The weather was a little cool, but the musicians were in their 80's as Irv Williams, Cliff Brunzell and Jeanne Arland Peterson, performed before sell-out crowds at The Artists' Quarter in St. Paul on August 13 and 14 to celebrate a collective 251 years of musical life. Saxophonist Irv Williams turned 85, while violinist Cliff Brunzell and pianist/vocalist Jeanne Arland Peterson each turned 83 within a week of the Artists' Quarter shows.

Davis Wilson greeted the crowd with his traditional proclamation that the Artists' Quarter was "Pleased and Flipped" to have them all there for this occasion and introduced the octogenarians who were dubbed 'the Minnesota music pioneers'. Told of how they were honored by Saint Paul's mayor, who proclaimed August 13th and 14th “Minnesota Jazz Pioneers” day.

Each set opened with Jeanie Arland Peterson on solo piano, which featured selections from her recent CD “My Calendar”. She also displayed her formidable Tatum-like chops on renditions of jazz standards such as “all the things you are'”, “Body and Soul” and others. After her solo pieces she was joined by the rest of the evenings rhythm section, AQ owner and manager Kenny Horst on drums and her son Billy Peterson on bass.

Kenny Horst told of jamming in Billy's Peterson's basement with Billy and the late great Bobby Peterson when they were teenagers and when they had some difficulty figuring out a particular part of the music, Billy call upstairs: “Ma!”, and Jeanie Arlan Peterson coming downstairs with the answer.

Billy Peterson announced 'Mr Smooth' and Irv Williams came to the stage and immediately started taking requests from the audience, saying that he had played so many tunes, he couldn't think of 'one' to play. He demonstrated his big round tone and vibrato on the tenor as he delivered the goods. He also had a few Stories to tell of his many years playing in the cities.

Cliff Brunzell was brought up and revved up the crowd with his wit, his Paganini style solo and the way he played up-tempo tunes like “Honeysuckle Rose”. All the musicians were on stage for the grand finale and a Birthday cake was served.