Lila Ammons, a native of Chicago, has had many musical influences from family to a myriad of musicians and from the musical styles of Mozart to Monk. And she has inherited an illustrious legacy through the gifts of her grandfather and uncle: Albert Ammons (piano) and Gene Ammons (tenor sax). Ammons was previously based in […]
One of the most lyrical and intimate voices of contemporary jazz piano, Brad Mehldau has forged a unique path. Here, he embodies the essence of jazz exploration, classical romanticism and pop allure. Mehldau has garnered critical acclaim as a bandleader, and major international exposure in collaborations with Pat Metheny, Renee Fleming, and Joshua Redman. Furthermore, Mehldau continues to garner numerous […]
Renee Rosnes, piano Ingrid Jensen, trumpet Nicole Glover, saxophone Noriko Ueda, bass Allison Miller, drums In celebration of Miles Davis’s centennial, the award-winning Artemis explores his monumental impact. Here, they showcase new arrangements largely drawn from the trumpeter’s signature 1960’s period. Furthermore, from introspective moods to free interplay and dramatic shifts, Artemis presents a fascinating look at the many moods […]
Experimental Jazz on Lafond Presents: Ophoven-Baldwin / Linz. Thursday, May 14th, 7pm. Arts on Lafond: 1697 Lafond Ave. St. Paul. Tickets: $15 / $10 students. Cash, check, Venmo, Paypal accepted. This performance is not wheelchair accessible. (Aaron is not performing at this show -but please attend to see amazing experimental jazz!) Noah Ophoven-Baldwin is an […]
“Jazz is practically in DNA” – Star Tribune The Joe Pulice Big Band is a high voltage, all-star fifteen-piece big band from the Twin Cities. This performance will highlight the music of the most famous big bands throughout jazz history. Drummer Joe Pulice, one of the region’s elite musicians, is a two-time Minnesota Jazz Music Award […]
Tyler Lustek is a jazz pianist, composer, and educator based out of Minneapolis/St. Paul. As a bandleader, Tyler fronts the Tyler Lustek Confluence, which released its poetry-centric debut album Shmehara: Live at Jazz Central Studios in August 2025. Tyler teaches jazz & contemporary piano at the MacPhail Center for Music, serves on the jazz faculty […]
Very old friends playing songs they know. Band Members: Michael Lewis - Saxophone JT Bates - Drums Bryan Nichols - Piano ⊹ Michael Lewis is regarded throughout the Twin Cities and well beyond as one of the most creative sax players in modern music, lending his blowing and bowing skills to a number of highly […]
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 in a jazz combo under the direction of Phil Hey. Since then they have been writing music and playing around the Twin Cities in clubs, […]
"Big Woods Brass brings the spirit of New Orleans to life with a global twist-an acoustic brass band delivering infectious rhythms and soulful melodies from around the world"
Reed players and composers Joan Hutton and Sue Orfield perform original jazz with their quintet Take That Back. “Different! Fun! Dynamic! … to experience a live performance of this band is to realize what an amazing chemistry that Orfield and Hutton have with each other and their band. Add in their inventive original compositions, and […]
Aldo Ramos brings a variety of Latin American music to the Richfield Farmers market from 830am to Noon on Saturday May 16th. You can expect boleros, tangos, rancheros, cumbias and more.
St. Paul singer/songwriter Trevor McSpadden is accompanied by local legend Dean Magraw for a quiet, acoustic concert. Hosted by Cadenza Music, this performance takes place in their listening room called Studio 20. The show begins at 7pm with the acoustic duo, followed by the debut of Trevor McSpadden's new music video for "Amarillo Sunset." Come […]
Todd Harper, Ian Rashkin & Eric Coursen have known each other since 1990. Then, Ian moved away. Todd and Eric played in various combos ever since. Now, Ian is in town the second time this year from LA, and we are excited to collaborate again! Tonight’s show will feature some earlier tunes, but with a […]
The Solomon Lindenberg Trio explores originals, obscure standards, jazz compositions, and Americana music with a dynamic, modern approach. They’ll return to Berlin after a sold-out August 2025 show. Band Members: Solomon Lindenberg - Piano Colin Dorion - Drums Dylan Reed - Bass ⊹ Solomon Lindenberg is a pianist, composer, and educator originally from Door County, […]
Minnesota stalwarts The New Standards create an intriguing blend of everything from classic cabaret to punk rock. Here, they blend the freedom of jazz with the soul of pop and rock. They make it work through offbeat humor and sheer musicianship. The instrumentation is simple: John Munson of Trip Shakespeare/Semisonic fame on bass; Chan Poling, founder of the new-wave group […]
The Artblok musicians, DJs and dozens of guest and resident artists will be open during Art-a-Whirl this month. This event has been held annually for almost 30 years, It features a very diverse mix of poetry, music, and visual arts. The century-old Artblok complex spans 14 buildings and was once the General Mills Research Laboratories, […]
Feelin' Good! Big Band Style: Melodies that will have you feelin' good in no time! Why resist a little pick-me-up on a Sunday afternoon?
An authentic trip back in time to the rustic favorites from the classic country canon. Stage veteran Bobby Vandell leads an all-star 6-piece band as they bring heartfelt and energetic performances of all of your favorites from this nostalgic genre. Bobby Vandell: Voice, Guitar Melanie Rosales: Voice, Acoustic Guitar Al Bergstrom: Bass Dan Neale: Guitar, Voice Joe […]
Minnesota stalwarts The New Standards create an intriguing blend of everything from classic cabaret to punk rock. Here, they blend the freedom of jazz with the soul of pop and rock. They make it work through offbeat humor and sheer musicianship. The instrumentation is simple: John Munson of Trip Shakespeare/Semisonic fame on bass; Chan Poling, founder of the new-wave group […]
Kenny Reichert has spent much of the past decade on the road: driving across North America and Europe, sharing meals with bandmates, and performing gig after gig. His original music has been shaped by those travels and the people he has met along the way. Now based between Minneapolis and Chicago, Reichert will be bringing […]
Maud Hixson and pianist Rick Carlson. Summer concert Series at St. Albert the Great in Longfellow neighborhood. Sunday May 31. 2:00 PM
Fingerstyle Guitarist Joe Nicola will perform his Old-Timey, Blues, Ragtime, and Jazz tunes on our outdoor patio from 7pm-8:30pm! Come enjoy timeless tunes at one of the oldest taverns in the state.
For over two decades, Southside Aces have been playing the repertoire of the Jazz Age greats and beyond. Here, they play the early New Orleans of Jelly Roll Morton and the Chicago joys of Louis Armstrong. The evocative compositions of the young Duke Ellington to the barrel house sounds of Preservation Hall. Even the early rock and […]
Nancy Bierma has a classical degree in piano and has been leading her own jazz groups for many years. She is in the Iowa Jazz Hall of Fame. Her husband, Jim, is a bass player that has performed with musicians including Debbie Duncan, Larry McDonough, and Geoff Jones. Nancy and Jim have played jazz together […]
Dale Alexander at the age of 24 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 […]
The trumpet has been a key instrument in the history of jazz, dating back to Bix Beiderbecke and Louis Armstrong, through the big band era, and modern small ensembles. The Larry McDonough Quintet will scratch the surface of this history with their new show Trumpetocity, featuring Josh May. The quintet will cover the music of […]
This Dunsmore room performance will include selections by Django Reinhardt, Jazz Manouche standards, and the unique arrangements and energy that Mississippi Hot Club has become known for. This audience will also have the rare opportunity to see bandleader Joshua Parlanti set down the guitar and dazzle us with his exceptional piano chops! Joshua Parlanti is the […]
For our May 21 concert, we will feature trumpeter Riley Helgeson on numerous selections, including People, arranged for Maynard Ferguson, and Georgia on my Mind , arranged for Doc Severinson. Also vocalist Bekah Peterson, from Hastings, on Will You Still Be Mine, and a medley of You’re Driving Me Crazy and What Did I Do? Other selections by […]
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. Along […]
Peter Kogan’s residency at MetroNOME continues. Tonight’s guests – Ryan Garmoe, Abebi Stafford, Joe Mayo, and Kam Markworth.
Nathan Stanley - Dove Award winner, Grammy nominee, ICM Award winner, and the grandson of bluegrass legend Dr. Ralph Stanley. Roe Family Singers Bonfire Music Group recording artists the Roe […]
Three-time Grammy-winning powerhouse Jamecia Bennett captivated in a sold-out, unforgettable tribute to Brandy & Monica. Now, she returns to the iconic Dakota stage with the next installment of her electrifying Icon Series. Here, this one is set to be nothing short of extraordinary. This time, Jamecia pays homage to two of the most emotionally captivating […]
Bryan Nichols is a pianist, composer, and educator based in Minneapolis. Often found playing jazz and improvised music, but at home in a variety of musical worlds, he leads and […]
Minnesota-raised trumpeter Ella Grace joins forces with Marisa Cravero—a young vocalist who has already made a name for herself in jazz on a national scale—for a special show as part of their joint Midwest tour. Backed by a tasteful, gifted rhythm section, Grace and Cravero will blend their songbooks for a unique mix of original […]
Join the Mike Munson Trio in celebrating their debut release as a band "Sometimes, not always." (Liatris Records). Munson is joined by Nick Salisbury on bass and Lars-Erik Larson on drums, pairing stunning guitar sounds with sparse arrangements in a collection of slow, jazz-like instrumentals and moving ballads. The Trio's highly anticipated release marks a […]
Join us to celebrate the release of Steve Cole’s twelfth solo album, Sleight of Hand. This dynamic new recording showcases Cole’s signature saxophone sound. Moreover, it features standout guest performances from guitar virtuoso Cory […]
The Boys of May are back and celebrating their birthdays once again in Fingal’s Cave!
The Joe Policastro Trio is a forward-thinking, Chicago-based jazz trio hailed by DownBeat for its “deft analysis of choice repertoire” and by the Chicago Reader for its “diversity of approaches to all kinds of source material.” While firmly rooted in jazz, the band’s open-minded, inclusive nature draws upon a wide array of musical styles and […]
Tommy Boynton’s Rchrd Rdgrs Bnd presents the music of Richard Rodgers. Featuring: Tommy Boynton - voice, piano Alec Watson - celeste Pat Keen - bass
The Sam Stauning Quartet is a new small jazz ensemble created and led by tenor saxophonist Sam Stauning. The group consists of some of the best young musicians in the Twin Cities. The group will perform various tunes from jazz standards to newer modern tunes. Info for each band member: Sam Stauning is a 17 […]
Kenny Reichert has spent much of the past decade on the road: driving across North America and Europe, sharing meals with bandmates, and performing gig after gig. His original music has been shaped by those travels and the people he has met along the way. Now based between Minneapolis and Chicago, Reichert will be bringing […]
Tim Sparks has been redefining the acoustic guitar repertoire since he won the National Fingerpicking Championship in 1993 with a ground-breaking arrangement of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. Sparks continues to surprise, challenge, and thrill audiences with his diverse repertoire and stunning technique. Equally at home with Country Blues, Jazz or World Music, Sparks' extraordinary ability has […]
The Shank Hagedorn guitar duo (violin and guitar) will play from 6-7 pm, and Tim Sparks, Tom Lieberman and Ben Abrahamson will play solos, duos and trios from 7-9 pm at MetroNOME Brewery.
Robert Glasper is the leader of a new sonic paradigm with a career that bridges musical and artistic genres. To date, he boasts five Grammy wins and sixteen nominations across eleven categories. Additionally, he received an Emmy for his song for Ava Duvernay’s critically hailed documentary 13th with Common and Karriem Riggins. His work and accolades bridge all aspects of […]
It's an hour of classic jazz with a contemporary twist when Peter and the Jazztronauts play at the Norway House happy hour. The Jazztronuats are as follows: Peter Skjervold sax and flute Tom Lewis bass Mitch Hare keyboard and vocals Kerry Johnson drums
Minneapolis-based pianist and composer, Mary Louise Knutson, has been called "one of the most exciting and innovative artists to happen to jazz piano in Bill Charlap." And from 2010-2018, Knutson toured with trumpeter Doc Severinsen, former bandleader for the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson.Knutson has also performed with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Kurt […]
It is always cool in the Caves, 215 S. Wabasha St., St Paul, MN. Swingin' On A Star, featuring vocalist Dorothy Doring, plays the joyous jazz of America's Swing Era. Swingin' On A Star plays from 7:00 to 10:00, Thursday, May 28. Admission is $15. Students and seniors pay $10 (cash) or $11 (card.) A […]
Friends and collaborators L.A. Buckner and Midwest James will showcase their semi-autobiographical theater pieces and exceptional musical skills. The showcase will include "Things You Can’t See," a one-man show written and performed by L.A. Buckner and directed by James Gavins, followed by the Afrofuturistic one-man show “Cicada,” written and performed by James Gavins and co-directed […]
Robert Glasper is the leader of a new sonic paradigm with a career that bridges musical and artistic genres. To date, he boasts five Grammy wins and sixteen nominations across eleven categories. Additionally, he received an Emmy for his song for Ava Duvernay’s critically hailed documentary 13th with Common and Karriem Riggins. His work and accolades bridge all aspects of […]
Orkestar Bez Ime presents Balkan Party Music Known for its toe-tapping “Euro music, but not stuck up” (Star Tribune), Orkestar Bez Ime brings an intimate musical experience to Crooners to celebrate the springtime feast day of Ederlezi. Travel with OBI through the captivating music of the Balkan peninsula, featuring the vibrant traditions of the Romany […]
Friday, May 29, 2026 Dock & Paddle @ the Lake Como Pavilion 1360 Lexington Parkway N / St. Paul, MN 55103 / 952-303-3481 www.dockandpaddle.com 6– 8:00PM. Tips! All-ages Erik and the UHQ show
Saxophonist Laeton Olaleye and trumpeter Omar Abdulkarim join a band of legendary Twin Cities artists in presenting two sets of new music. Come enjoy an evening of captivating mastery of a vast range of musical styles, from modern jazz to funk. Band Members: Laeton Olaleye - Saxophone Omar Abdulkarim - Trumpet/Flugelhorn Kevin Washington - Drums […]
Laura Caviani - piano Kam Markworth - bass Dave Schmalenberger - drums https://www.lauracaviani.com/
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 most durable jazz alliances and their development is very apparent in their many live appearances and recordings. - Jazz Police
