Doc Severinsen Big Band©Andrea Canter

Truly an American music icon, Carl Hilding “Doc” Severinsen may be the most readily identified trumpeter in contemporary music, in large part due to his long-term leadership of the  NBC Orchestra on the Tonight Show With Johnny Carson. But Doc’s vitality has only continued in his post-Carson years, as he has often been heard in major concert halls with the San Miguel 5 and his Big Band. Hearing him in the more intimate surroundings of a jazz club, however, is a more unusual opportunity, and to have the Doc Severinsen Big Band at the Dakota improbable? Last winter, the improbable became a treasured reality, as Doc and his band incorporated local talents (Mary Louise Knutson on piano, Michael Nelson on trombone). It worked so well that Doc will bring back the large ensemble to the Dakota this week, April 15-16, and again the piano bench will be occupied by our own Mary Louise Knutson, touring with Doc nationally in spring 2013. Other local talents will be on hand again, as well all-star saxophonist Ernie Watts. Not a bad way to celebrate the end of the tax season (and hopefully the end of the winter season?).

Rhonda Laurie©Andrea Canter

Funded by a grant from Minnesota’s Legacy Partnership Fund with the Minnesota Historical Society, vocalist Rhonda Laurie has brought “Happy Days Are Here Again: Uplifting Songs of the Greatest Generation” to small-town Minnesota libraries, local opera houses and college theaters over the past two years. Finally the show comes to the heart of the metro area, as Rhonda makes her debut in the Black Box Theater of the Bloomington Center for the Arts, April 13 (7:30 pm) and April 14 ( 2pm). Backing Rhonda will be guitarist Reynold Philipsek, bassist Josh Granowski, and reedman Doug Haining on clarinet.

"Call it one of the most engaging musical presentations of the season. Better yet, call it a stunning display of the music of the Western Hemisphere, performed by three of that region's (and the world's) finest artists." – Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times

Paquito D'Rivera and the Assad Brothers

One of the most celebrated jazz musicians in history, Paquito D’Rivera was awarded a National Medal of Arts by President Bush and named a NEA Jazz Master, recognitions he has easily earned over a 50+ year career spanning jazz, classical, and Latin genres. D’Rivera’s compositions and performances have garnered multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, and he was the first Latin artist (and only the second musician) to win Grammies in both jazz and classical categories. On Sunday, April 14th, D’Rivera joins forces with a younger generation of volcanic talents, the guitar-wielding, Grammy-winning Assad Brothers, for one glorious night of “Dances From the New World” at the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis, with shows at 6 and 8 pm.

Gary Schulte©Andrea Canter

“Jazz violin is still somewhat of a novelty despite the popularity of the music of Stephane Grappelli and the international acclaim of Regina Carter and Mark O’Connor. If there was artistic justice, then Gary Schulte’s name would be mentioned in the same breath.” — JazzPolice

PipJazz Sundays brings together a veteran violin virtuoso and a “young lioness” for the monthly concert on April 14th, at 4 pm in the Weyerhaeuser Auditorium of Landmark Center in St. Paul. Host/vocalist Pippi Ardennia and the PipJazz Band (with Peter Schimke, Dean Magraw, Marcus Wise, Billy Peterson, Glenn Swanson) welcome special guests, violinists Gary Schulte and Zosha Warpeha, along with student guest artist, trombonist Aiden Kronmiller.

Arne Fogel©Andrea Canter

Vocalist, producer, and jazz historian Arne Fogel brings a new show to the Hopkins Center for the Arts this Saturday, April 13th. “We Love Our Pianos” stars Fogel, Connie Evingson and Nancy Harms in an evening of song with piano giants Rick Carlson and Tanner Taylor. Fogel describes the show as  “a musical symposium on singers, piano players, and their relationship in jazz and popular song. Great tunes, great collaborations, for a night of harmonious teamwork!”

A native of Des Monies, IA, Arne Fogel is a popular radio personality, producer, curator and, above all, vocalist. He has sung on over 1500 jingles as well as composing and producing his own music for jingles and industrial presentations. An on-air host for MPR, KLBB, and most recently on KBEM radio, he is also lends his voice to radio and TV spots, produces musical revues for local theaters, curates the new jazz series at The Lexington, and continues to charm audiences in clubs throughout the metro area. Arne has channeled Sinatra and Crosby, often teams with vocalist Maud Hixson, and performs regularly with the Wolverines at Hell’s Kitchen.  Arne released You Call It Madness on vinyl in 1989 and the highly regarded CD, Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams, in 2001. His duo with Hixson led to their acclaimed Let’s Not Be Sensible (2005). Arne’s recent exploits include The Bing Shift and Minnesota Voices: Certain Standards on KBEM radio, and producing/co-starring in a series of revues saluting the music of the 30s, 40s, and 50s at the Bloomington Center for the Arts. In addition to producing and performing in We Love Our Pianos, he recently produced and starred (with Hixson) in Fred Astaire and the Songwriters at the Bloomington Art Center.

Jeremy Walker©Andrea Canter

“I want people to be thrilled. I want it to be a hair-raising experience, and an arc of hope.”  --Jeremy Walker (Star Tribune)

Prolific composer, bandleader, pianist and arts presenter Jeremy Walker leads the inaugural performance of his first evening-length work, “7 Psalms,” on Saturday, April 13th at Bethel University’s Benson Great Hall, part of the university’s Faculty Concerts series. Written for piano, saxophone, bass, drums, solo voice and a 20- voice choir, “7 Psalms” blends jazz with country, blues, and contemporary classical music. Featured musicians at this free concert include vocalist and Bethel University Jazz Band Director Jason Harms, a community choir directed by Brian Link, and Walker’s jazz ensemble cohorts, saxophonist Brandon Wozniak (Boot Camp), and bassist/Bethel Adjunct Professor Jeff Brueske and drummer Tim Zhorne (Small City Trio).

Eric Kamau Gravatt©Andrea Canter

Perhaps New York is the epicenter of jazz, no argument. But here in the Twin Cities reside some international figures of jazz—Dave King, Richard Johnson, Babatunde Lea, Anthony Cox, and Eric Kamau Gravatt, to name a few. And this weekend at the Artists Quarter (April 12-13), we have the opportunity to hear Gravatt with his stellar ensemble, Source Code.