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| The Atlantis Quartet returns to the Artists Quarter this weekend |
© Andrea Canter
As we
settle in to cooler weather and earlier sunsets, the music scene continues to
keep us warm and alert. Old friends, new residents, popular visitors and more
are on the schedule this week.
Hot Gigs This Week
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| Vinnie Rose |
Friday, November 30. The Loring Park
edition of Café Maude has not been in business long but has already established
itself as a music venue with serious intent. Tonight, one of the hottest young
musicians in town, guitarist Vincent Rose,
takes the band stand with his trio—bassist Jeremy Boettcher and drummer Adrian
Suarez. Yes, the same Jeremy Boettcher who went on the road with Delfeayo
Marsalis earlier this fall.
Friday/Saturday,
November 30-December 1. About six years ago, a quartet of young hipsters shook the local jazz
community with their edgy compositions and commitment to collaborative
invention. Now, three CDs later and ready to record #4, the Atlantis Quartet will offer a preview of
new works as well as favorites at the Artists Quarter. The AQ at the AQ boasts
a crew of the area’s finest—Zacc Harris on guitar, Brandon Wozniak on sax,
Chris Bates on bass and Pete Hennig on drums. Heck. These guys would be among
the finest anywhere.
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| Phil Mattson |
Saturday, December 1. There’s a cool little jazz series
out in Plymouth
–Jazz @St. Barneys, a monthly presentation of top area artists, usually a duo
or trio performing in the Arts Center of St Barnabus Lutheran Church. But
tonight it’s a larger ensemble as the Phil
Mattson Singers make their St Barney’s debut. Phil moved to the Twin Cities
a couple years ago and brought with him his years as composer, arranger,
pianist and vocal music instructor. His Phil Mattson Singers is a vocal sextet
that performs arrangements of standards and original music under Phil’s baton
(and piano accompaniment). Young Trevor
Haining adds drums. (Note this concert starts later than usual, at 7:30 pm.) If
you can’t make this one, you have a second chance later this week- the Phil
Mattson Singers perform at the Artists Quarter on Thursday, December 6th.
Sunday, December 2. How about a little ride out to Cannon Falls?
Songbird Maud Hixson and songful pianist Rick Carlson team up for some
afternoon music in the Cannon River Winery. Can’t think of a better way to spend
a Sunday afternoon.
Monday, December 3. Dean Sorenson is always cooking up
something interesting for his U of M jazz ensembles, and tonight it’s a
centennial celebration of the great arranger, Gil Evans. Jazz Ensemble I boasts some mighty fine young musicians, including
a few who are already making names for themselves with various pro projects
around town – Joe Strachan, Noah Ophoven-Baldwin and more. This is a freebie at
Ted Mann.
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| Adam Linz |
There’s a
heavy double header tonight at the Icehouse. Leading off will be Embezzler, a trio with Paul Metzger,
Adam Linz and JT Bates. After a break, Adam and JT return with Mike Lewis for a
steamy set from Fat Kid Wednesdays.
(Bet you’ll see most of the U of M Jazz Ensemble I here after their gig!)
Tuesday, December 4. Back by popular demand, Charmin Michelle and Joel Shapira, and
friends, return to the Dakota for another “Foodie Night” filled with their
swinging takes on standards and more. Across the river, it’s “First Tuesdays”
at the Black Dog with Dean Magraw and Davu
Seru, and special guest, eclectic vocalist/songwriter Claudia Schmitt. Claudia recorded with Dean a few years ago and you
would have to look really hard to find two more compatible souls for musical
collaboration.
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| Jana Nyberg |
Wednesday, December 5. Sometimes there’s too much in one
night! Start out at the Dakota for at least the first set with the Jana Nyberg Group. They’re young but
they’re savvy, and with singer/flautest Jana at the helm, this band will swing
one moment and groove the next, with trumpeter Adam Meckler, guitarist Evan
Montgomery, bassist Matt Peterson and drummer Zach Schmidt.
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| Sue Orfield |
Later, head
across the river for a rare engagement with Sue
Orfield at the Artists Quarter. Sue lives in Eau Claire
and plays in a number of area bands after earning her stripes as a popular
blues saxophonist in the Seattle
area. Sue most recently hit town to play with the Tuesday Night Band and has
appeared in the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Now she has a new band with Eau Claire
connections—pianist Josh Gallagher, bassist Jeremy Boettcher and drummer Mike
Malone. Alternately, stay in Minneapolis
and catch a rare Wednesday night gig at Jazz Central, this one featuring Doug Haining’s Cannonball Collective.
This quintet performed on the Twin Cities Jazz Society’s Jazz From J to Z last
spring and have been chomping at the bit to do it again.
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| Maryann Sullivan |
Thursday, December 6. If you have been missing the voice of Maryann Sullivan since she left KBEM a
few weeks ago, now you can hear it again, albeit a different context. Acting on
a dare from her husband, Maryann decided to pursue a second career as a
vocalist, studying with Vicky
Mountain and Connie
Olson. And now she has a new CD which she will celebrate tonight on the Third
Floor at Dr. Chocolate’s Chocolate Chateau (the old Vintage mansion) in St. Paul. The recording
is filled with mostly under-performed songs, a few surprises, and that great
“radio voice” set to music.
More Jazz, All Week!
Can’t find
a date without some live jazz around town. For more listings, visit Jazz Police and KBEM sites. More suggestions:
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| JoAnn Funk |
Friday, November 30. JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske in the
Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Benny Weinbeck Trio at D’Amico Kitchen (Meridien
Hotel); Nachito Herrera at the Dakota; Sophia Shorai at Hell’s Kitchen
Saturday, December 1. Lucia Newell and Zacc Harris at
Eat Street Social (1-3 pm); Mill City Hot Club at Lake Harriet Brewing Co. (1-3
pm); JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); James
Buckley and Bryan Nichols, dinner set at the Icehouse; Benny Weinbeck Trio at
D’Amico Kitchen (Meridien Hotel); Twin Cities Hot Club at the Red Stag
Sunday, December 2. Patty and the Buttons, brunch at
the Aster Café; Robert Everest, brunch at Maria’s Café; Zacc Harris Trio at
Riverview Wine Bar; Charmin Michelle and the Jerry O’Hagan Orchestra at Cinema
Ballroom; Jon Pemberton Trio at the Red Stag
Monday, December 3. Headspace at the Artists Quarter;
Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Dave Graf and the Jazz
Central All Stars at Jazz Central; Robb Henry Trio at Barbette
Tuesday, December 4. Cory Wong Quartet followed by
Brandon Wozniak/Phil Aaron/Billy Peterson/Kenny Horst at the Artists Quarter;
Bill Simenson Big Band at Jazz Central; Beasley’s Big Band at O’Gara’s
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| Joel Shapira |
Wednesday, December 5. Connie Evingson and Dave Karr, Jazz in the Lounge at the Women's Club of Minneapolis; Joel Shapira at Café Maude (Penn
Av); Steve Kenny and the Bastids, early set at the Artists Quarter; Cannonball Collective (Doug Haining) at Jazz Central
Thursday, December 6. Midnight Serenaders at Wabasha Street Caves;
Maurice Jacox and Tanner Taylor at Jazz Central
Coming Soon!
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December 7-8, Manhattan
Transfer at the Dakota
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December 7, Connie Evingson at the Artists Quarter
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December 8, Babatunde Lea Quartet at Studio Z
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December 8, Magraw/Wozniak/Peterson/Horst at the Artists Quarter
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December 9, PipJazz Sundays Holiday Showcase at Landmark Center
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December 10, Atlantis Quartet at the Icehouse
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December 12-13, John Pizzarelli at the Dakota
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December 14-15, Reid Anderson CANCELED due to SPCO lockout (to be rescheduled)
.
December 14-15, Laura Caviani Holiday Show at the Artists Quarter
.
December 18, Haining/Agster Explosion at Jazz Central
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December 21-22, A Hot Christmas (Lee Engele, Joan Griffith, Reynold Philipsek,
Gary Schulte), Bloomington
Center for the Arts Black
Box Theater
.
December 26, Moore
by Four at the Dakota
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December 27-29, Bad Plus at the Dakota
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December 28-29, Pat Mallinger at the Artists Quarter
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December 29, Peterson Family Holiday Concert at Hopkins Center
for the Arts
.
December 31, Carole Martin, Pat Mallinger and Friends, NY Eve Party at the
Artists Quarter
.
January 4, Koplant No at the Icehouse (11 pm)
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January 12, Vicky Mountain,“Voice of Van Heusen” at the Black Box
Theater, Bloomington
.
January 15, Latin Jazz All-Stars (Steve Turre, Pete Escovedeo) at the Dakota
.
January 18, Dorothy Doring CD Release at the Artists Quarter
.
January 20, Sing the Truth (Dianne Reeves, Angelique Kidjo, Lizz Wright) at the
Mpls Convention Center
.
January 22, Jose Feliciano at the Dakota
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January 27-28, Dave Holland Quintet at the Dakota
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February 12-13, Stacey Kent at the Dakota
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February 22, Bill Frisell at Macalester (Janet Wallace Auditorium)
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March 9, McCoy Tyner Quartet at the Hopkins
Center for the Arts
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March 9, Randy Brecker with the JazzMN Orchestra at the Hopkins
High School Performing Arts Center
.
April 1, Bela Fleck and Chick Corea at the Dakota
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April 6, John Zorn 60th Birthday at Walker Art Center
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April 15-18, Doc Severinsen Big Band at the Dakota
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April 26, Craig Taborn at Walker
Art Center
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| The Manhattan Transfer returns to the Dakota, December 7-8 |
