Irv Williams©Andrea Canter

Favorite visitors and home-based jazz artists bring a diverse array of top-notch jazz to the Artists Quarter this month, starting with a slam-bang weekend with Pat Mallinger back to back with the Atlantis Quartet; Joann Funk celebrates Blossom Dearie while Chris Lomheim pays tribute to muse Bill Evans; Anthony Cox returns for a weekend of bass antics while the newly formed trio of Brandon Wozniak, Adam Linz and Eric Gravatt come back to the “birthplace” of their collaboration. Peter Schimke and Kenny Horst once again anchor a new band, this time with Pete Whitman in the driver’s seat and Tom Lewis holding down the basslines, and the Phil Hey Quartet take a much anticipated weekend slot. And the month starts with a double-header of some of our youngest rising stars, and ends with a birthday celebration for our most cherished elders.

Great Jazz, Great Weekends (9 pm)

Pat Mallinger©Andrea Canter

August 4, Atlantis Quartet ($12). Often topping the local media listings for Bes Jazz Band of the Year, Atlantis Quartet brings their edgy original composition back to the AQ. With Zacc Harris, Brandon Wozniak, Chris Bates and Pete Hennig, you have four of the area’s most creative jazz artists at work, likely to bring us tunes from their three recordings (including 2011’s Lines in the Sand) as well as new material.

Anthony Cox©Andrea Canter

August 10-11, Anthony Cox Group ($12). After building his reputation with Stan Getz and other in New York, bassist Anthony Cox returned home to the Twin Cities, and over the years has proven that residence is no limitation in building an international following. Cox has worked and/or recorded with Bobby Previte, Dewey Redman, Geri Allen, Arthur Blythe, Sam Rivers, Joe Lovano and Uri Caine, and continues to play extensively around the Twin Cities with such luminaries as Dave King, Bryan Nichols, Chris Lomheim, Phil Hey, Debbie Duncan, Jeremy Walker and more. Noted All About Jazz, “his technique is absolutely awesome and his solos are full of wit and wisdom."  

Eric Kamau Gravatt©Andrea Canter

August 24, Media Addicts CD Release ($10). A modern jazz quartet with “an aggressive, image-evoking sound,” Media Addicts is an assemblage of former McNally Smith cohorts, with Billy Graczyk – guitar, David Hirsch – sax, Eric Miller – drums, and Brent Wallace – bass. Tonight they celebrate a new recording (Autonomy), a follow-up to their well-received 2008 debut, Elsewhere.

August 25, Whitman/Schimke/Lewis/Horst ($10). AQ owner Kenny Horst is forever seeking new combinations of old friends, and tonight he;s found another magical formula with pianist Peter Schimke, bassist Tom Lewis, and saxman Pete Whitman. Each a major force in his own right, let’s see what explosive and magical concoctions they create as an ensemble!

Phil Hey Quartet©Andrea Canter

Special Celebrations

August 8, The Music of Blosssom Dearie with Joann Funk (8 pm, $10). Just down the street at the St Paul Hotel, pianist/vocalist Joann Funk has been entertaining in the Lobby Bar every weekend, usually with bassist Jeff Brueske and sometimes adding drummer Nathan Norman for extra propulsion. Tonight the trio comes to the AQ to celebrate one of Joann’s key muses, the eccentric and magical Blossom Dearie. Joann has been pulling pages from Blossom’s book down at the hotel and on CD, but this will be her first major presentation of a Blossom show. And it will be fun.

August 16, Chris Lomheim Trio Tribute to Bill Evans (9 pm, $5). Nearly every year, pianist Chris Lomheim celebrates the birthday of the great late Bill Evans, his primary source of inspiration. With bassist Gordy Johnson and drummer Jay Epstein, Chris will lead a night in tribute to Evans’ compositions and great trio combinations. So where else can you find such celestial music for $5 in a jazz-centric setting?

August 30, Birthday Celebration with Jeanne Arland Peterson, Irv Williams and Cliff Brunzell (7:30 pm, $10). Speaking of birthdays, here are three of our local legends, still blowing out the candles as well as stirring up a storm of music into their 90s. Pianist Jeanne, saxman Irv and violinist Cliff  have literally centuries of music among them, and they are still sharing it with the vigor and delight of teenagers.

Weeknights, Starry Nights (9 pm unless otherwise noted)

Mondays, Headspace (7- 9 pm); Open Poetry With Live Jazz (9 pm) (no cover). Headspace features Rob Dewey on piano, Sten Johnson on saxophones, Eric Struve on bass and Chris Gray on drums.

Tuesdays, Cory Wong Quartet (7 pm, no cover). Weekly B-3 Organ Night has ended but the early show at 7 pm with the Cory Wong Quartet continues, followed by a local favorite (9 pm, $5). Plan to come down early for one of the hottest young guitarists in the region and stick around for the rest of the fun. The Lopez sisters serve up Westside Tacos, $2 each, and something tasty for dessert for $1.

Wednesdays, Steve Kenny and the Bastids (7 pm, no cover). The early set jam features Steve Kenny on trumpet, Jesse Mueller on piano, Adam Tucker on bass, and Aaron Rupar on drums, along with some very interesting weekly special guests. Part jam session, part stand-up comedy, and part game show, the Bastids are a rousing warm-up to the evening’s festivities.

Coriolis Effect©Andrea Canter

August 2 (7 pm, no cover). TCJS opens its third season of Young Artists with a band of young college musicians, all products of Twin Cities high schools. The Emerson Hunton Jazz Experience features the leader on drums, along with saxophonist Brad Allen, guitarist Brett Suder, and bassist Caitlin Kelliher. You’ll be hearing more about these outstanding talents! And speaking of outstanding young talents, stick around for the 9 pm show with Coriolis Effect. This quartet of present and former UW-Eau Claire jazzers had their AQ debut a year ago on the Young Artists Series. Now leader and saxman Tyler Anderson is heading to North Carolina for some post-college studies with Branford Marsalis. It might be a while before the band can get together so this is sort of a farewell for Tyler. He’s joined by UW-EC students Cody Peterson on piano and Jordan Jenkins on bass, with Manhattan School of Music grad (2011) Miguel Hurtado on drums. Their original compositions will leave you wanting a reunion soon.

August 9, McNally Smith Venue Night ( 8 pm, no cover). Not far from the AQ, the McNally Smith College of Music has been nurturing budding musicians, and they often find their way to the AQ as listeners and performers. A few times each year, the AQ hosts a night showcasing the many talented young musicians and faculty of McNally Smith. Tonight, Chris Olson leads Jazz G1 and G2, and Kristin Sponcia heads Jazz Sponsemble.

Jana Nyberg and Adam Meckler©Andrea Canter

August 22, Graydon Peterson Quartet. About a year go, the first-call bassist stepped out to lead his own ensemble, featuring original tunes and arrangements. Joining Gradyon will be Adam Meckler (trumpet), Vinnie Rose (guitar) and Adrian Suarez (drums).

August 23, Snowblind, Tribute to Blue Note Records ($8). Brass magic abounds with this quintet, featuring Shilad Sen (sax), Adam Rossmiller (trumpet), Scott Agaster (trombone), Graydon Peterson (bass) and Reid Kennedy (drums). Tonight they take a different turn with a salute to the great Blue Note recordings.

August 29, Joe Smith Quartet. The veteran saxophonist pulls together a fine ensemble following the Bastids warmup.

Coming in September

        September 14-15, Chris Bates Quintet CD Release

        September 21-22, Bob Sheppard

Visit the AQ website for details of the Tuesday line-up this month, and for more information. The AQ is located at 408 St Peter Street in the lower level of the Hamm Building in downtown St. Paul; www.artistsquarter.com

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