Chronically Jazzed: Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog Features Graydon Peterson Quartet, April 28
© Andrea Canter As is the usual plan for Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog, this weekend features an opening set from a relatively new ensemble of young...
A Conversation With Laura Caviani
Laura Caviani talks about her roots, touring with Karrin Allyson, her new trio record Confluence, and composing for new mediums.
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...
The Lead Sheet: Twin Cities Live Jazz, April 2018
© Andrea Canter Ed. note: The Lead Sheet is published monthly with weekly updates. The final Lead Sheet will be published around May 1. Stay tuned for announcement of...
Off to the Races: An Interview With Drummer and Bandleader Rodney Ruckus
Ruckus talks about playing with Chick Corea, Sean Jones, Theo Croker, and growing up on the road.
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...
Koplant No Delivers With Their Latest Release “Elker”
I am on my fourth time listening through Koplant No’s new album Elker. I’m loving every minute of it. I’ve been listening to Koplant for six or seven years...
Brilliant Conversations: “After the Fall”, Keith Jarrett Trio (ECM, 2018)
The headline above for the latest release from the “Standards Trio”—Keith Jarrett (piano), Gary Peacock (double bass) and Jack DeJohnette (drums)—is worthy of a nod to the title...
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...
The Jazzy Side of the 60th Grammy Award Nominations
© Andrea Canter And the nominees are….. lots of jazz and jazz artists! The 60th Grammy Awards nominations have been announced, and in addition to the formal jazz...
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...
Bobby Watson’s MVP Quartet at the Dakota and Vieux Carre’, February 20-21
© Andrea Canter One of the first national ensembles to play at the original Dakota in St. Paul, Bobby Watson’s Horizon was also one of the most respected jazz...
Free and Cheap Jazz in the Twin Cities: Plentiful and Easy to Find
Too often I hear complaints from would-be jazz fans that it’s too expensive to go out and hear live music in the Twin Cities. Or that they would go...