The 2018 Charlie Parker Jazz Festival – Great Music and a Fine Tribute
Renowned saxophonist Charles Parker, Jr., aka “Bird” and “Yardbird,” packed a lot of life and music into his 34 years on this earth. He has had a lasting influence...
The 2018 Newport Jazz Festival
Although summer is becoming a memory, some of the best memories of the season came from the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival, Presented by Natixis Investment Managers. Established in 1954...
The 2018 Litchfield Jazz Festival – Blending the Classic and the New!
Although the changing seasons and the beauty of autumn’s colors are breathtaking, there were some hot summer jazz festivals that make you look back at summertime and smile. The...
Montreal Beyond the Festival – Jazz Mass, and the Art of Jazz
Montreal is a city that is full of music all through the year. Especially during the annual event, Le Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, music is everywhere, beyond...
The 2018 Montreal Jazz Festival – A Whole World of Music!
The 2018 Montreal Jazz Festival, officially called Le Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM), took place from June 28 to July 7. The word “International” in the title...
Jazz Police Calendar: Fall 2018
The Lead Sheet has retired. For now, we are providing a Jazz Police Calendar. This is not intended to be an exhaustive listing, but will provide a heads-up regarding...
Siereveld’s ‘Walk the Walk’ on Shifting Paradigm Records
New York based trumpeter Eric Siereveld embraces and embodies the classic B3 organ jazz sound on his 2018 release Walk the Walk (Shifting Paradigm Records). The personnel on the...
Emmet Cohen Interview: Jazz Across Generations
By Larry Englund Pianist/composer Emmet Cohen is only 28, yet he’s become an important figure in music and related arts as both a performer, and as someone committed to the...
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,...
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...
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 (2018 Update)
[Updated May 27, 2018] 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...