“Her vocal technique is peerless, her rhythmic control, her intonation, the fluid clarity of her enunciation, coupled with her intelligent illumination of lyric, mark her as a singer whose name, if there was any artistic justice in the crazy vocal jazz bizniz, would be at the top of the popularity poll lists and on the lips of all the in-the-know-it-all zoosters.” -- Alan Bargebuhr (Cadence Magazine, Spring 2008)  

Donald Thomas and Dorothy Doring©Andrea Canter

She lives and teaches in St. Paul but vocalist Dorothy Doring brings the steam of New Orleans to stages in Minnesota. On January 12th, she’ll team with frequent cohort Donald Thomas (drums and vocals) to warm up the night at the Dakota Jazz Club.

Debbie Duncan © Andrea Canter

Born in Memphis, Debbie Duncan grew up in Detroit, where her parents surrounded her with their favorite jazz, gospel, folk, and classical recordings. From her earliest years, Debbie was steeped in Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Gloria Lynne, Dakota Staton, Mel Torme, Ray Charles, and Chris Connors. She was also exposed to heavy gospel during summers with her grandparents in Memphis and St. Louis. While declaring her career intent “to be a singer” before she started school, Debbie was a reluctant star, keeping her talent at bay until she started classical voice lessons at age 14. Even then, she held back, instead studying flute in high school and not auditioning for the school choir until her senior year. Still concentrating on flute as her major at Wayne State University, Debbie continued to study voice, ultimately joining the Wayne State Women’s Chorale. Her vocal talent now at the forefront, soon she had a regular club gig and recorded back-up vocals for Mitch Ryder and Bob Segar.

“This polished band more than capably covers a lot of hip turf: hard bop, jazz-rock, Monk, Mingus, New Orleans funk, even a snatch of Led Zeppelin." -- Tom Surowicz, Star Tribune 

Triplicate©Andrea Canter

“Evoking emotions from broody contemplation to giddy exuberance.”  --Don Berryman, Jazz Police 

Good things come in threes, the saying goes, and in jazz that often comes in the form of a trio. Such is the case with Triplicate, a collaboration featuring Joel Shapira on guitar, Bruce “Pooch” Heine on bass, and Dave Stanoch on drums. Performing rather irregularly these days, Triplicate takes the stage at Hell’s Kitchen on Thursday, January 7th.  

Three diverse performers join together to celebrate their respective birthdays with an evening of engaging music at the Dakota Jazz Club. On Tuesday, January 5th, come help Christine Rosholt (45), Leslie Ball (55) and Dave Singley (a man of a certain age) blow out the candles.

Christine Rosholt©Andrea Canter

A graduate of the Minneapolis Children’s Theater Company & School, Christine Rosholt earned a BFA in performance art and photography from the Art Institute of Chicago. Her career in theater has included original performance art pieces and traditional theater as well as vocal performance. As a jazz vocalist, she has performed at many local venues, including regular gigs at the Dakota, Dakota County Steakhouse and the new Honey, as well as featured vocalist with Beasley’s Big Band.

Gregg Marquardt©Andrea Canter

Don’t let the party stop on January 1! The Jazz Vocalists of Minnesota will provide another opportunity to celebrate at the Sage Wine Bar on Saturday, January 2nd, when they present a Singers Jam and Showcase from 7-10 pm. Come hear 7-8 jazz vocalists with the swinging band of Reynold Philipsek (guitar) and Matt Peterson (bass). And there’s plenty of vocal jazz throughout January with members of the JVM: 

Kelly Rossum©Andrea Canter

Recently Dakota Jazz Club owner Lowell Pickett announced a series of special shows for 2010 to honor the club’s 25th anniversary, and the parade begins in January with an eclectic array of jazz, pop and blues and 11 shows featuring national artists—including expatriate Minnesotans Estaire Godinez and Kelly Rossum. And that’s just a teaser for shows to come later this winter and spring.  

National/Visiting Artists

Shows a 7 & 9:30 pm unless otherwise noted, ticket prices vary. Advance tickets or club reservations recommended. 

January 3-4, Shaun Labelle with Jeff Lorber ($25/20). Area native multi-instrumentalist/producer Shaun Labelle teams with smooth jazz legend Jeff Lorber on keys and Dave Barry on guitar.