Stacy Kent at the Dakota, photo by Andrea Canter

National Touring Artists (sets at 7 and 9 pm)

March 6-7, Stanley Jordan. Two decades of hair-raising performance and groundbreaking technique are all the reasons you need to reserve a seat for guitar legend Stanley Jordan. The late Leonard Feather was moved to write, “Genius is a word too often tossed around in musical circles, but it has been rightfully applied to Stanley Jordan.” Using what he calls “Touch” or “Tapping”, Jordan describes his unique technique as “hammer ons and pull-offs,” creating a sound that suggests multiple instruments, including the piano. Although his inventive technique brought him quick fame in the 80s, it’s been Jordan’s musical chops that have sustained his reputation. You need to hear and see Jordan! It’s a much a visual as aural experience.

March 10-11, Bobby Watson, Lisa Henry, and LA High School for the Performing Arts Sextet. The premiere event of the season for the Dakota Foundation “J-Train” program, bringing top jazz artists and heralded student musicians to the Twin Cities for workshops and performances, features two nights of public concerts. Part of the Thelonious Monk Institute’s “Peer to Peer” program, the week-long residency features world-renowned alto saxman Bobby Watson, sensational vocalist Lisa Henry, and six top student musicians from the Los Angeles High School for the Performing Arts, who will be visiting five Twin Cities public high schools for clinics and performances. Bobby Watson is well known to local audiences, having played several times here with his band Horizon and inaugurating the new Dakota stage as its first national artist on opening night. The Kansas native held the sax chair and later director duties for Art Blakey’s Messengers and founded the 29^th Street Saxophone Quartet as well as Horizon. He’s currently head of jazz studies at the University of Missouri/Kansas City Conservatory of Music. Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz vocalist Lisa Henry has been described as "a winner at home and abroad." She earned the “Jazz Ambassador Award” in 1994 based on her performance at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition.

Stacy Kent at the Dakota, photo by Andrea Canter

March 12-14, Stacey Kent. Stacey Kent’s rise to the top of the heap of jazz vocalists was anything but a straight trajectory. Visiting Europe to study French, Italian and German for a Masters degree in comparative literature, she happened to meet young saxophonist and student, Jim Tomlinson, at Oxford. Soon academic pursuits took a backseat to music, and Kent enrolled at the Guildhall School of Music. Now married to Tomlinson, Kent found herself a part of the London jazz scene. With her sixth recording, The Boy Next Door, the London-based New Yorker initiated a year-long concert tour of 250 appearances, including gigs at New York's Carnegie Hall and a month-long sell-out run at the famed Oak Room at The Algonquin Hotel; the recording also earned the “Silver Disc” in France four months after its release and remained on Billboard’s Charts for 35 weeks. Finally garnering the attention in the U.S. that has followed her career in Europe, Kent “has a voice that a less musically savvy performer might use as a building block for creating a cute, smiley persona, but…carries it in more sophisticated directions. Her stripped-down interpretations of standards reveal the lyrics with an unblinking clarity” (Stephen Holden, New York Times). Stacey Kent will be joined by her touring band, which includes husband and tenor saxman Jim Tomlinson.

Joey D, photo by Andrea Canter

March 20-22, Joey DeFrancesco. Joey Defrancesco was simply born to play the Hammond B-3. Son of B3 ace "Papa" John DeFrancesco (who took young Joey to see Jimmy Smith), the 34-year-old Philadelphian also learned to play trumpet, which he sometimes plays on tour and on recording. The younger Defrancesco came to international attention touring with John McLaughlin's Free Spirits in the mid-1990s, although his earlier recordings for Concord had already ignited a new interest in jazz organ. “His no-nonsense, unpretentious, good-time music is always rousing and uplifting, and he is one of the most unfussily virtuosic of the current B3 torchbearers” (Jazz on Granby). At the Dakota last spring, DeFrancesco recorded a tribute to the late Jack McDuff, fronting the Captain’s acclaimed Heatin’ System band for three wild nights. This time, it’s his hot trio. Don’t miss this one.

March 27-28, David Murray Quartet. Grammy-winning sax/bass clarinet legend David Murray returns to the Dakota with his acclaimed quartet. Internationally recognized for his stellar talent and multiple projects, Murray has received the Bird Award from the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Danish Jazzpar Prize and a Guggenheim Fellowship. His ensemble projects are as diverse as the Urban Bush Woman dance troupe, the World Saxophone Quartet, the Gwo-Ka Masters, and his Latin Band. Murray last appeared at the Dakota with his African band, the Gwo –Ka Masters; this time he’s back with his quartet, which includes master bassist Jaribu Shahid.

Steve Smith, photo by Howard A. Gitelson

March 29, Steve Smith and Vital Information. One night only! One of the longest-running ensembles, jazz fusion drummer Steve Smith –more well known perhaps for his work with Journey—brings his hard hitting Quartet back to the Dakota for a buffet of sonic delights. The line-up includes Tom Coster on keys, Frank Gambale on guitar, Baron Browne on bass, and of course the master of funky percussion, Steve Smith.

Locally Dandy Winds, Vocals and More

As always, the local line-up comes dangerously close to making national touring shows superfluous. Check out the following, 7 pm unless otherwise indicated:

Charmin Michelle, photo by Andrea Canter

March 1, Charmin Michelle Quartet. This popular songstress’ latest CD, Pure Imagination, is pure velvet.

March 2, Minnesota Jazz Vocal Coalition Showcase. Monthly gig featuring three of the Twin Towns’ finest singers, this time with the winsome threesome of Vicky Mountain, Maud Hixson, and Connie Olson. Each will perform a series of short sets with some time set aside for ensemble performance, all backed by the very able rhythm section of Chris Lomheim, Gary Raynor, and Jay Epstein. Always a treat.

March 3-4, Ginger and Bobby Commodore’s Birthday Bash. Join Ginger and Bobby as they celebrate their respective birthdays with their quintet. Ginger has a voice you will never forget! Come early. They draw a large crowd!

March 5, Robert Robinson & Project Inspiration. Gospel singer Robert Robinson joins forces with one of the best saxmen in the Midwest, Keni Holmen. You’ll be inspired!

March 8, Patty Peterson and the Phil Aaron Trio. Reprising their weekly gig, formerly at the Hotel Sofitel and now at the new Enjoy! Restaurant in Apple Valley, the Phil Aaron Trio (Phil on piano, Tom Lewis on bass, Jay Epstein on drums) and all-star vocalist Patty Peterson will present a rare appearance on the Dakota stage. Come early, stay late.

March 9, Brian Grivna. A rare club date away from the Artists Quarter, sax virtuoso Brian Grivna deserves a much higher profile.

Connie Evingson, photo by Andrea Canter

March 15, Connie Evingson and Irv Williams. Two of the best known performers in the Twin Cities come together for an enchanted evening. Connie’s work with Moore by Four has arguably been eclipsed by her recent hit recording and live performances of “hot club” swing, but this is an electic artist with a lot more projects underway, including this night of collaboration with “Mr. Smooth,” octogenarian wonder of the tenor sax, Irv Williams.

March 16, Tres Mundos. Always trying out new ensemble formats, local sax star Doug Little has formed a trio from the core of his popular Seven Steps to Havana band, featuring Cuban pianist Viviana Pintado and Brazilian percussionist Eliezer Frites. The warm sounds of the tropics meld with post bop excitement.

March 17-18, Nachito Herrera’s Tribute to Earth, Wind and Fire. If you think you have heard Nachito, think again as our transplanted Cuban marvel of the keyboard tips his magic fingers to EWF.

Dave Singley, photo by Andrea Canter

March 23, Dave Singley Quartet. Often on stage with the JazzMN Big Band, guitar wizard Dave Singley steps out in front for a night of hot frets and cool strumming.

March 24-25, Bruce Henry. Always popular with good reason, baritone Bruce Henry draws on his very deep well of talent and interpretive genius in the company of one of the area’s best “not just a back-up” bands.

March 26, McKnight Fellows Jazz Showcase with Connie Evingson and VoiceTrek. Another special occasion finds vocalist Connie Evingson in the company of the unique VoiceTrek ensemble.

March 30, Alma del Sol.

March 31-April 1, New Standards Trio. When Semisonic's John Munson, former Suburb singer/pianist Chan Poling, and vibraphonist Steve Roehm joined forces as the New Standards, everything from Beck to Gershwin to Neil Young was fair game. Their combination of rowdy and atmospheric arrangements has proven to be a very popular blend.

Happy Hour (4:30-6:30 pm)

• Tuesdays, Travis Anderson, piano

• Wednesdays, Sophia Shorai & Jocko McNally (piano/vocals and bass)

• Thursdays, JoAnn Funk Trio

• Fridays, Jazz by Fosse with Irv Williams

Late Night at the Dakota (11:30 pm)

Sort of the insomniac’s answer to Happy Hour, this new Friday/Saturday series of late shows is curated by Jeremy Walker. Starting at 11:30 pm with a mere $3 cover and many drink/food specials, these sets offer a taste of “what’s new” on the local jazz scene:

• March 3, Hot House with Paul Harper

• March 4, The Bryan Nichols Trio

• March 10, Jim Anton’s Surprise

• March 11, Paul Moriarty/Ellen Lease Quintet

• March 17, Jim Anton’s St. Patrick’s Day Band

• March 18, Bryan Nichols Presents

• March 24, The Vehicle with Steve Hobart

• March 25, John Raymond Project CD Release Party

• March 31, Blue Chi

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; visit www.dakotacooks.com for full schedule, menus, and ticket information.

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