Victor Wooten

Outside, the Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant has one of the most vibrant patios in downtown Minneapolis. Inside, the club boasts what has become one of the most eclectic music scenes in the Midwest. The July heat might discourage dining al fresco, but come inside and enjoy the cool air and hot rhythms. Jazz fans this month will enjoy the likes of Bill Frisell, Victor Wooten, Ronnie Laws and James Carter, as well as 2 weekend nights with local dynamo Nachito Herrera. Other nights of music feature CJ Chenier, Terrance Simien, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Davina and the Vagabonds, Luisa Maita, Adrian Legg and a special 100th birthday salute to Woody Guthrie.

Jazz Nights

Bill Frisell©Andrea Canter

July 8, Irv Williams Quartet (7 pm, no cover, Foodie night). Wasn't Irv's retirement party just a couple months ago? Sure enough, even at the time, Irv promised a "comeback," but it seems he never left. The 92-year-old tenor sax legend is still blowing sweet and fine, with Peter Schimke on keys and most likely Billy Peterson on bass. 

July 9-10, Victor Wooten Band (7 & 9 pm, $40/30 ticket). Bassist with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Victor Wooten has amassed five Grammy awards as well as most other major awards on his instrument, including three Bassist of the Year honors from Bass Player Magazine --the only person to have won the award more than once. Beyond his solo and ensemble exploits, Wooten is a dedicated educator offering clinics, camps, and instructional DVDs, and recently published his first novel, The Music Lesson.

Ronnie Laws©Roger Humbert

July 15, Viva Brasil (7 pm, no cover). One of the hottest new bands in the Twin Cities, Viva Brasil brings the pop, jazz and traditional sounds of Brasil to the Dakota. With a repertoire of tunes sung both English and Portuguese and putting a Brazilian spin on American fare, Viva Brasil is led by bassist Altamir Coelho, and features Kevin Washington on drums, Cory Won on guitar, Samuel de Moraes on sax and flute, Eliezer Freitas Santos on percussion, and Ruens de Mello on vocals. Foodie Night specials!

Jana Nyberg Group©Andrea Canter

July 23-24, Ronnie Laws and Tom Browne Super Group (7 & 9 pm, $35/25 ticket). Brother of famed jazz flautist Hubert Laws, saxophonist Ronnie has been making his mark on the contemporary jazz and R&B scene. A commercial airline pilot as well as musician, trumpeter Tom Browne particularly worked in Sonny Fortune’s band before embarking on his own solo career, making some hit cross-over recordings. Now these two titans join forces for two nights of blazing and soulful music.

James Carter©Andrea Canter

More Music

See the Dakota website for more information about the following shows:

 July 3, CJ Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band

 July 5, Voodoo Patsy

 July 6, Alison Scott

 July 7, Kelley Hunt

 July 11-12, Blood, Sweat and Tears

 July 14, Woody Guthrie’s 100th Birthday with Pop Wagner, Charlie Maguire and Tony Glover

Leonard King©Andrea Canter

 July 19, Luisa Maita

 July 20, Mary Jane Alm

 July 22, Fred Eaglesmith

 July 25, Adrian Legg

 July 27-28, Davina and the Vagabonds

Coming Soon

 August 1-2, Tribute to Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery (Joey DeFrancesco, Larry Coryell, Jimmy Cobb)

 August 20, Erin Bode

 September 4-5, Pat Metheny Unity Band

 September 11-12, Marcus Miller

 September 18, John Scofield Trio (with Steve Swallow and Bill Stewart)

 September 26-27, Chick Corea and Gary Burton

 October 30-31, Maria Schneider Orchestra

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com or 612-3332-1010

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