Events

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 […]

Jazz with an Understated Vibe Versatility can be rewarding but some music just feels like home. Vocalist Prudence Johnson returns to her jazz roots with the Halcyon Jazz Quartet, following their sparkling debut at Crooners last spring. With an “off the beaten path” approach to repertoire and featuring the amazing Dave Hagedorn on vibes, and […]

Come out January 4 to the brand new, yet to be named, gallery in the Ivy Building (2637 27th Avenue S., Minneapolis). The space is amazing, the music will be warm and Soop Lights Show will be providing beautiful visuals. Pat Keen/Mike Munson are two incredibly improvisers and all-around musicians who teamed up earlier this […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 most durable jazz alliances and their development is very apparent in their many live appearances and recordings. - Jazz Police

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

{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 for an enchanting evening of jazz and blues. Steve has put together a special set of music just for the evening. Some his favorite things, […]

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).