Twin Cities Jazz Venues
[Updated November 1, 2019] I hear these questions a lot: Where does one find live jazz in the Twin Cities? And how do you learn about it? Look no...
Who Is Dean Granros?
Dean Granros is an elusive giant of the Twin Cities improvised music scene. The name alone carries weight for younger generations of musicians and fans. His photo hangs on...
Jazz Police Live Jazz Calendar, Fall 2019
Live jazz in the Twin Cities metro! The Jazz Police calendar is updated at least weekly. And we’re continuing “Andrea’s #8221; Years ago, popular pianist and bandleader Herb Pilhofer...
Review: Davu Seru’s Motherless Dollar at Jazz Central
By Sam Worthington I had the good fortune of hearing Davu Seru’s Motherless Dollar Quartet at Jazz Central Studios this past Wednesday, October 9th. I caught the second performance...
Chris Bates Red 5 at Studio Z: Never Too Much of This Good Thing
Review © Sam Worthington I had the pleasure of listening to Chris Bates’ Red 5 tonight (October 3) at Studio Z. The show was part of The “All Originals”...
Mads Tolling and Jacob Fischer at Mindekirken, October 15
By Paul Juhl The Grammy award winning Danish jazz violinist, Mads Tolling, will perform with one of Europe’s premier jazz guitarists, Jacob Fischer, at Mindekirken Norwegian Church on Tuesday...
New Season, New Directions for JazzMN
“I just feel like there’s something really special about big bands. There’s something unique, and even for people who are not jazz aficionados or don’t even like jazz,...
Inspired and Inspiring: “Summer School” With the National Youth Jazz Orchestra
Since the first Dakota Combo was launched in 2006 as an audition-only ensemble of high school jazz students, I’ve had the pleasure to meet and observe some very talented...
Jazz Police Twin Cities Jazz Calendar, Summer 2019
Note: The Lead Sheet has “retired,” but in its place we present an ongoing Jazz Police Live Jazz Calendar with (at least) weekly update. And at the suggestion of...
JC Sanford to Lead the JazzMN Orchestra
A few months ago, long-time founding Artistic and Music Director of the JazzMN Orchestra, Doug Snapp, announced he would step down at the end of this season, launching a...
Twin Cities Jazz Festival 2019 , June 20-22: Headliners Announced
[Modified press release from the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, contact Connie Shaver] The 21st annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival (June 20-22) will be headlined this year by vocalist José James, vocalist Nnenna...
Minnesota’s “Jazz Hero”: Steve Kenny Recognized by Jazz Journalists Association
Steve Kenny is many things to many people, especially Twin Cities jazz fans. He is a fulltime computer tech specialist, a dad to two grown children, a professional jazz...
Larry Englund: Farewell to Our Jazz Hero
[Note: Portions of this article are drawn from Janis Ewart’s nomination letter for Larry’s designation as Jazz Hero by the Jazz Journalists Association, and from Larry’s own self-penned obit,...
Lynne Arriale Returns to the Dunsmore Room, February 1
© Andrea Canter, Senior Editor Emeritus “The melody is what creates a particular energy and feeling in the listener and it sets the tone… I take an idea, develop...
JazzMN Celebrates 20 Years: April Concert, Artistic Director Search
On April 8th, 2019, the JazzMN Orchestra holds its final concert of the season. But this event not only marks the season finale, it will be a celebration of...
RIP Phil Mattson
“Phil Mattson is the greatest vocal jazz arranger on the #8221; –Richie Cole “Phil Mattson has been passionate about quality vocal jazz since his earliest experiences with the genre....
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...
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...
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...
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,...