October Jam

And then comes October. There may be little time between sets to see the leaves change color:

Rachel Z (October 1-2): New York keyboardist Rachel Nicolazzo—aka Rachel Z—grew up with opera and classical music, but found jazz in her teens. Studying with Joanne Brackeen and Richie Beirach, she graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music, and toured with Najee and Steps Ahead as well as Larry Coryell, Al DiMeola, and Special EFX. Influenced by Corea and Hancock, she also collaborated with Wayne Shorter and recorded a Shorter tribute. Notes JazzReview.com, “To connect with new listeners without selling out or dumbing down, Rachel has found a way to make the age-old piano trio relevant and fresh to younger ears.” Old and new ears alike will enjoy this rare weekend national act. (See www.rachelz.com)

Rene Marie photo by Howard Gitelson
Rene Marie (October 4-5): One of the fastest rising stars on the jazz vocal scene today, Virginia native Rene Marie is a relatively late arrival on the performance stage but hardly a novice. Said Christopher Loudon (Jazz Times), “Marie’s torch burns hotter and oft-times brighter than any of her peers.” Whether putting her personal twist on old standards or original compositions, she lights up the room with her passion and enthusiasm, and a voice that burns into your soul: “I took lessons from my own life and soaked my voice in them so that it’s flavored with everything that ever happened to me…” (See www.renemarie.com)

Jane Monheit (October 11-13). Only 7 months since her spring show at the Dakota, Jane Monheit returns for another three-night engagement, and you have to wonder how many more opportunities we will have to hear this 20-something superstar in such an intimate setting. From her days as a toddler belting out "Honeysuckle Rose" and surrounded by a musical family, Monheit followed her calling, immersing herself in Ella Fitzgerald, studying at the Manhattan School of Music and taking runner-up honors in the 1998 Thelonious Monk Institute Vocal Competition. "I'm just singing the most beautiful songs I know in the most sincere way. I think people are responding to the beauty of the music, and to my attempt to tell the truth." (See www.janemonheit.com)

Dave Holland (October 18-19). It’s not hyperbole to say bassist Dave Holland tops all charts: Recently named the 2004 Down Beat Critic’s Poll winner in 4 categories—jazz artist, jazz album, acoustic group, and acoustic bassist of the year—British import Holland has been generating great vibes since his first appearance with Miles Davis on Bitches Brew. Currently busy with his grammy-winning Big Band, quintet, and a tour with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Brian Blade, Dave Holland brings the upright bass front and center. Of his touring quintet (Robin Eubanks on trombone, Chris Potter on tenor sax, Steve Nelson on vibes, and Nate Smith on drums), Holland recently told Jazz Times, “The improvisational freedom in jazz allows things to happen that you can’t predict. That’s what makes the music so exciting and interesting…There’s real communication among us.” Says Potter, “He’s very curious to see how far we can take an idea and run with it.” (See www.daveholland.com)

Ann Hampton Callaway (October 25-27): Multi-platinum, award winning songwriter, singer, pianist and actress, Ann Hampton Callaway graces the worlds of jazz, pop, cabaret, and stage. The star of the Broadway musical Swing cites Shirley Horn as inspiration for her recently released recording, Slow. The Chicago Tribune calls Ann Hampton Callaway "the best equipped jazz vocalist swinging today," a tribute echoed by the New York Times, noting "no contemporary singer matches Ms. Callaway."  (See www.annhamptoncallaway.com)

Sex Mob (October 31-November 1): Trick or Treat? Leave some goodies on the porch and head to the Dakota for a real treat this Halloween. Thanks to Saturday Night Live, MTV and National Public Radio, Sex Mob has become an icon of mainstream music. The 7-year collaboration of bandleader/trumpeter Steven Bernstein, saxophonist Briggan Krauss, bassist Tony Scherr, and drummer Kenny Wollesen has two Down Beat Critic Poll Awards to its credit (Best Beyond Group, Best Acoustic Group) and traces its eclectic roots to such influences as the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Dixieland, and Little Richard. Says Bernstein, dubbed the "rogue historian of jazz" by the New York Times: "I wanted to turn people on the way the Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra record turned me on. It was real listenable, but there was all this slightly scary stuff going on there. It's not background music. And neither is this." Trick or treat indeed! (See www.sexmobmusic.com)

And November?

There is no end in sight, with an evolving November calendar that includes young French vocalist Madeline Peyroux (November 3-4), post bop swing drummer Louis Hayes and the Cannonball Adderley Tribute Band (November 8-9), and the next big thing in (sort of) acoustic piano trios, Sweden’s EST (November 10-11). And watch for news of a mid-November, one-night performance by Charles Lloyd, Zakir Hussein, and Eric Harland in tribute to the late, great drummer, Billy Higgins. Uh oh, that looks like the week-long Dakota November Jazz Festival!

For reservations and further information, see the calendar and online reservation form on the Dakota website, www.dakotacooks.com or call (612) 332-1010.