“I remember ‘getting it’ about six years ago—the mission of MacPhail clicked. A kid came in – lots of issues at home and school, a problem kid. I got it. This is why MacPhail is here; and it has nothing to do with music, it has to do with life...You want them to love the music, to grow as a person.  It has nothing really to do with scales!” --Kelly Rossum

Kelly Rossum directed the first Combo rehearsal in 2006©Andrea Canter

“Being around so much improvisation all the time makes you realize your self identity more. You're more aware of who you are and what you're boundaries are. We need to accept individuals more in the States, and not point the finger when someone is vastly different from the norm.” –Adam Linz  

With a shiny new building and its state-of-the-art performance and rehearsal spaces, the MacPhail Center for Music is one of the gems of the Minneapolis arts corridor along the riverfront above St. Anthony Falls. Known throughout the nation as one of the premiere community music schools, MacPhail boasts classical training for students from young Suzuki violinists to octogenarian pianists; a music therapy program that supports the special needs of students with autism and other developmental challenges; lessons on every instrument from recorder to tuba; series of master classes, student and faculty recitals, and guest artist concerts.  

“Nancy's going to be a big presence in this town. She's already a total ‘pro,’ but she's working with more and more musicians, learning more about the business all the time, and earning a great reputation among the musicians and audiences alike. There's a lot of very cool stuff ahead for both Nancy and her rapidly expanding fan base.” –Arne Fogel 
 

Nancy Harms©Andrea Canter

One of the most entertaining aspects of the 2009 Twin Cities Jazz Festival’s “Jazz Night Out” was a Singers Showcase at Camp Bar, featuring the wide-ranging, cross-generational talents of the Jazz Vocalists of Minnesota, an organization of singers, instructors and vocal jazz enthusiasts. Among the veteran singers (Arne Fogel, Lucia Newell, Dorothy Doring) was a much younger vocalist who launched her public career just three years ago. Nancy Harms quickly became a regular performer at venues such as Rossi’s, The Times, Fine Line, and Dakota. On July 7th, Nancy returns to the Dakota with some favorite tunes and songs she has been recording for her debut CD, due out by the end of the year. Praised by such area legends as Arne Fogel, Nancy brings a solid sense of swing and a balance of groove and storytelling to the stage through such familiar vehicles as Gershwin and Ellington as well as less standard fare. 

Karrin Allyson©Andrea Canter

I recall that the last time Karrin Allyson performed at the Dakota, in April 2008, I thought it was the best set I had heard from her yet, and that was certainly saying something given her long history of engaging performances. 

But her opening set last week (June 23rd) was surely the best I have heard from her yet. I don’t think I am losing my powers of discrimination or succumbing to the “halo effect.” I think, as good as she is, she just keeps moving forward. And regardless of material—in advance celebration of the release of her Best of Karrin Allyson on Concord, Karrin’s set covered familiar selections from her diverse repertoire, nothing we had not heard before, yet everything sounded as if she was giving it an inaugural performance. And of course that is the hallmark of a top artist. 

Lila Ammons©Andrea Canter

The Jazz Vocalists of Minnesota celebrated summer and the Twin Cities Jazz Festival with a showcase at Camp Bar, one of the stops along the festival’s Jazz Night Out Club Crawl on June 18th. An enthusiastic crowd filled the back room theater space at Camp, and a rhythm section of Phil Aaron, Jocko McNelly and Reid Kennedy provided perfect support for JVM’s most accomplished singers. 

Gigs this month: 

Lila Ammons

• July 20-23 with Axel Zwingenberger at Jazzland (Vienna, Austria)
• July 25, with Axel and Torsten Zwingenberger at the Tiengen Sommer Jazz Fest (Waldshut-Tiengen, Germany)

Charles Lloyd New Quartet

There was no jazz festival along Nicollet Mall this summer, with all events condensed into a single weekend across the river in St. Paul. But the music never ends at 10th and Nicollet as the Dakota continues to book top names in jazz, blues and beyond, seven nights per week. July brings some of the biggest names in jazz in a single band, Charles Lloyd’s New Quartet; one of the biggest names in New Orleans blues, Dr. John, one of the fastest rising names in jazz guitar, Julian Lage, and one of the biggest names in funk, The Average White Band. And there’s more, touring artists and local stars. Also be sure to check out the new summer menu!