Since 1998, Minnesota’s big band enthusiasts have had the fortune to hear performances by the JazzMN Big Band. Formed to “promote, preserve and perpetuate jazz, America's indigenous art music, through performance, historical preservation, and education," this non-profit group is an amalgam of the best band artists in the Twin Cities. Usually performing on the big stages of area concert halls, the JazzMN Big Band will make a rare club appearance at the Dakota in downtown Minneapolis on Sunday, March 6th, 4:00 pm. Is there a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?

Under the leadership of director/trumpeter Dr. Doug Snapp, over its five seasons the JazzMn Big Band has presented a who’s who list of guest artists, including Arturo Sandoval, Phil Woods, James Moody, Dave Weckl, Terry Gibbs, and Buddy DeFranco. The band released its first, self-titled CD on the Artegra label in 2000. Their 2004-2005 concert season has featured combinations of guest national artists and local vocalists. With or without guest artists, the Big Band sets are glorious, energetic showcases of both swinging ensemble playing and captivating solo efforts. The current roster includes Pete Whitman, Dave Milne, Dave Karr and Clay Pufahl (sax), Michael Nelson, Dave Graf, Ethan Frier and Wade Clark (trombone), Bob Hallgrimson, Bernie Edstrom and John Ahern (trumpets), Clay Moore (guitar), Terry Burns (bass), Joe Pulice (drums), and Mary Louise Knutson (piano).

Each a star in his or her own right, the members of Jazz MN Big Band have diverse credentials and impeccable musicianship, ample evidence that great jazz is alive and well in Minnesota:

Director Dr. Doug Snapp has a doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado, where he led the college jazz ensembles to several Downbeat Awards. In addition to playing trumpet and directing the JazzMN Big Band, Snapp is a Professor of Jazz Studies and Trumpet at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and plays principal trumpet in the Mankato Symphony.

John Ahern (trumpet) plays regularly with the Cedar Avenue Big Band and the Nova Big Band. A composer specializing in big band charts, he has played with the Jim Tolok Little Big Band for the past five years. His own John Ahern Big Band has been featured as a part of Jerry Swanberg’s Big Band Scene at the Artists Quarter.

Terry Burns (bass) is the Director of the Bass Department at McNally-Smith (Musictech) in St. Paul and has been a professional bassist for 30 years. In addition to his first-call status in the Twin Cities, Burns has played with diverse artists including Linda Rondstadt, Jane Monheit, Freddy Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, David “Fathead” Newman, and Billy Higgins.

Wade Clark (bass trombone)graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. After freelancing in San Francisco, he came to Minnesota where he currently keeps busy as an arranger, orchestrator, and copyist. His credits include working in the bands of Buddy Rich and Nelson Riddle, backing Sammy Davis, Jr., the Moody Blues, and San Francisco Ballet.

Bernie Edstrom (trumpet), also a Berklee grad, toured with the Woody Herman Thundering Herd and leads the Bernie Edstrom Big Band, the Jazz Composer's Art Ensemble, the Starlight Orchestra, and his quintet, MOVE. In addition to numerous appearances with local bands and orchestras, Edstrom performed with the Tribute to Mingus Band.

 Ethan Freier (trombone) earned a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies and a Performance Certificate in Trombone from Indiana University before relocating to the Twin Cities. As a freelance trombonist he performs Latin, jazz, classical, Broadway, rock and pop music in a variety of settings, and many of his arrangements have been performed by Synergy and Latin Sounds Orchestra. Freier also teaches at Northfield Middle School and Hamline University.

Dave Graf (trombone) has worked in Dixieland, straight ahead jazz, salsa, big bands, and pit orchestras, and has backed legends such as Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis, Jr., Harry Connick, Julie Andrews and Rosemary Clooney. Her performs with Mulligan Stew and Percy Hughes’ Ellington Echoes in addition to the JazzMN Big Band.

Bob Hallgrimson (trumpet) performs regularly with the Cedar Avenue Big Band and various Latin bands in the Twin Cities. His credits include work with Burt Bacharach, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Woody Herman, the Temptations, and Rosemary Clooney.

Dave Karr (tenor saxophone) has been composing and producing music for radio and TV since 1970. He has performed with numerous bands, symphony orchestras, Broadway shows, and recording sessions. Around town Dave performs frequently with his own quartet, his quintet Mulligan Stew, and backs other musicians at the Dakota, Artists Quarter, and other venues.

Mary Louise Knutson (piano) has worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Dianne Reeves, Bobby McFerrin, Von Freeman, and top local vocalists and instrumental ensembles, as well as leading her own groups. An acclaimed composer, Knutson has won two Billboard magazine awards for her compositions. Her 2001 debut CD (Call Me When You Get There) hit the Top 50 Charts in the US and Canada.

Dave Milne (alto sax): An Associate Professor of music at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, classical and jazz saxophonist Dave Milne has degrees from Indiana University and the Eastman School of Music. He leads the jazz quintet APEX and the sax band Jazz Ax, and is a Selmer artist/clinician.

 Clay Moore (guitar) has been impressing U.S. and international audiences for over 20 years. A native Texan, he is primarily self taught, and worked with Lee Konitz, Larry Coryell, and many others in Austin. Since moving to the Twin Cities, Moore has played with a host of local jazz artists as well as Bobby Lyle, heads his own trio, and teaches at McNally-Smith (MusicTech).

Michael B. Nelson (trombone) is the leader, arranger, and trombonist for the Hornheads. His career includes a McKnight Composers Fellowship, touring, composing and arranging for Prince, and performances with Doc Severinsen, Chaka Khan, Lenny Kravitz, Ben Sidran, Sammy Davis, Jr., and many others. He is also a member of the local trombone ensemble, Locally Damaging Winds.

Clay Pufahl (tenor saxophone) is new to the Twin Cities. His professional credits include stints with the Holland America Cruise Lines, the Jimmy Dorsey and Guy Lombardo Orchestras, and the Wolverines Big Band. He currently serves as woodwind and jazz instructor at Totino-Grace High School in Fridley, as well as performing with various jazz groups in the Twin Cities area.

Joe Pulice (drums) toured with Woody Herman and his Thundering Herd during Woody's 50th Anniversary Tour, and has won two Minnesota Jazz Music Awards -- for Best Jazz Vibist and as a member of world-renowned drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt's group, "Kamanari." He has also worked with Stan Getz, Slide Hampton, David Liebman, Jack McDuff, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Harry Connick, Jr.

Pete Whitman (alto saxophone) has performed with Randy Brecker, Jack McDuff, and the Woody Herman Orchestra, and currently leads his own groups, Departure Point and the X-Tet. An accomplished tenor and flute player, composer, and arranger, Whitman heads the Woodwind and Brass Department at McNally-Smith.

This weekend at the Dakota, the stage might be crowded, but you can be sure this group of artists will stretch out with an engaging set of charts!

For more information about the JazzMN Big Band and the last concert of their 2004-2005 season at Ted Mann Auditorium (featuring trombonist Rob McConnell), visit www.jazzzmn.org. The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, www.dakotacooks.com

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