Karr, Milne and Whitman, Photo by Andrea Canter

Jazz Ax

Based in St. Paul, JazzAx is dedicated to the exploration and performance of jazz, contemporary and improvised music for saxophone quartet. Each of the four members of JazzAx are well known locally and beyond as jazz and classical performers and educators. The JAZZAX Saxophone Quartet (JSQ) performed regularly at Brilliant Corners in St. Paul from February 2003 until the club closed last year; JSQ has also performed as part of the 13^th World Saxophone Congress in Minneapolis, and has appeared on the stages of University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Hamline University, Lawrence University, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Jazz Festival, Phipps Center for the Arts, and the Minnesota State Capitol (Arts Advocacy Day Concert). JSQ has also performed as part of the Minneapolis-St Paul Regional Public School Performance series, was recently featured at the MacPhail Center for the Arts’ "Saxophone Day," and at the Stillwater Public Schools’ "Jazz Exchange" festival. In addition, JSQ presents master classes in jazz saxophone performance, saxophone ensemble performance techniques, and jazz ensemble performance.

Dave Milne, photo by Don Berryman

Michael Walk (alto sax) is an Instrumental Music Instructor for Stillwater (MN) Area Schools who holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He previously taught in the Pepin (WI) Area Schools for six years. Currently on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin Arts and Education Center, he teaches saxophone, improvisation and directs jazz ensembles. In addition to performances throughout the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin, Walk plays with the JazzMN Big Band.

Pete Whitman (tenor sax) has performed with such artists as Randy Brecker, Jack McDuff, and the Woody Herman Orchestra. Holding BM and MM degrees in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, Whitman currently heads the Brass and Woodwinds Department at McNally Smith (Musictech) College in St. Paul. His many projects include leading Departure Point, The Pete Whitman Quintet, and The Xtet, and playing with the JazzMN Big Band. In 2002 his quintet released The Sound of Water (Artegra), and he has released recordings with Departure Point as well as serving as sideman on many other projects.

Greg Keel, Photo by Andrea Canter

Greg Keel (baritone sax) is on the faculties of the MacPhail Center for the Arts, Normandale College, University of Wisconsin Indianhead Arts and Education Center, and the UW-Green Bay summer jazz program. He attended the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, UW-Madison, and Concordia College in St. Paul. Among his credits are performances with Anthony Cox, Geoff Keezer, Mel Torme, The Temptations, Bobby Vinton, Andy Williams, The O'Jays, Frankie Valli, Bob Hope, and blues guitarist Luther Allison. In addition to JSQ and the JazzMN Big Band, Keel is an artist/clinician for the Selmer Company and has been a contributing writer for Saxophone Journal magazine.

Local Sax Titans

Irv Williams

Irv Williams, photo by Andrea Canter

A native New Yorker, multi-instrumentalist Dave Karr has been a fixture on the Twin Cities jazz scene for nearly 50 years, and has appeared on multiple recordings with local artists, ranging from vocalists (Connie Evingson) to small ensembles (Pete Whitman’s Departure Point and X-Tet, Dave Graf’s septet) to big bands (JazzMn Big Band). Using his bari sax, Dave founded Mulligan Stew, a band dedicated to the music and times of Gerry Mulligan. He’s basically a Jazz Ax all by himself, on bari, tenor, flute, clarinet, and a horn or two of his own invention.

Kathy Jensen

Kathy Jensen. photo by Andrea Canter

The Rhythm Section

One of the Twin Cities’ pre-eminent jazz pianists, composers, and educators, Laura Caviani earned degrees from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI and the University of Michigan; studied in Japan at the Akiyoshidai International Art Village; and received a grant to study with another highly inventive pianist, Joanne Brackeen. She has toured with Toots Theilemans, Bob Mintzer, Dave Liebman, and Karrin Allyson, and has released four acclaimed recordings as well as appearing on a long list of CDs of local musicians. Known for her interpretations of Monk as well as her own compositions, Caviani is a member of Soul Café, Departure Point, and Pete Whitman’s X-tet, and leads her own trio and quartet. In January, she released Going There, a recording featuring mostly original compositions with the support of Kansas City musicians Bob Bowman and Todd Strait.

Gordy Johnson, photo by Andrea Canter

A former student of Ed Blackwell, Phil Hey is one of the busiest drummers in town. He has performed with Kenny Barron, Dewey Redman, Benny Carter, and Benny Golson, and often is on the bandstand of the Dakota and Artists Quarter, backing touring artists (recently, Judi Silvano), local vocalists (Connie Evingson, Lucia Newell), and small ensembles (Laura Caviani Trio). He also manages percussion duties for the Pete Whitman X-Tet, Departure Point, Apex, and Mulligan Stew, and finds time to teach at the University of Minnesota and Macalester College in St. Paul. His recording credits are legion, including on the Artegra label with the Chris Lomheim Trio (The Bridge) and with the Pete Whitman Quintet (Sound of Water) and X-Tet (Where’s When; Solid Liquid). His own quartet release, Subduction, was one of the top area releases of 2005.

The Concert

The May 20^th concert will include world premieres of new works by David Milne and Laura Caviani. Tickets are available at (952) 979-1111 (discounts available for TCJS, Jazz 88 FM, MPR, and Hopkins Center for the Arts members, and seniors. The Hopkins Center for the Arts is located at 1111 Main Street, Hopkins (about 20 minutes southwest of downtown Minneapolis). Showtime is 7:30 pm. Grab your ears and enjoy the sax!