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. 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.

Rob McConnell

Busy as an arranger, composer, educator, and performer, Canadian valve trombonist Rob McConnell was recently honored with The Order of Canada. As a leader, his groups have included big bands, sextets, and quartets, along with duets and trios with Ed Bickert, Neil Swainson and Don Thompson. He also has appeared with Bill Holman, Dave Frishberg, Harry "Sweets" Edison, and Jimmy Rowles. The National Association of Jazz Educators has voted him Best Arranger, and his former employer, Grove School of Music in Los Angeles, established a scholarship in his name. In 1992, McConnell toured Europe with Gerry Mulligan's Tentet. A three-time Grammy winner and 15-time nominee, McConnell was inducted into the Juno Jazz Hall of Fame in 1997.

McConnell’s big band project, The Boss Brass, was his main jazz vehicle for thirty years. In addition to world tours and festival appearances, the Boss Brass guest artists included Mel Tormé, Joe Williams, The Hi-Lo's, and Oscar Peterson. McConnell’s new group, the Tentet, includes core members of Boss Brass. Of McConnell, John Killoch wrote, “His music is noted among other things for its melodic content, beautifully written svelt ensembles, highly charged swinging sections, changes of pace and style, and humor.”

Judi Donaghy

Vocalist Judi Donaghy joins Rob McConnell and the JazzMN Big Band for the season finale. A graduate of the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Music degree, she currently heads the Vocal Music Department at McNally Smith College of Music (formerly MusicTech) in St. Paul. Donaghy has an eclectic list of credits in opera, musical theater, jazz, folk, country, gospel, pop, and R&B, including appearances with Moore By Four, the Mixed Blood Theater, Yo Yo Ma, Carole King, Janis Siegel, Garrison Keillor, and Marilyn McCoo. Her current projects include Voicestra (Bobby McFerrin), Urbanstride, The Girls, The Wolverine's Classic Jazz Orchestra, and Judi, Cliff 'n' Dave. Donaghy has won awards for her singing and songwriting (Jazziz Magazine) and was one of three assisstants to Bobby McFerrin in a Master Class on improvisation at the Omega Institute (Rhinebeck, NY). In addition to numerous appearances on recordings, she has produced two of her own, Sink or Swing and Ballads and Bossas.

The Band

The pool of artists who perform with the JazzMn Big Band form a Who’s Who in Minnesota jazz:

Director Dr. Doug Snapp (trumpet) 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.

Photo by Andrea Canter

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), a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, freelanced in San Francisco before coming to Minnesota where he currently keeps busy as a freelance 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 andPercy 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 Jensen (trumpet) is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music and now on the faculty of McNally Smith (MusicTech) College. A member of the Hornheads, a Billboard award-winning a capella brass ensemble, toured with the Artie Shaw Orchestra for three years, performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, and is a pit musician for musical shows and theatrical productions at area theaters.

Kathy Jensen (baritone saxophone) is also a member of the Hornheads. A pit musician for musical shows and theatrical productions, she has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, Moore By Four, and toured with Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Frank Sinatra Jr. and Natalie Cole. She has a degree in Music Education from the University of Minnesota.

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.

Photo by Andrea Canter

Dale Mendenhall (tenor saxophone). As a freelance musician, Dale has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra and area theaters, backing up such artists as Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, and Tony Bennett, and toured with Ben Sidran. He plays regularly with local groups like the Minnesota Klezmer Band, TC Jammers, Hornheads, and Reuben Ristrom Trio. Dale also plays various jazz festivals around the country and with the Orlando-based Bill Allred Classic Jazz Orchestra.

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.

Hear the JazzMn Big Band with Rob McConnell and Judi Donaghy at the Ted Mann Concert Hall on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota campus, Saturday night March 19^th at 7:30 pm. And while this is the last concert of the band’s formal season, you can now hear the band in an informal setting on Sunday afternoons, once per month, at the Dakota in downtown Minneapolis.

For more information about the JazzMn Big Band and ticket information, visit www.jazzmn.org. For the Dakota schedule, visit www.dakotacooks.com