Photo by Andrea Canter

National Headliners

Following Concord star vocalist (and former Twin Citian) Karrin Allyson’s two-night stand May 1-2, what’s coming up at the Dakota?

Judi Silvano with Dick Oatts (May 5; 8 pm). Vocalist Judi Silvano literally danced her way into jazz singing. The Philadelphia native graduated from Temple University with degrees in music and dance, initially working as a choreographer in New York. Her taste for improvisation led her to the Village Vanguard where she absorbed the influence of Thad Jones. At about the same time she began collaborations with future husband, saxophonist Joe Lovano, with whom she continues her musical and life partnership. Silvano’s vocal groups include Voices of Juniper and Voices Together. She’s won numerous awards and grants (Meet the Composer, New York State Council on the Arts), was named one of the Top 10 Vocalists by Down Beat three times, and has served as jazz journalist/columnist for All About Jazz.

Photo by Andrea Canter

George W. Carroll (The Musicians' Ombudsman, October 2004),“Her proficient, fluid delivery is a role model to any aspiring jazz singer, certainly a breath of fresh air…”

Joining Silvano at the Dakota is former Twin Citian, saxophonist Dick Oatts, most recently here with the Terrell Stafford Quintet. Iowa native Oatts learned the sax from his musician dad, Jack Oatts. He first played professionally in the Twin Cities in the early to mid 1970s before moving to New York and joining the Mel Lewis/Thad Jones Orchestra. He’s toured and recorded with such artists as Lester Bowie, Tom Harrell, and Paquito D’Rivera, partnered with pianist Garry Dial, backed vocalists including Ella Fitzgerald, Nneena Freelon, and Mel Tormé, and teaches at the Manhattan School of Music. Also on the bandstand will be Twin Cities pianist extraordinaire Laura Caviani. Hot (very!) off her backing of Karrin Allyson earlier this week, Caviani's presence will further boost this band into the stratosphere.

Photo by Don Berryman

Photo by Andrea Canter

CD Releases

It seems that May marks the release of a number of recordings from local artists, and the Dakota will host several CD celebrations.

Becky Schlegel (May 11, 7 pm). Rising out of the area’s country/bluegrass/acoustic rock scene, Becky Schlegel impressed Garrison Keillor as “angel voiced” and was described by the Star Tribune as “the brightest young star in Twin Cities’ bluegrass.” A gifted guitarist as well as vocalist, Schlegel’s new recording, Drifter Like Me, features eleven original songs, with Brian Fesler on banjo and guitar, Gordon Johnson on bass, Clay Hess on mandolin and guitar, Larry Beem on Dobro, Richard Nunneley on mandolin, and Jim White on harmony vocals. Named Bluegrass/Old-Time Artist of the Year at the Minnesota Music Awards for 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, her earlier CD, Red Leaf, was honored with 2002 MMA Bluegrass/Old-Time Recording of the Year, and the title track was named Music City “Minnesota Song of the Year.”

The Girls (May 18, 7 pm). With their new recording, Live at the Dakota, The Girls (Lori Dokken, Judi Donaghy, Debbie Duncan, and Erin Schwab) are back and as sassy as ever. This quartet of Twin Cities’ divas (and McNally Smith instructors) has been pleasing audiences with their infectious blend of stellar voices, magnificent piano, and hilarious banter, a recipe for high flying synergy. Pianist/vocalist Lori Dokken has been entertaining Twin Cities’ audiences for over 20 years. An award-winning songwriter and in-demand arranger, she is one of the area’s most popular cabaret performers. Head of the Vocal Music Department at McNally Smith, Judi 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. Perhaps the best known local diva, Debbie Duncan has 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 “Perpetually Outstanding Performer.” As a musical theatre performer, Erin Schwab portrayed Tina in Hey City Theater's long-running production of Tony n' Tina's Wedding and performs with The Bellcats, the Wolverines and Metro Jam. Together, “ Lori thunders away on the keys, Debbie sings low and sassy, Erin and Judi croon with thundering energy. They mix and match duets, trios, and full-blown quartets throughout the evening, but whatever combo you get, it’ll definitely impress” (The Rake, July 2004).

Photo by Andrea Canter

The Hornheads include Michael Nelson on trombone, Steve Strand and Dave Jensen on trumpet and flugelhorn, Kathy Jensen on alto and baritone sax, and Kenni Holmen on soprano and tenor sax. Each has a well-established career apart from the Hornheads. Kathy and Dave Jensen can be heard with the JazzMn Big Band and Kathy J Band; Kenni Holmen and Friends is a popular ensemble in the Twin Cities; Steve Strand has recorded with Peter Ostroushko, Lorie Line and Mandy Moore; Nelson has been a member of the R&B band, the Butanes. Brass doesn’t get any better than this—come hear one of the area’s most creative and high-flying ensembles!

Weekend Delights

For a Friday or Saturday night out, you can’t do better musically than a couple sets at the Dakota. In May:

Bruce Henry (May 6, 8 pm). Bruce Henry “possesses a three and one-half octave range, a pure voice with versatility and depth that few can match” (CD Baby). Studying at the Chicago Conservatory of Music, Mississippi native Henry was inspired by the music of Nina Simone, Al Jarreau, and John Coltrane. Absorbing eclectic styles of vocals and composition while touring the world, Henry has garnered a large following in France and the Far East, and has been heard live on the BBC as well as on movie soundtracks. Now living in Minneapolis, he maintains a nonstop schedule of performing, recording, and teaching. His most recent recording is Connections (2003, Bahlove Productions). Says noted educator and historian Mahmoud El-Kati, "At the bottom, the real genius of Bruce Henry's music is his gift for marrying life experiences to musical ideas." Backing Henry will be the premiere rhythm section of pianist Peter Schimke, bassist Jay Young, drummer Kevin Washington, and percussionist Daryl Boudraux.

Photo by Andrea Canter

Many Mothers and an Auntie (May 8, 7 pm). Celebrate Mother’s Day with vocalists Patty Peterson, Lori Dokken (doubling on piano), Erin Schwab, Mary Jane Alm, and Cynthia Johnson, along with Patty’s mom Jeanne Arland Peterson on piano. Lori and Erin form half of The Girls (see above). These moms swing—be sure to bring yours!

Nachito Herrera (May 13-14, 8 pm). Every month at the Dakota, we can count on the blistering Afro-Cuban piano grooves of Nachito Herrera. A child prodigy who studied classical music in Havana, Herrera went on to serve as music director for several bands before leading Cubanissmo! His travels to the US caught the eye of potential sponsors, including the Dakota’s Lowell Pickett, and with some wrangling with state department redtape, this amazing musician found himself in Minnesota. After his inaugural band Puro Cubano recorded Live at the Dakota, Herrera developed another great ensemble featuring Cuban musicians (The Cuban All-Stars); the monthly gigs at the Dakota now feature one of the two bands. Heavy on percussion and vocals (often featuring young Mirdalys Herrera), Nachito’s bands are so hot that they challenge the city’s “no smoking” policy. Noted Michael Dumbrow (Urban Pioneer), “His hands move at a blinding pace over the keys, trilling not only with his dominant hand but with both, turning the piano keys into an extension of his very self.” Where classical structures merge with native Cuban rhythms, where dexterity and fluidity merge with passion and joy, this is the intersection that is home to Nachito Herrera.

Connie Evingson and the Parisota Hot Club (May 15, 8 pm); Quintet (May 20-21, 8 pm). One of the most distinctive voices among local jazz artists, Evingson has established a remarkable career as a solo performer and recording artist in addition to her nearly 20 years with Moore By Four. A native of Hibbing, Minnesota, Evingson notes, “I spent most of my childhood dreaming of the day when I’d be either singing and dancing on the theatrical stage—or swinging with a band in a smokey jazz club.” Evingson’s first club gig was at the old Night Train in St. Paul. After a brief stint with the Minnesota Vocal Jazz Ensemble, she joined Moore By Four in 1986. In 1998, she was chosen by Jazziz magazine as "one of the top unsigned vocal talents in the country,” was among the top 15 contestants in the 1998 Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition, and received the McKnight Artist Fellowship Award in 2000. With Arne Fogel, she hosts the weekly Singers and Standards on KBEM radio. Evingson has released five recordings for Minnehaha Music, including the 2004 gem, Gypsy in My Soul, celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt. Noted Rick Mason of City Pages, "With her own delicious sense of swing, silken phrasing and sense of adventure, Evingson really nails Django's spirit on 'Gypsy', rummaging through his songbook (often with added lyrics) and other tunes that fit the mood..."

Photo by Andrea Canter

One of three bands on the new recording, the Parisota Hot Club will join Connie Evingson at the Dakota for a night of gypsy swing and great fun on Sunday, May 15^th. On the following weekend, Evingson will sing with the best of Twin Cities’ rhythm sections—Laura Caviani on piano, Terry Burns on bass, and Phil Hey on drums, with the sweet horns of Dave Karr.

Ginger Commodore and Dennis Spears (May 27-28, 8 pm). In a rare duo performance, half of Moore By Four will be on stage at the Dakota for a night guaranteed to send shivers up your spine and an electric charge from ear to ear. Around town, Dennis Spears is probably best known as the male voice of Moore By Four, a favorite locally and around the world. An original member of the quartet, Spears took a six-year hiatus to focus more on solo and theater performances. Of his return to the group a few years ago, vocal partner Connie Evingson noted, "It's very, very comfortable. He's very spirited. Dennis was born funny. He always brings a light energy into the room." Anyone who had heard Spears perform, be it with Moore By Four, in his solo Nat King Cole show, as part of the Jazz at the G series, as a cast member of Smokey Joe’s Café or Mixed Blood Theater’s highly acclaimed Two Queens, One Castle, or in last summer’s Heart of the Man, eagerly anticipated the long-overdue release of his new recording, Why Try to Change Me Now? He doesn’t just sing the songs of Nat King Cole, he seemingly channels Cole. Noted Marissa Dodge (Criterion Review), “Dennis Spears’ voice isn’t just an instrument, it’s a continent: He sings of the rich earth of the south where the roots of the Blues and Jazz are deeply planted, of the lucid north where freedom of expression thrives. He deftly touches on the sharp sophistication of the east coast and the eclectic energy of the west, striking a common chord among us with every turn of phrase.” Spears also serenades moms at the Dakota’s annual Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 8^th (11 am-2 pm).

One of the most enchanting voices in town, vocalist Ginger Commodore was a long-time member of the Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness. She’s also an original member of Women Who Cook and has performed with Yanni, The Minnesota Opera Company, the Twin City Gospel Ensemble, the J.D. Steele Singers, and with several local theater productions. She has also recently toured internationally with the Chiffons as well as with Moore By Four. As part of the Witness Music Series under the direction of Phillip Brunelle, she brings her music into the schools, where she recently performed with keyboard virtuoso Patrice Rushen. When not otherwise engaged with Moore By Four and other projects, Commodore performs with her own quartet and with brother and drummer Bobby Commodore. Notes Britt Robson of City Pages, “Ginger possesses some of the sweetest and most clarion pipes in town.”

Don’t miss this dynamic duo—and forget your shoes as this pair is going to knock your socks off.

…Starry Week Nights

Jazz seven nights a week, that’s the Dakota’s motto, and the weeknights offer many temptations of the best local talent anywhere. Come and hear what’s in your own backyard.

Chris Lomheim Quartet (May 3, 7 pm). One of the foremost piano talents on the Twin Cities jazz scene and a regular performer at the Artists Quarter and Dakota, Chris 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 elegant drummer Phil Hey; tonight the group expands to include master saxophonist Pete Whitman.

Paul Renz Quartet (May 4, 7 pm). Director of Jazz Studies at the West Bank School of Music and guitar instructor at the MacPhail Center for Music, guitarist Paul Renz has a long vita as a jazz educator. Initially interested in a performance career, he headed to school in his late 20s, graduating from the Berklee College of Music in Boston and earning a graduate degree from the New England Conservatory of Music. A leader on the jazz scene of Norfolk, Virginia for a number of years, his compositions were performed by the Virginia Symphony and Tidewater Classical Guitar Society. Renz moved to the Twin Cities a few years ago and became involved in local jazz education, including a term as artist in residence at St. Mary’s University. His CD Dish It Up “includes frisky bebop, old-school fusion and, best of all, a 25-minute magnum opus, ‘Latin in Deed,’ recalling the glory days of San Francisco’s Fillmore West, when jazz combos invaded the original jam-band scene” (Tom Surowicz, Star Tribune). Said Lois Berg of the Twin Cities Jazz Society, “Renz is the Van Gogh of jazz guitar.” Last fall, Renz released another recording, Hububb, with sax and harmonica. In his infrequent appearance at the Dakota this month, Paul Renz is joined by Andrew Schwandt on sax, Eric Graham on bass, and Nathan Fryett on drums.

Dan Ristrom and the Reuben Ristrom Trio (May 16, 7 pm). Guitarist Reuben Ristrom, along with Dick Bortolussi (drums) and Bob Guck (bass), are popular area musicians. With 40 years in the music business, Twin Cities’ native/U of M graduate Ristrom is well known for his studio work and stage, club, concert, and festival appearances throughout the continental US and Hawaii. Often in the company of top local and national artists, his eclectic chops include Dixieland, mainstream jazz, swing, standards, Latin, and even some vintage rock 'n' roll. In addition to his ensemble work, Ristrom can be heard on solo guitar or banjo gigs. Joining his dad’s trio tonight is fast-rising vocalist Dan Ristrom.

Pat Donohue (May 17, 7 pm). Guitar-picking vocal star of Prairie Home Companion, Pat Donohue is a full course of entertainment. He first picked up a guitar at age 12, teaching himself chords with a Pete Seeger instructional book. A drummer in a garage rock band in St. Paul, Donohue moved on to playing guitar at Twin Cities coffee houses and blues venues, building a repertoire influenced by Blind Blake, Django Reinhart and Chet Atkins. In addition to his primary folk influences, he also cites Robert Johnson, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Muddy Waters, and Miles Davis. In addition to his long association with Garrison Keillor, Donohue tours nationwide and teaches at such popular music camps as Augusta Heritage Center and Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp. He’s released eight recordings on the Bluesky label. Said the LA Times, “A masterful guitarist and talented singer-songwriter of the blues, folk, and jazz... Donohue is a natural entertainer who possesses bundles of charm and wit.”

Photo by Andrea Canter

Prudence Johnson (May 19, 7 pm). One of the most popular songstresses in the Twin Cities, Prudence Johnson has had an eclectic career to say the least. A native of Moose Lake, MN, Johnson’s resume covers coffee houses in St. Cloud to tours of Russia, musical theater, regular appearances on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion, and even a bit role in Robert Redford’s film, A River Runs Through It. A founding member of Rio Nido (with Tim Sparks) in the 1980s, Johnson released several solo albums in the 1990s (including Grammy-nominated Little Dreamer in 1992). Her 2002 recording of Hoagy Carmichael tunes, Moon Country, brought renewed attention to this deserving artist. Wrote Jim Walsh (St. Paul Pioneer Press), “Armed with the timbre and phrasing that comes from years of experimentation, here's the sound of a true artist hitting her timeless stride.” Since then, she has led productions saluting Kurt Weill and Edna St. Vincent Millay and released a recording of Gershwin with pianist Dan Chouinard (‘S Gershwin).

Photo by Andrea Canter

Leslie Ball with Anthony Cox and Dean Magraw (May 26, 7 pm). Duluth native Leslie Ball is a Minneapolis-based writer, performer, director and producer. Most notably she is the founder/curator of "BALLS," a weekly midnight cabaret for experimental work at the Southern Theater. She toured North and Central America as lead singer/lyricist for "Rue Nouveau" and has performed solo at such venues as The Guthrie Theater, the Walker Art Center, Intermedia Arts, The Dakota, and Chautauqua, as well as at Carnegie Hall as a back-up singer for Gene Pitney. Her first solo recording Loring Park earned her the 1995 Minnesota Music Academy Award for Female Songwriter of the year.

Ball will be joined by two string masters: Bassist Anthony Cox has an international reputation as a versatile and creative bassist, equally at home in straight-ahead acoustic settings and avant garde electronic experiments. Rooted in the Midwest, Cox spent professionally formative years in New York and on the international touring circuit, playing and/or recording with Elvin Jones, James Newton, David Murray, Henry Threadgill, Arthure Blythe, Jon Faddis, Sam Rivers, Dewey Redman, Joe Lovano, John Scofield, and Geri Allan, among many others. In addition to private instruction, Cox has taught at MusicTech and Anoka-Ramsey Community College in addition to a long list of local, national, and international residencies, public school projects, and workshops.

Guitarist Dean Magraw has been wowing audiences with his fleet-fingered plucking and creative compositions. Said Steve Tibbetts, "It's guitar, but it's so liquid, lyrical and effortless that it's like listening to a dancer." Starting out on bugle, St. Paul native Magraw studied classical guitar at the University of Minnesota and Berklee College of Music in Boston. For many years, Magraw was half of a popular partnership with mandolin virtuoso Peter Ostroushko. Straddling jazz, folk and bluegrass, he has performed with and/or recorded with Ruth McKenzie, Claudia Schmidt and Greg Brown, among others; he has explored his Celtic heritage performing with Celtic accordionist John Williams. Magraw’s first solo recording, Broken Silence, won the NAIRD 1994 Best Acoustic Instrumental Album of the Year. A frequent performer at area festivals and jazz clubs, his group Red Planet--with bassist Chris Bates and drummer Jay Epstein--performed recently at the KBEM Winter Jazz Festival.

Debbie Duncan (May 31, 7 pm). What a way to close out the month! Popular vocalist Debbie Duncan (see above with The Girls) "is blessed with a large, full, yet feathery voice and stylistic subtlety ranging from gospel to jazz and pop” (Jazziz). Her recording credits include work with Oleta Adams, Jimmy McGriff, pop bands Iffy and B-3, and local jazzers Fat Kids Wednesday, as well as her own recordings, including her recently released Travelin’ at the Speed of Love. Local gigs include frequent appearances at the Artists Quarter, Times, and Dakota; popular performances with “The Girls;” and teaching at McNally Smith College of Music. Notes an Artists Quarter press release, “On stage, she can crack you up and break your heart over the course of one verse.” If she didn’t sing, this would still be pure entertainment. But of course she sings like no one else.

Coming in June

The Twin Cities Hot Summer Jazz Festival is just around the corner, June 18-26, and as always, the Dakota will bring in special shows for the occasion. Look forward to an early June engagement with alto sax sensation Miguel Zenon (June 6-7), a return gig for a live recording by the Terrell Stafford Quintet (June 13-15), one night with Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra saxman Andy Farber (June 20), and a special duo bill with guitarist Adam Rogers and bassist John Patitucci (June 21-22).

For the full Dakota schedule and other information, visit www.dakotacooks.com. The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, a short walk from major hotels and the Convention Center, and a few blocks off the Light Rail line. Happy Hour music on Wednesday (Sophia Shorai), Thursday (JoAnn Funk), Friday (Jazz by Fosse) afternoons from 4:30-6:30 pm. Reservations usually recommended for national shows.