The Hot Club of Detroit plays with such reverence and passion. They play with a different level of conviction"  --James Carter 

Hot Club of Detroit

Recipe for a swinging good time: Take six musicians steeped in hot club tradition as well as modern music. Add one vocalist renowned for her gypsy jazz interpretations as well as for her eclectic tastes and skills. Mix together on the stage of one of the world’s finest jazz clubs. Voila! The Hot Club of Detroit and Twin Cities songbird Connie Evingson join forces for one evening of joyous swing on September 9th (7 pm). And Connie is not the only Twin Cities connection—leader and founder Evan Perri was once a student at McNally Smith College in St. Paul. 

“A unified voice that truly breaks new ground – authentic and passionate – a reflection of some of the most creative music-making today.” –Yo Yo Ma 

Tirtle Island Quartet©Andrea Canter

The Grammy winning Turtle Island Quartet is more often heard in concert halls than small jazz clubs, yet their music seems equally at home in a jazz environment or a classical venue. Bringing improvisation and an amalgam of styles to a classical music foundation, TIQ is the ultimate cross-over ensemble, bring the works of John Coltrane to the Dakota on their last visit. Now they reach back to 60s rock icon Jimi Hendrix, tackling much of the Electric Ladyland repertoire as well as an original suite from TIQ founder David Balakrishnan on their new Telarc release, Have You Ever Been…? Electrifying and defying, the Turtle Island Quartet returns to the Dakota for one night on September 12th. 

Jay Epstein©Andrea Canter

Three of the Twin Cities’ most creative musicians join forces at the Artists Quarter on September 8th for an evening of original works and inventive covers. Featuring drummer Jay Epstein, guitarist Chris Olson and bassist Chris Bates, the music of John Scofield, Dave Holland, and Chick Corea, as well as the compositions of the three musicians, will indeed provide a “framework” for an exciting evening of modern jazz.  

Of trapset master Jay Epstein, Cadence Magazine’s David Lewis noted that “his dazzling cymbal and snare work extends the lineage of Tony Williams and Jack DeJohnette.” For many years, Epstein managed time for the Phil Aaron Trio with a long-running weekly gig at the Hotel Sofitel in Bloomington and has been one-third of Red Planet with Dean Magraw and Chris Bates. These days, in addition to Framework, Jay keeps busy with Counterclockwise, Impulso, the Tim Sparks Trio and other ensembles as well as supporting area vocalists including Christine Rosholt and Nancy Harms. He released his own acclaimed recording Long Ago on Igmod Records, has recorded with Bill Carrothers, and appears on each of Gordon Johnson’s Trios, among a long list of sideman credits. In his “spare” time, Epstein teaches at Macalester College in St. Paul. 

Ramsey Lewis

Three-time Grammy winner and NEA Jazz Master Ramsey Lewis makes a rare club appearance at the Dakota Jazz Club to close out the holiday weekend, September 6-7. Lewis’s current tour is in part a celebration of his 75th birthday, and will feature favorite as well as new compositions. 

A native of Chicago, Ramsey Lewis is well known for his gospel inflected style that melds with his classical training. Studying piano from age 4, he was immersed in the great classical composers, hearing little jazz beyond his father’s recordings of Ellington and Tatum. When he was fifteen, he was invited to join a jazz band led by one of the musicians at his church, and soon Lewis was playing gigs with The Clefs. When the Korean War broke up the septet, Lewis formed his first trio with the remaining rhythm section. While jazz was now an important part of his musical life, it never replaced his affinity for classical and gospel music.  

Dakota Combo at MacPhail (May 2010)©Andrea Canter

The fifth edition of the Dakota Combo – an elite ensemble of area youth jazz artists—will be selected following auditions on September 11th. A program of the MacPhail Center for Music and sponsored by the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education, the Combo will rehearse under the direction of  bassist/MacPhail Jazz Coordinator Adam Linz and will rehearse and perform with a special guest artist at their early December performance at the Dakota Jazz Club. They will also visit area schools, perform a spring show at MacPhail Center for Music in May 2011 and at the 2011 Twin Cities Jazz Festival, and at other venues. As part of the NEA grant awarded to MacPhail to explore and present the works of Charles Mingus, the Combo will participate in related workshops as well as focus on Mingus throughout the year. Rehearsals begin in late September. 

“The PHQ is a true, seasoned ensemble laying down a musical vision with common purpose.”—Pat Courtemanche

Phil Hey©Andrea Canter

Twin Cities jazz fans may not always appreciate our great fortune—to live in a community blessed with some of the finest musicians in the country, artists who have played with such legends as Charlie Rouse, Kenny Barron, Benny Golson, Benny Carter, Jay McShann, and Dewey Redman. Such is the resume of drummer Phil Hey, who brings his quartet into the Artists Quarter for a holiday weekend gig (September 3-4) to reprise their almost-monthly night of hard burning post bop magic. And you can be sure that if AQ owner/drummer Kenny Horst keeps a drummer-led ensemble on his regular rotation, it has to be magic!