At the age of 24, Dale Alexander had a rich and varied musical background than many musicians achieve in a lifetime. Studying with prominent musicians such as Marvin Dahlgren and […]
The Legendary Cornbread Harris! James Samuel Cornbread Harris Jr- or just plain Cornbread; pianist, local legend and a founder of the “Minneapolis Sound” returns with his brand of blues, jazz and original music on the Main Stage of Crooners. He brings with him his six piece backup band of “friends” who have supported him these many years for a […]
On her remarkable debut album, 2025’s Escape, Peruvian-American saxophonist/composer Lucia Sarmiento emerges as a rising star in modern jazz. Here, she delivers playful yet intricate melodies. “When I play the saxophone, I love that feeling of danger,” says Sarmiento. With a powerful tenor sound and an effervescent personality, she explains, “I’m drawn to music filled with intensity and […]
Pianist Ted Godbout has been building a reputation as a sympathetic accompanist for area vocalists as well as a creative composer and bandleader. He holds a B.A. in Music – Piano Performance from St. John’s University and an M.M. in Jazz Studies from the University of Oregon. A versatile and active musician, Godbout performs frequently […]
An Evening of Great Jazz and World Music Dean Magraw and Suwal Singh bring their music to the Dunsmore Jazz Room! This fortuitous collaboration presents a fresh expression of the dramatically playful interplay between strings & percussion – featuring the sonic cornucopia of tabla weaving into the colorful vibrations of guitar – melodies, grooves, laughter, […]
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. Abdulkarim studied under Manny Laureano of the Minnesota Symphony and has performed at legendary venues including […]
Three of the Twin Cities’ most creative musicians have performed since 1997 as Framework, specializing in original works and inventive covers of modern jazz heroes. Framework is one of the […]
Award-winning folk duo Curtis & Loretta play a special concert, debuting Loretta's new full-size gold concert harp. Funded by a Minnesota State Arts Board grant, this show will feature new pieces, originals from the beloved husband-wife duo and some collaborations with local harpist Hannah Flowers.
Milwaukee saxophonist Ryan Meisel presents a night of original jazz featuring Minneapolis-based guitarist Toivo Hannigan and bassist Dan Carpel with Milwaukee’s Jake Polancich on drums. The quartet will perform music from Meisel’s latest vinyl recordings: "Spirit Dance," a tribute to 1960s John Coltrane, and "Jarred," inspired by 1970s Miles Davis. Band Members: Ryan Meisel - […]
Original Roots & Soul music With: Blair Krivanek, Nick Salisbury, and Greg 'Hit Man' Schutte
Burning Vocals, Traditional & Contemporary Orchestral Jazz, Swing & Bop The Adi Yeshaya Jazz Orchestra brings together world-class musicianship and cinematic big-band power under the direction of celebrated composer, arranger and pianist Adi Yeshaya, whose credits span Prince, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Lena Horne, Burt Bacharach and more. Known for his imaginative orchestrations and bold […]
Saxophonist David Binney stands out as one of the most prolific jazz musicians on the scene today. Here, critics and fans acclaim him as a considerable and highly individual compositional talent. Furthermore, Jazz Times recently picked Binney one of a handful of “players who have created an alternative jazz-scene… all of whom are playing adventurous, original music.” His latest […]
Mississippi Hot Club is a gypsy jazz quartet of Minnesota natives—Joshua Parlanti, Alissa “Big Al” Jacobsen, Joseph Downing, and Ian Stenlund. Their name nods to the mighty Mississippi, the lifeblood river that runs through their Minneapolis hometown. With a deep passion for gypsy jazz (also known as jazz manouche or hot club jazz), the band […]
An Evening of Evocative Instrumental Music Sticky melodies layered over funky grooves, with clever arrangements, tasty solos, and plenty of vibraphone! Steve Roehm: Vibraphone Dan Schwartz: Guitar, Vocals Nick Salisbury: Bass Greg Schutte: Drums If you spend some time with the quartet’s music, you won’t be surprised to learn its members are in-demand players around […]
Legendary Vocal Group Returns! Vocal Jazz Legends Moore By Four are celebrating 40 years together! Hear them singing gems from their early days at Ruby’s Cabaret through their years of touring and concert performances. Ashley Commodore: Vocals Ginger Commodore: Vocals Connie Evingson: Vocals Dennis Spears: Vocals Sanford Moore: Piano Jay Young: Bass Steve Jennings: Drums […]
Dean Harrington earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the U of MN and was a first prize winner in the Schubert Club student scholarship competition. For the last two decades he has been performing music with his own band Mill City Hot Club and other local groups playing swing, gypsy […]
Your host Peter Kogan on the tubs, with Ian Duerr, Dennis Carlson, Max Johnk, & Mitch Van Laar.
Melvin Gibbs will be doing a live remix of his latest album, Amasia: Anaminia Sessions 2, which Pitchfork described as a "dynamic amalgam of avant-club music, post-vaporwave prog, and electrifying jazz fusion.” Before and after Gibbs’s set, expect to hear a DJ set of deep jazz and soul cuts, future-forward R&B, and experimental ambience from […]
Green Line is a five piece jazz + funk band based in Minneapolis. Aidan Firchow, Colin Fitzsimmons, Matt Healy, Nathan Klaers, and Trevor Loewe met at the University of Minnesota […]
Please join Canadh Croí as we celebrate the release of our debut album “Badenya”. Canadh Croí is a multi-cultural musical ensemble that combines the complex and irresistible rhythms of West Africa with the beautiful, flowing melodies of Ireland and Scotland. The group features a stellar lineup of Twin Cities musicians, ranging from internationally recognized masters to dedicated […]
Julian Davis Reid is a contemplative, emotionally dynamic pianist and composer. His group’s two-set performance of his new album, Vocation, will explore the relationships in his life most precious to him and will invite you to explore those most precious to you. Band Members: Julian Davis Reid - Piano Runere Brooks - Bass James Russell […]
{Trés} Live at the Cedar: Puerto Rico, Jazz & Chamber Music Join {Trés} and special guest Miguel Zenón for a night of electrifying chamber music that blurs the lines between classical, jazz, and folkloric traditions. Featuring selections from Pedacito de Tierra—a bold, genre-defying work blending chamber music, electronics, and oral histories from the Puerto Rican […]
The Music of Django Reinhardt The Red Hot Django Peppers after 8 years in the Twin Cities are releasing their first debut album. Ryan Picone: Lead Guitar Daniel Lentz: Violin Ian Stenlund: Rhythm Guitar Sean Roderick: Bass The Red Hot Django Peppers are a fiery Twin Cities–based Hot Club band keeping the spirit of Django Reinhardt […]
Tram is a trio featuring Andrew Tomten on saxophone, Matt McIntyre on hybrid guitar, and Toby Ramaswamy on drums. Inspired by the music of Stanton Moore and Charlie Hunter, the group plays a mix of funk-jazz originals as well as interpretations of standards. For this show, vocalist Aby Wolf will join the fray, featuring on […]
Longtime Low bassist and comic artist Zak Sally joins the rhythm section of Roma di Luna (JG Everest, Ryan Lovan, and Ben Durrant) and woodwind artist Matty Harris to perform longform dreamscapes rooted in jazz, noise, indie rock, and free improvisation.
Phil Aaron has been a mainstay in the Twin Cities jazz scene for over thirty years. Phil has recorded five CD’s and has performed with many national and international musicians, including Lee Konitz, Eric Alexander, Delfeayo Marsalis, Jim Rotondi, Jim Snidero, Byron Stripling, Kendra Shank, Evan Christopher, John Fedchock, Jackie Allen and Barbara Morrison. He’s […]
A Special Birthday Celebration! Multi-instrumentalist and multi-award winner Steve Clarke returns to Crooners in celebration of his birthday. His rich and soaring sounds combined with his all-star rhythm section make […]
Bigger Shoe is an original jazz group formed in late 2015 by saxophonists Joe Mayo and Clay Pufahl. Members also include Joey Van Phillips (drums), Matt Peterson (bass), and Dylan Nau (guitar).
"fantastic Django Reinhardt-inspired melodies" - Baby Blue Arts 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 […]
At the age of 24, Dale Alexander had a rich and varied musical background than many musicians achieve in a lifetime. Studying with prominent musicians such as Marvin Dahlgren and Dr. Reginald Buckner of the University School of Music served to enhance Dale’s unlimited natural musical talent. He was recognized by the University of Wisconsin […]
Throughout their storied forty-three-year history, the Yellowjackets have recorded twenty-six albums, and received sixteen Grammy nominations, winning two. Additionally, they have performed countless sold-out tours, and enjoyed worldwide critical acclaim and commercial success. The Yellowjackets formed in the late 1970’s as the backup band for guitarist Robben Ford. They recorded their first album together in 1980. Shortly […]
Acclaimed Minneapolis jazz guitarist and composer Cody Steinmann brings his quartet to Berlin as the first stop of his 2026 Midwest tour—right in his hometown. Band Members: Cody Steinmann - Guitar Calvin Caron - Bass Solomon Parham Nick Zuck - Drums ⊹ Jazz88 (KBEM) calls Cody Steinmann "one of the most prolific guitarists in the […]
An Evening of Jazz and Blues Slip into the glow of Blue Nights, with an intimate evening of jazz and blues with the Amy Manette Band. Featuring the sounds of Etta James, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, and more. This show captures the magic of winter evenings: cool, elegant, and full of soul. Amy Manette: Lead […]
Dave Hagedorn is a retired Artist in Residence at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, where he taught percussion, jazz studies, and world music. In June, 2019, Downbeat magazine awarded St. Olaf Jazz I an Outstanding Performance amongundergraduate large jazz ensembles, and in June, 2011, Downbeat magazine deemed St. Olaf Jazz I to be the […]
The joyful jazz of the Great American Songbook lights up the Wabasha Street Caves (215 Wabasha Street S., St Paul) on Thursday, Jan. 22. All ages welcome. Admission is $10 […]
Lomheim/OBrien/Epstein - This piano trio's new disc, "Triage" has the most extraordinary lyricism coupled with a rich and robust expression of melody in every one of their compositions. The interplay of weaving their improvisations has a unity of beauty and emotional intensity that is quite rare in the jazz world. All compositions by Chris Lomheim […]
Jazz, Contempory, and Classic American Songbook For this show, Bernadette will be singing an eclectic mix of new and old jazz arrangements. She will be sharing her own journey of how jazz can be a powerful and positive way to exercise and build social connections through music. The proceeds from this show will go to Fraser, […]
The Mary Louise Knutson Trio featuring Mary Louise at the piano, bassist Dan Carpel, and drummer David Schmalenberger. For decades following its opening in 1935, The Lex, as it’s called […]
Modern jazz from south Minneapolis. Creating and improvising, without worrying about what jazz should be. Big Blue Moon features a flexible lineup around Nick Bhalla’s piano.
Aaron Shapiro will lead a quartet in a set of original works crafted over the past decade in Chicago, each piece shaped by his experiences performing and collaborating throughout the city’s creative music scenes. Band Members: Aaron Shapiro - Guitar Nate Lepine - Saxophone /Flute John Sutton - Bass Tommaso Moretti - Drums ✧ Guitarist […]
Saxophonist, Gus Sandberg, comes to jazz central with this quartet. Featuring: Gus Sandberg - woodwinds Sean Turner - piano Matt McIntyre - bass Reid Kennedy - drums
Halloween, Alaska’s churning, meditative sound neither embodies youth, naivety, anger nor desperation. It’s a unique statement from a veteran band with a persistent cult following and a distinctive indie M.O. Moreover, listeners can hear and feel its influence far beyond its native Minneapolis. In the early ’00s, Halloween, Alaska took root as a semi-electronic diversion […]
Michael O'Brien . Bassist. Composer. Educator Michael O'Brien studied bass under Anthony Cox, and West African and Haitian percussion under Marc Anderson. Michael has been performing and composing for over a decade with such notables as Gene Pitney, Dave King, Jeff Kashiwa, Todd Reynolds, Wessel Anderson, David Binney, The Jazz Mandolin Project, Joel Harrison, Marty […]
Warm up your weekend with a delicious breakfast, camaraderie and festive music! Mega Yacht and Pick, Buttons & Bow will play from 9am-12pm
Bring Your Requests for a Night of FUN Cabaret! Kick off your weekend while you “Laugh The Night Away with Erin and Jay Cabaret”. They will be rounding out your week with some of their all time favorites, and lots of requests from you! Share an intimate night with Erin and Jay in the Dunsmore Room! Up close […]
Known as a “man of great musical imagination,” Bruce Henry is an internationally-known vocalist, composer, storyteller, recording artist and educator. Additionally, Bruce teaches musical history, traditions and culture as he entertains and enraptures audiences with his vocal agility. Anchored in Chicago, with roots in the Twin Cities, Bruce shares his expertise and creativity across the nation and […]
