Jake Shimabukuro is a world-renowned ukulele virtuoso whose groundbreaking artistry has redefined the instrument for the 21st century. Here, he is hailed as the “Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele.” Moreover, Shimabukuro […]

Nicholas David’s albums sound fantastic. He sounds great on TV. However, nothing compares to the magic, the excitement, the immediacy of seeing him live! He returns with his signature brand […]

Rick Carlson taught himself to play the piano by studying the vast works of Count Basie and Duke Ellington and capitalizing on a long string of happy accidents. He has also perfected the art of “circular drinking”, whereby he can sip martinis uninterrupted while still playing a cohesive piano solo. He has been the pianist […]

Beech Montana is a new instrumental project helmed by guitarist Joey Hays. Five versatile performers will be performing two sets of improvised music, laying the sonic train tracks in front of them as they go. Expect ambient soundscapes, fierce breakbeats, and a group of skilled artists deep in discovery. Band Members: Joey Hays - Guitar […]

Multiple award-winning guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader Tommy Castro is a California-based blues and rock powerhouse. Here, he captivates audiences with his soul-drenched vocals, searing guitar work, and high-energy live shows. Furthermore, as frontman of the telepathically tight and wildly raucous Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, he’s released seventeen albums. Here, they span a wide stylistic range—from horn-driven […]

"A Tribute to Jazz Rock Fusion of the 1970's". Great classics by Chick Corea, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, Weather Report, Steely Dan, Pat Metheny and more. Presented by members of Global Jazz Collegium and featuring vocalist André Neves as a special guest, this dynamic show is the one you don’t want to miss!

The duo ‘Ones and Twos’ featuring bassist Anthony Cox and pianist Jeremy Walker, will play a free benefit concert this Saturday May 9th at 7 pm. The fundraiser supports rent assistance and mutual aid efforts for Twin Cities families. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church opens their Bartsch Room for an evening of wonderful jazz music in […]

Guitarist Robb Henry is introduced to French expatriate violinist Raphaël Fraisse in December 2001 and voila! Parisota Hot Club. Original intention in getting together to explore the music of Django Reinhardt. At this time, it was the first Hot Club of the 2000's devoted to the jazz stylings of Reinhardt and violinist Stephan Grappelli to […]

Guitarist Robb Henry is introduced to French expatriate violinist Raphaël Fraisse in December 2001 and voila! Parisota Hot Club. Original intention in getting together to explore the music of Django Reinhardt. At this time, it was the first Hot Club of the 2000's devoted to the jazz stylings of Reinhardt and violinist Stephan Grappelli to […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 Family Singers are a Hard-Core Old-Time band from Minneapolis, MN. Led by wife & husband Kim and Quillan Roe, the band marries old-time sounds from […]

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 composes for his own trio, quintet, and nonet in addition to performing, recording, and touring with forward-thinking artists like Nicole Mitchell, Ron Miles, and Olga […]

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 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 Wong. Additionally, legendary bassist Will Lee (David Letterman Band), and renowned B3 master Ricky Peterson (Stevie Nicks).  Steve Cole is widely recognized as one of […]

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