Davell Crawford Reprises Tribute to Allen Toussaint, February 16-17 at the Dakota
In New Orleans we’ve used piano as a percussive instrument, as a groove keeper, as an instrument that carries the melody…it’s important to keep that alive, to keep the...
Solo Piano: Bill Carrothers in the Dunsmore Room, February 16
Widely acclaimed throughout Europe where he spends most of his touring time, pianist Bill Carrothers returns to his native Twin Cities and Crooners Lounge to perform solo in the...
Witch Hunt! “Speak No Evil” Revisited at the Icehouse, Monday February 15
In most areas of the country, Monday is President’s Day. At the Icehouse, JT’s Jazz Implosion recognizes it as Wayne Shorter Day, at least during evening hours at the...
Improvisation in Music and Poetry, Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog on February 13
They call it Jazz Word Jazz — a night of small ensemble jazz and readings from local poets, and the Black Dog in St. Paul’s Lowertown seems like the...
Eight O’Clock Jump Series Features Debbie Duncan, February 12
“Debbie is a master messenger deserving wider recognition.” –Leigh Kamman, The Jazz Image Walker West Music Academy continues its popular Eight O’Clock Jump concert series on Friday, February 12...
We ♥ Jazz! Valentine’s Day Brings Musical Options
Red roses, dark chocolates, fine wine…. and jazz! What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Some special gigs and concerts can make your 2016 celebration unique this weekend. Bar...
Arne and Maud, Bing and Rosemary: The Crosby-Clooney Story at the Capri, February 13-14
Long-time musical partners Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney come to life again, thanks to long-time musical partners Arne Fogel and Maud Hixson. Fancy Meeting You Here: The Crosby –...
No Room for Squares! Friday Night Jazz at Reverie, February 12
A hit on the Sixth Street Stage of the 2015 Twin Cities Jazz Festival, the veteran No Time For Squares quintet returns to Reverie (The Nicollet) on the Friday...
Jazz Police – Looking Back, Looking Ahead
If you’ve been poking around the Jazz Police website lately, you’ve noticed that we have undergone a technology overhaul. On about February 5, our new site went live, now...
Mack Avenue Superband at the Dakota, February 11
Like a jazz supernova bursting across the winter sky, the star-studded Mack Avenue Superband arrives for one night at the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis on Thursday, February...
Never Too Old for the Spotlight: Irv Williams at Jazz Central, February 8
A number of years ago, tenor saxophone legend Irv Williams hinted at retirement in his liner notes for That’s All (2004), but clearly that was premature. Three CDs later,...
Mardi Gras! Jazzy Fat Tuesday Celebrations in the Twin Cities
Mardi Gras, aka “Fat Tuesday,” is perhaps the biggest party in New Orleans, capping two weeks of parades, costumes, and of course, traditional NOLA music. Even “Fat Monday” has...
When Music Is the Magic
Much of the Twin Cities metro area was simply closed on Tuesday night. While it was hardly the worst snowstorm in history–not even close, by midafternoon driving was treacherous...
Scofield and Lovano: Past Meets Present at the Dakota, February 8-9
“Most saxophones are out of Coltrane. Joe knows Coltrane too, but his roots are older than that. He can swing. He can play ballads. He can burn. I love...
Highlights of Twin Cities Jazz: Fifteen + in 2015
Looking back on 2015, it was truly a good year for the Twin Cities jazz scene, from the overflowing crowd that paid tribute to the late Leigh Kamman back...
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...
Colors of the Soul (2015): The Dean Sorenson Sextet
Long-time jazz educator, head of Jazz Studies at the University of Minnesota, renowned arranger for the Glenn Miller Orchestra and more, Dean Sorenson is also an accomplished trombonist and...
Colors of His Soul — Dean Sorenson’s Sextet at the Black Dog, February 6
Long-time jazz educator, head of Jazz Studies at the University of Minnesota, renowned arranger for the Glenn Miller Orchestra and more, Dean Sorenson is also an accomplished trombonist and...
Eric Gravatt and Source Code at Jazz Central, February 5
“He had bounce in his rhythm that would bounce off the floor and carry the music up to the ceiling. He had this ethnic sound – the continent of...
Friday Night Jazz at Reverie: The Steven Hobert Quartet, February 5
Another ensemble of area heavyweights makes its debut on the Friday Night Jazz at Reverie (The Nicollet) series on Friday, February 5. The Steven Hobert Quartet features an exciting...