Thursday, November 1st may be el Día de los Muertos, but there will be prelenty of life on the stage where Twin Cities slide trombonist Dave Graf and valve trombonist Brad Bellows will combine forces once again at the Artists' Quarter in Saint Paul for an exciting evening of duelling trombone action starting at 9:00 p.m.  Dave and Brad will be joined by a solid, swinging rhythm section including Chris Lomheim on piano, Natt Peterson on bass, and Mac Santiago on drums. Bellows and Graf have been enchanting audiences since they first formed the quintet in 2007, and have managed to sound even better and better with each all-too rare encounter. The Artists' Quarter is an intimate and cosy listening room to enjoy the warm tone of the two trombones, and the cover of only $5 makes this a great bargain, too.

Brad Bellows © Andrea Canter

Valve trombonist and band leader, Brad Bellows was trained at the Berklee School of Music in Boston and has been a professional musician for over 30 years. He is probably best best known as the founder and leader of Locally Damaging Winds, the Midwest's preeminent jazz trombone ensemble which brings together the finest trombone talent to perform original arrangements. Brad had a friendship and musical association with the late bebop legend Eddie Berger, spanning decades. Brad also plays euphonium and released a CD playing it in a duo with guitarist Dean Granros, Bear's Delight.

Dave Graf © Andrea Canter

Dave Graf is one of the most versatile and talented trombonists in the Twin Cities. Dave has worked in a wide range of musical settings: Dixieland, straight ahead jazz, salsa and Brazilian music, big bands, pit orchestras and recordings. He has performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Slide Hampton, Jack McDuff, the Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabackin Big Band, and the Woody Herman Orchestra. He has appeared on Prairie Home Companion and with the St. Paul Ragtime Orchestra, Mandala, and the Steve Wright Big Band. Dave had an eleven-year association with the late trumpeter Red Wolfe in his Port of Dixie Jazz Band and Ellington Echoes (now led by Percy Hughes). Dave also performs with the Latin ensemble Salsa Del Soul. In 2005 he released his debut recording as a leader, Just Like That on Artegra records [Click here for a Jazz Police review ].

The Artists Quarter is located in the basement of the historic Hamm Building at 408 St Peter Street in downtown St Paul. Call 651-292-1359 or visit artistsquarter.com for more information. Note two for one admission and $3 taps after 11 pm.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites