photo by Andrea Canter
And given AQ owner Kenny Horst's own talents as a drummer, it is no surprise that Phil Hey and his Quartet are regular features (9 PM, October 14, November 11; cover $3). Joining Hey are Dave Hagedorn (vibes), Phil Aaron (piano), and Tom Lewis (bass). A "no-nonsense, uncompromising band of local jazz greats" (Don Berryman, Jazz Police), the quartet's repertoire includes the tunes of Kenny Wheeler, Bobby Hutcherson, John Coltrane, and Wayne Shorter. A former student of Ed Blackwell, Phil Hey is one of the busiest drummers in town (he plays with everyone!) and teaches jazz drum at Macalester College. Vibist Dave Hagedorn is a professor and head of jazz at St. Olaf College in nearby Northfield. A former student of jazz theory pioneer George Russell, Hagedorn "brings an integrated knowledge of complex harmony and rhythm that never fails to swing or to move anyone with ears" (Don Berryman, Jazz Police). Tom Lewis is another busy sideman throughout the Twin Cities, a "straight-ahead, hard bop, and bebop bassist and he swings like anything" (Don Berryman). He performs regularly with pianist Phil Aaron, who holds forth weekly at the Hotel Sofitel. Aaron draws inspiration from Bill Evans, Cedar Walton, Tommy Flanagan, and Keith Jarrett, and "can swing hard or wax romantic at the keyboard" (Minneapolis Star Tribune).

One of the most popular regular attractions at the AQ, How Birds Work (9 PM, October 27, November 24; cover $3) is the collaboration of four well-known area musicians--guitarist Dean Granros, bassist Billy Peterson, pianist Peter Schimke, and drummer Kenny Horst. Playing monthly and sometimes weekly at the AQ, the quartet recently made a live--and lively-- recording here. Guitarist Dean Granros "blends the vocabulary of bebop, acid rock, and delta blues into a delightful and potent cocktail that may leave you shaken or stirred" (Don Berryman, Jazz Police). Bassist Billy Peterson grew up as a member of the legendary Peterson family of musicians, appeared on Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks, toured with the Steve Miller Band, and has arranged for Prince and David Sanborn. And drummer Kenny Horst is a "great hard-bop, soul jazz, and fusion chops and the sweetest guy you could meet" (Don Berryman). In his role with How Birds Work, pianist Schimke also displays his skills as a composer and adds vocals to the mix. Sophisticated, often subtle, always working toward the edge from a firm foundation, How Birds Work offers multiple layers of challenge to the listener.

Hometown Specials

The depth of locally-based talent is displayed throughout the Artists Quarter calendar. This fall, we look forward to Happy Apple (9 PM, October 1-2; 8 PM, October 3; cover $10). Anchored by one of the nation's fastest rising percussionists, Dave King (of Bad Plus fame), Happy Apple is a sax, bass, and drum trio that is indeed "youth oriented" as reflected in their so-titled CD. Formed in 1996, the group is named for a Fisher-Price toy from the '60s. Happy Apple has toured the U.S. and Europe, has recorded five CDs, and play gigs in bars, theaters, jazz clubs, rock clubs, and a variety of other venues. The wildly eclectic Happy Apple musicians include Erik Fratzke on Fender bass, Michael Lewis on saxophones, and King on drums.

Jerry Swanberg's Big Band Scene (7:30 PM, October 10; November 14; cover $5) is the product of the Big Band guru of the Twin Cities. Swanberg's regular column, "The Big Band Scene," appears in the Twin Cities Jazz Society Jazz Notes and his radio show (Big Band Scene) is heard regularly on KBEM (88.5 FM). On October 10^th at the AQ, Swanberg hosts the Nova Jazz Orchestra (directed by Mike Krikava), a non-profit jazz band featuring local big band composers. The November show features the 16-piece Cedar Avenue Big Band, which includes some of the biggest names in area jazz. A mainstay at St. Paul's O'Gara's Bar (Monday nights), the band released Land of Ten Thousand Licks last winter, and reviewer Jack Bower (All About Jazz) noted, "the band is about as talented as any regional ensemble you'd care to name."

Misplaced Music Piano Showcase (8:00 PM, November 3; cover $7) is a local piano extravaganza featuring Sam Keenan (host of Misplaced Music Radio local jazz show "In a Mist"); Pete Hofmann; Mary Louise Knutson; Laura Caviani; and vocalist Maud Hixson with Rick Carlson, each performing a set of about 45 minutes. This may be the most live jazz for $7 you’ll find anywhere!

Always a showcase for vocalists, the AQ will be rocking with Debbie Duncan (9 PM, November 26-27; cover $10). Perhaps the best known local diva, Debbie Duncan "is blessed with a large, full, yet feathery voice and stylistic subtlety ranging from gospel to jazz and pop" (Jazziz). With a background rich in jazz, gospel and Motown, Duncan has opened for Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Stephane Grapelli, and won the Minnesota Music Award for "Pepetually Outstanding Performer." Local gigs include frequent appearances at the Times and Dakota, popular performances with "The Girls," and teaching at St. Paul's MusicTech.

The CD Release Parties

photo by Andrea Canter
There's an amazing amount of recording taking place in the Twin Cities these days, and what better place to celebrate a CD release than at the Artists Quarter? Irv Williams (9 PM, October 22-23; cover $10) is always a big draw. Notes Matt Peiken (St. Paul Pioneer Press), "Veteran saxophonist Irv Williams has always been about sweetness, not power, and he's still gigging strong" at 85. Raised in Cincinnati and Little Rock, Williams first performed in the Twin Cities as a clarinet and sax player with the Navy during Word War II. Turning down invitations to play with Count Basie and Duke Ellington, he made the Twin Cities home and by now, has played every conceivable local venue. Throughout his sixty-year career, Williams has focused on the Great American Songbook and the tenor sax as a solo vehicle. His knowledge of the idiom is legendary and fellow musicians marvel at his ability to play any song in any key. Join "Mr. Smooth" this late October weekend to celebrate the release of his fifth CD. You can also catch him during Happy Hour every Friday at the Dakota.

More CD celebrations: Locally-based drummer and vocalist George Avaloz (9 PM, November 12-13) will highlight a new recording at the AQ. An alumnus of the Billy Eckstein band, he appeared at the AQ last February with former Twin Cities' saxman Jim Marentic. Avaloz has recorded several times with Sun Ra alum, bassist Ronnie Boykins, and bop bassist Wilbur Ware. We ushered in 2004 with vocalist Carole Martin (9 PM, November 19-20, cover $10) at the AQ, who, with pianist Chris Lomheim, bassist Herbie Lewis, and drummer Kenny Horst, created one of the most fun New Year's Eve parties I've attended. Her latest recording is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.