Dean Granros © Andrea Canter

Blending the low brass of the valve trombone with the guitar, the Brad Bellows/Dean Granros duo was formed in 1998 playing an interesting mix of West Coast jazz, pop, Latin tunes, and free improvisation. In 2001 they released recording called "Bear's Dellight", which received critical acclaim the press. Tom Surowicz of the Star Tribune call it  "Honest, warm, and timeless chamber jazz sounds", and MPR's Leigh Kamman said it was "A rewarding adventure in listening".  Brad Bellows is the area's preeminent valve trombonist and band leader.  Guitar genius Dean Granros moved to Wisconsin a few years back and has only sporadically appeared on the Twin Cities scene since - much to our loss. They will reunite at the Black Dog Wine and Coffee Bar at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 19th.

Brad Bellows © Andrea Canter

A composer and improviser, since the mid-sixties Dean Granros has been combining blues, classical, electro-acoustic, rock ‘n roll, country, western swing, and various world music influences, and mixing it all in a pot of new jazz broth. His musical role models have ranged from Charles Ives and Messiaen, to Ornette Coleman, Monk, Steve Lacy, Anthony Braxton . .to Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker, and Mississippi Fred McDowell.

In addition to his own ensembles and solo work, Dean has performed with, The Whole Earth Rainbow Band, Yvonne Rainer Grand Union Dance Company, the Nancy Hauser Dance Company, Dave Dudley, Lee Konitz, Richie Cole, Lapis, Wingless Transportation Trio, Les Thimic, Anthony Cox (Siamese Fighting Fish, Starry Eyed Lovelies), Gao Hung, Vinnie Golia, Eric Gravatt and Kamanari, the Guthrie Theater company, Happy Apple, F*K*G, the Brad Bellows Duo, Carie Thomas, the Joe Smith Quartet, Ira Sullivan, Billy Holloman, "How Birds Work"', and George Cartwright’s “Curlew” and "Gloryland Ponycat".

Dean Granros © Don Berryman

In 1995 Dean Granros joined the progressive and virtuosic improvising trio F*K*G, formed with saxophonist Scott Fultz, and drummer Dave King. In 2002, he joined George Cartwright’s band Curlew, touring the eastern States and playing the EdgeFest in Ann Arbor, MI, and he is featured on Curlew’s much lauded 2003 Cuneiform release “Mercury”. Also in 2003, he began playing weekly Wednesday nights at St. Paul’s Artist Quarter jazz nightclub, with the exploratory quartet called How Birds Work. Over his career, Dean Granros has performed extensively at concert venues like the Walker Art Center and First Avenue, and his music has been featured on MPR, KBEM, and KFAI public radio. In early 2004, he formed "the AntiGravity Ensemble" to explore new improvisational composition directions.

The Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar is located at the corner of 4th and Broadway in Lowertown, St. Paul, 651-228-9274

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