Looks like some fine fall weather and some very fine fall jazz coming our way, from our local stars to visiting masters and former residents. We also can enjoy one jazz season finale and another season opener.
Big Gigs This Week
Friday, September 30. it's the wrap-up of the third All Originals Jazz season at Studio Z, with Davu Seru leading his No Territory Band with Noah Ophoven Baldwin on trumpet, Tyler Cessor on tenor sax, Cole Pulice on baritone, and Levi Schwartzberg on vibes. Quo Vadis opens the evening with the intriguing instrumentation of Gary Schulte on violin, Steve Kimmel on keys and vibes, and Greg Byers on cello and bass. Speaking of strings, Zacc Harris (guitar) and James Buckley (bass) preside over the dinner sets at the Icehouse.
In Bloomington, hear crooner and character Arne Fogel with Mary Louise Knutson and Matt Peterson at Parma 8200; Maryann Sullivan and Corner Jazz perform at Bistro La Roux in Circle Pines, and at Jazz Central, the Masters Series welcomes former Minnesota Orchestra timpanist Peter Kogan and his Masterful Wonderband.
Friday-Saturday, September 30-October 1. At the Chanhassan Dinner Theater, Andrew Walesch brings his “100 Years of Sinatra" big band show to the Dinner Theater.
Saturday, October 1. Our local big band gem, the JazzMN Orchestra led by Doug Snapp, opens their new season in style— at the Ordway in St Paul with trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard, along with our own songbird Connie Evingson. Blanchard was last in town with his new E-Collective ("e" for “electronic") at the Dakota, two years ago.
Down the street, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog kicks off with young guitar talent Julian Manzara and his quartet, followed by drummer Rodney Ruckus and his Fotet, his second show in three days featuring visiting saxophonist Lito Hernandez along with Abebi Stafford on piano and veteran Ron Evaniuk on bass.
In Plymouth, Jazz at St Barneys- at the St Barnabas Church—brings in a very special show with Joan Griffith, Laura Caviani, Dave Schmalenberger and Prudence Johnson. They're playing some of the music that Joan and Laura set to poems of Edna St Vincent Millay—here selections with nature themes, as well as some Sambanova favorites. It's also the opening of Joan's first show of her travel and wildlife photography in the adjacent art gallery. In the category of “special events," check out the Cabaret Fest sponsored by the Twin Cities Cabaret Artists Networkat the Phoenix Theater in Minneapolis, a great opportunity to hear some of the finest singers and cabaret artists in the metro area.
Jazz Alley (Maryann Sullivan, Katia Cardenas and Sarah M. Greer) continues its weekly brunch gig at Golden's Deli in St. Paul; Benny Weinbeck and his Trio hold their weekly gathering at Parma 8200; accordionist Patrick Harison goes solo at the Icehouse, Pigs' Eye Jass Band brings some traditional sounds to the Eagles Club, and Peter Kogan's Monsterful Wonderband returns, appearing Saturday on Late Night at the Dakota. Sunday, October 2. Another opportunity to enjoy the voice of Prudence Johnson as she joins host Dan Chouinard for the Birthday Club in the Dunsmore Room.
Monday, October 3. Crooners Lounge hosts the monthly jam with the Acme Jazz Company, while drummer Adam Nussbaum takes the Spotlight at Jazz Central.
Tuesday, October 4. There's a special pairing in the Dunsmore Room tonight, bringing together old friends Laura Caviani on piano and Claudia Schmidt on vocals for some exciting and jazzy duets.
First Tuesday at the Black Dog features dueling guitar and drums with Dean Magraw and Eric Gravatt. At Vieux Carré, the Paul Renz Trio follows solo piano sets from Chris Lomheim, and the Bill Simonsen Orchestra fills Big Band Night at Jazz Central.
Wednesday, October 5. Surely one of the most eagerly anticipated ensembles this year, the Kenny Barron Trio checks in for one night, 2 sets at the Dakota. One of the true working legends of jazz piano, Barron will have long-time partners Kiyoshi Kitagawa on bass and Lee Pearson on drums. At Jazz Central, renowned bassist Anthony Coxbrings a fire-cracker quartet to his monthly Continuum series, with Brandon Wozniak (sax), Peter Schimke (piano) and Rodney Ruckus (drums).
Pianist, vocalist and songwriter Linda Petersonopens the night at Vieux Carré; Debbie Duncan sings in tribute to Billie Holiday in the Dunsmore Room; and Connie Evingson meets up with Dave Karr, Robb Henry and Matt Senjem in the lounge of the Minneapolis Woman's Club— sounds like hot club tunes will likely be on that songlist.
Thursday, October 6. Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie marks the first of several “homecoming" gigs for bassist and former resident Brian Courage, currently touring the Midwest from his home in New York. At Reverie, he joins forces with another former resident, guitarist Luke Polipnick, along with Brandon Wozniak on saxophones and Pete James Johnson on drums. (See gigs listed for next week.)
Also closing the week, Travis Andersonteams up with Connie Evingson for some jazz piano/vocal duets at the Dakota; Dean Magraw and Davu Seru make an exciting and entertaining pair at Khyber Pass.
Big Gigs This Week
Friday, September 30. it's the wrap-up of the third All Originals Jazz season at Studio Z, with Davu Seru leading his No Territory Band with Noah Ophoven Baldwin on trumpet, Tyler Cessor on tenor sax, Cole Pulice on baritone, and Levi Schwartzberg on vibes. Quo Vadis opens the evening with the intriguing instrumentation of Gary Schulte on violin, Steve Kimmel on keys and vibes, and Greg Byers on cello and bass. Speaking of strings, Zacc Harris (guitar) and James Buckley (bass) preside over the dinner sets at the Icehouse.
In Bloomington, hear crooner and character Arne Fogel with Mary Louise Knutson and Matt Peterson at Parma 8200; Maryann Sullivan and Corner Jazz perform at Bistro La Roux in Circle Pines, and at Jazz Central, the Masters Series welcomes former Minnesota Orchestra timpanist Peter Kogan and his Masterful Wonderband.
Friday-Saturday, September 30-October 1. At the Chanhassan Dinner Theater, Andrew Walesch brings his “100 Years of Sinatra" big band show to the Dinner Theater.
Saturday, October 1. Our local big band gem, the JazzMN Orchestra led by Doug Snapp, opens their new season in style— at the Ordway in St Paul with trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard, along with our own songbird Connie Evingson. Blanchard was last in town with his new E-Collective ("e" for “electronic") at the Dakota, two years ago.
Down the street, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog kicks off with young guitar talent Julian Manzara and his quartet, followed by drummer Rodney Ruckus and his Fotet, his second show in three days featuring visiting saxophonist Lito Hernandez along with Abebi Stafford on piano and veteran Ron Evaniuk on bass.
In Plymouth, Jazz at St Barneys- at the St Barnabas Church—brings in a very special show with Joan Griffith, Laura Caviani, Dave Schmalenberger and Prudence Johnson. They're playing some of the music that Joan and Laura set to poems of Edna St Vincent Millay—here selections with nature themes, as well as some Sambanova favorites. It's also the opening of Joan's first show of her travel and wildlife photography in the adjacent art gallery. In the category of “special events," check out the Cabaret Fest sponsored by the Twin Cities Cabaret Artists Networkat the Phoenix Theater in Minneapolis, a great opportunity to hear some of the finest singers and cabaret artists in the metro area.
Jazz Alley (Maryann Sullivan, Katia Cardenas and Sarah M. Greer) continues its weekly brunch gig at Golden's Deli in St. Paul; Benny Weinbeck and his Trio hold their weekly gathering at Parma 8200; accordionist Patrick Harison goes solo at the Icehouse, Pigs' Eye Jass Band brings some traditional sounds to the Eagles Club, and Peter Kogan's Monsterful Wonderband returns, appearing Saturday on Late Night at the Dakota. Sunday, October 2. Another opportunity to enjoy the voice of Prudence Johnson as she joins host Dan Chouinard for the Birthday Club in the Dunsmore Room.
Monday, October 3. Crooners Lounge hosts the monthly jam with the Acme Jazz Company, while drummer Adam Nussbaum takes the Spotlight at Jazz Central.
Tuesday, October 4. There's a special pairing in the Dunsmore Room tonight, bringing together old friends Laura Caviani on piano and Claudia Schmidt on vocals for some exciting and jazzy duets.
First Tuesday at the Black Dog features dueling guitar and drums with Dean Magraw and Eric Gravatt. At Vieux Carré, the Paul Renz Trio follows solo piano sets from Chris Lomheim, and the Bill Simonsen Orchestra fills Big Band Night at Jazz Central.
Wednesday, October 5. Surely one of the most eagerly anticipated ensembles this year, the Kenny Barron Trio checks in for one night, 2 sets at the Dakota. One of the true working legends of jazz piano, Barron will have long-time partners Kiyoshi Kitagawa on bass and Lee Pearson on drums. At Jazz Central, renowned bassist Anthony Coxbrings a fire-cracker quartet to his monthly Continuum series, with Brandon Wozniak (sax), Peter Schimke (piano) and Rodney Ruckus (drums).
Pianist, vocalist and songwriter Linda Petersonopens the night at Vieux Carré; Debbie Duncan sings in tribute to Billie Holiday in the Dunsmore Room; and Connie Evingson meets up with Dave Karr, Robb Henry and Matt Senjem in the lounge of the Minneapolis Woman's Club— sounds like hot club tunes will likely be on that songlist.
Thursday, October 6. Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie marks the first of several “homecoming" gigs for bassist and former resident Brian Courage, currently touring the Midwest from his home in New York. At Reverie, he joins forces with another former resident, guitarist Luke Polipnick, along with Brandon Wozniak on saxophones and Pete James Johnson on drums. (See gigs listed for next week.)
Also closing the week, Travis Andersonteams up with Connie Evingson for some jazz piano/vocal duets at the Dakota; Dean Magraw and Davu Seru make an exciting and entertaining pair at Khyber Pass.
