June offers many bargains for Twin Cities jazzhounds, including the granddaddy of all jazz bargains, the Hot Summer Jazz Festival.

Festival Venues

Nearly every act is free, and often there are two, three or more venues in action at any point in time. The full schedule is available on the festival website at www.hotsummerjazz.com; you will find articles on the Jazz Police website regarding the many exciting musicians who will participate in this annual event. Some highlights, all free:

Sunday, June 12, Staring Lake Park in Eden Prairie: Start off the festival with a day of 6 big bands, including Stan Bann, River City Jazz Orchestra, and Jazz on the Prairie Big Band. (3-6 pm. at the Amphitheater, 14800 Pioneer Trail in Eden Prairie.)

Wednesday, June 15, Wayzata Depot: Enjoy Dave Karr’s tribute band, Mulligan Stew. Last year, Mulligan Stew recorded live during the festival and recently released its first recording! (7-8:30 pm, Wayzata Depot, 402 E. Lake Street, Wayzata)

Saturday, June 18, Mears Park in St. Paul’s Lowertown: From noon until 9 pm, see an incredible line-up, featuring Lucia Newell and Departure Point, Kelly Rossum’s Quartet, Connie Evingson and the Parisota Hot Club, Chill 7, and festival headliner Charles McPherson. (Mears Park, 6^th and Sibley, downtown St. Paul)

Sunday, June 19, Hopkins Downtown Park Bandshell: Trad jazz in the burbs—see the Mouldy Figs, Southside Aces, and Bill Evans New Orleans Jazz Band. (1-5 pm, 9^th Ave off Main Street in downtown Hopkins)

Wednesday, June 22, Hilde Performance Center, Plymouth: Hear Chicago piano legend Jon Weber, harmonica ace Chris Michalek and bassist Christopher Strone. (5:30-9:30 pm, Hilde Amphitheater, 3400 Plymouth Blvd in Plymouth)

June 23-26, Downtown Minneapolis: Six stages in the heart of the city will keep you busy; no admission so save your money for the concessions! Main stage on Peavy Plaza will feature Benny Golson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Henry Johnson’s Organ Express, Jerry Weldon, Butch Thompson, Alex Han, Roseanna Vitro, the Yellowjackets, and a host of local talent. At the Millenium Hotel down the block, see The Five, Jon Weber, the youth group Eggz, and the vocal showcase from the Midwest Chapter of the Jazz Vocal Coalition (featuring Vicky Mountain, Sue Tucker, Lucia Newell, Arne Fogel, Bruce Henry, and more!). On Saturday and Sunday, on the MacPhail Center for Music Stage between 12^th and 13^th Streets on Nicollet Mall, see demonstrations and clinics with the Yellowjackets, Jerry Weldon, Butch Thompson. Also on Saturday and Sunday, stop by the Dain Rauscher Stage at 10^th and Nicollet, and see The Girls, Mulligan Stew, and dance to the Wolverines Big Band!

Free and Bargain Basement Jazz

It costs little or nothing to hear great jazz at great venues:

At the Artists Quarter (7^th Place and St. Peter St., downtown St. Paul, www.mnjazz.org)

• Phil Hey Quartet (June 1, 9 pm, $3). Like a very modern Modern Jazz Quartet!

• Triplicate (June 2, 9 pm, $3). Innovation times three.

• Red Planet (June 8, 9 pm, $3). Dean Magraw, Chris Bates, and Jay Epstein!

• The Five (June 9, 9 pm, $3). A hot quintet with just enough brass.

• Dave Karr Quartet (June 16, 9 pm, $3). He plays all the reeds!

• Chris Lomheim Trio (June 29, 9 pm, $3). Sublime piano trio!

• Pete Whitman X-Tet (June 30, 9 pm, $6). The area’s best little big band.

• Billy Holloman and the Tuesday Night Band (every Tuesday night at 9 pm, $2). B-3 at its best!

At the Dakota (1010 Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis, www.dakotacooks.com)

• Lori Dokken and Patty Peterson (June 1, 7 pm, $5). Two voices celebrate their new CD!

• Chill 7 (June 2, 7 pm, no cover). Young and full of energy—chill out!

• Charmin Michelle and Joel Shapira (June 8, 7 pm, $7). Their new CD is a work of art.

At the French Press Jazz Café (213 E. 4^th St, St Paul, www.fpjazz.com)

• Peter Schimke, Anthony Cox, and Jay Epstein (June 4, 8:30 pm, $5). Maybe the best deal of the month (outside the festival). Three stars together!

• Sophia Shorai (June 11, 8:30 pm, no cover). Rising star vocalist/pianist.

• Clay Moore Trio (June 24, 8:30 pm, no cover). Great galloping guitars! It’s Clay Moore and friends.

• Café Accordian Orchestra (June 25, 8:30 pm. no cover). Bring your dancing shoes, as Café Accordian plays the tunes of Parisian bistros and cafes, circa 1920-1950,

At Rossi’s Blue Star (80 S. 9^th Street, downtown Minneapolis)

• Cynthia Johnson (June 1-4, 8 pm, no cover). Soulful songstress.

• Prudence Johnson (June 8-11, 8 pm, no cover). She can cover Greg Brown as easily as George Gershwin.

• Ginger and Bobby Commodore (June 17-18, 9 pm, no cover). Talent runs in the family—she sings, he swings.

• Bruce Henry (June 21-23, 8 pm; June 24, 9 pm, no cover). Make mine a baritone.

Outdoor Venues (free unless otherwise noted)

• Willie August Project (June 7, Lake Harriet Bandshell, 7:30 pm)

• Roseville Big Band (June 9, Roseville Central Park, Lexington Av and County Rd C, 7:30 pm

• MacPhail students and faculty jazz ensembles (June 15, Lake Harriet Bandshell, 7:30 pm)

• Connie Evingson and Tim Sparks (June 20, Northrop Plaza, University of Minnesota, Noon)

• Triplicate (June 22, Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Av, Edina, 7 pm)

• Giacomo Aula Midwest Trio (June 27, Northrop Plaza, U of M, Noon)

For more outdoor music, check the above venues and other metro parks—many offer weekly or more frequent free music throughout the summer.

And Save Your Pennies For…

For $10, consider:

• Movable Feast (Peter Vircks, Tommy Barbarella, Jeff Bailey, and Kevin Washington) at the Dakota, June 4, 8 pm.

• Bill Carrothers Trio (with Gordy Johnson and Dave King) at the Artists Quarter, June 3-4, 9 pm.

• Bruce Henry (with Nachito Herrera on piano!), June 10-11 at the Dakota, 8 pm.

• Greg Paulus (young trumpet whiz), June 10-11 at the Artists Quarter

• Doug Little Quartet (with Italian piano star Giacomo Aula), June 17-18 at the Dakota, 8 pm.