photo by Andrea Canter
Twin Cities' stalwart multi-reedist Dave Karr (Quartet, 9 PM, October 6, November 10; cover $3) is most often heard locally on tenor, flute, and clarinet, but breaks out the baritone for his Gerry Mulligan tribute band, Mulligan Stew. Karr has appeared on multiple recordings with local artists ranging from vocalists (Connie Evingson) to small bands (Pete Whitman's X-Tet). Dave blows a sweet horn and is always in the company of the best area musicians.

And there is no dearth of high octane pianists in the area: The Peter Schimke Trio (9 PM, October 7; November 4; cover $3) is led by one of the busiest keyboard talents in the Twin Cities today. Peter Schimke appears frequently at the AQ, and just about anywhere else that requires first class comping and soloing on piano or Fender Rhodes. Notes Don Berryman (Jazz Police), "When he is comping behind a soloist, he is engaged in a subtle dialog, listening and responding with harmonies and rhythms that sometimes represent a suggestion or even a challenge to the soloist." And when he takes off in a leading role, Schimke blazes new trails and challenges others to keep up. His usual trio compatriots are Billy Peterson (bass) and Kenny Horst (drums).

This reviewer has long admired Chris Lomheim (Chris Lomheim Trio, 9 PM, October 13, November 17; cover $3) as one of the foremost piano talents on the Twin Cities jazz scene. A regular performer at the AQ and Dakota, Lomheim started organ studies at age 7, moved on to piano and was into R&B in the 1980s. He was featured at the West Bank School of Music Composer's Forum in 1991 and nominated as top pianist in the 1997 Minnesota Music Awards. Jeremy Walker of Brilliant Corners called Lomheim "the most sensitive and romantic player you will hear around the Twin Cities' scene. He has prodigious piano technique and an individual ear for harmony." Often compared to Bill Evans, Lomheim has made two acclaimed trio recordings, And You've Been Waiting? (1994, IGMOD) and The Bridge (2002, Artegra). Lomheim's regular trio includes multi-talented bassist Gordy Johnson and sublime drummer Phil Hey.