Mulgrew Miller, photo by Andrea Canter

It seems that each month, Lowell Pickett and Richard Erickson up the ante another notch in scheduling national touring artists. March was a tough act to follow, with appearances by Stacey Kent, Joey DeFrancesco, David Murray, and Steve Smith. And perhaps the most electric sets of the month were those performed by the Los Angeles County High School of the Arts sextet with alto monster Bobby Watson and the soulful, bluesy vocalist, Lisa Henry, enlisted for two additional nights when guitarist Stanley Jordan had to cancel due to tendonitis. The Dakota proved that impromptu collaboration is indeed the essence of jazz! With a new menu beckoning diners as well as musicians, spring at the Dakota promises the best of both experiences, gastronomic and stereophonic.

National Headliners (sets at 7 and 9 pm)

Kenny Werner, photo by William Claxton

April 10-11, Toots Thielmans and Kenny Werner. The world’s greatest harmonica player, Belgian octogenarian Thielemans always gives a joyful performance; with sublimely inventive pianist Kenny Werner, his duet partner for many years, we can expect pure magic. This is always one of the most popular acts at the Dakota so early reservations are encouraged.

April 16, Henry Butler (6 and 8 pm). Five-time W.C. Handy “Best Blues Instrumentalist - Piano” award nominee, Henry Butler may be the most versatile artist on the planet. Blind since birth, Butler is not only a master of baritone horn, valve trombone, drums, and of course piano, he also holds a masters’ degree in vocal music and is an accomplished photographer. Since age six, he has studied piano, combining the percussive jazz attack of McCoy Tyner with the his native New Orleans style of Professor Longhair along with Caribbean, classical, pop, R&B, and blues influences.

April 18-19, Dee Dee Bridgewater. Star of Broadway as well as jazz stages all over the world, Bridgewater brought home a Tony for her role in The Wiz. A major voice for jazz on NPR, she hosts the popular Jazz Set. With multi nominations and two Grammies, among other “best of” awards, Bridgewater recently released J'ai Deux Amours (Sovereign Artists, 2006), an acclaimed album of French love songs. Count on hearing a few as well as diverse selections from this diva’s vast repertoire. This will be a rare evening to enjoy Dee Dee in the intimate setting of the Dakota. Reservations are going fast!

April 24-25, Mulgrew Miller Trio. One of the most prolific recording artists and in-demand performers of modern jazz, Mulgrew Miller has enjoyed a thirty-year career atop the pool of pianists influenced by legendary Oscar Peterson. A veteran of the bands of Mercer Ellington, Betty Carter, Woody Shaw, Johnny Griffin, Art Blakey, and Tony Williams, the Mississippi native more recently has worked with Joe Lovano, Diane Reeves, Rene Marie, Steve Turre, Kenny Garrett, and Gary Burton as well as releasing two highly acclaimed Live at Yoshi’s recordings for MaxJazz. Generally he concentrates on his trio (with Derrick Hodge and Rodney Holmes) and his quintet, Wingspan. And we don’t have to travel to Yoshi’s, we can enjoy the Mulgrew Miller right here at the Dakota.

April 30, Dave Douglas. One night only! One of the most prolific artists in jazz today, trumpeter/composer Dave Douglas at 42 has already generated an incredible legacy of music, recording over twenty CDs (2 Grammy nominations), performing with ten different ensembles, including the Tiny Bell Trio, Charms of the Night Sky, Witness, Parallel Worlds, Sanctuary, Nomad, and his quartet, quintet, and sextet. In addition to his role as leader, Douglas has been a member of John Zorn’s Masada, serves as artistic director of the Banff International Jazz Workshop, and is co-curator of the Festival of New Trumpet Music. A 2005 Guggenheim Fellow, Douglas recently launched his own record label, Greenleaf Music. This month, he is releasing Meaning and Mystery with his current quintet, featuring Donny McCaslin, Uri Caine, James Genus, and Clarence Penn. Catch this amazing group of improvisers at the Dakota!

Local Sensations

April is one jazz party after another, with four CD release celebrations, a big birthday party for Dennis Spears, and more. Sets at 7 pm unless otherwise noted.

Jeanne and Ricky Peterson, photo by Andrea Canter

Saturday, April 1, New Standards Trio. These three guys are setting a “new standard.”

Sunday, April 2, The Girls. Join Lori, Patty, Erin and Judi for an evening of playful banter and vocal delights.

Monday, April 3, Phil Hey Trio. The epitome of elegant percussion is always a class act.

Tuesday, April 4, Jeanne Arland Peterson. The matriarch of Minnesota’s First Family of Music hasn’t lost the beat. A rare club appearance, and you can bet more Petersons will be on hand.

Wednesday, April 5, Minnesota Jazz Vocal Coalition Showcase. Monthly night of fun and song, this time with Connie Olson, Katie Knudsen, and Gregg Marquardt, and the expert rhythm section of Phil Aaron, Tom Lewis, and Jay Epstein.

Friday-Saturday, April 7-8, Dennis Spears. Help the Moore by Four Baritone celebrate his birthday! His voice can melt more than candles…

Cafe Accordian, photo by Andrea Canter

Sunday, April 9, Cafe Accordian Orchestra. Swing, dance, just have a good time.

Wednesday, April 12, Bill Carrothers CD Release. He’s never “home”—native son Bill Carrothers performs more in Europe than stateside, so don’t miss the opportunity to hear one of the world’s most inventive pianists celebrate the release of the spontaneous improvisational masterpiece, Shine Ball [ Click here for Jazz Police review], with compatriots Gordy Johnson and David King.

Friday-Saturday, April 14-15, Debbie Duncan (with Patty Peterson on Friday). On Friday night, it’s a two-fer with Minnesota divas Debbie and Patty; on Saturday, Debbie goes it alone. Either night, the joint will be rocking with blues, ballads, and plenty of wit.

Fantastic Merlins

Monday, April 17, The Fantastic Merlins. This Minneapolis/New York collaboration of cello, bass, drums and tenor sax brings avant garde jazz and chamber music together, with a classically tuned contemporary exploration of complex rhythms and stunning improvisation.

Thursday, April 20, Glen Helgeson CD Release. With his band Axis Mundi, world beat guitarist Helgeson celebrates the release of Distant Borders Revisited.

Friday-Saturday, April 21-22, Nachito Herrera CD Release (7:30 pm). About a year ago, Cuban keyboard dynamo Herrera celebrated Bembe si Mi Casa; now he’s back with Live at the Dakota. It’s indeed another bembé (party)!

Mary Louise Knutson, Photo by Andrea Canter

Wednesday, April 26, Mary Louise Knutson Trio. A finalist in the 2005 Women in Jazz Piano Competition at Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Mary Louise is always a treat.

Thursday, April 27, Dallas Johnson CD Release. Jazz, blues, R&B, vocalist Dallas Johnson has an infectious passion for every song. Join the celebration!

Friday, April 28, Big Walter Smith. The dean of Minnesota Blues has been wowing audiences for 30 years, and is the anchor of the Bayfront Blues Festival held every year in Duluth.

Saturday, April 29, Connie Evingson. She has such a range of projects, you never know what you might hear, but be it Peggy Lee, the Beatles, Django Reinhart or the Great American Songbook, Connie is the consummate entertainer and a heckuva singer. She packs the house.

Late at the Dakota

Not ready to call it a night after the last set? Stick around on Friday and Saturday nights for “Late at the Dakota,” a series for nightowls and fans of modern jazz, starting at 11:30 pm with a low cover ($3) and happy hour – type specials.

Coming in May!

More of the top names in jazz will stop by the Dakota next month—James Carter with Cyrus Chestnut and “Pavement” quartet (May 1-2); Claudia Schmidt (May 4); Houston Person Quartet (May 8-9); the Joshua Redman Trio (May 14-15); and more!

Visit www.dakotacooks.com for a full calendar, online reservations, sample menus, and more. The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.

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