The 2026 Dakota Block Party will present a lineup of more than a dozen free musical acts throughout the afternoon and evening, along with food and beverage offerings from Dakota and local partners. Performers include Karrin Allyson, The Sounds of Blackness featuring. Jamecia Bennett, The New Standards, Moore by Four, Lucia Sarmiento, Joe Pulice Big […]
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By Don Berryman With a sophisticated groove, Hammond B3 organist Larry Goldings, guitarist Peter Bernstein, and drummer Bill Stewart comprise a group that is arguably the finest jazz organ trio performing today. Each member is a modern jazz master in his own right with resumes listing collaborations with a who’s who of jazz from the […]
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One of the busiest musicians throughout his career and one of the most beloved by colleagues and jazz fans alike, saxophone master and Minnesota Jazz Legend Dave Karr passed away July 19th at age 96. He was perhaps best known as a tenor player, but also made his mark on bari, leading his “Mulligan Stew” […]
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The Steve Kenny Quintet will play a special show with elements of tribute to Sonny Rollins in recognition of his recent passing. The show will also include some Miles Davis material celebrating his 100th birthday. Also, there will be a Chuck Mangione tune or two in tribute to the late, great flugelhornist, composer and bandleader. […]
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by Don Berryman Bassist and composer Steve Swallow has released a finely crafted new album, Winter Songs, on ECM records with a seasoned sextet that includes Chris Cheek on tenor saxophone, Mike Rodriguez on trumpet, Steve Cardenas on guitar, Gil Goldstein on piano, and Adam Nussbaum on drums. It is Steve Swallow’s first release as […]
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Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM) is one of the biggest music festivals in the world, with so much music art, souvenirs, and food, that it often spills out beyond the official Festival itself. Here are two events that took place during FIJM that show just how widespread the creative influence reaches during the […]
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The 2025 Montreal Jazz Festival, officially known as Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM), took place from June 26 to July 5. FIJM is one of the biggest in the world, with a huge program of legendary performers and up-and-coming musicians. Over 350 concerts were presented, and two-thirds of them were free outdoor shows […]
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By Don Berryman The Phoenix Trio is a new all‐star ensemble featuring three of the most creative and accomplished jazz musicians today; tenor saxophonist Mark Turner, bassist Joe Martin, and drummer Marcus Gilmore (who is the grandson of the great Roy Haynes). This trio performing all original music was recorded by Jimmy Katz & James […]
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It’s become a tradition! The Upper Midwest presents three great jazz festivals over three weekends, starting with the Twin Cities Jazz Festival June 19-20; moving south the the Iowa City Jazz Festival July 3-5; and then moving back north to the Northfield Jazz Festival July 10-12. And these jazzy weekends, featuring an exciting assortment of […]
Continue ReadingPiano wizard Kavyesh Kaviraj and trumpeter Omar Abdulkarim, who are frequent collaborators, will team up again at the Dakota at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 27. Along with drummer Kevin Washington and bassist Dan Carpel, they will play a mix of originals and new arrangements from both co-leaders.
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