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| Bill Frisell, free at Macalester |
© Andrea Canter
Two of the world’s premiere guitarists happen to be in the Twin Cities at the same time…. At the same price. Free. Both Mike Stern and Bill Frisell turn up on college campuses this weekend, making this perhaps the best “free” jazz weekend of the year outside of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. But it is only the tip of the iceberg – and given the forecast, perhaps I mean that literally. This weekend also features multiple gigs with Estaire Godinez, a stellar Jazz at St Barney’s, yet another original show from Arne Fogel with songbird Maud Hixson, a reunion of Patty Peterson and Steve Cole with Patty’s “Friends” at the Dakota, and the inaugural “Off the Cuff” night of improvisation at the Aster Café.
Big Gigs This Week
Friday, February 22. One of the working legends of jazz guitar, Bill Frisell will be finishing up a short residency at Macalester with a solo performance in the new concert space at Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center. Funded through the Rivendell Foundation, this rare opportunity is free, with no advance reservations. Show up early (doors open at 7:30). While Frisell has been in town on a number of occasions in recent years (including his Dakota gig with the All We Are Saying tour last summer), when was the last time you saw him solo?
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| Mike Stern |
Friday-Saturday, February 22-23. With support from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls “RADD Jazz Series”, Miles Davis alum, guitarist Mike Stern will perform two free concerts this weekend. Friday night finds him at the Falcon’s Nest at University Center for the “Jazz Club Cabaret,” showcasing Stern with a stellar ensemble of River Falls faculty-- David Milne (saxophone), Mary Louise Knutson (piano), Eric Graham (bass), and Craig Hara (drums). Come back for more on Saturday night as Stern is featured in the UWRF Jazz Ensemble Concert in Abbott Concert Hall. Stern has been in the Twin Cities a few times in the past couple years, including a guest performance with the JazzMN Orchestra and a gig at the Dakota with the Miles tribute tour last spring featuring Jimmy Cobb, Buster Williams and Sonny Fortune. And he will be back in April with John Scofield’s Hollow Body Band. But this weekend, you get a good dose of Stern –and local standouts—for free.
Once upon a time, percussionist/vocalist/composer Estaire Godinez lived in the Twin Cities. Although based now in Los Angeles, Estaire formed a volcanic band during her Minnesota days, and that’s the band she’s recorded with (twice) and the band that she’ll reunite with at two venues this weekend. At the Artists Quarter Friday and Saturday, Estaire gathers Peter Schimke, Eric Leeds, Serge Akou and Patir Janic for her special blend of Latin, pop, Afro-Cuban and jazz. In between, she leads a formidable quartet for a fund-raising gig at the Museum of Russian Art (sold out) early Saturday evening, featuring Schimke, Billy Peterson and Irv Williams. Between those two venues, we should get a good sense of the wide range of Estaire’s talents.
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| Connie Evingson |
Saturday, February 23. Four favorite vocalists perform on three area stages…. Pretty much at the same time. Tough choices must be made: The monthly Jazz @St. Barney’s series continues in Plymouth with Connie Evingson and a favorite partner, Mary Louise Knutson. Their repertoire for this casual evening will cover the full gamut of Connie’s songbook—from Peggy Lee to the Beatles, from samba to swing. In Bloomington, vocalist/ producer/impresario Arne Fogelteams with one of his favorite cohorts, Maud Hixson, for a night celebrating the songs written for and/or performed famously by Fred Astaire; and the back-up band is no back-up – the Rick Carlson Trio. And downtown, get ready for another night of jazz/R&B/pop favorites with singer/radio host Patty Petersonand Friends at the Dakota. Friends tonight include saxophonist Steve Cole, brother Ricky Peterson on B-3, nephew Jason DeLaire on keys, and frequent collaborators Billy Franze (bass) and Bobby Vandell (percussion).
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| Andrew Foreman |
Sunday, February 24. Young bassist Andrew Foreman has been seen a lot around town, with the Max Corcoran Project, Trio Bossa Nova, and more. Now Foreman assumes the role of curator to bring a monthly program of improvised music to the classy Aster Café off Main Street in the Anthony Main district, dubbed Off the Cuff. The idea is put some of the most creative musicians (across genres) together and let the music go wherever…. “off the cuff.” Two sets tonight include spoken word artist Lisa Brimmer, popular singer/songwriter Alicia Steele, drummer Zach Schmidt, guitarist Ben Abrahamson, keyboardist Garret Neal, and Foreman. Second set includes rapper Lizzon, vocalist/words artist Eric Mayson, hip-hop/jazz drummer Graham O’Brien, electronics and samples artist Big Cats, young keyboard sensation Joe Strachan, and Foreman. Sounds like a cauldron of ingredients ready to explode.
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| Joel Shapira and Charmin Michelle |
Monday, February 25. Charmin (Michelle) and (Joel)Shapira and Friends –with the percussion lion Phil Hey filling in on drums—return to the Dakota for some swinging good fun. Over at Jazz Central, saxophonist Greg Keel takes some time out from teaching to remind us all that he has great performance chops.
Tuesday, February 26. Another Tuesday night at the Artists Quarter with back-to-back guitar wizards, starting with the early show from Cory Wong and his quartet, and then moving into prime time with Dean Magraw “and Friends.” The friends for the evening will be among the best and brightest—possibilities include Billy Peterson, Phil Aaron, Kenny Horst, Brandon Wozniak, Chris Bates…. At Jazz Central, Big Band Night features the young and the restless, the Adam Meckler Orchestra. Meckler always brings some new compositions to the band, which includes a cast ready to take on whatever Adam writes.
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| Valve (Brad) and Slide (Dave) |
Wednesday, February 27. Two trombone masters collaborate as leaders of a hard boppin’ quintet. Valve (Brad Bellows) Meets Slide (Dave Graf) at the Artists Quarter for a night of boney fun. Come early and catch another bebop and beyond master of brass, trumpeter Steve Kenny and the Bastids.
Thursday, February 28. At the Dakota, an immensely talented quartet headed by vocalist Sophia Shorai takes the stage—with Bryan Nichols, Jeremy Boettcher and JT Bates. That’s a rhythm section any area vocalist would envy.
And at the Artists Quarter, it’s time for another reunion of the popular 90s ensemble, the Illicit Sextet. Their debut Chapter One is about to be surpassed by their long-awaited second recording, Chapter Eleven. Hear some previews tonight from Paul Harper, David Roos, Steve Kenny, Chris Lomheim, Tom Pieper and Nathan Norman.
More Jazz Every Night
Be sure to check live jazz calendars on Jazz Policeand KBEM sites. A few more gigs of note:
Friday, February 22. Second Annual Shirley Witherspoon Expo at the Dakota (11 am – 5 pm); Irv Williams and Peter Schimke, Happy Hour at the Dakota; Sophia Shorai with dVRG, Ben Kelly + Alex Young at the Aster Café; Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Pirates of Possibilities followed by Gnarl at the Black Dog; Nachito Herrera at the Dakota followed by the Kevin Washington Quintet (Late Night); Ticket to Brasil, Faces Mears Park; Steve Hobert and Brian Courage, dinner set at the Icehouse
Saturday, February 23. Ticket to Brasil, Loring Pasta Bar; Phil Aaron and Jeremy Boettcher, dinner set at the Icehouse; Joann Funk and Jeff Brueske at the Lobby Bar (St Paul Hotel); Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma; U of M Jazz Festival, Ensemble I with Fred Sturm at the Ted Mann Concert Hall; Twin Cities Hot Club at the Red Stag
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| Charmin Michelle and the Jerry O'Hagan Orchestra |
Sunday, February 24.Patty and the Buttons, brunch at the Aster Café; Robert Everest, brunch at Maria’s Café; Charmin Michele with the Twin City Seven, Billie Holiday show at the First Unitarian Society of Minnesota; Zacc Harris Trio at the Riverview Wine Bar; Jerry O’Hagan Orchestra with Charmin Michelle at Cinema Ballroom
Monday, February 25. JT’s Jazz Implosion at the Icehouse; Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Headspace at the Artists Quarter; The Neighborhood Trio at Barbette; Laura Caviani, From Bach to Bop, at Gustavas Adolphus (St Peter)
Tuesday, February 26.Jack Brass Band at the Amsterdam; Café Accordion at the Loring Pasta Bar;
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| Graydon Peterson |
Wednesday, February 27. John Devine at the Loring Pasta Bar; Debbie Duncan at the Dakota; Graydon Peterson Quartet at Jazz Central; Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Vital Organ at Hell’s Kitchen
Thursday, February 28. Patrick Harison at the Icehouse; Dorothy Doring and Phil Mattson at Jazz Central; Rhonda Laurie at Barbette
Coming Soon!
. March 1-2, Chris Bates’ Red Five at the Artists Quarter
. March 3, Phil Grenadier with the Dakota Combo, MacPhail Faculty at Antonello Hall (MacPhail Center for Music)
. March 8, Bobby Commodore 60th Birthday Bash at the Dakota
. March 8-9, Dave King Trio at the Artists Quarter
. March 9, McCoy Tyner Quartet at the Hopkins Center for the Arts
. March 9, Randy Brecker with the JazzMN Orchestra at the Hopkins High School Performing Arts Center
. March 9, Fat Kid Wednesdays, Jazz at Studio Z
. March 10, Bruce Henry, PipJazz Sundays at Landmark Center
. March 11, Charles Lloyd Sky Trio at the Dakota
. March 13, Chris Bates Improv at Jazz Central
. March 16, Mimi Fox at Sundin Hall (Hamline University)
. March 19, SF Jazz Collective at the Dakota
. March 21, Nate Wooley at Walker Art Center (Free Thursdays)
. March 21, Phil Mattson Singers with Richie Cole at the Artists Quarter
. March 22-23, Atlantis Quartet at the Artists Quarter
. March 24, Nova Jazz Orchestra at Studio Z
. March 29-30, Dave King Trucking Company at the Artists Quarter
. March 29-30, Dave King Trucking Company at the Artists Quarter
. April 1, Bela Fleck and Chick Corea at the Dakota
. April 2-3, Madeleine Peyroux at the Dakota
. April 4-6, Eau Claire Jazz Festival, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus and beyond
. April 5-6, Billy Holloman at the Artists Quarter
. April 5-6, Billy Holloman at the Artists Quarter
· April 6, John Zorn 60th Birthday at Walker Art Center
. April 8-9, John Scofield Hollowbody Band with Mike Stern at the Dakota
. April 12, 2 Cellos at the Dakota
. April 13, Charanga Tropicale at Studio Z
. April 13, Jeremy Walker’s Seven Psalms (world premiere) at Benson Great Hall (Bethel College)
. April 13, Arne Fogel’s “We Love Our Pianos” with Connie Evingson and Nancy Harms at Hopkins Center for the Arts
. April 14, PipJazz Sundays with Gary Schulte and Zosha Warpeha
· April 15-16, Doc Severinsen Big Band at the Dakota
. April 19-20, David Hazeltine at the Artists Quarter
. April 19-20, David Hazeltine at the Artists Quarter
. April 21, Red Planet at Landmark Center (TCJS Jazz From J to Z)
. April 21, Soul Café at Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church
. April 24, MacPhail Center for Music Annual Music Matters Luncheon (fundraiser) at Minneapolis Convention Center
· April 26, Craig Taborn at Walker Art Center
. April 27, Insurgent at Studio Z
. April 28, Diana Krall (Glad Ragdoll Tour) at the State Theater
. May 1-2, Bill Frisell Beautiful Dreamers Trio at the Dakota
. May 1-2, Bill Frisell Beautiful Dreamers Trio at the Dakota
. May 11, Zacc Harris at Studio Z
. May 12, PipJazz Sundays with the Women in Jazz Ensemble
. May 15-16, Jane Monheit at the Dakota
. May 15-16, Jane Monheit at the Dakota
. May 19, Illicit Sextet at Jazz Central (TCJS Jazz From J to Z)
. June 9, PipJazz Sundays with John Penny, Will Kjeer
. June 18-19, Reid Anderson at Music Space (SPCO), rescheduled from December
. June 27-29, Twin Cities Jazz Festival at Mears Park (featuring Cyrus Chestnut, Kenny Werner and more TBA!)
. July 5-7, Iowa City Jazz Festival (featuring Fred Hersch, Pharoah Sanders, Sachel Vasandani, Christian Scott, Lonnie Smith, JD Allen, Charlie Hunter)
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| Chris Bates leads Red 5 at the Artists Quarter, March 1-2 |