Twin Cities Jazz Fest Starts Today! A Biased Guide
The 2018 edition of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival gets underway in St Paul on Thursday, June 21, continuing with a full schedule of international, local stars and promising...
Emmett Cohen Interview: Jazz Across Generations
By Larry Englund Pianist/composer Emmett Cohenis only 28, yet he’s become an important figure in music and related arts as both a performer, and as someone committed to the...
Stars of BeBop Heading to the Dunsmore Room!
Some of the best “bebop burners” in the world are coming to Crooners in the next two weeks to present their inimitable music in the intimate Dunsmore Room. On...
The 2018 Montreal Jazz Festival – Coming Soon!
The 39th Montreal Jazz Festival, officially known as Le Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, will take place from June 28 to July 7, 2018. As usual, they are...
A Sophisticated Reunion – On Stage at Kingsborough
On Friday, May 11, On Stage at Kingsborough presented A Sophisticated Reunion. This was the last show in the 2017-2018 Jazz at the Lighthouse Series, and it really closed...
Jazz Police Calendar – Summer 2018
The Lead Sheet has retired. As an interim service, we’re continuing to post a “Jazz Police Calendar” during the summer. This is not intended to be an exhaustive listing,...
Bright Moments! Celebrating Dorthaan Kirk at 80
On Saturday April 28, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presented a tribute and early 80th birthday present to Dorthaan Kirk, Newark’s “First Lady of Jazz.” Her actual birthday...
Thomas Nordlund’s “Miles Left Behind” Deserves Eager Ears
Thomas Nordlund’s new album “Miles Left Behind” explores darkness, melody, and vibe.
Teodross Avery Lifts Off: A Powerful Tenor Saxophone Player Renews With a New Push
For some reason that is hard to comprehend, that I have never understood, there is a deep gulf between San Francisco and Los Angeles– it is a different universe....
The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) Announces 2017 Jazz Winners
Press release, April 20, 2018 The International Songwriting Competition (ISC), widely recognized as the most prestigious and respected songwriting competition in the world, is pleased to announce its 2017...
2018 Twin Cities Jazz Festival: Headliners Announced
Adapted from April 17, 2018 press release The 20th annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival will be headlined this year by Grammy-winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, New Orleans artists Nayo Jones and Aurora...
Album Review: Fire Bell, INCENDIOS
Sometimes swinging, and sometimes twisting in a multi-meter tangle, Fire Bell’s new album INCENDIOS is all personality.
Larry Englund: Twin Cities’ “Jazz Hero”
© Janis Lane Ewart Each year, the Jazz Journalists Association seeks nominations from states and local jazz communities for Jazz Heroes. The 2018 Twin Cities “Jazz Hero” is Larry...
Steve Kenny and Two Hundred Jazz Nights at the Black Dog: Celebrate on March 24!
© Andrea Canter “The fact that the series is hitting this 200th show milestone is all the proof you need to see that there a fantastic jazz scene in...
My Next Retirement: Chord Changes at Jazz Police
© Andrea Canter I’m not yet 70 and already I have retired three times. And since Minneapolis Schools became my first real employer, I changed “jobs” there about every...
Night of Improvised Music at the Black Dog: Nathan Hanson Trio, Lease-Moriarty Quartet on October 28
© Andrea Canter Over the years of their life and musical partnership, Ellen Lease and Pat Moriarty have led many ensembles teetering on the edge of modern jazz. Best...
Creative Spirit, Educator, Jazz Pianist Geri Allen, 1957-2017
© Andrea Canter “One of the most brilliant, creative artists of our time…” – Christian McBride “Perhaps more than any other pianist, Ms. Allen’s style — harmonically refracted and...
Greg Ward Quintet at the Icehouse, Monday April 3
© Jon Morgan Since his last appearance in the Twin Cities as part of drummer Mike Reed’s People Places and Things quintet, saxophonist Greg Ward has been restlessly engrossed...
A “Colossus” Quartet at Reverie, March 30
© Andrea Canter A week after the Peter Schimke Trio prompted standing ovations, Steve Kenny’s Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie brings together another ensemble with firepower to spare. Dubbed...
Davu Seru’s No Territory Band — Jazz at Studio Z, March 11
© Andrea Canter Zacc Harris’ series of creative jazz concerts, Jazz at Studio Z, continues on March 11 with the No Territory Band, lead by drummer Davu Seru and...