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,...
Thomas Nordlund’s “Miles Left Behind” Deserves Eager Ears
Thomas Nordlund’s new album “Miles Left Behind” explores darkness, melody, and vibe.
Lynne Arriale Celebrates New Recording in the Dunsmore Room, May 15
© 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...
Dakota Combo Spring Concert at Jazz Central, May 5
© Andrea Canter, Senior Editor Emeritus “I view Jazz as a collaborative experience between artists – many times it feels more like a conversation than notes on a page…...
The Lead Sheet: Twin Cities Live Jazz, May 2018
© Andrea Canter [Final update, 5/26/18] It’s (finally) the merry month of May and what a merry month of jazz we have in the Twin Cities! Corky Siegel returns...
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.
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.
Rescheduled! Firebell CD Release, Dakota Combo on April 22/Amethyst Trio and Red 5 on April 21 at the Black Dog
© Andrea Canter A few weeks ago, Steve Kenny’s Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog series celebrated its 200th consecutive Saturday of top jazz performances, featuring the best...
In Tribute to Hugh Masekela: Abdullah Ibrahim and Ekaya at the Dakota, April 16
© Andrea Canter “There are some concerts that change the way you look at music. And then there are those rare concerts that change the way you look at...
Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog: Courageous Endeavors and Carter Pearson Quartet
© Andrea Canter When they made their debut at the Artists Quarter six years ago, Courageous Endeavors was a band of young upstarts, recent college graduates who were already...
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...
“Full Circle”: Debbie Duncan Live at the Dakota, March 30-31
© Andrea Canter In 1993, when the Dakota was in its first incarnation at Bandana Square in St Paul, Debbie Duncan made the club label’s first live recording. Nearly...
Atlantis Quartet in the Dunsmore Room, March 27
© Andrea Canter ” [Atlantis Quartet] shifts nimbly from a punk-jazz aesthetic to an ECM-ish #8221;–Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times One of the most praised jazz ensembles in the...
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...
Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog: Ellen Lease/Pat Moriarty Quartet, Roseville Area High School Big Band I on March 17
© 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...
Three Faces, Jax Ravel Gang at the Black Dog–Tonight!
© Andrea Canter A new collaboration of veterans followed by a quartet of “young lions” fills the schedule for tonight’s Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog. “Three Faces”...