Summer brings more and more free jazz opportunities with festivals and other outdoor performances. Even on the off chance that the weather will cool off, the music at these venues will be hot… and if not “free”, at least it won’t stress your budget.

Freedom Jazz Festival—August 13 (1-8 pm)

Photo by Andea Canter

Bloomington Jazz Festival—August 14, Noon-5:30 pm

Another great afternoon of jazz, this time in the suburban Normandale Lake Bandshell in Bloomington. Four highly respected bands—from swing to cutting edge modern—play one after the other: Triplicate (featuring the edgy original music of Joel Schapira, Pooch Heine, and Dave Stanoch); the Stan Bann Big Band, Red Wolfe’s Ellington Echoes Memorial Band, and the one and only JazzMN Big Band. Park in the 8500 Tower Normandale Lake Office Park ramp on 84^th Street. Free!

Dog Days Dance Street Party –August 14, 2-6 pm

Hosted by the Black Dog Café in St. Paul’s Lowertown (at 308 Prince Street), this free outdoor party features two great bands, the Twin Cities Hot Club and the Brass Messengers. Food and drink will be available from Black Dog and local vendors. And wear your dancing shoes—from the gypsy hot club vibe of the TCHC to the eclectic rhythms of Brass, you’ll be hopping.

Burnsville Art and All That Jazz—August 20, 11 am—9 pm.

Photo by Andea Canter

Combining set after set of great jazz with an art fair and food concessions, the second annual Burnsville Art and All That Jazz gets underway in Nicollet Commons Park. From the opening music of the Metro High School Jazz All-Stars to Jim Price and Friends; Kico Rangel; Baby Moses with Jaca Gereau; the incomparable Connie Evingson; the Cuban keyboard dynamo Nachito Herrera; and nationally acclaimed guitarist Nick Collione, there’s something for everybody, and the music is free to all. See www.burnsvilleartjazz.com

Peavy Plaza Concerts

Adjacent to Minnesota Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis, Peavy Plaza hosts Sommerfest and a series of free concerts from area jazz greats:

• August 4, Charmin Michelle and Joel Schapira (10 am-12:45 pm)—one of the longest standing duos in town, vocals and guitar

• August 5, Mouldy Figs (5:30 pm)—swing and standards

• August 6, George Maurer Group (5:30 pm)—pop, swing, and more

Lake Harriet Bandshell

The gem of south Minneapolis, the bandshell hosts music most nights throughout the summer, starting at 7:30 pm, no charge. Some jazz in August:

• August 10, Signe Hensel Quartet—a great voice for a summer night.

• August 21, Paul Renz Ensemble—guitar and more by the lake.

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

Photo by Andea Canter

The jazz is always free on Monday nights when the trio “Green” is on stage at 7 pm, followed by an open mic and poetry reading. Every Tuesday at 9 pm, for $2, it’s the Tuesday Night Band (aka B-3 Organ Night), now featuring Bill Brown on organ. Other highlights in August (sets starting at 9 pm), most for $3 cover:

• August 4, Peter Schimke Trio—hear one of the finest jazz pianists anywhere!

• August 10, Dave Karr Quartet—one of the most versatile reed players in town.

• August 17, Phil Hey/Gordy Johnson/Chris Lomheim—for sheer elegance, you can’t beat this trio of Twin Cities jazz heroes.

• August 18, The Five—Dave Karr, Steve Kenny, Tom Lewis, Kenny Horst and Mikkel Romstad join forces to perform original and innovative tunes.

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

While there are a lot of national and weekend shows from $10 and up, you can often find first-rate musicians from the local area on the bandstand for free or low covers. Highlights in August:

• August 4, Charlie Caranicus with the Laura Caviani Trio (7 pm, $5)--transplanted Twin Citian and trumpeter Charlie Caranicus comes home from the Big Apple to play with a truly New York-level trio.

• August 7, Lori Dokken with Erin Schwab and Rachel Holder (7 pm, no cover)—the keyboard comedian of The Girls records live with two of the area’s finest voices.

• August 11, Triplicate (7 pm, no cover)—If you can’t make it to the Bloomington Jazz Festival, catch this innovative trio at the Dakota!

• August 15, Chris Lomheim, Pete Whitman, Gordy Johnson, Phil Hey (7 pm, no cover)—a couple days before the piano trio’s gig at the AQ, they add in master saxophonist Pete Whitman to form a truly burning quartet

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

The new kid in Jazz City, the French Press increasingly brings in top area talent on weekends, usually for only a $5 cover. That leaves you plenty of cash for an espresso, glass of wine, or pizza. Weekend sets start at 8:30 pm. Highlights this month:

August 5, Paul Harper Quartet—an innovative group reconsidering the works of John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Steve Swallow.

At Rossi’s Blue Star (80 S. 9^th St, Minneapolis; www.bluestarjazz.com)

It can still be a bit on the noisy side if you sit too close to the bar, but the county smoking ban has greatly improved the listening environment at this lower level club just off Nicollet Mall. And local jazz is free and fabulous:

August 12-13, Ginger and Bobby Commodore (9 pm)—Is there a more jazzed couple in the Twin Cities?

August 16 & 30, Laura Caviani Trio (8 pm)—hot off her tour with Karrin Allyson, Laura Caviani is one heckuva pianist.

August 21, Charmin Michelle (8 pm)—a perfect voice and a great repertoire.

August 23-26, Bruce Henry (8 pm, 9 pm on Friday)—his new live recording won’t be out for a few months but you can hear the velvet voice of Bruce Henry this week, no charge.

Best Bets for $10

Photo by Andea Canter

Doug Little makes this a tie:

• Seven Steps to Havana, August 12-13 at the Dakota (9 pm). This is sax giant Doug Little’s septet devoted to Cuban rhythms, featuring special summer guest artist, trumpeter Greg Paulus. They were dynamite at the Hot Summer Jazz Festival!

• Doug Little Quartet, August 26-27 at the Artists Quarter (9 pm). Playing originals and postbop masterpieces, saxophonist Doug Little puts together a dream band, with Mary Louise Knutson on piano, Jeff Bailey on bass, and Kevin Washington on drums. Help Doug and company celebrate the release of his second recording, The Phoenix.

Check out the schedules at the Dakota and Artists Quarter for other $10-12 options on August weekends.And visit the Twin Cities Jazz Society’s online listing of events in August, including a listing of State Fair events and a lot more outdoor gigs, http://tcjs.org/content/view/86/26//p>

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