Vocalist ganavya’s latest recording, 2024’s Daughter of a Temple, came out of what she describes as “a gathering in and for devotion”. She drew on studies of the musico- philosophies of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda. Furthermore, she’d even promised herself she’d invite anyone who brought up Turiyasangitananda’s name around her.

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 […]

Red Planet, featuring Jay Epstein, Dean Magraw, Chris Bates and Kavesh Kaviraj

Minneapolis-based jazz pianist and composer, Mary Louise Knutson (k’NOOT-son), has been called "one of the most exciting artists to happen to jazz piano in quite some time." Her warm, inviting tone, broad range of emotional expression, and distinctive compositions have brought her much recognition on the national music scene.

Grammy-winning titan of jazz saxophone Joe Lovano and virtuoso guitarist Julian Lage have enjoyed a long journey of mutual admiration. They first met in 1999 at Yoshi’s in Oakland, where Joe was performing with McCoy Tyner. Julian’s father brought the young prodigy to the show, and it was there he connected with Joe. They kept […]

The Bill Simenson Orchestra is a 17 piece big band (5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, guitar, piano, bass, and drums). Since June of 2012 the band has performed the first Tuesday of every month at Jazz Central Studios.

Grammy-winning titan of jazz saxophone Joe Lovano and virtuoso guitarist Julian Lage have enjoyed a long journey of mutual admiration. They first met in 1999 at Yoshi’s in Oakland, where Joe was performing with McCoy Tyner. Julian’s father brought the young prodigy to the show, and it was there he connected with Joe. They kept […]

THE BRIAN GRIVNA QUARTET features Minnesota Jazz Legend Brian Grivna on alto sax and clarinet with an extraordinary rhythm section featuring Phil Aaron on piano, Kameron Markworth on bass and Peter Kogan on the drums. Jazz classics by Ellington, Bill Evans and many more. The Lexington is famed for great food and drink and a […]

The Cherry Pit presents an open jam for musicians and music lovers in the Twin Cities. It’s a social hub for Twin Cities creatives, a training ground to refine musicianship, and a vehicle for high-vibrational improvisation. This is not a free-form basement jam or strictly a jazz jam. Our goal is to find an equilibrium […]

Featuring Phil Aaron on piano and Graydon Peterson on bass, the Reid Kennedy Trio performs their arrangements of music inspired by the city of New Orleans and beyond.

Join Erica West for an enchanting evening that promises to be a celebration of the sultry sounds of Jazz and R&B. This music will feature the powerful and emotive voices of legendary artists, including Nina Simone, Shirlee Horn, Sarah Vaughan, Lizz Wright, Rachelle Farrell, Diana Krall, Esperanza Spaldinga, Jill Scott and more creating a magical […]

They’re Back!…Lighting Up Fingal’s Cave! 7-9pm at the MetroNOME Davu Seru (percussion) Dean Magraw (guitar) Souls Take Refuge and Remember… Keeping the Flames of Improvised Music Burning!

Rodgers & Hammerstein--the most famous songwriters on the planet. Rodgers & Hart--wrote some of the most legendary standards of all time. 5-time Grammy award nominee Karrin Allison and leading American Songbook visionary Deborah Grace Winer (Dizzy's Club, Jazz at Lincoln Center) lead this hot and cool jazz party. With a starry band, some breezy stories, […]

sunpearl is an ambient vocal project that draws improvisation from the warmth of open spaces, and the gentle light dappling through leaves behind closed eyes. Through soft, reflective soundscapes, sunpearl creates a feeling of calm and introspection, inviting listeners in. sunpearl is Isabel Fajardo (vocals) and Toby Ramaswamy (keys, drums) and was born at Figure […]

Charmin Michelle and T. Mychael Rambo return to the Dunsmore to celebrate the return of Spring with songs of April showers, May flowers and all things that bloom through the season. Charmin Michelle: Vocals T. Mychael Rambo: Vocals Dan Chouinard: Piano Chris Smith: bass “Taste and understatement. Swing and savoir-faire. Grace and grooves. Intimacy and […]

The Phil Hey Trio Phil Hey on Drums Tom Lewis on Bass Chris Lomheim on Piano

Chris Bates, Nathan Hanson and Davu Seru present an evening of improvised investigation into the current state of things. Music to remind us that we are not alone. Join us for an evening of duos and solos and this trio of longtime collaborators. Chris Bates is a bassist of formidable talent. Having worked professionally for 25 […]

Dakota Andersen is a vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and educator based in Minneapolis. A newcomer to the Twin Cities, he is quickly becoming established in the jazz scene with performances at Crooners Supper Club, the Hook and Ladder, Volstead’s Emporium, and Resource. Before his move to Minnesota, Andersen graduated from the University of North Texas with […]

Ahmed Abdulkarim has been performing music his entire life. He began on the piano, then moved to the bugle to the trombone before finally settling on the trumpet in 1956. Trumpet jazz is where he truly found his voice. Ahmed studied under Manny Laureano of the Minnesota Symphony and has performed at legendary venues including […]

Jake Baldwin is a trumpet player based in Minneapolis, MN. His stylistic versatility has made him one of the busiest freelance trumpet players in the Midwest. You can hear him with groups ranging from the iconic Four Freshmen to the Minnesota Orchestra. In 2023 Jake won a grammy for his contributions to the videogame “Assassin’s […]

Pianist Abebi Stafford and guitarist Ian Duerr will perform two sets of Abebi's originals and jazz standards. Ian Duerr is a jazz guitarist with a deeply expressive style. He is currently based in St. Paul, MN. A 2004 graduate of Cardinal Stritch University with a BFA in jazz performance, he spent five years honing his craft aboard […]

Minneapolis-based jazz pianist and composer, Mary Louise Knutson (k’NOOT-son), has been called "one of the most exciting artists to happen to jazz piano in quite some time." Her warm, inviting tone, broad range of emotional expression, and distinctive compositions have brought her much recognition on the national music scene.

The Gypsy Mania “Hot Club” Quartet, performs a timeless jazz tradition commonly known as Gypsy Jazz, a blend of traditional Roma music and swing jazz. Originating in Paris in the early 1930s, the ‘Hot Club’ jazz tradition brings back happy memories of the swing jazz era, with a unique French twist. Performing together for over […]

Trumpeter Omar Abdulkarim, pianist Dale Alexander, bassist Dan Carpel, drummer Joe Mason III, and saxophonist Laeton Olaleye will perform an exciting two-set tribute to Cannonball and Nat Adderley: brothers who changed the world of jazz. This excellent Twin Cities–based band will embody the same soulful, innovative, and engaging spirit that the Adderley brothers brought to […]

The trio featuring Everett Needleman (drums), Cody Steinmann (guitar), and Calvin Caron (bass) are blending jazz standards with original compositions, and mixing tradition and innovation. Steinmann’s expressive guitar work combined with Caron’s steady bass provides a rich foundation for Needleman’s drumming, creating a seamless and exciting musical experience for audiences familiar to the genre as […]

John Hébert, Mike Lewis, JT Bates

“This free and opened to the public event celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month. It is co-sponsored by the Musician Performance Trust Fund, Twin Cities Musicians Union, and Jazz Central Studios; featuring four of the finest Big Bands in our local music scene today.” Bill Simenson Orchestra: “The Bill Simenson Orchestra is a 17 piece big band (5 […]

Benny Benack III is a fiery trumpet player and singer performing standards and his own astute compositions with a thrilling sense of showmanship. Join the Benny Benack III Quartet during The Midwest Jazz Collective Tour at Crooners! Benny Benack III: Trumpet, Vocals Tyler Henderson: Piano Caleb Tobocman: Bass Charles Goold: Drums A graduate of The Manhattan […]