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 […]

Guitar virtuosos Bireli Lagrene, Martin Taylor and Ulf Wakenius create musical magic with one night, three award-winning guitarists, eighteen strings. Taylor’s award-winning virtuosic finger style combines with Lagrene’s jaw-dropping technique and Wakenius’ incredible musical versatility. Thus, the concert features solo, duet, and trio performances by these acknowledged masters of fingerstyle, jazz and hot-club guitar.

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.

Kassa Overall is a Grammy-nominated musician, emcee, singer, producer and drummer. Here, he melds avant-garde experimentation with hip-hop production techniques to tilt the nexus of jazz and rap in unmapped directions.

BluLuna was formed by four veteran musicians out of their love for myriad genres of the jazz idiom without restraining themselves to one specific branch of the music. By focusing on familiar melodic compositions, this bias-free approach has allowed them to concentrate on playing very fresh and sparkling ideas honoring the wide range of America's […]

BluLuna was formed by four veteran musicians out of their love for myriad genres of the jazz idiom without restraining themselves to one specific branch of the music. By focusing on familiar melodic compositions, this bias-free approach has allowed them to concentrate on playing very fresh and sparkling ideas honoring the wide range of America's […]

With energy and chops to burn, The Travis Anderson Trio brings fresh interpretations to standards and more – from Chopin to Mario Bros – they swing like there’s no tomorrow while saluting the great trios of yesterday.

THE TARBONE QUINTET returns for the 3rd time at the MetroNOME - featuring the guitar of Geoff LeCrone, the trombone of Dave Graf and a rhythm section with star pianist Laura Caviani, Dan Carpel on bass and Peter Kogan on drums. Classic jazz tunes by Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell as well as originals by […]

A Night of Hot Basie Style Big-Band! ACME Jazz Company is an 18 piece big band featuring vocalist Arne Fogel, singing selections from the Great American Songbook. Saxophonist Bob Parsons contributes his classic charts and unique arrangements to the band's growing eclectic repertoire. Arne Fogel: Vocalist Bob Parsons: Music Director and Arranger Arranger and woodwind performer Bob Parsons grew […]

Ruth Mascelli (NY) and saxophonist Mary Hanson Scott (Minneapolis) will perform selections of esoteric lounge music from their newly released EP "Self Control" (Disciples). Jazz trio Starflower will open the show with original compositions by percussionist Toby Ramaswamy, guitarist Ross Clowser, and saxophonist Anna Dolde. Live visuals by Shawna Lee. Ruth Mascelli pairs slinking, synth-fuelled […]

Inspired by a return to his former home near the Shenandoah Mountains in 2015, Minneapolis-based guitarist Zacc Harris launched American Reverie, a project that reimagines classic American folk songs through the lens of contemporary jazz. Featuring bassist Matt Peterson and drummer Lars-Erik Larson, the trio’s 2017 debut album received critical acclaim for its fresh, understated […]

If you love the full sound and quality of the R&B bands of the 70s, 80s, and 90s you will love The Johnnie Brown Experience. Johnnie Brown brings the excitement, musicianship, and lyrics all alive again. His raspy baritone voice and showmanship will take you back to the pinnacle of R&B music. During The Johnnie Brown Experience, you will […]

If you love the full sound and quality of the R&B bands of the 70s, 80s, and 90s you will love The Johnnie Brown Experience. Johnnie Brown brings the excitement, musicianship, and lyrics all alive again. His raspy baritone voice and showmanship will take you back to the pinnacle of R&B music. During The Johnnie Brown Experience, you will […]

Opening set by UMN Morris Jazz Combo.   A quartet with Dean Sorenson (trombone), Phil Hey (drums), Kyle Motl (bass) and Adolfo Medonca (piano).   Adolfo Mendonça is a Brazilian pianist and the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Minnesota (Morris). He has played in festivals and venues in Brazil, France, Mexico, Chile, […]

An Evening of Contemporary Jazz and World Music A world fusion evening bringing east and west with strong jazz and Brazilian sound from Reza’s current and upcoming release. Reza Khan: Guitar Andrew Neu: Sax and Flute Jennifer Grimm: Vocals Tushar Ahmed: Vocals Joy Islam: Vocals and Guitar Leo Traversa: Bass Mauricio Zottarelli: Drums Matt King: […]

Cadenza All Stars is a local Twin Cities Jazz Quartet made up of private music instructors at Cadenza Music in St. Paul, performing standards and originals. These talented jazz performers have long been stalwarts in the local jazz scene. Saxophonist Jeff King can also be seen performing with the Kurt Jorgensen Band. He has released recordings under […]

Saxophonist/composer Lenard Simpson will perform two sets of original music from his recent release, New Beginnings, with a quartet of excellent Chicago-based musicians. Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Lenard Simpson is “quickly becoming one of the most important saxophonists of this generation” (Kiefer). From his early days as a self-taught beginner to his formal studies at […]

Zach Miller Guest Performer, Competition Judge and Clinician Zach Miller has been a professional drummer and teacher living in Minneapolis since 2000. His diverse career spans from touring with recording artists Sara Groves and Jason Gray to performing with the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra. Beyond being a sideman for many songwriters, he writes for his own experimental […]

Multi-instrumentalist Nick Bhalla will perform one set of improvised solo piano. Then, he will be joined by Matt Beachey on bass and Ben Ehrlich on drums for a jazz trio set. Nick is highly active in the Minneapolis music scene, contributing to projects including Dusty Forever, Harlow, Neopolitan, Steady Range, and his trio Big Blue […]

An Evening of Straight Ahead Jazz The Harry Scott Trio performs a collection of Jazz standards and original songs about spring. With tunes such as I’ll Remember April, Spring is Here, and Aguas de Marco, this music is inspired by the season of new beginnings. An Easter’s Eve night of joy and jazz. Harry Scott: […]

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.

World-class Steinway Artist Nachito Herrera returns to his musical home! Here, he presents a special show titled “The Last of the 50s” to celebrate his upcoming sixtieth birthday. Expect music from all over the world, including of course music from his home country of Cuba! Also, he will play a wide range of songs, from classical to […]

Join us for an evening of music and learning with pianist Javier Santiago, drummer Corey Fonville, and bassist Zach Brown. The night will begin with a short trio performance, followed by a workshop-style conversation about what goes into playing as a group—how they listen, make choices, and shape the music in real-time.

Fuzzy Math has been a fixture on the Twin Cities scene for nearly 15 years, led by keyboardist-composer Mark Vandermyde and featuring some of the finest players around (Andrew Schwandt on tenor sax, Matt Peterson on bass and Haralds Bondaris on drums).  They have released 5 CDs, each offering a new iteration their uniquely eclectic […]

Bassoonist Garrett Jones, pianist Patrick Adkins, bassist Greg Byers, and drummer Adam Harder Nussbaum will perform two sets of music, featuring original compositions from Jones’ previous releases, Tributaries (2023) and Vestiges (2022), as well as unreleased material. Garrett Jones is a Minneapolis-based bassoonist and composer known for his cross-genre bassoon techniques and jazz bassoon recordings. His […]

Here is sound from the heart embodying Wonder and Mystery - seeking to create hypnotrance that fires up imaginations.  This musical spirit - rooted in spontaneity - dazzles audiences with sincerity and playfulness.   Featuring: Steven Hobert - piano Sue Orfield - tenor saxophone John Croarkin - flutes, baritone saxophone Kevin Rowe - bass Jay Epstein - drums

Tina Schlieske's Dakota shows give you both the intimacy of a living room show and blowing the roof off stadium concert levels. She's bringing her friends and sister Laura for a special Sunday Service.

“fantastic Django Reinhardt-inspired melodies” – Baby Blue Arts   The Red Hot Django Peppers is a band that formed from the love of the music of Django Reinhardt. The troupe consists of guitarists Ryan Picone and Jose Betanzos, violinist Danny Lentz, and bassist Sean Roderick.   The Red Hot Django Peppers had their premiere performance […]

Tina Schlieske's Dakota shows give you both the intimacy of a living room show and blowing the roof off stadium concert levels. She's bringing her friends and sister Laura for a special Sunday Service.