Bob Protzman (St. Paul Pioneer Press) called Arne Fogel "...one of the Twin Cities' most interesting people -- A singer, musician, actor, composer, writer, producer, music-film-comedy and entertainment historian, collector and oral encyclopedia." He opened for Rosemary Clooney at Orchestra Hall, has sung on over 1500 jingles, and has composed and produced his own music for jingles and industrial presentations. A frequent performer at Twin Cities venues (often with vocalist Maud Hixon), he’s also a well-known on-air personality on MPR, KLBB, and KBEM. His CD Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams has been critically acclaimed, as is his latest effort, Let’s Not Be Sensible, with Maud Hixon.

Rhonda Laurie (Smith) is a native of Manahattan, where she grew up in a family of professional musicians and performers. Starting her career as a cabaret singer in New York nightclubs, Rhonda studied with jazz legend Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton. Now in Minneosta, she has performed at Rossi's Blue Star, Sophia's, Café Luxx, Bar Lurcat, the Times Bar and Cafe, the Artists’ Quarter, and at Intermedia Arts, the Minnesota Fringe Festival, Lake Harriet Bandshell, The Red Eye Theater Isolated Acts series and the Minnesota Historical Society. As an artist-in-residence in the Minneapolis Public Schools and an arts education consultant, Rhonda shares her passion for jazz with her students, and has served as President of the Minnesota Jazz Vocal Coalition.

From Los Angeles to Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro, as well as locally at Orchestra Hall, the Artist's Quarter, and the Dakota, Lucia Newell has performed Brazilian samba, French ballads and bop melodies; she has sung with the great Billy Eckstein, the Rio Jazz Orchestra, and Oscar Castro Neves. Her recent recording with Departure Point saluted the great Billy Strayhorn (Steeped in Strayhorn), of which Alan Bargebuhr (Cadence Magazine) noted, “Strayhorn would be very happy and proud.” She has also been heard locally with Soul Café (and is featured on their forthcoming new recording), with guitarist Joan Griffith (with whom she recorded Enter You, Enter Love), and leads her own ensembles.

Lucia, Photo by Andrea Canter

For the November Dakota showcase, nothing but a great rhythm section will do, and the trio on stage will not disappoint: Phil Aaron on piano, Tom Lewis on bass, and Mac Santiago on drums. If you have followed the vocal jazz scene in the Twin Cities, you know how good this evening will be! The September and October showcase events were well attended, high energy affairs. If you have somehow overlooked the many stellar voices around town, this is a golden opportunity to hear three of the finest. Sets start at 7 pm on Thursday, November 3^rd , and it’s all for just a $7 cover.

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com. Sets begin at 7 pm. Artists’ websites: Arne Fogel, www.arnefogel.com; Rhonda Laurie, www.rhondalaurie.com; and Lucia Newell, www.lucianewell.com. The MnJVOC showcase at the Times Bar and Café (201 E. Hennepin, Minneapolis) will be held on November 19^th at 9:30 pm, featuring Maud Hixon, Connie Dusseau and Katy Gearty.