To celebrate 40 years of music and dining, we’re throwing a FREE 40th Anniversary Block Party on Saturday, September 20 from 2–10 PM! The party takes over Nicollet Mall outside the Dakota and our indoor stage, with live performances from more than 10 incredible acts, culinary specials inspired by the vibrant flavors of New Orleans, […]

We’re jump-starting the season with Mac Santiago and his Latin Soultet. A seasoned drummer and percussionist, rhythm runs deep through Mac Santiago’s Puerto Rican lineage. You’ll hear this expressed through this seven-piece group’s spicy interpretations of traditional tunes and Latin Jazz favorites. Travel with us to a fiery tropical paradise, and prepare to be lured […]

Jered Byford is a Southern-Minnesota based trombone player, and previous co-winner of the Carl Fontana Jazz trombone competition. He grew up in Western Washington, studied at the University of Miami, and takes heavy inspiration from a combination of bebop and modern jazz.   His drumless quartet will perform mostly originals, with a few standards and […]

We’re jump-starting the season with Mac Santiago and his Latin Soultet. A seasoned drummer and percussionist, rhythm runs deep through Mac Santiago’s Puerto Rican lineage. You’ll hear this expressed through this seven-piece group’s spicy interpretations of traditional tunes and Latin Jazz favorites. Travel with us to a fiery tropical paradise, and prepare to be lured […]

What is “Sitting-In”? Sitting in is not the same as a “jam session”. A musician’s definition of “sitting in” is to participate in a working group, as a guest, usually to play a couple of songs. This usually occurs at the invitation of someone in the band. This is how Jazz Musicians typically audition and […]

“Jennifer Grimm Sings Judy Garland” is an energetic and exciting concert celebrating the music and showmanship of Judy Garland. Join Jennifer and her eleven-piece band, including seven horns. Here, she sweetly sails through Garland classics like “You Made Me Love You”, “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart”. Also, of course, “Over the Rainbow”. Rediscover […]

The Red Hot Django Peppers are a fiery Twin Cities–based hot club band. They are devoted to keeping the spirit of Django Reinhardt alive while adding their own spark to the tradition. Also, the group is led by guitarist Ryan Picone, an acolyte of world-renowned guitarist Stéphane Wrembel. Also, they feature the dynamic interplay of guitarist […]

Founded in 2014 by Geoffrey West Senn and Mac Santiago (percussionist/drum set), the Twin Cites Latin Jazz Orchestra (TCLJO) brings together the drama of big band jazz, the rhythmic intensity of Latin music, and the virtuosity of eighteen of the Twin Cities’ most accomplished musicians.