Pianist and singer Kandace Springs is one of the premier female artists of the jazz/soul genre. Her natural gifts for lyricism and soulfulness have earned her recognition worldwide. Further, her late mentor Prince described her as having “a voice that could melt snow”. The Nashville native has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments. Here, she has […]
Grammy-winning artist Cory Henry has made a significant mark in the music industry. He recently won the award for Best Roots Gospel Album in 2025 for his deeply personal project, Church. This album reflects the rich musical heritage that has shaped his artistry and resonated with audiences worldwide. Additionally, PBS aired a documentary on the making of Church, providing an intimate […]
Sophia Shorai is a vocalist driven by an intuitive hunger for the “great song.” As a mainstay of Minneapolis music since 2010, she possesses the rare, chameleonic ability to inhabit any genre. Here, she handles the complex architecture of the Great American Songbook with ease. Equally, she evokes the raw grit of soul, funk, and R&B. […]
Minnesota Music Educators Association is proud to present the All-State Jazz Band at the Dakota with Michele Fernández. MMEA’s All-State Ensembles are built with 625 accomplished young musicians from 269 programs within the state of Minnesota. Michele Fernández is a published composer, active guest clinician, adjudicator and performer. Her jazz and symphonic compositions have been premiered […]
Clayton Joseph Chenier is Creole music royalty. His father, the legendary Clifton Chenier, invented the style of music we know today as Zydeco. Moreover, Clifton is the first Creole musician to be recognized with a Grammy Award. Raised in this indigenous American culture with its own distinctive language, cuisine and music, C.J. delivers soulful vocals along […]
Matteo Mancuso was born in 1996 and raised in the province of Palermo. There, people quickly recognized him as a musical prodigy. His father, Vincenzo Mancuso, a well-known guitarist and producer, guided Matteo’s introduction to the world of music. Teaming up with his father, Matteo made waves in Sicily’s jazz scene, participating in local festivals at […]
Meshell Ndegeocello has survived the best and the worst of what a career in music has to offer. She eschewed genre for originality, celebrity for longevity, and musical trends for musical truths. Fans have come to expect the unexpected and follow her journey. Then, she delves into soul, R&B, jazz, hip-hop, rock, all bound by the […]
A rare and special acoustic show! For one night only, Eric Gales sets his blistering electric guitar work aside for his equally brilliant acoustic playing. Here, Gales retains his trademark intensity and dynamism, allowing his virtuosic playing to shine in a different way. Eric Gales is a blues firebrand whose passion, power, and virtuosity have shaped one […]
Chester, PA native Avery*Sunshine has established herself as a musical powerhouse. Here she seamlessly blends her roles as a pianist, singer, songwriter, and producer. A proud graduate of Spelman College, she moved from the academic halls to the global stage. Her journey is a testament to her talent, dedication, and passion for music. Together with her husband […]
The Headhunters form one of the foundations of jazz and funk music. They formed in 1973 and are known for their iconic best-selling recordings released in the mid-1970s. Furthermore, the ensemble continues to impress audiences at their live shows and with their album releases today. While Herbie Hancock has not regularly joined them during fifty years […]
Dan Newton, accordion and vocals Eric Mohring, mandolin, fiddle and vocals Brian Barnes, guitar and vocals Erik Lillestol, bass Joe Steinger, percussion Elizabeth Rowan, percussion Prudence Johnson, vocals Dan Newton’s Café Accordion Orchestra (CAO) performs an eclectic mix full of French flair, Latin heat and Bohemian attitude. The heart of the CAO repertoire is the romantic, gypsy-influenced […]
Donald Harrison, saxophone Billy Harper, saxophone Cecil McBee, bass George Cables, piano Eddie Henderson, trumpet David Weiss, trumpet Billy Hart, drums Experience counts, especially in jazz. The more time musicians spend interpreting tunes and interacting with others, the more articulation an audience can expect. You can hear the fruits of such work in the expressive […]
