Roy Hargrove©John Whiting

You can enter the Dakota jazz club from the street or the skyway that connects the office building it’s in with the parking ramp across the way. Often, if we can’t find street parking, my husband drops me off at the door and goes off to work his secret parking juju. That’s how I came across trumpeter Roy Hargrove between sets, standing outside the revolving doors and smoking a cigarette.  

We’ve met before so I say hi. He takes a drag, smiles, breathes smoke and says, “Minneapolis is sexy.” 

Kenny Horst©Andrea Canter

This weekend (February 5-6), a long-time, seldom heard ensemble of five Twin Cities jazz veterans takes the stage at the Artists Quarter. Formerly known in the 1990s as M.A.C. Music V, The Five are devoted to promoting jazz as modern American chamber music. Inspired by the Modern Jazz Quartet, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, and the early bands of Herbie Hancock, The Five features original compositions, many by drummer/Artist Quarter owner Kenny Horst.  

In addition to his ownership and management of the Artists Quarter, Kenny Horst is one of the most popular drummers in the area. He worked with Bobby Lyle for three years at the Blue Note in New York, toured with Jimmy McGriff, briefly with Al Hirt, and locally has played with many of the national and local artists booked at the AQ. Every Tuesday he is behind the trapset for the Tuesday Night Band, and nearly monthly for How Birds Work, at the AQ. 

“For over ten years Bill Frisell has quietly been the most brilliant and unique voice to come along in jazz guitar since Wes Montgomery. In light of this, it may be easy to overlook the fact that he may also be one of the most promising composers of American music on the current scene." Stereophile

Bill Frisell©Andrea Canter

Known for his eclectic cross cultural projects, Grammy-winning guitarist/composer Bill Frisell brings together traditional Iraqi maqams, Americana, and jazz with two equally compelling artists on February 6th at the Walker Art Center. His trio features Iraqi refugee and oud master Rahim AlHaj and acclaimed violist and erhu player Eyvind Kang, presenting the premiere of Baghdad/Seattle Suite. The ancient tones of AlHaj’s oud and Frisell’s guitar meld with Kang’s new music, folk, rock, and Middle Eastern melodies, “creating a sound that is lyrical, timeless, and universally appealing” (Walker Art Center).

Acme Jazz Company

The Acme Jazz Company is a 19-piece big band directed by saxophonist Doug Rasmussen, and features Miles Mortenson, alto; Bob Parsons, tenor; Pete Davis, trumpet; Geoff LeCrone, guitar; and Andy Artz, drums. The band was formed in 2008 by Doug Rasmussen, and plays at O’Garas in St. Paul on the first Monday of the month. They have performed at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Jazz on the Prairie, Hilde Performance Center and Como Park. Compositions and arrangements are by Rasmussen, Parsons, Lance Strickland, and Michael Fischer.

"The film is so well made, a labor of love...just the feeling of it, the soul of it all."   - Wynton Marsalis, Artistic Director, Jazz at Lincoln Center 

 

Jazz radio KBEM will screen the film CHOPS in its innovative REEL Jazz Film Series, February 4th at the Bryant-Lake Theater in south Minneapolis. Bringing classic and new documentary footage tracing jazz legends and more to the little venue adjacent to the bowling lanes and café, REEL Jazz celebrates the realm of independent jazz films in an appropriately intimate setting, with seating limited to 80 and a suggested donation (to KBEM radio) of $10. Curator and KBEM personality Kevin Barnes notes that “Bryant-Lake Bowl Theater is the perfect funky venue.” 

Sisters in Song (Vicky Mountain, Dorothy Doring, Lila Ammons)%copy;Andrea Canter

The Ground Hog might declare six more weeks of winter (which around here would be a blessing) but there is plenty of music to warm your heart and soul, especially from the singers of the Jazz Vocalists of Minnesota. Watch for announcement of the next showcases in March! Meanwhile, member public gigs in February: 

Joanne “Jo” Bolles

• February 13, 6-10 pm (dinner seatings at 6 & 8 pm) with JAS at Pardon My French (Eagan)
• February 14, 6-10 pm (dinner seatings at 6 & 8 pm), special Valentine’s Day solo performance at Pardon My French (Eagan)

Roxy Cruz

• February 5, 7-10 pm with guitarist Joe Cruz at Ingredients Café (White Bear Lake)