Artists' Quarter Shows on August 13 and 14 celebrate the birthdays of Irv Williams (85), Cliff Brunzell (83) and Jeanne Arland Peterson (83)

Three of the most treasured pioneers of the Twin Cities jazz scene, Irv Williams, Cliff Brunzell and Jeanne Arland Peterson, will perform at The Artists' Quarter in St. Paul on August 13 and 14 to celebrate a collective 251 years of musical life. These three gifted musicians, whose contributions as performers, mentors and role models cannot be measured, celebrate birthdays on three consecutive days in mid-August. Saxophonist Irv Williams turns 85, while violinist Cliff Brunzell and pianist/vocalist Jeanne Arland Peterson each turn 83 within a week of the Artists' Quarter shows. Show times are 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. each night. The Artists' Quarter is located at 408 St. Peter in downtown St. Paul, telephone (651) 292-1359.

“When looking for models, Arland, Brunzell and Williams offer examples of discipline, inspiration and mastery of an art form,” says Leigh Kamman, the legendary Twin Cities broadcaster who has been interviewing jazz greats for over 60 years.

Irv Williams (dubbed “Mr. Smooth” by former St. Paul Pioneer Press jazz writer Bob Protzman) first settled in the Twin Cities in 1942 while serving in the Navy. His career has included stints with Fletcher Henderson, Mary Lou Williams, Billy Eckstine's orchestra and other jazz luminaries. Irv has performed in just about every jazz club the Twin Cities has hosted since WWII, including The Flame Bar where he split sets with the likes of Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie and Johnny Hodges. His warm tone and musical depth on the saxophone provide graceful magic whether he's swinging hard or revealing a ballad's every texture. An educator and mentor to countless Twin Cities musicians, Irv's contributions to the music scene go far beyond his estimable sax skills. Irv was the first jazz musician to be honored by the State of Minnesota with his own “Irv Williams Day” in 1984, and had his picture on the “Celebrate Minnesota” official state map in 1990. His many awards include induction into the Minnesota Jazz Hall of Fame. Not one to sit still, Irv is working on a new CD with drummer Kenny Horst, bassist Billy Peterson and keyboardist Peter Schimke.