Although some have compared the AQ to New York's dank and spartan Village Vanguard, the St. Paul club offers a bit more comfort and a lot more charm, from the perky waitstaff to the ever-jovial (and informative) host, Davis Wilson, who is always "pleased and flipped" to greet the patrons. And while the Vanguard may have a bit less audience chatter (translation: the AQ has more than zero), the weekend buzz in the AQ is typically less than anywhere in town. Now if only St. Paul would impose that smoking ban!

While often scheduling at least one major national act each month (most notably in recent months, the Roy Haynes Quartet, Lew Tabackin, and Mose Allison), the AQ is best known as the breeding ground for new talent (e.g., young St. Paul native, trumpeter Greg Paulus), the promoter of rising stars (e.g., New York-based saxman Greg Tardy), and the standing stage for many of the Twin Cities' national-caliber veterans (e.g., Irv Williams, Anthony Cox, Dave King, Dave Karr, Laura Caviani, Peter Schimke, Pete Whitman, Phil Hey.... and too many more to list). Weekly or monthly gigs from such bands as How Birds Work, FKG, the Pete Whitman X-Tet, and of course the legendary Organ Night (Tuesdays with Billy Holloman) keep regulars and newcomers happy. And did I mention that the cover is seldom over $10 and weeknights usually $3?

Fall 2004 is typical of the AQ's calendar, with a sprinkling of nationally (and internationally) touring artists scattered among the nearly daily staging of the hottest in Twin Cities jazz. If you're anywhere near downtown St. Paul this falll, grab an AQ calendar and consider the following:

The "Regular" Line-Up

There are some long-standing acts that give the AQ its crowd of regulars and provide newcomers with predictable options. On Mondays (no cover), you'll find Green, formerly the SKJ Trio, followed by Open Poetry readings, 9:00 PM- 1:00AM . Then of course there's Organ Night with Billy Holloman (every Tuesday night; cover $2): For nine years, organ master Billy Holloman has been the center of a standing gig at the AQ and "a genius at manipulating the sweet sound of the B3" according to Don Berryman. The regular Tuesday Night Band, featuring Holloman, Horst, and multi-saxist Gary Berg, recently released its first recording, This is Organ Night. Notes Don Berryman, "Under Holloman's control, [the organ's] sound can be sweet and thick as molasses, or it can cut through the room like sharks' teeth." If you're lucky, Holloman might add some vocals!