The Lead Sheet: Twin Cities Live Jazz, March 31-April 6

Atlantis Quartet at the Black Dog on April 1 © Andrea Canter

© Andrea Canter

Finally it seems we're into spring mode, just in time for April and some outstanding options in jazz for the coming week, from local stars the Atlantis Quartet to visiting upstart Greg Ward to such seasoned internationally renowned performers as Freddy Cole and Stacy Kent. Add in a three-show debut of Arne Fogel's revue of the great songwriting teams of Hollywood and Broadway and a night of jazz and art in the Northeast arts corridor and you have a diverse array of options.

Big Gigs This Week

Graydon Peterson

Friday, March 31.  The GP4+1 returns to Jazz Central-- that's the Graydon Peterson Quartet led by bassist Graydon, with Adam Meckler on trumpet, Joe Strachan on piano and Adrian Suarez on drums--plus guest Andrew Gillespie in the first set, providing additional percussion on some Cuba-inspired tunes.

Patty Peterson

At Crooners Lounge, Patty Peterson returns from a couple weeks of engagements in the LA area with sister Linda. Her "And Friends" ensemble--nephew Jason Peterson DeLaire, brother Paul Peterson, and Jay Young-- adds Andrew Walesch on vocals and piano.

Lila Ammons

More jazz tonight as Debbie Duncan sings at View Carre' (following opening piano set from Jeremy Walker); Zacc Harris and James Buckley cover the dinner hours at the Icehouse; Lila Ammons performs in the new Hennepin Steam Room (formerly Tangiers).

Arne Fogel

Friday-Sunday, March 31-April 2. The latest Arne Fogel production, "Team Work-- The Great Songwriting Teams of Broadway and Hollywood" features Fogel on stage with  frequent co-star Maud Hixson and  guest Jennifer Eckes, at the Blackbox Theater in Bloomington.

Brandon Wozniak, Atlantis Qt

Saturday, April 1. Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog features one of the most lauded ensembles in the metro, the Atlantis Quartet -- that's Zacc Harris, Brandon Wozniak, Chris Bates and Pete Hennig. It's also Brandon's Birthday so expect some April fooling. The opening band, Common Space, is filled with River Falls connections,led by drummer Alex Burgess, with Justin Wolff on sax, Dylan Nelson on bass and Eric Graham on keys.

Tim Sparks

At the Icehouse, Tim Sparks plays solo guitar; the Benny Weinbeck Trio handles the lounge at Parma 8200; and Maryann Sullivan's Corner Jazz swings at Tin Fish at Braemer in Edina.

Jazz Bridge Project

Sunday, April 2. The Black Dog features a jazz brunch with the Jazz Bridge Project. This ensemble features a mostly veteran line-up -- Father and son Roger (guitar) and Rajiah (flute) Johnson, Javi Santiago on piano, Ron Evaniuk on bass, and Eric Gravatt on drums. Have some cool post bop with your eggs!

Zacc Harris

 Dan Chouinard's Birthday Club welcomes a new month and area vocalist Thomasina Petrus, known for her portrayal of Lady Day.  Patty and the Buttons celebrate brunch at the Aster Cafe, Doug Little's Charanga Tropical holds its monthly gig at the Icehouse;  Cole Malum heads the B-3 Organ Jam at Jazz Central, and the Zacc Harris Trio performs in its weekly slot at the Riverview Wine Bar.

Pat O'Keefe

Monday, April 3. This month, the weekly JT's Jazz Implosion at the Icehouse is celebrating the music of the late Steven Reich, starting out tonight with a visit from Chicago-based saxophonist Greg Ward and his quintet. The night opens with "Clapping Music" from Cody McKinney and Pete Hennig, and the final set features clarinetist,saxophonist Pat O'Keefe performing Reich's "New York Counterpoint."

At Crooners Lounge, the Acme Jazz Company with Arne Fogel returns for their monthly party; keyboardist Daniel Williams (Ticket to Brasil, Bossa Soul) takes the spotlight at Jazz Central.

Freddy Cole

Tuesday, April 4. It's First Tuesday at the Black Dog, with  Dean Magraw and Davu Seru on stage for some blues and fun as they celebrate the 104th birthday of Muddy Waters. At the Dakota, the always marvelous Freddy Cole returns on piano and vocals -- he's well into his 80s now but Freddy hasn't lost a note, I heard him last fall in Detroit, as charming as ever.

Rio Nido

RIO NIDO POSTPONED! Prudence has laryngitis! Rescheduled May 9. But Tom and Tim play duo in the lounge tonight. A good generation younger, the popular long-running Twin Cities ensemble, Rio Nido, makes their debut in the Dunsmore Room-- that's Tom Lieberman, Tim Sparks and Prudence Johnson who recently reunited and are recapturing their heyday gigs and new material, too.

Big Band night at Jazz Central brings in the Bill Simenson Orchestra, featuring music from their recent debut recording. It's a great amalgam of top Twin Cities artists squeezed into the "stage" space in our local answer to New York basement clubs. Another veteran big band-- Beasley's Big Band is back in the Shamrock Room at O'Gara's.  And at Vieux Carre', Zacc Harris presents some guitar magic for early evening listeners.

Rodney Ruckus

Wednesday, April 5. Wednesday night is always a night for new music at Jazz Central, this week featuring a newly formed quartet of improvisers and composers-- Steven Hobert, Matt Peterson, Rodney Ruckus and vocalist Sarah M Greer.  At Hell's Kitchen, swing with the monthly installment of the Wolverines Trio with vocalist Judi Vinar, while Paul Harper's Show and Tell Band takes the stage at the Hennepin Steam Room.

Stacey Kent

Wednesday-Thursday, April 5-6. Connie Evinsgon holds her monthly gig in the Lounge at the Minneapolis Woman's Club, and another great voice, Stacey Kent, returns to the Dakota for two nights, along with life and music partner, saxophonist Jim Tomlinson.

Jax Ravel

Thursday, April 6.  A double header (9 and 10:30 pm) at Reverie features the Jax Revel Gang (with Javi Santiago and Blake Hubel), and the Alden Ikeda Group, an "out there" ensemble with Scott Newell on saxes and Steve Gnitka on guitar, with leader Ikeda on drums.

Dakota Combo

A special night for art and music lovers in the Northeast (Mpls) arts district: First Thursday open studio night at Casket Arts Building celebrates Jazz and Art with art from tenants and guests, jazz from the Dakota Combo with Adam Linz, and Larry McDonough with Carol Bergquist, the Gastrotruck and more. (Andrea will have a display her of jazz photos in Studio 116.)

Vicky Mountain

Jay Young and the Lyric Factory are in Crooners Lounge, celebrating the music of Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder; Joel Shapira kicks off the night solo at Vieux Carre'; Vicky Mountain sings at Jazz Central; Maud Hixson joins Dave Singley at Ingredients Cafe'; the Kronick Quintet is in the Mudd Room at Lucky 13.

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. Tune into the live edition of The Lead Sheet on KBEM 88.5 fm every Thursday at 4:40 pm, rebroadcast on Fridays at 8:20 am. Andrea's guest on April 6 will be Steve Heckler in his role as Executive Director of the JazzMN Orchestra, talking about the upcoming concert conducted by Maria Schneider (April 8).

Coming Soon!

. April 7, Bob Parsons Quartet at Jazz Central

. April 7, Jon Pemberton/Jay Young and the Lyric Factory at Vieux Carre'

. April 8, JazzMN Orchestra with Maria Schneider, Hopkins High School Auditorium

. April 8, Corner Jazz/Steve Kenny Quartet, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog

. April 8, Kate Lynch and her Most Excellent Fellows at Vieux Carre'
. April 8, Kronick Quintet at Public Kitchen 
. April 9, A Weaving of Traditions (Bobb Fantauzzo, Lyzz Jakolaa) at the Minnesota History Center

. April 9, John Pizzarelli at the Dakota

. April 10, Lila Ammons at Crooners Lounge (Happy Hour)

. April 10, Reich Fest, JT's Jazz Implosion at the Icehouse

. April 11, Larry Fuller Trio in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge

. April 11, Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra at Minnesota Music Cafe'

. April 11, Cedar Ave Big Band at Jazz Central

. April 11, Chris Lomheim/JT Bates Grain Trio at Vieux Carre'

. April 11, Chris Olson Project with Laura Caviani at the Black Dog
. April 12, Lila Ammons at Crooners Lounge (Happy Hour)

. April 12, Patrick Harison/Dean Magraw & Butch Thompson at Vieux Carre'

. April 12, Dennis Spears Birthday Cabaret in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge

. April 13, Davu Seru No Territory Band, Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie

. April 13, Charmin & Shapira & Friends at Vieux Carre'

. April 13, Maurice Jacox at Crooners Lounge

. April 14, Debbie Duncan at Crooners Lounge

. April 14, Fall of the House of Usher at Jazz Central

. April 14-15, Fred Hersch Trio, University of Iowa Hancher Auditorium (Iowa City)

. April 15, Aaron Hedenstrom Trio/Peter Kogan's Monsterful Wonderband, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog

. April 15, Pippi Ardennia and Women of Jazz at House of Payne

. April 16, Fuzzy Math at the Black Dog

. April 17, Cherry Spoon Collective at the Black Dog

. April 18, Explosion Big Band at Jazz Central

. April 18-19, Red Planet with Bill Carrothers, CD release in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge

. April 20, Lizz Wright (Tribute to Prince) at the Dakota

. April 20, Fermentation/Damman-Seru-Bates, Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie

. April 21-22, Eau Claire Jazz Festival with Doc Severinsen, Carl Allen

. April 22, Gypsy Mania, Jazz @ St Barneys (St Barnabas Lutheran Church)
. April 22, Erin Schwab "Judy? You Bette" (Judy Garland and Bette Midler Classics) at the Capri

. April 22, Abebi Stafford Trio/Chris Bates Red 5, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog

. April 23, Sheila Jordan in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge

. April 23, Soul Cafe' at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church

. April 24, John Raymond New Standards Quartet in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. April 24,  3rd Annual Tru2life (L'hayim) Music Benefit concert supporting the Chai-light Chorus & Mishkan MSP with Maud Hixson at Beth El Synagogue

. April 24-25, SF Jazz Collective, Tribute to Miles Davis at the Dakota

. April 25, Bill Frisell Quartet at Hopkins Center for the Arts

. April 25, Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra at Jazz Central

. April 25-26, Connie Evingson with Jon Weber in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge

. April 26, Leigh Kamman's Jazz Image Through the Decades (Eddie Berger) at the Black Dog

. April 27, Michael O'Brien Quartet, Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie

. April 28, Jazz in the Target Atrium, "When Duke Met Coltrane" at Orchestra Hall

. April 28, Dave Singley CD release at Studio Z

. April 28-29, Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience at Chanhassan Dinner Theater

. April 29, Bill Charlap Trio at the Dakota

. April 29, Brian Handeland Quartet/Bottomless Pit, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog

. May 3, Regina Carter at the Dakota

. May 4-5, Randy Brecker/Peterson Brothers at Crooners Lounge

. May 6, Travis Anderson Trio, Jazz @ St Barneys (St Barnabas Lutheran Church)

. May 7, Dakota Combo Spring Concert at Studio Z
. May 9, Rio Nido in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge (postponed from April 4)

. May 11 +14, Keiko Matsui at the Dakota

. May 12, Steve Coleman's Five Elements, Walker Art Center

. May 15, Karrin Allyson at the Dakota

. May 18, Kristin Lee Sargent with Ted Nash and Jeremy Walker at Vieux Carre'

. May 31. Chris Potter "Dreamer is the Dream" Quartet at the Dakota

. June 5, Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra at the Dakota

. June 22-24, Twin Cities Jazz Festival (McCoy Tyner, Terence Blanchard, Anat Cohen, Bobby Lyle)

. June 23-24, Dorado Schmitt and Django All Stars at the Dakota

. June 30-July 2, Donny McCaslin, Stacy Kent, The Cookers, Laura Caviani, John Raymond, Dakota Combo and more, Iowa City Jazz Festival 

. July 26-27, Pharoah Sanders at the Dakota

. August 8, Cyrille Aimee at the Dakota

. August 16, Ben Sidran at the Dakota

Larry Fuller Trio (Dunsmore Room, April 11)

The Lead Sheet: Twin Cities Live Jazz, March 24-30

Tall Tales at Studio Z, Jazz Fest on March 25

 © Andrea Canter

 

The calendar says Spring so it must be true. And I know summer is coming  because Steve Heckler has announced the Twin Cities Jazz Fest headliners with McCoy Tyner, Terence Blanchard, Anat Cohen and Bobby Lyle. But there's another jazz fest coming this Saturday with three great area bands and another visiting ensemble (Drobka-Weller Duo). The rest of the week is filled with sonic excitement from former Minnesotan Stefan Kac's tuba to the contemporary jazz genius of David Sanborn to the inventions of George Cartwright and his Smashing Carp cohorts.

Big Gigs This Week

Wozniak, Adkins, and Peterson x 2

Friday, March 24. It's a rare Friday night double-header at the Black Dog, starting out with a quartet of young lions and mature tigers-- Brandon Wozniak, Patrick Adkins, Graydon Peterson and Luke Peterson play originals by the young upstarts, Patrick and Luke, both still engaged in college studies. They're followed by Cedric Fuller and Global Sound, led by drummer Fuller and featuring Ernest Bisong on violin, Steven Hobert on keys, Tomas Simpson on guitar, Kenneth Garnier on bass and Caitlynn Daniels on vocals.

Alex Burgess

At Jazz Central, two bands with ties to River Falls are on stage, first the young guns of the Mitch Rand Quartet, followed by Common Space, led by drummer Alex Burgess, with Eric Graham on keys, Dylan Nelson on bass and Justin Wolff on saxes.

Have some hard bop with your hops! Jesse Simon's Minnesota Hard Bop Collective (with Aaron Hedenstrom, Matt Peterson and Mike Wolter) cover Coltrane (including most of Giant Steps) at Boom Island Brewery.

Kneebody

Piano magician Rick Carlson plays Ellington with the Southside Aces at Vieux Carre'; Sophia Shorai is on stage at Hell's Kitchen; Jake Hanson and James Buckley offer string theories over the dinner hours at the Icehouse; and at the Cedar, it's a collaboration between the edgy urban sounds of the ensemble Kneebody and remix artist Daedelus to yield Kneedelus-- that's bound to be a wild evening. 

Andrew Walesch Big Band

Friday-Saturday, March 24-25. At the Chanhassan Dinner Theater, pianist/vocalist Andrew Walesch and his big band reprise their Frank Sinatra blowout.

Dorothy Doring

Saturday, March 25. For some jazzy music in the afternoon, can't go wrong with vocalist Dorothy Doring at the Eagan Community Center. It's a cabaret show of Roaring 20’s songs in the Oasis Room, and for a good cause-- a Scholarship Fundraiser for Alpha Delta Kappa, teaching sorority.

Zacc Harris

Jazz meets jazz in Lowertown St Paul! The annual Jazz at Studio Z Festival brings together four monster ensembles, three of whom are also on the roster of curator Zacc Harris' Shifting Paradigm Records label. Start at 5 pm with Tall Tales, Dean Granros' double guitar quartet with Zacc Harris, Chris Bates and Jay Epstein. Next up, the Adam Meckler Quintet featuring Meckler on trumpet, Shilad Sen on sax, Zacc Harris on guitar, Graydon Peterson on bass and Greg Schutte on drums. No doubt they will reprise some of the music from their debut recording, Wander, as well as new material.

Devin Drobka

The second half of the fest line-up gets pretty percussive: JT Bates and Dave King come together as Raging Bulls, locking "horns" figuratively as they turn drumsets into weapons of mass deconstruction. That should set the stage for the final set featuring the Drobka-Weller Duo, Devin Drobka (drums) from Milwaukee and Chris Weller (trumpet) from Chicago. Their duo release Blues Town comes out on Shifting Paradigms in April.

Dean Granros

It's the 134th straight week of Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog, kicking off with the veteran guitar duo of Joel Shapira and Dean Granros, followed by a fluid band of young masters led by Rodney Ruckus, who is celebrating the finale of his 25th birthday tour which took him to the West Coast. His band will include Adam Meckler on trumpet and New York-based saxophonist Jonathan Greenstein, among others.  

Rodney Ruckus

More for Saturday - Tim Sparks and James Buckley offer string jazz at the Icehouse; the Benny Weinbeck Trio presides at Parma 8200;

Katia Cardenas

Sunday, March 26.  Judi Vinar joins Dan Chouinard for the Birthday Club in the Dunsmore Room, and my Lead Sheet guest from last week, vocalist Katia Cardenas, celebrates her birthday at the Icehouse. Her band expands to include not only a tight rhythm section (Ted Godbout, Graydon Peterson and Zach Schmidt) but also 2 savvy back-up singers, Andrina Brogden and Sheridan Zuther.

Evening gigs include the Zacc Harris Trio at Riverview Wine Bar and Parisota Hot Club at the Aster Cafe'.

Stefan Kac

Monday, March 27. At the Icehouse, JT's Jazz Implosion brings back former Minnesotan, tuba master Stefan Kac and his LA-based trio Evil Genius--tuba, guitar and drums. Kac was one of the area's younger proponents of new music when he was frequent performer at the Icehouse, and no doubt his time in LA has percolated some new sounds on that big horn.

Also Monday, Mark Ashe heads a B-3 organ trio at Jazz Central.

David Sanborn

Monday-Tuesday, March 27-28. One of the most popular contemporary jazz artists, David Sanborn, starts a two-night stand at The Dakota. He's often associated with the "smooth jazz" scene but really has some impressive mainstream chops which will likely be on full display here.

Tuesday, March 28. Get funky with the BZ3 Organ Trio at Crooners, featuring Brian Ziemniak on B3, along with Troy Norton on guitar and Kevin Washington on drums.

George Cartwright

Perhaps the most inventive gig of the week, George Cartwright's Smashing Carp Volume 2 is on stage at the Black Dog, with Cartwright, Michelle Kinney, Heather Barringer, Andrew Broder and Noah Ophoven-Baldwin performing "Still Drips."

Madeleine Peyroux

More: Hot vocalists Madeleine Peyrox and Ricki Lee Jones share the stage at the Ames Center (Burnsville); the Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra is featured at Jazz Central; Chris Lomheim brings solo piano to Vieux Carre'.

Vanessa Trouble

Wednesday, March 29. Winona native, New York-based vocalist Vanessa Trouble returns to the Dunsmore Room, in the company of old friend, trumpeter Charlie Caranicus.

Steven Hobert

Steven Hobert holds a solo piano night at Jazz Central, honoring the traditions of oppressed peoples and featuring the music of Mingus, Coltrane, Stevie Wonder, and Steven's originals.

Jeremy Walker

At Vieux Carre', it's another night with Jeremy Walker's Songtet, with the pianist's long standing trio-mates Jeff Brueske on bass and Tim Zhorne on drums, and vocalist Jason Harms.

Clay Pufahl (Colossus)

Thursday, March 30. Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie features the band Colossus - Park Evans on guitar, Chris Bates on bass, Joey VanPhillips on drums, and spotlighting saxophonist Clay Pufahl. 

At the LeSueur Public Library, Maud Hixson and Rick Carlson reprise the music from her 2016 release, Listening for Your Song, the music referenced in the popular "Betsy-Tacy" series of books by Maud Hart Lovelace.

Dorothy Doring sings in the new Mudd Room of Lucky's 13 Pub in Mendota; Joel Shapira plays an early set at Hell's Kitchen; and Six Families is "on stage" later in the evening at Khyber Pass.

Adam Linz

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. Tune into the live edition of The Lead Sheet on KBEM 88.5 fm every Thursday at 4:40 pm, rebroadcast on Fridays at 8:20 am. Andrea's guest on March 30 will be Adam Linz and members of the Dakota Combo, discussing their gig at the Casket Arts Building's First Thursday even on April 6.

Coming Soon!

. March 31, Patty Peterson with Andrew Walesch at Crooners Lounge

. March 31-April 2, Arne Fogel, Maud Hixson and Jennifer Eckes, "Great Songwriting Teams of Broadway and Hollywood at the Bloomington Black Box Theater

. April 1, Common Space/Atlantis Quartet, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog
. April 1, Corner Jazz at Tin Fish Braemer

. April 3, Greg Ward Quintet at the Icehouse 

. April 3, Acme Jazz Company with Arne Fogel at Crooners Lounge

. April 4, Beasley's Big Band in the Shamrock Room at O'Gara's

. April 4, Bill Simenson Orchestra at Jazz Central

. April 4, Freddy Cole at the Dakota

. April 4, Rio Nido in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge

. April 5-6, Stacy Kent at the Dakota

. April 6, First Thursday Open Studio "Jazz It Up" with AdamLinz/Dakota Combo and Larry McDonough/Carol Bergquist at Casket Arts Building

. April 6, Jax Revel Gang/Alden Ikeda Group, Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie

. April 6, Jay Young and the Lyric Factory at Crooners Lounge
. April 6, Vicky Mountain at Jazz Central

. April 8, JazzMN Orchestra with Maria Schneider, Hopkins High School Auditorium

. April 8, Corner Jazz/Steve Kenny Quartet, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog

. April 9, John Pizzarelli at the Dakota

. April 11, Larry Fuller Trio in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge

. April 11, Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra at Minnesota Music Cafe'

. April 11, Cedar Ave Big Band at Jazz Central

. April 13, Davu Seru No Territory Band, Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie

. April 14-15, Fred Hersch Trio, University of Iowa Hancher Auditorium (Iowa City)

. April 15, Aaron Hedenstrom Trio/Peter Kogan's Monsterful Wonderband, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog

. April 18, Explosion Big Band at Jazz Central

. April 18-19, Red Planet with Bill Carrothers, CD release in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge

. April 20, Lizz Wright (Tribute to Prince) at the Dakota

. April 20, Fermentation/Damman-Seru-Bates, Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie

. April 21-22, Eau Claire Jazz Festival with Doc Severinsen, Carl Allen

. April 22, Gypsy Mania, Jazz @ St Barneys (St Barnabas Lutheran Church)

. April 22, Abebi Stafford Trio/Chris Bates Red 5, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog

. April 23, Sheila Jordan in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge

. April 23, Soul Cafe' at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church

. April 24, John Raymond New Standards Quartet in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge

. April 24-25, SF Jazz Collective, Tribute to Miles Davis at the Dakota

. April 25, Bill Frisell Quartet at Hopkins Center for the Arts

. April 25, Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra at Jazz Central

. April 25-26, Connie Evingson with Jon Weber in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge

. April 27, Michael O'Brien Quartet, Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie

. April 28, Jazz in the Target Atrium, "When Duke Met Coltrane" at Orchestra Hall

. April 28-29, Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience at Chanhassan Dinner Theater

. April 29, Bill Charlap Trio at the Dakota

. April 29, Brian Handeland Quartet/Bottomless Pit, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog

. May 3, Regina Carter at the Dakota

. May 4-5, Randy Brecker/Peterson Brothers at Crooners Lounge

. May 6, Travis Anderson Trio, Jazz @ St Barneys (St Barnabas Lutheran Church)

. May 11 & 14, Keiko Matsui at the Dakota

. May 12, Steve Coleman's Five Elements, Walker Art Center

. May 15, Karrin Allyson at the Dakota

. May 18, Kristin Lee Sargent with Ted Nash and Jeremy Walker at Vieux Carre'

. May 31. Chris Potter Underground Quartet at the Dakota

. June 5, Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra at the Dakota

. June 22-24, Twin Cities Jazz Festival (McCoy Tyner, Terence Blanchard, Anat Cohen, Bobby Lyle)

. June 23-24, Dorado Schmitt and Django All Stars at the Dakota

. June 30-July 2, Donny McCaslin, Stacy Kent, The Cookers, Laura Caviani, John Raymond, Dakota Combo and more, Iowa City Jazz Festival 

. July 26-27, Pharoah Sanders at the Dakota

. August 8, Cyrille Aimee at the Dakota

. August 16, Ben Sidran at the Dakota

 

Freddy Cole -- At the Dakota on April 4

The Lead Sheet: Twin Cities Live Jazz, March 17-23

Emmet Cohen, in the Twin Cities March 19-21 © Andrea Canter

© Andrea Canter

Happy Almost Spring!  We have some young and local rising star performers this weekend, as well as a Twin Cities debut visit from one of the nation's rising stars of jazz piano. Throughout the week, veterans of the local scene shine on stages across the metro.

Big Gigs This Week

Nick Syman

Friday, March 17.  It's St. Patrick's Day and the luck of the Irish extends to jazz. Trombonist Nick Syman, a frequent soloist with the Adam Meckler Orchestra and other area big bands, as well as educator in Hudson, WI,  brings a quartet of still-young lions to Jazz Central, with Ted Godbout on piano, Ted Olsen on bass and Andres Crovetti on drums.

Cameron Kinghorn, KBHS

Vieux Carre' offers an enjoyable culture clash with the energy of New Orleans in the heart of St Paul 's Irish celebration. Jeremy Walker opens on piano, followed by the King Baron Hot Several --some of the area's hottest jazz and soul talents coming together with a sound that is part Second Line, part trad, and a part that only KBHS can define. Hear Cameron Kinghorn on trumpet and vocals, Nelson Devereaux on reeds, Keith Hilson on trombone, Evan Clark on tuba and Lars-Erik Larson on drums--all top area jazzers, along with vocalist  Abbie Mills.

Members of the Kronick Quintet

Saxophonist and vocalist Jason Weisman is on stage at Hell's Kitchen with his band, Jason and the Q; Jake Hanson and James Buckley offer string duo madness at the Icehouse; and the Kronick Quintet outshines any green beer at the Public Kitchen.

Paul Schrage*

Saturday, March 18. A special Saturday night show at Jazz Central features San Francisco-based, internationally performing pianist and conductor Paul Schrage, in town and on the band stand with bassist Graydon Peterson and drummer Mac Santiago. Their setlist roams from Chopin to Smashing Pumpkins.

Nick Adams, Liquid Vinyl

Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog features the almost-monthly JazzINK Youth Showcase, this time with the debut of a student-led septet dubbed Liquid Vinyl, featuring high school artists from across the metro. I've been impressed with their leader, drummer Nick Adams from Totino Grace High School -- he's got the beat and, just a 10th grader,  is already taking charge as a bandleader. The headline show features the Aaron Hedenstrom Quintet, led by University of North Texas and Eau Claire graduate Aaron on saxes, along with local strongmen Bryan Nichols, Chris Bates, Miguel Hurtado and, second set only, Zacc Harris.

Zacc Harris

Zacc will earn his keep tonight as he starts out the evening with his American Reverie Trio (with Matt Peterson and Lars-Erik Larson) at the Roots Cellar of the University Baptist Church!

Judi Vinar

In another church setting, vocalist Judi Vinar spreads swing and joy on the Jazz at St Barneys concert series at St Barnabas in Plymouth, with co-conspirator, swinging pianist Lori Dokken.

Maud Hixson

More for Saturday-- young piano star Joe Strachan joins James Buckley at the Icehouse;  Maurice Jacox channels Nat King Cole at the Normandy Kitchen; the Benny Weinbeck Trio takes over the lounge at Parma 8200; Maud Hixson Trio with Rick Carlson and Keith Boyles shine in the NOLA spirit of Bistro LaRoux.

Emmet Cohen

Sunday, March 19.  It's the start of three days with much lauded, young New York-based pianist Emmet Cohen, in town with his trio (Russell Hall on bass, Joe Saylor on drums). Cohen is burning a jazz piano path across the country as he tours in support of the first volume of his Masters Legacy Series, volume one saluting (and including) the great Jimmy Cobb. Cohen won the Phillips Piano Competition, American jazz Pianist Competition, and was a finalist for the Cole Porter Fellowship and the Monk International Piano Competition (2011).

Brian Lynch

Sunday night the trio joins acclaimed trumpeter Brian Lynch in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge. Lynch has been on a steadily rising trajectory since his early days with Art Blakey and Horace Silver, more recently in such company as Phil Woods and Paquito D'Rivera as well as fronting his own projects. The trio then moves on to Jazz Central (see below).

Things swing all day at the Aster Cafe, starting with brunch featuring Patty and the Buttons, and ending the day with the Mississippi Hot Club.

Anthony Cox

Monday, March 20. It's JT's Jazz Implosion at the Icehouse, with Chicago drummer Paul Grill up first, followed by the Regional Jazz Trio--Anthony Cox (bass and cello), Mike Lewis (saxes), and JT Bates himself on drums. Erin Schwab and Jay Fuchs entertain in Crooners Lounge. Over at the Black Dog, the edgy Cherry Spoon Collective holds its monthly open rehearsal with the likes of improvisers like Davu Seru, Nick Gaudette, Pat O'Keefe and more.

Monday-Tuesday, March 20-21. The Emmet Cohen Trio will be warmed up after their Sunday night with Brian Lynch. Late afternoon Monday, Cohen holds a B-3 organ Clinic at Jazz Central, followed by two nights of trio magic on the Jazz Central stage. Two sets each night and JC is even taking reservations for this one!

Steven Hobert

Tuesday, March 21. KBEM's Restaurant Tour makes its way to Vieux Carre', with early evening entertainment provided by pianist Steven Hobert and bassist Steve Pikal. Double Steves, double fun. At the Ames Center, Shaun Johnson's Big Band Experience shares the bill with Tonic Sol-fa.

Leigh Kamman

Wednesday, March 22. Still miss Leigh Kamman's Jazz Image? Me too. But monthly at the Black Dog, you can enjoy some of the old segments and other interviews, thanks to the Leigh Kamman Legacy Project archives. Tonight's the night.

Dean Magraw

The marvelous cross-genre duo of pianist Butch Thompson and guitarist Dean Magraw returns to Vieux Carre', following an opening set from stellar accordionist Patrick Harison.

LOTT

At Jazz Central, the monthly sound seance "Sound/Simulacra" brings together improvising musicians to "recreate, distort and create the hyerreal" as per leaders John Keston and Cody McKinney. Tonight's special guest is violinist Leah Ottman, aka LOTT.

Debbie Duncan

And at Crooners Lounge, Debbie Duncan joins sister vocalist Margaret Cox (Prince) for a night of song and... with Debbie, it will be more than song!

Peter Kogan

Thursday, March 23.  He retired as principal timpanist for the Minnesota Orchestra, but that just means that Peter Kogan has more time for jazz, including tonight's gig at Vieux Carre'. His quintet typically includes Phil Aaron on piano and Pete Whitman on saxophone. Come early for some artful jazz guitar from Joel Shapira.

Adam Linz

At Khyber Pass, it's a special Curators Quartet with the talents of the rotating cast of curators--Kevin Cosgrove (percussive drone), Noah Ophoven-Baldwin (trumpet), Adam Linz (bass) and Paul Metzger (guitar).

Peter Schimke

The always dazzling pianist Peter Schimke heads a trio on the Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie series, joined by Chris Bates and Cory Healey.

At the Dakota, the Los Angeles-based Paris Chansons presents modern songs, traditional jazz standards, and classics in Russian, Italian and other languages.

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. Tune into the live edition of The Lead Sheet on KBEM 88.5 fm every Thursday at 4:40 pm, rebroadcast on Fridays at 8:20 am. Andrea's guest on March 23 will be Zacc Harris, with news of the upcoming Jazz at Studio Z Spring Festival (March 25).

Coming Soon!

. March 25, Jazz at Studio Z 2017 Festival

. March 25, Shapira-Granros Duo/Rodney Ruckus Birthday Tour Finale with Jonathan Greenstein, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog
. March 25, Dorothy Doring, Cabaret Show of Roaring 20s Songs at Oasis Room, Eagan Community Center
. March 26, Katia Cardenas Birthday Bash at the Icehouse

. March 27, Evil Genius (Stefan Kac) at the Icehouse

. March 27-28, David Sanborn at the Dakota

. March 28, Madeleine Peyroux and Rickie Lee Jones, Ames Center

. March 29, Vanessa Trouble in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge

. March 30, Colossus, Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie

. March 31, Patty Peterson with Andrew Walesch at Crooners Lounge
. March 31-April 2, Arne Fogel, Maud Hixson and Jennifer Eckes, "Great Songwriting Teams of Broadway and Hollywood at the Bloomington Black Box Theater

. April 1, Common Space/Atlantis Quartet, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog

. April 3, Greg Ward Quintet at the Icehouse 
. April 3, Acme Jazz Company with Arne Fogel at Crooners Lounge

. April 4, Beasley's Big Band in the Shamrock Room at O'Gara's
. April 4, Bill Simenson Orchestra at Jazz Central

. April 4, Freddy Cole at the Dakota

. April 5-6, Stacy Kent at the Dakota

. April 6, First Thursday Open Studio "Jazz It Up" with AdamLinz/Dakota Combo and Larry McDonough/Carol Bergquist at Casket Arts Building

. April 6, Jax Revel Gang/Alden Ikeda Group, Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie

. April 8, JazzMN Orchestra with Maria Schneider, Hopkins High School Auditorium

. April 8, Corner Jazz/Steve Kenny Quartet, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog

. April 9, John Pizzarelli at the Dakota

. April 11, Larry Fuller Trio in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. April 11, Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra at Minnesota Music Cafe'
. April 11, Cedar Ave Big Band at Jazz Central

. April 13, Davu Seru No Territory Band, Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie
. April 14-15, Fred Hersch Trio, University of Iowa Hancher Auditorium (Iowa City)

. April 15, Aaron Hedenstrom Trio/Peter Kogan's Monsterful Wonderband, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog
. April 18, Explosion Big Band at Jazz Central

. April 18-19, Red Planet with Bill Carrothers, CD release in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge

. April 20, Lizz Wright (Tribute to Prince) at the Dakota

. April 20, Fermentation/Damman-Seru-Bates, Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie
. April 21-22, Eau Claire Jazz Festival with Doc Severinsen, Carl Allen

. April 22, Gypsy Mania, Jazz @ St Barneys (St Barnabas Lutheran Church)

. April 22, Abebi Stafford Trio/Chris Bates Red 5, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog

. April 23, Sheila Jordan in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge
. April 23, Soul Cafe' at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church

. April 24-25, SF Jazz Collective, Tribute to Miles Davis at the Dakota

. April 25, Bill Frisell Quartet at Hopkins Center for the Arts
. April 25, Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra at Jazz Central

. April 25-26, Connie Evingson with Jon Weber in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge

. April 27, Michael O'Brien Quartet, Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie

. April 28, Jazz in the Target Atrium, "When Duke Met Coltrane" at Orchestra Hall
. April 28029, Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience at Chanhassan Dinner Theater

. April 29, Bill Charlap Trio at the Dakota

. April 29, Brian Handeland Quartet/Bottomless Pit, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog

. May 3, Regina Carter at the Dakota

. May 4-5, Randy Brecker/Peterson Brothers at Crooners Lounge

. May 6, Travis Anderson Trio, Jazz @ St Barneys (St Barnabas Lutheran Church)

. May 11 & 14, Keiko Matsui at the Dakota

. May 12, Steve Coleman Five Elements, Walker Art Center

. May 15, Karrin Allyson at the Dakota

. May 18, Kristin Lee Sargent with Ted Nash and Jeremy Walker at Vieux Carre'

. June 5, Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra at the Dakota

. June 22-24, Twin Cities Jazz Festival

. June 23-24, Dorado Schmitt and Django All Stars at the Dakota

. June 30-July 2, Donny McCaslin, Stacy Kent, The Cookers, Laura Caviani, John Raymond, Dakota Combo and more, Iowa City Jazz Festival 

. July 26-27, Pharoah Sanders at the Dakota

. August 8, Cyrille Aimee at the Dakota

. August 16, Ben Sidran at the Dakota

David Sanborn Band (with Ricky Peterson), at the Dakota March 27-28