Tuck and Patti©Andrea Canter

Together performing (as well as life partners) for three decades, the vocal/guitar jazz duo Tuck (Andress) and Patti (Cathcart) met at an audition in Las Vegas, began performing as a duo in California in 1981, and now have fifteen albums and a world of fans to their credit. With Tuck on guitar and Patti as vocalist/composer/arranger, the pair have forged a partnership unequaled in modern music, applying a simple formula: Says Tuck, “Patti writes and arranges; I am just the orchestra.” And that’s more than a loose analogy. On their last visit to the Dakota in 2010, Tuck was indeed the orchestra with merely two hands, ten fingers, and six strings, his multi-part harmonies, wide arsenal of attack strategies, and elastic dexterity often conjuring a trio or quartet accompaniment for Patti’s equally agile, elegantly down-home vocals. We can expect more of this charming musical collaboration when Tuck and Patti return to the Dakota for one night, Sunday, February 10th.

Adam Meckler Orchestra©Andrea Canter

Tucked underground on Central Avenue where Northeast meets Southeast, Jazz Central Studios continue to schedule some of the area’s most diverse and one-of-a-kind jazz gigs. Mondays typically highlight an area veteran in a new configuration or an up-and-coming artist; Tuesdays are big band nights – and hearing a big band without a dance floor, and without amplification, is a real treat. Thursdays are Vocal Jazz nights putting the spotlight on an area singer, usually with a pianist, and always and intimate experience.  And Wednesday are scheduled more and more often, a wild card night.  Donations ($5-$10 suggested) appreciated to keep the lights on and the musicians happy. Coming up for the remainder of February:

Chris Thomson©Andrea Canter

The February installment of Jazz at Studio Z features the Thomson/Harris Collective on Saturday, February 9th in the Studio Z concert space in St Paul’s Lowertown. The Thomson/Harris Collective is a new collaboration between two of the Twin Cities' most compelling jazz composers and musicians, saxophonist Chris Thomson and Jazz at Studio Z curator/guitarist Zacc Harris. The group will feature a rotating cast of players in the rhythm section. Joining the frontline of Thomson and Harris at Studio Z will be two exciting young players, Brian Courage on bass and Miguel Hurtado on drums. Before the concert, Thomson will lead a free workshop on “Melody Matters Most: Navigating the Common Pitfalls of Jazz Improvisation.”

Bryan Nichols©Andrea Canter

“...a swinging, sometimes quirky sense of time and creative expression.” – Jazz Police

Since he completing a degree in genetics at Iowa State University, pianist Bryan Nichols has been busy performing, composing and teaching music rather than studying DNA. The Twin Cities native has been in high demand since returning “home” in 2005, leading trios, quintets and a nonet. Always seeking new creative opportunities, Nichols has assembled a new trio of heavyweights, with bassist Chris Bates and drummer JT Bates, ready to turn the musical world upside-down this weekend (February 8-9) at the Artists Quarter.

Choro Borealis

Locally acclaimed, globally appreciated guitarist/singer/songwriter Robert Everest knows no boundaries when it comes to music. His long-standing Robert Everest Expedition, traversing folk traditions and rhythms from Latin America to the Mediterranean, with a dose or two of great American jazz standards, has charmed many audiences and yielded a well-respected self-titled recording. More focused on Brazilian music, Robert formed Beira Mar Brasil (originally as Mocotó Brasi), now the musical centerpiece of the annual Carnaval Brasileiro that Everest directs at the Fine Line Café. Now in trio format as Choro Borealis, Everest (playing 7-string guitar, cavaquinho,and occasionally vocals and percussion) joins Pat O’Keefe (B-flat clarinet, bass clarinet and percussion) and brother Tim O’Keefe (mandolin, cavaquinho and percussion) to present the choro music of Brazil, in concert Wednesday, February 6 at the Sabes Jewish Community Center in St. Louis Park.

Tuck Andress©Andrea Canter

After four nights with Prince in January, what next for the Dakota? How about five nights (not consecutive) with Lucinda Williams? Overall, this could be dubbed Singer/Songwriter/Guitar month in downtown Minneapolis, with Tuck & Patti and Stacey Kent on the short but strong jazz list for the month.

Estaire Godinez

Following one of the biggest—if not the biggest—celebrations in Artists Quarter history (Kenny Horst’s 70th birthday on 1/25), things barely have a chance to cool off as the line-up for February is hotter than ever. For starters, there’s three consecutive weekends of gifted keyboard masters from near and far, and the month ends with a long-awaited return of a former resident percussion star. In-between, the best of local jazz fills the lower level of the Hamm Building. Stay warm, stay in tune. Stay at the AQ.

“The melody is what creates a particular energy and feeling in the listener and it sets the tone…  I take an idea, develop it, turn it inside out and come back to it at the end.  That resonates with people.  Ultimately people remember melodies, not harmonic progressions.” –Lynne Arriale

Lynne Arriale©Andrea Canter