Minnesota Music Educators Association is proud to present the All-State Jazz Band at the Dakota. MMEA’s All-State Ensembles are built with 625 accomplished young musicians from 269 programs within the state of Minnesota.
Cyrille Aimée grew up in a multilingual household full of music where she danced every day. There, her soundtrack featured the Afro-Caribbean sounds from her mother’s native Dominican Republic. The family home was in Samois-sur-Seine, the location of the Django Reinhardt Festival. Often, the teenage Cyrille would climb out of her bedroom window at night to […]
“straight-up blues with a razor edge guitar slash.” – Americana Highways Two of the most electrifying forces in modern roots music converge! Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars, The Black Crowes) joins JD Simo (Chris Isaak, Jack White, Beyoncé, Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis). Here, they unite as a soul-shaking trio with powerhouse drummer Adam Abrashoff. Their chemistry is deep, their grooves are dirty, […]
“an unbelievable night of iconic songs” – Explore MN Feat. Lamont Keten, Len Jones, RoShewn Harrington, David Chill Anderson, Shayde Stephens This dynamic and soulful show features The Mfellaz and the timeless sounds of Motown. Furthermore, the music of Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, The Four Tops and the mighty Temptations. The show features The […]
Tina Schlieske, a Midwestern rock mainstay, commands a dedicated and passionate following, especially in her hometown of Minneapolis. She’s best known for fronting the band Tina and the B-Sides. Her inaugural jazz recording, 2024’s The Good Life, sees Schlieske embarking on a transformative jazz odyssey. Here, this is her homage to the greats that have paved the way for […]
Morgan James has a voice that needs to be heard. After her grandmother heard her sing, the matriarch paid for James’ voice lessons, positive that her granddaughter had talent. However, despite the often-treacherous terrain of the music industry, James has never tired in her quest. There, she has tussled with unimaginative label executives, covered and owned […]
New frontiers fit nicely atop the boundary-breaking career of singer songwriter and slide guitar icon Sonny Landreth. He has performed live with Buddy Guy and John Hiatt in theaters and arenas around the United States. Also, post-New Orleans Jazz Fest jamming on bayou rhythms with Oteil Burbridge and Johnny Vidacovich. Further, he has recorded and played […]
“If Louis Armstrong and Doris Day could somehow be the same person, they’d be Bria Skonberg” –Wall Street Journal Bria Skonberg is a Juno-award winning artist, ten-time Downbeat Rising Star, and a Jazz at Lincoln Center Swing! Awardee. Also, she won the 2022 “Legend” Award by the Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook. […]
“breathing new life into flamenco with a captivating fusion.” – Billboard Latin Maruja Limón is a female sextet from Barcelona known for their vibrant music that blends flamenco, pop, and Latin rhythms. They formed in 2014, and the group composes and arranges their own songs. Moreover, they have performed at festivals and venues across Europe, Morocco, and […]
“Savion is to tap what Charlie Parker is to jazz” – Herb Alpert Savion Glover brings his revolutionary Project 9 back to the venue he premiered it at, in October 2024! Glover combines live jazz music and percussive movement for an expressive celebration of sound. Here, Glover acts as lead dancer and drummer! At this […]
“infectious energy and joy radiating off the stage” – Adventures in Americana The Foxgloves are an all-women Americana/Newgrass band out of the Twin Cities. Here, they have been a vibrant part of the Midwest music scene since 2019. Their vibrant four-part harmonies share stories that feel weathered and deeply human, whether they are bright and driving, or […]
“groundbreaking, genre-bending innovative group” – Jazz Guitar Today Mark Lettieri is a six-time nominated, five-time Grammy winning guitarist, composer, producer, and instructor. He creates acclaimed guitar-based instrumental music and is a member of leading instrumental bands Snarky Puppy and The Fearless Flyers. Also, he is a session musician proficient in a multitude of styles. Thus, he has recorded and performed in virtually […]
