What is “Sitting-In”? Sitting in is not the same as a “jam session”. A musician’s definition of “sitting in” is to participate in a working group, as a guest, usually to play a couple of songs. This usually occurs at the invitation of someone in the band. This is how Jazz Musicians typically audition and […]

Minneapolis-based jazz pianist and composer, Mary Louise Knutson (k’NOOT-son), has been called "one of the most exciting artists to happen to jazz piano in quite some time." Her warm, inviting tone, broad range of emotional expression, and distinctive compositions have brought her much recognition on the national music scene.

Since Hiromi’s debut album, 2003’s Another Mind, the world-renowned pianist’s sound has evolved with every release. Here, she erases the lines between jazz and classical, composition and improvisation. Now she changes tack again with her heaviest, funkiest album yet: Sonicwonderland. For her new quartet, Hiromi’s Sonicwonder, she cast bassist Hadrien Feraud, drummer Gene Coye, and trumpet […]

Since Hiromi’s debut album, 2003’s Another Mind, the world-renowned pianist’s sound has evolved with every release. Here, she erases the lines between jazz and classical, composition and improvisation. Now she changes tack again with her heaviest, funkiest album yet: Sonicwonderland. For her new quartet, Hiromi’s Sonicwonder, she cast bassist Hadrien Feraud, drummer Gene Coye, and trumpet […]

Guitarist Joel Shapira is a nationally acclaimed musician residing in Minnesota. He is a leader and/or member of multiple top Twin Cities jazz ensembles, and he is a master of the demanding discipline of solo guitar. He performs regularly with world-class musicians, has numerous recordings to his credit, and is featured on the New York […]

PRINTS is a loop-based, improvised, experimental electronic trio with a hint of doomjazz and a dash of jungle, featuring Eric Carranza (Lady Midnight) on guitar, loops, and drum machine; Dave Power (The Staves) on live drums and sometimes also drum machine; and Andrew Thoreen (Har-di-Har) on bass, loops, and sometimes trombone.

AACM School of Music Presents:   A free master class by improvising drummer and composer Davu Seru.   Join Jazz Central Studios in-person or online for this free master class on Saturday, April 12, 11am to 12:30pm (CST)   With Josh Granowski, bass, and Levi Schwartzberg, vibraphone. About Davu:  Minneapolis-Saint Paul resident Davu Seru is […]

Pianist Bryan Nichols and saxophonist Bryan Murray will perform two sets of dinner jazz. After 20 years of living, studying, and performing in the New York music scene, Bryan Murray relocated to Apple Valley, MN, with his family in 2022. While in New York, Bryan led an “avant country” band called Bryan and the Haggards […]

Versatility can be rewarding but some music just feels like home. Vocalist Prudence Johnson returns to a jazz repertoire in the debut of the Halcyon Jazz Quartet, featuring vibraphonist Dave Hagedorn, percussionist Joe Pulice and bassist Kevin Clements. Together they take the "less is more" approach and reach for the emotional and musical depths of […]

British saxophonist and composer Nubya Garcia

Reverso is a trans-oceanic improvising chamber jazz project co-led by JazzTimes’ number-one trombonist, Ryan Keberle, and Frank West, the acclaimed Paris-based pianist and music director for Ibrahim Maalouf. The trio, which also features the world-class French improvising cellist, Vince Curt, performs original music that crosses the boundaries of jazz and classical music inspired by the […]

Guitarist Cody Steinmann will be joined by bassist Calvin Caron and drummer Nick Zuck. Cody Steinmann has been performing and teaching professionally for over 10 years. He attended Milwaukee Area Technical College, where he completed an associate’s degree in music occupations and later won a Rita Tallent Picken scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin–Parkside. […]

Minneapolis-based jazz pianist and composer, Mary Louise Knutson (k’NOOT-son), has been called "one of the most exciting artists to happen to jazz piano in quite some time." Her warm, inviting tone, broad range of emotional expression, and distinctive compositions have brought her much recognition on the national music scene.

The Green Line Quintet returns to Fingal’s Cave. The Green Line Quintet, named after the Green Line Lightrail that runs through the University of Minnesota’s campus, is a group of friends and musicians dedicated to creating and performing music together. After a very successful year of playing together in the university’s jazz program, all 5 […]

BZ3 Organ Trio showcases organist Brian Ziemniak, guitarist David Feily, and drummer Kevin Washington coming together to deliver a modern take on a classic organ trio. With an edgy funk sound informed by their Minneapolis roots, the band is known for their impassioned live performances, taking listeners on an engaging journey through jazz, funk, soul, […]

Jake Baldwin, Zacc Harris, and Pete Hennig form an adventurous ambient jazz and improvised trio that blends rich textures with boundary-pushing soundscapes. Originally coming together for a casual recording session in search of a bassist, the trio found creative freedom in the absence of one. Guitarist Zacc Harris employed heavy effects and looping to expand the harmonic palette, while […]

Join Chris Olson, a highly respected jazz guitarist and educator, for a masterclass exploring the techniques and concepts of jazz guitar playing. Whether you’re looking to refine your comping, improve your improvisation, or develop a more authentic jazz sound, this session will provide practical tools to enhance your playing. Learn More This masterclass is open to […]

“This free and opened to the public event celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month. It is co-sponsored by the Musician Performance Trust Fund, Twin Cities Musicians Union, and Jazz Central Studios; featuring four of the finest Big Bands in our local music scene today.” Cedar Avenue Big Band: “This 16 piece band boosts having been on-going for the […]

The Cafe Accordion Orchestra, CAO, presents Jazz and Java, an afternoon of Parisian musette and swing. Enjoy accordion-fueled swing waltzes, passionate French ballads and jumpy jazz with fiddle and guitar. Dan Newton: Accordion, Vocals Eric Mohring: Fiddle, Mandolin, Vocal Mike Cramer: Guitar Erik Lillestol: Bass Joe Steinger: Percussion CAO has been delighting audiences and dancers alike […]