The Artists' Quarter is located in the historic Hamm Building in Downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, ( 408 St. Peter) near the corner of St. Peter and 7th Place. (651) 292-1359. Pictured is visiting drum icon Roy Haynes on a recent visit to the AQ. For More info, pictures and videos of the club see http://www.mnjazz.com

The Artists' Quarter is a musician owned and operated jazz club that has been a Twin Cities institution since it first opened in Minneapolis in the '70's. It has great sight lines, a great sound system, and a loyal following. The owner and frequent drummer on stage is Kenny Horst who is one of the swingingest, sweetest guys you could meet. Davis Wilson works the door and does the stage introductions for all the national acts. He does a great Lord Buckley impression telling the crowd that: "the AQ is pleased and flipped to have you here tonight." If Kenny Horst is the heartbeat of the Artists Quarter, Davis Wilson is it's soul. Be sure to greet him at the door and he will give you the low-down Click here for a video of Davis introducing an act.

Since reopening in Saint Paul 8 years ago, the AQ has hosted performances by jazz greats Harry “Sweets” Edison, Lee Konitz (who recorded a live album there just a few years ago), Tom Harrell, Dewey Redman, Roy Haynes, Georgie Fame, David Berkman, Mel Rhyne, the late great Jack McDuff (who met his wife, Kathy, at the AQ) as well as regular visits from Lew Tabackin, Joey Defrancesco, Dave Hazeltine, Ira Sullivan, Mose Allison, Eric Alexander, Jim Rotondi, Happy Apple, Herbie Lewis, Bill Carrothers, Greg Skaff, Joanne Brackeen, Paul Bollenback and Ben Sidran. Local groups How Birds Work, the Phil Hey Quartet, the Pete Whitman X-tet, and Source Code perform monthly. Billy Hollowman hosts B3 organ nights on Tuesdays and the house is jumping by 10:00 and doesn't stop 'til 2AM.

The AQ is called the areas “best and most atmospheric jazz club/listening room” in the Jazz and Blues Lovers Guide to the US. -Christiane Bird and ".... long heralded as a superior musicians' haunt.” - City Search. Eric Hanson in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune said “Artists' Quarter, the basement jazz club that has survived ... by offering the best possible ambiance for the music: dark, moody, intimate.”

The Artists' Quarter is in the same building as Great Waters Brewing Company. To reach the Artists' Quarter, enter the door next to Great Waters on the pedestrian mall side and take the stairs down. The Artists' Quarter is on the lower level.