@jazzpolice.com).
Coming Soon!
. September
11, Christian Scott and Stretch Music at the Dakota
. September
11, Ron Carter and Golden Striker Trio at Walker West
Music Academy
. September
11, Michael O'Brien Trio at The Nicollet
. September
12, Selby Avenue
Jazz Festival (Walter Chancellor, Salsa del Soul, Source Code)
. September
12, Peterson Family Tribute to Jeanne Arland Peterson at Vieux Carré
. September
12, Jon Pemberton's Tribute to Lee Morgan at the Black Dog
. September
13-14, Bill Carrothers Trio at Crooners Lounge
. September
15, Butch Thompson and Dean Magraw at Vieux Carré
. September
15, Tommy O'Donnell Trio at Crooners Lounge
. September
17, Patricia Barber at the Dakota
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| Patricia Barber |
. September
18, Bryan Nichols (Chicago)
Quartet at Vieux Carré
. September
18, Seru/Bates/Wozniak at The Nicollet
. September
19, Freedom Jazz Festival at Minnehaha
Falls Park
. September
19, Laura Caviani and Dave Milne, Jazz at St Barneys
. September
19, Jay Young and Lyric Factory at the Dakota
. September
19, Paul Harper's Show and Tell at the Black Dog
. September
20, Clarice Assad at the Dakota
. September
22, Chris Lomheim Trio at Crooners Lounge
. September
22-23, Lizz Wright at the Dakota
. September
24, Adam Meckler Orchestra at Vieux Carré
. September
25, Javi Santiago Sextet at Vieux Carré
. September
25, Lucia Sarmiento Quartet at The Nicollet
. September
26, Patty Peterson and Friends with Steve Cole at the Dakota
. September
26, John Penny Trio followed by CD Release "Night Together" at the
Black Dog
. September
29, Dave Graf Quartet at Crooners Lounge
. September
29, Red Planet at Vieux Carré
. October
4, Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra at the Dakota
. October
6, Butch Thompson at Crooners Lounge
. October
8, Jazz in the Target Atrium (Orchestra Hall), Atrium Jazz Ensemble with
Wessell Anderson
. October
13, Phil Hey Quartet at Crooners Lounge
. October
16, JT Bates Organ Trio at Vieux Carré
. October
16, Yolande Bruce Group at Walker
West Music
Academy
. October
20, Laura Caviani Trio with Bob Bowman and Todd Straight at Crooners
. October
25, Benny Green Trio at the Dakota
. October
27, Jane Monheit at the Dakota
. November
13, Eric Gravatt and Source Code at Walker
West Music
Academy
. November
16, Regina
Carter's Southern Comfort at the Dakota
. November
19, Jazz in the Target Atrium (Orchestra Hall), Atrium Jazz Ensemble
. November
22-23, Karrin Allyson at the Dakota
. December
2, Diane Schuur at the Dakota
. December
14-15, New York Voices Holiday show at the Dakota
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| Ron Carter - At Walker West Music Academy on September 11
* Photos by Andrea Canter except Nicole Mitchell and Kamasi Washington (from artist websites)
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