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| Anthony Cox |
© Andrea Canter
Local
heavyweights provide all the jazz muscle we need in the coming week. From
post-bop experimenters to the music of Bill Evans to hard-core swing, these
“dog days of August” mean plenty of cool cats!
Highlights This Week
August 10-11. It’s been a while since
internationally acclaimed bassist Anthony Cox led his own bad at a
major local venue. This weekend, he brings his Anthony Cox Group to the Artists
Quarter. Despite his local address, Anthony’s resume includes stints with Stan
Getz, Joe Lovano, Steve Lacy, John Scofield and Dewey Redman; he’s worked more
recently with Debbie Duncan, Chris Lomheim, Phil Hey, Jay Epstein and more. And
when you read the resume of other local bassists, you will often find “studied
with Anthony Cox” among their credentials.
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| Dave King |
August 11. The Dave
King Trucking Company has played most of the major venues in the Twin Cities, from the
Artists Quarter to Studio Z, as well as some other hot spots on the East Coast
and in Europe. So it seemed inevitable that
they would one day take the stage in prime time at the Dakota. That night has
arrived. The Bad Plus drummer selected his cohorts wisely—Brandon Wozniak on
saxophones, Erik Fratzke on guitar, Adam Linz on bass, with additional reed
work from New York-based Chris Speed when the band tours. The debut recording
for DKTC, Good Old Light, landed on many “best of 2011” lists. Almost
as iconic as the music is King’s commentary between compositions.
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| Richard Johnson |
The
Icehouse continues to offer piano-centric jazz on weekends. Tonight, pianist Richard
Johnson continues his monthly series of gigs at a variety of area
venues. Johnson is sort of based on the East Coast but has been spending most
of his time in the Twin Cities lately. Dazzling, swinging and as energetic as
anyone out there, Johnson might remind you a bit of Marcus Roberts and Cyrus
Chestnut. And those are good memories to have!
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| Pippi Ardennia |
August 12. Pippi
Ardennia had a
vision of presenting the best jazz in a family-friendly setting, of bringing
virtuosic soloists into the spotlight, and
promoting the talents of area youth in the context of a professional
and. Not just any pros, either. In addition to Pippi herself—and she has one of
most powerful and versatile voices you will here, the PipJazz Band includes
Peter Schimke on piano, Billy Peterson on bass, Glenn Swanson and drums, and
new additions, Lincoln Berry on keyboards and Dean Magraw on guitar. Special
guest this week (Sunday at Landmark Center) is the incomparable Yolande Bruce (Moore By
Four); youth guest is trumpeter Jake Baldwin, a grad of Minnetonka High School
now entering his senior year at the New England Conservatory of Music. Concerts
start at 5 pm, so it’s late enough to allow you to complete your weekend chores
and early enough to fit into family “work night” schedules.
Esteemed arts photographer Ann Marsden passed away last month. On Sunday afternoon (2:30 pm), her friends will gather to honor her memory at the Fitzgerald Theater. Vocalist Prudence Johnson and pianist Laura Caviani will be among those paying musical tribute to Ann.
Esteemed arts photographer Ann Marsden passed away last month. On Sunday afternoon (2:30 pm), her friends will gather to honor her memory at the Fitzgerald Theater. Vocalist Prudence Johnson and pianist Laura Caviani will be among those paying musical tribute to Ann.
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| Dave Hagedorn |
August 13. The jazz event of the year in 2010
was the opening of Jazz Central Studios in Northeast
Minneapolis. Under the management of Tanner Taylor and Mac
Santiago, this venue “by the cats, for the cats” continues to grow in its
audience and in the stature of the music presented in the intimate
“underground” performance space. This week, the Monday night jam series stars
vibes master Dave Hagedorn, seldom heard in a leading role. You can travel
the world, here the big names of Bobby Hutcherson, Stefon Harris, Gary Burton,
Joe Locke…. and you won’t hear a more masterful vibes artist than Dave. Be sure
to leave a donation in the drum “bucket” to help keep Jazz Central afloat. We
really need it!
In a different
but equally impressive vein, the Wolverines Big Band takes the stage
at the Old Log Theater. Led by Jendeen Forberg with a veteran horn section,
Rick Carlson on piano and Maud Hixson on vocals, it’s always a special event
when the full Wolverines band is knocking off the charts, from Basie to
Ellington and anything inbetween.
August 14.
It’s a busy month for the Atlantis Quartet. They were just at
the AQ fo a weekend and now they’re going prime time weeknight at the Dakota.
Which just means the Atlantis Quartet is hip enough to appeal to both the hard
core jazz audience of the AQ and the downtown “in crowd” at the Dakota. Maybe
that’s why City Pages dubbed them the best jazz band of 2011? The band features
Zacc Harris, Brandon Wozniak, Chris Bates and Pete Hennig. Four reasons to put
it on your calendar.
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| Jana Nyberg and Adam Meckler |
August 15. No matter which direction you head,
you will find some great ensembles with cool leading voices. Start out early
evening at the Dakota as Maud Hixson and French 75 return with a showcase of
tunes from Britain,
the Continent and compatible American songwriters. Robert Bell is usually on
guitar but tonight it’s Patrick Harrison on accordion. Perhaps making it more
French, Maud suggests. Oolala! Cap off the evening in St Paul where the Jana Nyberg Group makes its
Artists Quarter debut. Coming off their annual Door County tour and a coveted
spot in the Twin Cities Jazz Festival’s library preview series, the JNG is led,
of course, by vocalist/flautist Jana Nyberg, who covers everything from songbook
standards to 60s pop hits and grungy blues. And her band, including trumpeting
husband Adam Meckler, fits her arrangements perfectly.
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| Charmin and Shapira |
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| Chris Lomheim |
More Jazz
The Twin
Cities Live Jazz Calendar is now up and running on the Jazz Police home page (www.jazzpolice.com). Musicians and promoters
should send gig information to tc@jazzpolice.com.
Thanks to Don Berryman and Lena Kobett for taking on this tedious but important
task! Listen to KBEM and KFAI radio for updates, announcements and interviews.
More jazz this week:
Friday, August 10. The Benny Weinbeck Trio at D’Amico
Kitchen; Thomas Bruce with Phil Mattson and Steve Pikal at The Lexington; Nachito Herrera at the Dakota;
Bryan Nichols and James Buckley at the Icehouse
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| Zack Lozier |
Sunday, August 12. Mary Louise Knutson, brunch at Eat
Street Social; Connie Evingson and the Phil Aaron Quartet at the Dakota; Zacc
Harris Trio at Riverview Wine Bar; River Falls Cultural Project with Steve
Kenny at Emma’s Bar (River Falls); Charmin Michelle and the Jerry O’Hagan
Orchestra at Cinema Ballroom
Monday, August 13. Charmin Michelle and Denny
Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Headspace at the Artists Quarter; Jazz Implosion at
the Icehouse
Tuesday, August 14. Cory Wong Quartet at the Artists
Quarter (7 pm); Cedar Ave
Big Band at Jazz Central; Jack Brass Band at Driftwood CharBar
Wednesday, August 15. Charmin Michelle and Denny
Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Steve Kenny and the Bastids, Artists Quarter (7
pm); Robb Henry Trio at the Red Stag
Coming Soon!
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August
17-18, Brandon Wozniak, Adam Linz, Eric Gravatt at the Artists Quarter
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August
18, Burnsville Art and All That Jazz Festival (Nicollet Commons Park)
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August
18, Jake Baldwin Quartet at the Dakota (late night)
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August
18, Dorothy Doring at The Lexington
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August
20, Erin Bode at the Dakota
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August
24, Media Addicts CD Release at the Artists Quarter
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August
24, Nichola Miller at The Lexington
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August
24, Boot Camp (Jeremy Walker) at the Dakota (late night)
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August
25, Whitman/Schimke/Lewis/Horst at the Artists Quarter
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August
25, Lucia Newell at The Lexington
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August
30, Birthday Bash with Jeanne Arland Peterson, Irv Williams and Cliff Brunzell
at the Artists Quarter
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August
31, Arne Fogel at The Lexington
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August
31-September 1, Phil Hey Quartet at the Artists Quarter
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September
4-5, Pat Metheny Unity Band at the Dakota
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September
8, Selby Avenue
Jazz Festival
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September
9, Dakota Combo Auditions at MacPhail
Center for Music
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September
9, Ben Sidran at the Dakota
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September
11-12, Marcus Miller at the Dakota
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September
14-15, Chris Bates’ Red 5 CD Release at the Artists Quarter
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September
15, Arne Fogel, Jazz @St. Barney’s (St. Barnabas Arts Center, Plymouth)
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September
18, John Scofield Trio at the Dakota
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September
19, Delfeayo Marsalis at the Dakota
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September
26-27, Chick Corea and Gary Burton at the Dakota
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September
30, Esperanza Spalding’s Radio Society at the State Theater
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September
30, Men With Mics (Gregg Marquardt, Reeves Carey, Dan Ristrom) at the Artists
Quarter (TCJS, Jazz From J to Z)
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October
13, Connie Evingson, Jazz @St. Barney’s (St. Barnabas Arts Center, Plymouth)
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October
14-15, Cassandra Wilson
at the Dakota
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October
30-31, Maria Schneider Orchestra at the Dakota
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November
4, Spiral Visions (Milne, Hagedorn, Aaron, Lewis, Hey) at Landmark Center
(TCJS Jazz From J to Z)
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| Esperanza Spalding : Radio Music Society at the State Theater |
(All photos by Andrea Canter)
