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Nakatani returns to MN -- At the Icehouse on September 25 |
© Andrea Canter
September
promises to be one of the hottest jazz months of the year in the Twin Cities,
with visits from Eliane Elias, Mike Stern, John Raymond, the Yellow Jackets,
Curtis Stiegers, Jay Clayton, Evan Christopher, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at
Lincoln Center Orchestra, the Bad Plus with Bill Frisell and more, as well as
performances from local and regional artists including Red Planet with Bill
Carrothers, cellist Tomeka Reid, Arne Fogel and Maud Hixson reprising the
Crosby-Clooney Story, the Twin Cities Cabaret Artists Network's Cabaret Fest,
the return of Snowblind, Bottomless Pit... and bottomless talents at a growing
list of venues presenting jazz.
Big Gigs This Month
Friday, September 1. Grab your grits and beignets,
pianist/vocalist Henry Butler brings
his Jambalya Band to the Dakota. Notes All About Jazz, Butler
is "arguably the greatest living proponent of the classic New Orleans piano
tradition...."
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Joan Hutton |
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Dave King |
At the
Dakota, it's half of Moore By Four as Ginger
Commodore and Dennis Spears go voice to voice. They've always been an
elegant (and fun) duo.
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Steven Hobert |
Wednesday, September
6. Steven Hobert is on the bandstand at
Jazz Central with his own quartet-- Pete Whitman, Yohannes Tona, Arthur "LA" Buckner. At the
Minneapolis Woman's Club, first Wednesdays features Connie Evingson's "Jazz in the Lounge," tonight featuring
the revered vocalist with a TBA band, usually that includes saxophonist Dave Karr.
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Davu Seru |
Friday, September 8. The Master's series at Jazz Central
features a septet led by saxmen Joe Mayo
and Dave Brattain, and featuring trumpeter Geoff Senn. At Crooners Lounge, three of the best voices in the region--Bruce Henry, Debbie Duncan and Gwen Matthews.

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Snowblind |
At the
Aster, enjoy bassist/vocalist Kate Lynch
and Her Most Excellent Fellows for an evening of swinging fun.
Sunday, September 10. Dan Chouinard returns with The Birthday Club in the Dunsmore Room, with guest vocalist Yolande Bruce.
Sunday, September 10. Dan Chouinard returns with The Birthday Club in the Dunsmore Room, with guest vocalist Yolande Bruce.
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Charmin Michelle and Sam Miltich |
At the Icehouse, JT's
Jazz Implosion presents two bands: Ted Godbout's Janus Ensemble featuring Ted on keys, Mitch
Van Laar (tpt), Joe Mayo (sax), Cierra Hill (violin), Greg Byers (cello), and Andres
Crovetti (perc); followed by Bronco Brothers featuring Anthony Cox (bass &
cello), Jeremy Ylvisaker (guitars), Martin Dosh (keyboards, electronics &
drums), & JT Bates (drums).
Monday-Saturday, September 11-16. Jam sessions are generally held weekly on Monday nights at Jazz Central, but for this week from Monday-Saturday, Javi Santiago hosts jams every night after the featured performer. In part this is a week-long celebration of Javi's birthday (9/17) as well as a one-week version of what goes on in New York every week.
Monday-Saturday, September 11-16. Jam sessions are generally held weekly on Monday nights at Jazz Central, but for this week from Monday-Saturday, Javi Santiago hosts jams every night after the featured performer. In part this is a week-long celebration of Javi's birthday (9/17) as well as a one-week version of what goes on in New York every week.
Tuesday, September 12. After their successful CD release
last spring, Red Planet and Bill
Carrothers (Dean Magraw, Chris Bates, Jay Epstein) return to the Dunsmore
Room for a few more exhilarating orbits. Over at Vieux Carre', Chris Lomheim opens solo piano followed by JT Bates' Grain Trio, featuring Kevin Gastonguay on B-3.
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Mike Stern |
Wednesday, September 13. Chris Bates brings a new ensemble together for some new music at Jazz Central--the Dreamers Quartet featuring Abebi Stafford on piano, Tyler Anderson on sax, Miguel Hurtado on drums and Chris himself on bass.
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John Raymond |
Vocal Jazz Night at Jazz Central feature a new trio-- SongSister--featuring three veteran vocalists--Vicky Mountain, Dorothy Doring and Connie Dussl.
Friday, September 15. Jazz is back at The Lexington, and tonight it's Peter Schimke and his trio which usually features Chris Bates and Kenny Horst. Chef Jack Riebel is making his own music in the kitchen! Javi Santiago caps off a week of jams with prime time music with his quartet featuring rapper Proper-T and drummer Arthur LA Buckner at Jazz Central.
Saturday, September 16. Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog features the heavyweights of Bottomless Pit (Joel Shapira, Pete Whitman, Tom Lewis, Eric Gravatt) and an intriguing opening set from a group dubbed "Conversation with Paul Motian"-- Steve Hirsch on drums, Babatunde Lea on congas, and Matt Trice on saxophones. Dinner sets at the Icehouse feature Bryan Nichols and James Buckley.
Sunday, September 17. A new edition of Jazz at the Jungle, Connie Evingson is "Together Again" with old friends Sanford Moore and Dave Karr, revisiting favorites of their early albums with two shows at the Jungle Theater.
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Tom Ashworth |
At the Icehouse, Jazz Implosion again features two bands, starting out with JC Sanford's Triocracy with Brandon Wozniak and Bruce Thornton, followed by Andrew Broder and Dave King.
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Curtis Stigers |
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Douglas Ewart |
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Matthew Stevens |
Wednesday, September
20. Considered
a pioneer in jazz vocal innovation, Jay
Clayton makes a rare appearance in the Twin Cities, in the Dunsmore Room
with local favorite Phil Aaron manning the keys. Jay will be mining the gems of the "Harry Warren Songbook." Reserve early as this show
will likely fill up with area vocalists.
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Tomeka Reid |
In the "it's about time" department, local bassist Ted Olsen holds his first CD release party at the Icehouse for his debut recording, Joy Fire, featuring Aaron Hedenstrom, Javi Santiago and Miguel Hurtado.
Thursday, September 21. Dennis Spears reunites with the Wolverines Trio in the Dunsmore Room, while Benny Weinbeck and Gordy Johnson provide the sonics in the Williamsburg Room at The Lexington.
Vieux Carre' welcomes the Juli Wood Quartet, based in Chicago and recently on stage at the Black Dog. A singing
saxophonist in the tradition of Cleanhead Vinson, Eddie Harris and Louis
Jordan, Juli recently recorded an album of Finnish folksongs (Synkkä Metsä), honoring the heritage of
her grandparents.
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Jay Epstein (Framework) |
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Peter Kogan |
Pianist Bryan Nichols is a frequent duo partner at the Icehouse on weekends but tonight, he pairs up with Dave Graf--not too many piano-trombone duos out there, and this one has to be among the best! A rare treat!
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Mary Louise Knutson |
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Below Zero |
September 23-24. The second annual Cabaret Fest sponsored by the Twin Cities Cabaret Artists Network will take place this weekend at Bryant Lake Bowl, with workshops during the day and cabaret performances each evening.
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Wynton Marsalis |
At the Dakota, it's a British Invasion as GoGo Penguin comes to Minneapolis. Notes their press release, "Although they're predominately an acoustic jazz trio, GoGo Penguin’s music draws from many areas of contemporary electronic music, one where you can hear arcade game bleeps, glitchy breakbeats, hypnotic Aphex-style melodies, grinding bass lines and a rumbling low-end. It has been described as 'acoustic electronica,' a term which perfectly sums up their modus operandi."
With some New Orleans style heat this weekend, it's a perfect time for the NOLA sounds of clarinetist Evan Christopher, who will enage listeners in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge.
Monday, September 25. "Is That All There Is" (Music of Peggy Lee)
is presented at The Guthrie by local headliners The New Standards, along with
renowned vocalists Catherine Russell and Nellie McKay.
JT's Jazz Implosion at the Icehouse presents a Twin Cities favorite among fans of avant percussion, as Tatsuya Nakatani returns for a solo set followed by an interactive sound circus with Nathan Hanson, Noah Ophoven Baldwin and Chris Bates. Nakatani brings life to all sorts of percussion objects, from gongs to bowls and bows.
Tuesday, September 26. Maryann Sullivan led a swinging ensemble dubbed Corner Jazz for a number of years, and recently transformed the band into Maryann and the Moneymakers, still swinging. She launches a monthly Tuesday gig at Vieux Carre' tonight.
At Jazz Central, Big Band Night belongs to the Aaron Hedenstrom Orchestra. The saxophonist/composer is an award-winning writer and arranger in both combo and big band contexts.
Wednesday, September 27. It's the monthly installment of John Keston and Cody McKinney's Sound Simulacra at Jazz Central. Special guests from Chicago tonight--saxophonist Greg Ward and guitarist Phil Schurger.
Thursday, September 28. Plenty of fun will greet the Jazz Central audience for Vocal Jazz Night as Mari Harris and Bruce Henry join forces with pianist Kavyesh Kaviraj. At Khyber Pass in St Paul, multi-instrumentalist Milo Fine joins forces with bassist Sam Wildenauer and saxophonist Emerson Aagard.
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Tatsuya Nakatani |
Tuesday, September 26. Maryann Sullivan led a swinging ensemble dubbed Corner Jazz for a number of years, and recently transformed the band into Maryann and the Moneymakers, still swinging. She launches a monthly Tuesday gig at Vieux Carre' tonight.
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Aaron Hedenstrom |
Wednesday, September 27. It's the monthly installment of John Keston and Cody McKinney's Sound Simulacra at Jazz Central. Special guests from Chicago tonight--saxophonist Greg Ward and guitarist Phil Schurger.
Thursday, September 28. Plenty of fun will greet the Jazz Central audience for Vocal Jazz Night as Mari Harris and Bruce Henry join forces with pianist Kavyesh Kaviraj. At Khyber Pass in St Paul, multi-instrumentalist Milo Fine joins forces with bassist Sam Wildenauer and saxophonist Emerson Aagard.
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Mari Harris |
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The Bad Plus |
At Jazz Central, the Masters series welcomes the Brian Handleland Quartet, with Park Evans, Graydon Peterson and Cory Healey. The quartet is followed by an ensemble of high-energy high school jazzers led by Eli Zukor-Zimmerman. (Steve Kenny's Illicit Jazz Workshop takes over Friday nights at Jazz Central starting next Friday.)
Crooners Lounge welcomes back a crowd favorite, vocalist Debbie Duncan. It's party time when Debbie hits the stage!
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Tefsa Wondemagegnehu |
A new feature at Jazz Central-- Leigh Kamman Classic Originals--launches tonight with the Larry McDonough Trio performing a set of the music of Tony Bennett and Bill Evans. Brad Bellows presents audio interviews by Leigh Kamman with Bennett and Evans. McDonough and company then play a second set of Larry's originals.
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JC Sanford |
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Kathy Jensen |
More Jazz!
See the Live jazz calendar posted on the KBEM website, and see more about jazz
events at jazzpolice.com --online and on facebook. The Lead Sheet is posted
new every month and updated weekly, usually on Fridays.
Coming Soon!
. September 22, Framework at Studio Z (All
Originals)
. September 22, Bryan Nichols and Dave Graf at the Icehouse
. September 22, Bryan Nichols and Dave Graf at the Icehouse
. September 22, Peter Kogan Quintet at Jazz
Central
. September 22, Paul Renz Quartet at Vieux Carre'
. September 22, Paul Renz Quartet at Vieux Carre'
. September 22-23, Mary Louise Knutson Trio in
the Williamsburg Room, The Lexington
. September 23, Below Zero/Central Standard Time at the Black
Dog
. September 23, David Roos at the Icehouse
. September 23, Maud Hixson and Rick Carlson, Jazz @ St Barneys (St Barnabas Church)
. September 23, David Roos at the Icehouse
. September 23, Maud Hixson and Rick Carlson, Jazz @ St Barneys (St Barnabas Church)
. September 23, Patty Peterson and Friends at Crooners Lounge
. September 23-24, Twin Cities Cabaret Artists
Network Cabaret Fest at Bryant
Lake Bowl
. September 24, GoGo Penguin at the
Dakota
. September 24, TLA (Hagedorn, Clement, Hanson) at Imminent Brewing (Northfield)
. September 24, TLA (Hagedorn, Clement, Hanson) at Imminent Brewing (Northfield)
. September 24, Evan Christopher in the
Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. September 24, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz
at Lincoln Center Orchestra at Orchestra Hall
. September 25, "Is That All There
Is" (Music of Peggy Lee), New Standards, Catherine Russell and Nellie
McKay at the Guthrie
. September 25, Doug Haining at Jazz Central
. September 25, Doug Haining at Jazz Central
. September 25, Javetta and Jearlyn Steele in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. September 26, Maryann and the Moneymakers at Vieux Carre'
. September 26, Aaron Hedenstrom Orchestra at Jazz Central
. September 26, Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra at Crooners Lounge
. September 26, Maryann and the Moneymakers at Vieux Carre'
. September 26, Aaron Hedenstrom Orchestra at Jazz Central
. September 26, Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra at Crooners Lounge
. September 28, Mary Louise Knutson Trio in
the Williamsburg Room, The Lexington
. September 28, Mari Harris & Bruce Henry at Jazz Central
. September 28, Charmin & Shapria at the Black Dog
. September 28, Mari Harris & Bruce Henry at Jazz Central
. September 28, Charmin & Shapria at the Black Dog
. September 29, The Bad Plus + Bill Frisell,
McGuire Theater at Walker
Art Center
. September 29, Jazz Alley (celebrates Ella) at the Black Dog
. September 29-30, Peter Schimke Trio in the Williamsburg Room at the Lexington
. September 30, "Sinatra and American Art Song" in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. September 30, Leigh Kamman Legacy Project and Larry McDonough Trio, "Tony Bennett, Bill Evans and Leigh Kamman" at Jazz Central
. September 30, JC Sanford Quartet at the Black Dog
. September 29-30, Peter Schimke Trio in the Williamsburg Room at the Lexington
. September 30, "Sinatra and American Art Song" in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. September 30, Leigh Kamman Legacy Project and Larry McDonough Trio, "Tony Bennett, Bill Evans and Leigh Kamman" at Jazz Central
. September 30, JC Sanford Quartet at the Black Dog
. September 30-Oct 1, "Bacharach…All Saxed Up"
(Cookie Coleman and Patty Peterson with Kathy Jensen), Legends at the Capri
Theater
. September 30, Trio 280/JC Sanford Quartet at the Black Dog
. October 1, Dan Chouinard's Birthday Club with Jennifer Grimm in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. October 2, Tony Malaby, Anthony Cox and JT Bates at the Icehouse
. October 2, Acme Jazz Company with Arne Fogel at Crooners Lounge
. October 3, Bill Simenson Orchestra at Jazz Central
. October 1, Dan Chouinard's Birthday Club with Jennifer Grimm in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. October 2, Tony Malaby, Anthony Cox and JT Bates at the Icehouse
. October 2, Acme Jazz Company with Arne Fogel at Crooners Lounge
. October 3, Bill Simenson Orchestra at Jazz Central
. October 3, Bill Carrothers and Pat Mallinger in the
Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. October 3, Larry McDonough CD Release at the Dakota
. October 3, Chris Lomheim Trio at Vieux Carre'
. October 4, Dave King Trio in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. October 4, Katia Cardenas and Friends at Vieux Carre'
. October 3, Larry McDonough CD Release at the Dakota
. October 3, Chris Lomheim Trio at Vieux Carre'
. October 4, Dave King Trio in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. October 4, Katia Cardenas and Friends at Vieux Carre'
. October 4-5, Savion Glover and Marcus
Gilmore at the Dakota
. October 5, Marimba Nova at the Black Dog
. October 5, Sarah M. Greer at Jazz Central
. October 5, Marimba Nova at the Black Dog
. October 5, Sarah M. Greer at Jazz Central
. October 6, Jazz Women All Stars at the
Dakota
. October 6, Le Percheron, Illicit Jazz Workshop at Jazz Central
. October 6, Bryan Nichols Quintet in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. October 6, Le Percheron, Illicit Jazz Workshop at Jazz Central
. October 6, Bryan Nichols Quintet in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. October 6, Lila Ammons at the Black Dog
. October 6-7, Melody Mendis "Barbra" at Cabaret Theater at Camp Bar
. October 7, Jax Ravel Gang/Ahmed and the Creators, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog
. October 7, Nachito Herrera at the Dakota
. October 8, Katie Thiroux Trio in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. October 6-7, Melody Mendis "Barbra" at Cabaret Theater at Camp Bar
. October 7, Jax Ravel Gang/Ahmed and the Creators, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog
. October 7, Nachito Herrera at the Dakota
. October 8, Katie Thiroux Trio in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. October 9-10, Connie Evingson and Jon Weber, The Ella Songbooks in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. October 10-11, Chick Corea Sextet with Steve Gadd at the Dakota
. October 11, Gypsy Mania at Crooners Lounge
. October 13, Jazz in the Target Atrium, "Drum and Trumpet" with John Raymond and Kevin Washington (Minnesota Orchestra Hall)
. October 13, Davu Seru No Territory Band at Jazz Central
. October 10-11, Chick Corea Sextet with Steve Gadd at the Dakota
. October 11, Gypsy Mania at Crooners Lounge
. October 13, Jazz in the Target Atrium, "Drum and Trumpet" with John Raymond and Kevin Washington (Minnesota Orchestra Hall)
. October 13, Davu Seru No Territory Band at Jazz Central
. October 14, Laura Caviani Trio with Karrin
Allyson, saluting Thelonious Monk, at Hopkins Center
for the Arts
. October 14, Firebell/Sophia Shorai Trio at the Black Dog
. October 14, Firebell/Sophia Shorai Trio at the Black Dog
. October 15, Joey Alexander at the Dakota
. October 15, John Raymond in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. October 15, John Raymond in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. October 16, Erin
Bode at the Dakota
. October 16, Sam Miltich and Friends at Crooners Lounge
. October 18, Debbie Duncan and Margaret Cox at Crooners Lounge
. October 16, Sam Miltich and Friends at Crooners Lounge
. October 18, Debbie Duncan and Margaret Cox at Crooners Lounge
. October 19, Wycliffe Gordon in the Dunsmore
Room at Crooners Lounge
. October 19, Arturo Sandoval at the Dakota
. October 20, Mindy Abair at the Dakota
. October 20, Chris Graham Quartet at Jazz Central
. October 20, Phil Hey Quartet in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. October 20, Chris Graham Quartet at Jazz Central
. October 20, Phil Hey Quartet in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. October 20, JazzMN Orchestra with Wycliff
Gordon at Ordway
. October 21, Atlantis Quartet/Steve Kenny Trio at the Black Dog
. October 21, Atlantis Quartet/Steve Kenny Trio at the Black Dog
. October 26-27, Ramsey Lewis Quartet at the
Dakota
. October 28, Pat Moriarty-Ellen Lease Quintet/Nathan Hanson Trio at the Black Dog
. October 28, Pat Moriarty-Ellen Lease Quintet/Nathan Hanson Trio at the Black Dog
. October 28-29, David Sanborn at the Dakota
. November 3. Django Festival All-Stars with
Dorado Schmitt at the Dakota
. November 5, Lizz Wright at the Dakota
. November 5, Lizz Wright at the Dakota
. November 8, Ann Hampton Callaway at the
Dakota
. November 10, Maud Hixson, Rick Carlson and
the Wolverines Big Band at Schneider Theater, Bloomington
. November 11-12, Patty Peterson
"Memories: The Music of Barbra Streisand" at Chanhassan Dinner
Theater
. November 12, Catherine Russell at the
Dakota
. November 15, Kandace Springs at the Dakota
. November 25, Pat Mallinger Quartet at Vieux
Carre'
. December 1-2, Earl Klugh at the Dakota
. December 3-4, Brad Mehldau Trio at the
Dakota
. December 6, Joey DeFrancesco at the Dakota
. December 20-23, The Bad Plus at the Dakota
(last tour with Ethan Iverson)