Stefan Kac leads the Symphonic Transients Orchestra. Photo © John Whiting

Then came the group Ingo Bethke in 2008, Kac’s trio with Adam Linz and Pete Hennig in 2008, his quartet with Sean Roderick, Josh Granowski, and Nick Zielinski, the group Bronco Vision with Brandon Wozniak, Anthony Cox, and Jay Epstein, and journeys into free jazz/improvised music with Milo Fine at Homewood Studios.

And there are the projects I haven’t yet heard, like the Copper Street Brass Quintet. Earlier this week I was talking with Dick Parker, a member of the Mouldy Figs, and he asked, “Do you know Stefan Kac”? Apparently Kac also plays with this trad jazz band and others. 

Zacc Harris©Andrea Canter

There can never be enough modern music in the Twin Cities, reason enough for the new Tuesday night series of jazz and improvised music at the Clown Lounge, the little music bar below the Turf Club in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood. For a long time, Monday nights at the Clown has served as an outlet for Fat Kid Wednesdays (Mike Lewis, Adam Linz, JT Bates) and other musicians focused on original and experimental music. The past December, the Clown expanded such gigs to Tuesdays. Notes curator/guitarist Zacc Harris, the series "continues to grow, providing another much needed venue for modern instrumental music in the Twin Cities."

Sets typically begin around 10 pm, with two ensembles playing each night. 

“Not only do they emulate their teachers with exacting precision, they also leave their own distinctive imprint on a musical style that is now theirs.” –Ben Jaffe, Director, Preservation Hall

The Jack Brass Band

The only New Orleans style brass band based in Minneapolis, Jack Brass has been enthralling audiences since 1999. Mixing the Big Easy’s traditions with old-time blues, rock, hip-hop, pop, funk and reggae, they’ve impressed no less than Wynton Marsalis, who noted, "If you like your gumbo spicy and your music hot, check out the Jack Brass Band." On December 18th at the Cabooze (917 Cedar S. in Minneapolis), JBB celebrates its 10th anniversary and release of a new recording, Fourth Movement.

Irv WIlliams©Andrea Canter

A few years ago, tenor saxophone legend Irv Williams hinted at retirement in his liner notes for That’s All, but clearly that was premature. Three CDs later, the then 88-year-old known fondly as “Mr. Smooth” issued a more dramatic hint with the release of Finality (Ding Dong Music).  But apparently the title only referred to Irv’s feelings about recording sessions, not performing opportunities. Still a weekly Happy Hour staple at the Dakota in Minneapolis and Il Vesco Vino in St. Paul, Irv and his quartet were on the main stage of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival in June. This weekend (Friday at the Artists Quarter, Monday at the Dakota), Irv celebrates 90. We have no doubt he has the capacity to blow out every candle.