Jazz…

Wednesday, October 10

Cellar @ The Red Stag, Minneapolis. 9pm (No Cover) Bryan Nichols, Rhodes piano; James Buckley, bass; and Joey Philips, drums. The PR for this says it’s a “fundamentally spiritual music” that “parallels the evolutionary patterns of rock and jazz in great detail.” Given the players, I think it’s going to be good music, whatever you call it.

Red Planet Plays Monk @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($5) Today is the anniversary of the birth of Thelonious Monk, and our favorite musical astronauts (Dean Magraw, guitar, Chris Bates, bass, and Jay Epstein, drums) will be exploring his music.

Thursday, October 11

Illicit Sextet and Zacc Harris Quartet @ The Artists Quarter, Saint Paul. 7pm (Illicit Sextet – Free), 9pm (Zacc Harris Quartet – $5) Here’s a two-fer that’s certainly worth getting out early. The Illicit Sextet is a composer’s collective playing original tunes with an emphasis on hard bop. Paul Harper, sax; Steve Kenny, trumpet; David Roos, guitar; Chris Lomheim, piano; Tom Pieper, bass; and Nathan Norman, drums. Stick around to hear the Zacc Harris Quartet, with Harris on guitar; Bryan Nichols on piano; and Chris and JT Bates on bass and drums. An evening of melodic, invigorating jazz.

Friday, Saturday, October 12, 13

Hoenig using some of his unique ways to get sound from a trap set.

Ari Hoenig Trio featuring Bill Carrothers and Chris Bates @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($15) Hoenig is a drummer known for making drums an integral part of the harmonic structure of a group. Carrothers is a Minnesota born, Michigan based pianist who has won awards in France and Germany, as well as the respect of some of jazz’s greatest musicians. Bassist Chris Bates has proven to be a go-to guy when visiting artists come to town. You’ll note that he’s playing at the AQ for four nights this week.

Saturday, October 13

Atlantis Quartet Workshop and Concert @ Studio Z, Saint Paul. 5pm workshop (free), 7pm performance ($10) The 5pm workshop is actually a presentation on Collective Improvisation and Collaborative Composition. The Atlantis Quartet plays 21st Century jazz. They use modern harmonic concepts and rhythms with creative, energizing results.

Sunday, October 14

PipJazz Sunday w/guests Steve Faison and Joshua Jones @ The Landmark Center, Saint Paul. 5pm ($20) Pippi Ardennia brings vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Steve Faison to the stage for her monthly session of “feel good” music. The youth artist is saxophonist Joshua James, a former member of the Dakota Combo. A crackerjack band, including Glenn Swanson, drums; Peter Schimke, piano; Marcus Wise, percussion, Jay Young, bass, and the youngest member of the group (still in high school), Sosha Warpeha on violin.

Sunday, Monday, October 14, 15

Cassandra Wilson @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($60/$50) 9pm ($50/$40) Wilson is a woman with a singular, highly personal singing style. Every song is re-invented and recast, often imbued with the blues, and revealing nuances you didn’t know were there.

Monday, October 15

Zack Lozier @ Jazz Central, Minneapolis. 8:30 (donation) Zack brings his considerable trumpet skills to the basement hang-out to play with Tanner Taylor, piano, Mac Santiago, drums, and a yet-to-be-named bass player.  It’s a BYO beverage and snack place.

More listings for Twin Cities jazz can be found at Jazz Police. It also features jazz commentary as well, as do Bebopified, and Jazz Ink.

Blues, Roots, Other…

Wednesday, October 10

Gaia Groove on KFAI (90.3 and 106.78FM) and @ the 331 Club, Minneapolis. 5pm (KFAI) and 7pm (331 Club – tip jar) Straight off Prairie Home Companion, this duo is from Italy, where singer Hilary Thavis’ American parents raised her. Whether they’re playing a song by Robert Johnson, Eric Clapton, or an original, they are direct, and without artifice. Tune in at 5pm and head over to the 331 Club afterwards. They’ve a few dates in the area over the next week, so look out for them. Check out their original, Facebook Blues:

Thursday, October 11

Wayne the Train Hancock @ Lee’s Liquor Lounge, Minneapolis. 9pm ($15) Okay guys, it’s time to slick back your hair and get out those cowboy boots, while gals get out their best dancing frocks, as this rockabilly honky-tonker with a taste for western swing and the blues is coming to town. Wayne calls his music Juke Joint Swing, and what better place to hear him than that little ol’ juke joint, Lee’s. Rachel and the Ranch Hand Resistance open.

Friday, October 12

Courtney Yasmineh @ The Aster Cafe, Minneapolis. 9pm ($6)  Yasmineh is an indie/pop singer songwriter and guitarist with an appealing voice and an ear for writing hooks. She’s a hardworking musician and has toured Europe and the US with her band, developing a tight sound that perfectly matches her songs.

Saturday, October 13

Felonious Bosch @ The Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar, Saint Paul. 5pm – 8pm ($5 suggested donation) After a day of browsing artists’ studios, stop by the Black Dog for a dose of eccentric folk music, often inspired by medieval Europe, but with a punk attitude. Belly dancers are often part of the show. Afterwards, you may want to stay for Sendero Flamenco’s Gathering of Gypsies. Here’s a sample of the music of Felonious Bosch.

Sunday, October 14

MN Blues Society Hall of Fame Induction @ Wilebski’s, Saint Paul. 1pm (donation) This year the annual event is honoring the late Big Walter Smith, the legendary Cornbread Harris, guitarist Dan Schwalbe, and Lamont Cranston’s recording of Tiger in Your Tank, among others. Expect music from Big Walter’s Groove Merchants, with Jimi Prime Time Smith, Cornbread, and Javier & the Innocent Sons.

Sound Unseen presents Charles Bradley: Soul of America @ Trylon Microcinema, Minneapolis. 3pm ($10) Bradley is the soul singer who struggled all his life and recently found success at the age of 62. His appearance at the Fine Line last year was a sweaty, electrifying affair. This film documents the months leading up to the release and touring behind his debut album, “No Time for Dreaming.”

Dancers at last year’s Selby Avenue Jazz Festival

Here in the Twin Cities, we are lucky to be able to choose from a few competing festivals on Saturday, three of which are in Saint Paul. The Concrete and Grass Festival (free) offers a wide variety of music, from the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Jack Brass Band on Thursday evening, through the Minnesota Opera and Gary Louris (of the Jayhawks) on Saturday.

Meanwhile, jazz is the order of the day at the 11th Annual Selby Jazz Festival (free), featuring Saint Paul bands and New York artists Abdul Zuhli on guitar, and Cheryl Pepsii Riley on vocals.

Finally, for Saint Paul, The Summit Backyard Bash ($14) features Doomtree, Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps, Halloween Alaska, and the Now Nows, as well as Hotpants DJs between sets.

If you live in the West Metro, you may want to check out Saturday’s street dance in Wayzata. See the listing for the Butanes Soul Revue, below. As always, check out my blog for photos, links, and videos. Note also, that I’m contributing a gig recommendation to the Daily Planet each week.

There is also much to enjoy earlier in the week, so get out and enjoy yourself.

Jazz

Wednesday, September 5

Marv Dahlgren/John Dickinson Quintet @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($5) After 47 years playing with the Minnesota Orchestra and writing classic instructional books, Dahlgren is considered a master of drums and vibes. Tonight he’s paired with his grandson, who is a vibes player studying at the  Lucerne Jazz School in Switzerland. They’ll be joined by Garty Gratz, piano; Jay Young, bass; and David Stanoch, drums. Betty Dahlgren will accompany her grandson on Celtic harp for a few numbers, for an evening of jazz that will surprise and delight.

Thursday, September 6

Valve Meets Slide and Horace Silver @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($5) Brad Bellows (valve trombone) and David Graf (slide trombone) lead Chris Bates, bass; Bryan Nichols, piano; and Mac Santiago, drums in an evening of the music of Horace Silver. Horace Silver was one of the instagators of hard bop, using gospel and R&B influences to create jazz that both moved you and was moving. Bellows and Graf are two of the finest trombonists in town, and have a stellar rhythm section. This should be a groovin’ evening.

Friday, September 7

Ginger Commodore & Debbie Duncan @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 8pm ($10) Commodore and Duncan are a  couple of very soulful jazz singers, or very jazzy soul singers. Take your pick. Both have been successful in stage productions, which isn’t hard to believe given the power of their voices. Both have also been performing for ages, so you can expect a professional, and very satisfying show.

Brad Bellows/Donald Washington Quartet @ The Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar, Saint Paul. 8pm (tip jar)

Bellows (valve trombone) and Washington (sax) lead a quartet including Pete Hennig (drums) and Brian Roessler (bass) through free improvisation.  Don’t be put off by that description, however. It’s highly accessible music, even if you can’t hum it. Here’s a video from an appearance last year.

Franze, Brown & Horst: The Tuesday Night Band @ the Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($10) Have you been having withdrawal pains from the lack of greasy, B-3 driven music for the last few months? Have no fear, this trio, better known as The Tuesday Night Band, returns for one night only as Billy Franze, guitar; Downtown Bill Brown, Hammond B-3; and Kenny Horst on drums deliver the down home sounds of a groovin’ B-3 trio.

Friday, Saturday, September 7, 8

The toy that inspired the name.

Happy Apple @ The Icehouse, Minneapolis. 11pm ($10) The hipness quotient of the Icehouse just jumped a few points, though it hardly needed a boost. Happy Apple is highly regarded among the relatively young (say, under 35), in part because the trio of Mike Lewis, sax; Eric Fratzke, electric bass; and Dave King, drums; exhibit a rock/punk attitude. However, their extreme talent plays a big part, as does the sometime rambling, often hilarious on-stage musings of King.

Saturday, September 8

JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske @ Saint Paul Hotel Lobby Bar, Saint Paul. 7:30pm (Free) Suffice to say most of the folks at a hotel lobby bar are not there to listen to jazz. They simply want a drink or two while talking with fellow hotel guests. It’s a testament to the talent of JoAnn Funk (piano, vocals) and Jeff Brueske (bass) that they can catch the attention of aforementioned guests, handle their requests, and bring in customers just to hear the two of them. Funk and Brueske tackle the  the songs of Nat King Cole, Blossom Dearie, Dan Penn, Madeline Peyroux and more with aplomb, taste, and imagination.

Roxanne Cruz & Jeremy Walker @ Ingredients Cafe, White Bear Lake. 6:30pm – 9:30pm. East metro denizens have a chance to hear a fine vocalist and excellent pianist while dining at Ingredients.

Sunday, September 9

Adieu Summer @ Como Lakeside Pavillion, Saint Paul. 4pm – 6:30pm. ($10)  This is the fifth or sixth year that Ticket To Brasil is hosting an end-of-summer event. Today’s artists include: The Talking Strings, featuring Gary Shulte on violin; Trio Bossa Nova; vocalist Lee Engele; and the ten-piece Ticket to Brasil. The Pavillion is covered from all but sideways rain, and has plenty of room for dancing, whether you trip the light fantastic to swing or samba rhythms. This family friendly event will be a fitting goodbye to summer.

PipJazz Sunday @ The Landmark Center, Saint Paul. 5pm ($25/door, $10/Student, children under 12 – free)  Since singer Pippi Ardennia moved here from Chicago a few years ago she has been turning heads with her monthly series, bringing in guest artists and young musicians to share the stage. Her charming, welcoming manner makes these monthly events very family-friendly. The musicians and Pippi deliver first class music. Today’s guest is singer Dennis Spears, of Moore by Four, the Nat King Cole production at Penumbra, and numerous appearances around town.

Ben Sidran @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($30) Sidran is no stranger to this town, having appeared at both the AQ and the Dakota many times. Tonight he’ll use his piano and voice to tell the stories of “Jews, Music, and the American Dream,” which is also the title of his latest book. He’s got a PhD in American Studies, is well known as the host of NPR’s Peabody Award winning series “Jazz Alive,” and may be best known as the writer of Steve Miller’s big hit, Space Cowboy. Nevertheless, Sidran is an excellent piano player, and a hip storyteller, weaving complex, astute narratives over a vamp as he introduces each number. Expect songs written by Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Carole King, Bob Dylan, and more.

A more comprehensive calendar for the Twin Cities can be found at Jazz Police. It features jazz commentary as well, as do Bebopified, and Jazz Ink.

Roots, Blues, Other…

Wednesday, September 5

A rare moment when Zack isn’t playing

Zack Lozier Trio on KFAI and @ The 331 Club, Minneapolis. 5pm (KFAI), 7pm (331 Club – Tip Jar)  This is a slightly different booking than usual for Harold’s House Party, as Zack stepped in at the last minute when the originally booked group had to cancel. Zack is an in-demand, versatile trumpet player who is as down with the blues as he is with jazz. His clarion trumpet can be heard in the Jack Brass Band, Chris Bates Red 5, the Adam Meckler Big Band, and the Southside Aces, and other groups. He recently toured with the Doc Severinson Band, and has toured internatonally with Todd Clouser, Davina and the Vagabonds, and others. Zack will be accompanied by veteran bass player Keith Boyles and up and coming keyboard player Steven Hobart. A unique gig.

Friday, September 7

Flatt Foot Rollers @ Wilebski’s Blues Saloon, Saint Paul. 6pm – 10pm. ($5) With a song list that ranges from the Temptations to the Gap Band to Albert KIng, this seven-piece R&B/Funk band will get you dancing, even this early in the evening.

Cliff Eberhardt @ The Gingko Coffee House, Saint Paul. 8pm ($15 advance/$17 Door) The passionate, witty folk singer/songwriter is helping Gingko celebrate its 20th anniversary. On his latest album, All Wood and Doors, Eberhardt (with the help of some friends) does acoustic versions of songs from the Doors. His previous album 500 Miles, was recorded in Texas Hill Country and is flavored with musical influences from the region.

Swamp Kings @ The Schooner Tavern, Minneapolis. 9pm (No cover) As the name implies, this trio lays down cajun, zydeco, and swamp beats that will have you head-bobbing and toe tapping to the point where you’ll have to get out of your chair, or off your stool, and dance.

Corpse Reviver w/guest Dakota Dave Hull @ the 331 Club, Minneapolis. 9pm (Tip jar) Mikkel Beckman’s salute to the Anthology of American Folk Music kicks off it’s third year at the 331 with a special guest. Dakota Dave Hull is a nationally renowned picker and singer with a vast repertoire in his guitar case.

Saturday, September 8

Butanes Soul Revue w/Willie Walker @ James J. Hill Days Street Dance, Wayzata. 7pm (Free) It’s a busy weekend for Curt Obeda and his band. The four piece is at Shaw’s in Minneapolis on Thursday, then they add Willie Walker for a Friday evening appearance at the Concrete and Grass Festival in downtown Saint Paul, and today they go full bore with the eleven-piece Soul Revue featuring Maurice Jaycox on vocals and guest Willie Walker. A lakeside street dance on a pleasant Saturday night. Life is good.

Lamont Cranston & Willie Murphy @ The Minnesota Music Cafe, Saint Paul. 9pm ($?) Willie and his band start things off at 9pm, followed by the Cranstons at 11PM. It will be a night of West Bank Boogie’n, as these stalwart bands fill the big dance floor at the MMC.

Monday, September 10

Al’s Rockabilly Quartet @ Famous Dave’s Uptown, Minneapolis. 8pm. (No cover) Swing dance lesson from the ubiquitous Ms Shannon Butler run from 7:15 to 8:00, when Al’s Rockabilly Quartet takes the stage and you can test out your new moves. Pomade, tight jeans with turned up cuffs, and poodle skirts are optional.

For a more comprehensive listing of blues (and some roots) events, see the Minnesota Blues Society calendar.

For a comprehensive listing of Cajun and Zydeco events, see the Krewe de Walleye calendar.

Night Time is the Right Time

Okay, so I guess you can say we’re halfway through the summer. Hope you’ve been having a good one and have been able to attend some of the many outdoor events that we try to squeeze in here in the Twin Cities. If you’ve not gotten out much, don’t despair. There is more to come, including music at a brewery tap room, some neighborhood celebrations, and more festivals. These are just a few of your music options for the coming week.

Jazz

Wednesday, Thursday, August 1,2

DeFrancesco, Coryell, and Cobb: A Tribute to Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($40), 9pm ($25)  The Jimmy Smith/Wes Montgoemery recordings of the 60s set a high bar for organ trios. The music was soulful and highly inventive, yet never lost its groove. Joey DeFrancesco was an acolyte of Smith’s. Coryell has his own clean way with the guitar. Joining them is Jimmy Cobb on drums, the last surviving member of the Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” recording. This is as good as it gets.

Peter Schimke Trio @ Cafe Maude, Minneapolis. 7pm – 10pm (No Cover) Peter is a talented pianist, who can go from swing to latin rhythms at the drop of a beat. Cafe Maude is a neighbohood bistro with inventive food and top-notch cocktails. Tell them you’d like a seat near the music.

Thursday, August 2

Zack Lozier’s Jazz Night @ The Harriet Brewing Tap Room, Minneapolis. 9pm (No cover) The Brewpub on Minnehaha just south of Lake has developed an adventurous booking policy in a short time, with music ranging from jazz to folk to rock, country, and the occasional deejay. Trumpeter-about-town Lozier brings his formidible attack to the Tap Room every month with different sidemen. Tonight it’s Adrian Suarez on drums and Chris Bates on bass. Chris is threatening to break out the electronics.

Friday, August 3

Pat Mallinger Quartet @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($15) Born and raised in Saint Paul, and living in Chicago, Mallinger has developed into a powerhouse sax player. He’s toured with the orchestras of Cab Calloway and Artie Shaw, and regularly plays with Kurt Elling. Every week for almost twenty years, he and his band Sabertooth have played  the Green Mill in Chi-town, starting at Midnight and going until the wee hours. I did an interview with him a couple of years ago which you can read here.

Saturday, August 4

Jon Pemberton Trio @ Loring Pasta Bar, Minneapolis. 6pm – 8pm. (No Cover) An early evening show featuring composer/trumpeter/pianist Pemberton. Whether he’s interpreting a Lee Morgan piece on trumpet, or a Monk piece on piano, Pemberton is always lyrical, always melodic.

“Serious” musicians.

Atlantis Quartet @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($12) This tight quartet with serious chops has been “laying in the weeds” lately, as guitarist Zacc Harris put it. Well, they’ve all been busy with other projects but have still found the time to work up some new tunes. See what they’re up to with a visit to the AQ.

Tuesday, August 7

Jazz Implosion @ The Icehouse, Minneapolis 9:30 and 11:30pm ($5) JT Bates is doing the curating, and he puts together interesting combinations of players. Sometimes he doesn’t get it done until the last minute. Nevertheless, I can say that whoever he books for Monday night will provide a satisfying take on 21st Century jazz.

A Note: Pamela Espeland has recently stopped publishing a calendar of upcoming jazz events at Bebopified, though she continues her insightful commentary and interviews. The calendar is a mighty effort, and I thank her for her work on it, since I often used the calendar myself. Happily, Jazz Police will take up the slack with a calendar, in addition to continuing their excellent commentary on jazz in the Twin Cities and elsewhere.  Other blogs that feature jazz commentary for the Twin Cities include the aforementioned Bebopified, and Jazz Ink, which also features previews and interviews, in addition to Andrea Canter’s fine photography.

Roots, Blues, Other….

Wednesday, August 1

Hair Club for Cowboys on KFAI and @ the 331 Club, Minneapolis. 5pm hour (KFAI – 90.3 & 106.7 FM) and 7pm (331 Club) Free. Jay Peterson is back in town for a visit and he’s gathered some friends to play, including Dan Newton on Accordion, Rusty Jones on bass, Dan Gaarder of Trailer Trash on guitar, and Dehl Gallagher on drums. Jay especially likes Western Swing. Listen on KFAI and then head over to the 331 Club.

Friday, August 3

Musicpalooza w/Mary Cutrufello, Crankshaft & the Gear Grinders @ Minnesota Music Cafe, Saint Paul. 5pm – Close.  Also including Mary Elias and the Young Relics, and the Jonards. Don’t know about the other acts, but Cutrufello is a powerful singer with a country bent who is in the midst of a Midwest tour with a full band. Crankshaft does raw blues like no one else in the area.

Saturday, August 4

Past Barfest

Red House Barnfest in Red Wing. 1pm -7:30pm ($30 at the gate) Get in the car and head down to Red Wing for a day of folk and roots music. Performers include: Lucy Kaplansky, Bill Staines, Dean Magraw and John Williams, Drew Nelson, Natalia Zukerman, The High 48s, Black Audience, and Jon Rodine. A family friendly event that’s a perfect way to spend a summer day. For more information, including driving directions, go to: http://www.redhouserecords.com/barnfest.html

Seward Co-op 40th Anniversary Party @ East River Flats Park, Minnenapolis. Noon to 8pm. (Free) If you’re not up for a drive to Red Wing, you can help celebrate the 40th Anniversary of one of the oldest co-ops in the area, with over 8,000 members. The line-up includes the family-friendly Bunny Clogs, The Brass Messengers, Malamanya, and Willie Murphy and the Angel-Headed Hipsters. Expect food trucks and more. FMI: http://www.seward.coop/celebrate-seward-co-ops-40th-anniversary

Sunday, August 5

Camile Baudoin & Curt Obeda @ Bayport BBQ, Bayport. 2pm ($15) After 33 years as a member of New Orleans’ Radiators, Baudoin has issued a solo country/folk album, Old Bayou Blues, which features songs from his boyhood on the bayou. He now tours with various sidemen, and often pairs with Twin Cities bluesman Curt Obeda (of the Butanes) when he’s in this area. The Bayport BBQ is a cash-only place that serves the real thing – smoked meat that melts in your mouth along with the classic sides for ‘Q. Here’s a video of their March appearance at the Bayport. Curt is taking vocals on this one.

Jake Manders @ Merlins’ Rest, Minneapolis. 4pm – 6pm (No Cover)  Jake is joined by Mikkel Beckman on washboard and percussion and Gretta Hunstiger on vocals and guitar for an afternoon of folky-rootsy music. Bring an ID if you want adult beverages.

Sunday, Monday, August 5,6

Dan Penn @ The Dakota, MInneapolis. 7pm ($35) With his relaxed demeanor, it’s sometimes hard to believe that Penn was responsible for hits like The Letter,  Cry Like a Baby, I’m Your Puppet, Do Right Woman, not to mention, numerous hits for Aretha Franklin, James Carr, Solomon Burke, Percy Sledge Ronnie Milsap, and others. It’s a special night whenever he performs, especially in an intimate, yet elegant setting like The Dakota.

Tuesday, August 7

Ahh, summer at the bandshell

Alison Scott @ The Lake Harriet Bandshell, Minneapolis. 7:30pm. (Free) A talented young pianist/singer performing original, soulful tunes on a beautiful bandshell stage in a park on a lake. Picnic areas close by, sailboats in the background, the occasional plane overhead, and the sound of kids enjoying a swim. This is the summer we love.

For a more comprehensive listing of blues (and some roots) events, see the Minnesota Blues Society calendar. For a comprehensive listing of Cajun and Zydeco events, see the Krewe de Walleye calendar.

Speaking of jazz, here’s a heads up. The Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education is having a Jazz Brunch fundraiser Sunday, April 22, with guest presenter Grace Kelly, a young saxophonist who recently graduated from Berklee. Tickets are available online. Full disclosure – I’m on the board.

The above photo reminds me that life on the road isn’t easy. Whether our resident musicians are hanging at home for a while, or visiting musicians are in our town, I hope you will get out and enjoy some live music this week.

Jazz

Thursday, April 12

Zack Lozier & the Southside Aces; Louis Armstrong Tribute @ the Eagles Club #34, Minneapolis. 8pm – 11pm ($5) The Southside Aces play traditional, danceable jazz. Tonight they have trumpeter-about-town Zack Lozier (Jack Brass Band, A Love Electric) to help pay tribute to the music of Louis Armstrong. A night of great music and lotsa fun.

Connie Evingson @ the Lexington, Saint Paul. 6:30 – 10:30pm (No cover) I’m stopping at the Lex with some regularity these days to hear the top-notch musicians that are playing Thursdays and Saturdays. The Williamsburg room is covered in wood, and there’s a great bar where they pay close attention to making classic cocktails. On top of that, you’ve got Connie Evingson tonight. She’s a great interpreter of the American Songbook, and can swing the the Beatles like nobody can.

Friday, April 13

Bryan Nichols & Dean Magraw @ The Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar, Saint Paul. 8pm (tip jar) Part of the always interesting Friday night series at the Dog. Nichols on keyboard, and Magraw on guitar should make for exciting interplay.

Friday, Saturday, April 13, 14

Bill Carrothers Trio @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($12). Carrothers is a sensitive piano player with a unique style. He’s a native-born Twin Citizen currently residing in Michigan’s upper penisula, and has played such prestigious venues as the Village Gate, The Knitting Factory, New Morning (Paris) and the Newport Jazz Festival. He’s played with such luminaries as Joe Beck, Curtis Fuller, Lee Konitz, and Dewey Redman. Last heard here playing with Anthony Cox and Jay Epstein.

Saturday, April 14

The Music of Kari Musil @ Sundline Music Hall, Hamline University, Saint Paul. 2pm – 4pm ($10/$5 for students and seniors). Composer/saxophonist Musil received a grant to compose a concert and CD of original jazz. This is the result, which features the Nova Jazz Orchestra, Leslee McKee on vocals, J. Otis Powell, poet, and Sue Leigh on sax.

Parker Paisley CD Release @ Jazz Central, NE Minneapolis. 9pm (Donation) Park Evans, guitar; Brandon Wozniak, sax; Adam Wozniak, bass; Pete Hennig, drums. The new CD is called “Satori for a Hungry Ghost.” Evans’ clean guitar lines adopt well to jazz, latin, reggae, and other world musics, all of which might make an appearance tonight.

Saturday, Sunday, April 14, 15

Sinatra…Nice and Easy @ The Capri Theater, Minneapolis. 8pm Saturday, 3pm Sunday. ($25) A tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes, with the Rick Carlson Trio and Jaxon Richards on vocals.

Sunday, April 15

Pippi Ardennia w/Solomon Parham @ The Landmark Center, Saint Paul. 5pm. ($25/door, $20 Advance) This edition of the PipJazz monthly series features Parham on trumpet, as well a student guest Alex Grothe, a young trumpeter with a future. Using a first rate backing band, Ardennia is an enjoyable, warm singer. Today’s collaborations should be fun.

Tuesday, April 17

Rhonda Laurie and Maryann Sullivan @ The Nicollet Coffeehouse, Minneapolis. 7:30 – 9:30pm. (Tip Jar) The curators of the weekly jazz series at this fine little coffeehouse take to the stage to sing swinging standards.

Framework @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm. ($5) Chris Olson, guitar, Chris Bates, bass, and Jay Epstein, drums. Solid trio. Solid music.

For a comprehensive listing of Jazz, go to the Twin Cities Live Jazz Calendar.

For further commentary on Twin Cities jazz, check out the blogs Jazz Police, Bebopified, and Jazz Ink.

Blues, Roots, Other

Wednesday, Thursday, April 11, 12

Suzanne Vega @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($40, $30) Anyone who was around in the 80s knows “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner,” Vega’s hits which helped to spark a neo-folk revival at the time. I was never a big fan, but was delighted when Vega last played the Dakota in 2009. She was charming, which always helps, but it was her well crafted, insightful songs, most of which were new, which showed why she garnered such a big audience back in the day. This time around, she’s traveling with one other musician, so expect a stripped-down version of her songs.

Thursday April 12

Hipshaker @ The Kitty Kat Club, Minneapolis. 9pm (no cover) Late night dancing to rare soul and funk 45s.

Friday, April 13

The Dollys @ The Crooked Pint Ale House, Minneapolis. 9pm ($5) A female vocal trio that sings Americana and the music of Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, as well as other female country artists. Great voices, superb harmonies. Hear a couple of tunes on their MySpace page.

Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys @ Lee’s Liquor Lounge, Minneapolis. 9:30pm ($10) Big Sandy has been playing roots music for over two decades now. I suppose you could call it classic Rock n’ Roll, though it encompasses Western Swing, Rockabilly, and a bit of country. Heck, he’s even been known to thrown in some vocal group harmony stuff. This will bring out swing dancers, and anyone else who wants to cut a rug, to use a term that’s hep, not hip. Elmer and the Thunderjetts open.

Worldwide Discotheque & “Long Live Boogaloo” Record Release @ Clubhouse Jaeger, Minneapolis. 10pm. (No Cover) The Secret Stash folks are releasing a vinyl LP of rare Latin Soul and so are teaming up with WW Discotheque for an evening of funky vinyl worldbeats, with an emphasis on Boogaloo from the NY scene of the 60s. I’ll be joining Deejays, Steely Dan of Kinda Cloudy Radio and Brian Engel of Hipshaker to spin vinyl.

Saturday, April 14

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 @ The Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis. 8pm. ($35/$30 Advance) Seun is the son of Fela, Afrobeat pioneer, and tonight he’s bringing his father’s old 16 piece band to Minneapolis. Seun builds on his father’s legacy with pulsating, urgent music, filled with brass, percussion, and improvisation. His latest release, “From Africa with Fury,” was produced by Brian Eno is funky as all get-out, and is as intense and relentless as his father’s work, but with Seun’s own voice. It’s a standing-only show, but I expect there will be lots of free-form dancing and boogieing going on.

Brass Band Throwdown & CD Release @ The Nomad, Minneapolis. 9pm ($8, $10 w/CD) Jazz, Roots, World music. It’s all here. Mama Digdown’s Brass Band is celebrating a live CD release and they’ve got the Brass Messengers to open for them. Talk about fun!

Monday, April 16

Vieux Farka Toure & Idan Raichel Quartet @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($45) Two different cultures, two different music traditions. Toure is a master guitarist from Mali, following in the footsteps of his bluesman father, yet also transcending that heritage. He’s collaborated with Dave Matthews, Derek Trucks, and John Scofield. Raichel is an Israeli pianist who went triple platinum with his initial release, blending African, Latin American, and other world sounds. Promises to be a sublime evening.

Tuesday, April 17

Jeff Ray & the Stakes @ Hell’s Kitchen, Minneapolis. 6pm – 9pm. (No Cover) W/Nick Salisbury, bass; Mikkel Beckman, washboard & percussion; and Hurricane Harold, harp. Jeff Ray is a helluva guitar player, with his own take on blues and folk/rock sounds. The Stakes raise ‘em and then some. (argh) Really, The Stakes are all well-known blues players around town.

Peter Lang @ Cafe Maude, Minneapolis. 7pm – 9pm. (No Cover) If you want some righteous fingerpickin’ with your dinner, this is the place to be, since Lang is a master the style known as American Primitivism (Leo Kottke, John Fahey). Just be sure to say you want to be near the music when you make a reservation. Of course, you can just sit at the bar and enjoy one of the Cafe’s signature cocktails.

For a more comprehensive listing of blues (and some roots) events, see the Minnesota Blues Society calendar.

For a comprehensive listing of Cajun and Zydeco events, see the Krewe de Walleye calendar.