C.J. Chenier Photo from luse.edu

The Twin Cities Hot Summer Jazz Festival might be over, but hot summer jazz is just beginning as the Dakota announces its July line-up. From Zydeco to classic bop, there’s a little bit of everything among the national headliners, and a pair of sizzling CD releases to be celebrated with hometown stars.

Highlights in July

July 2-3, C.J. Chenier (7 & 9 pm, $15/$10). Once in a while the Dakota books a show that diverges from its usual jazz fare—Doctor John and Mavis Staples have played to sell-out crowds in the past year. Now one of the stars of Zydeco furthers this and another “tradition” at the Dakota—New Orleans musicians. CJ Chenier has been called the “best living sydeco singer and accordionist” by Living Blues magazine and “heir to the zydeco throne” by Billboard. It’s the 4^th of July weekend, and what better way to celebrate than with some Cajun spice?

Maud Hixson © Andrea Canter

July 5, Arne Fogel & Maud Hixson, Sifting Through Sinatra (7 pm, $5). One of the most simpatico pairings of vocalists you’ll here in Minnesota or anywhere else, Arne and Maud bring their silky harmonies to the tunes of the great crooner, Frank Sinatra. It’s been a while since these two were on the Dakota stage although together and singly, they are two of the busiest singers in town. Last year they released the acclaimed duet recording, Let’s Not Be Sensible. But to miss this duo now would be utter nonsense!

July 6, Yolanda and Tommy Bruce (7 pm). Long-time member of Moore by Four, many Twin Citians are familiar with chanteuse Yolonda Bruce, but Uncle Tommy Bruce just launched his professional singing career two years ago. Clearly there are some pretty swell vocal genes afoot, as the daughter/brother of the late Roberta Davis take the stage together for the first time tonight.

July 7, Bruce Henry & Dennis Spears (7 pm, $10). For the second night in a row, the Dakota brings not one, but two super vocalists together for a special night. Bruce Henry is usually in the company of one of the area’s hottest quintets and has an 8-octave range that is pure velvet. He’ll team up tonight with Moore By Four’s baritone, Dennis Spears, seen in theatrical productions as well as taking the solo spotlight at jazz venues throughout the Twin Cities. Neither of these guys is shy—they’re consummate entertainers as well as virtuoso vocalists. Sparks will fly tonight! (Catch Dennis alone on Saturday, July 8^th!)

Bobby Lyle © Andrea Canter

July 10-11, Bobby Lyle (7 & 9 pm, $30/$25). It’s Homecoming Week once again as international superstar pianist/songwriter Bobby Lyle returns to the Dakota. Born in Memphis raised here since he was six, Bobby’s reputation extends well beyond the keyboard to his work as composer, arranger and music director for the likes of Bette Midler, Anita Baker and Al Jarreau. With a new CD (Hands On), Bobby again crosses the bridge between mainstream and contemporary jazz without slighting either genre. His shows are always full of energy and swing.

July 13-14, Seven Steps to Havana (7 pm, $5). Last year, saxophonist Doug Little brought together a fiery septet melding Cuban rhythms and post bop overdrive. The results were volcanic. Featuring home-grown trumpeter Greg Paulus, Brazilian percussionist Eliazer Frites, Cuban pianist Viviana Pintado, bassist Yohannes Tona, and drummer Kevin Washington, Little’s ensemble is also a cross-cultural mélange!

Jeff “Tain” Watts © Andrea Canter

July 21-22, Nachito Herrera’s Earth, Wind and Fire Band (7:30 pm, $12). The keyboard master of bolero, son, rhumba and cha-cha turns to American rock for inspiration—but the grooves are all Latin. The core of this band played to an enthusiastic crowd at the Hot Summer Jazz Festival on Peavey Plaza last month, and to SRO audiences at the Dakota in April. And it’s one of the biggest bands you’ll see at the Dakota!

Curtis Fuller

July 24-25, Curtis Fuller Quintet (7 & 9 pm, $25/$20). One of the living legends of jazz, trombone master Curtis Fuller’s career includes performance and recordings with the greats of bop, Hank Mobley, Cannonball Adderley, Benny Golson, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and most notably, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. A native of Detroit, Fuller was a founding member of the Jazztet with Golson, Art Farmer and McCoy Tyner before joining Blakey. Now 72, Fuller still has chops to burn. Of a recent performance at Jazz Standard in New York, Graham Flanigan (All About Jazz) noted, “He played with the same excitement and fluidity that originally earned him the status of being known as—along with J.J. Johnson—the “filet” of hard-bop trombone players.” Fuller’s quintet at the Dakota will include long-time associate and a legend in his own right, drummer Louis Hayes, and one of the hottest young trumpeters in action today, Maurice Brown.

July 26-27, Connie Evingson CD Release (7 pm, $10). Over her twenty+ year career, vocalist Connie Evingson has never taken the easy or predictable path. An original member of the popular quartet Moore by Four, Connie’s solo career has been equally remarkable, with projects ranging from Peggy Lee to the Beatles to her latest adventure, the music of Django Reinhardt and hot club swing. Following up her highly successful 2005 release, Gypsy in My Soul, Connie comes back with Stockholm Sweetnin’, this time with the Hot Club of Sweden. She’s just back from a stint at Seattle’s Jazz Alley where she performed with Pearl Django. Here at the Dakota, Connie will be swinging with the Clearwater Hot Club, one of the bands on Gypsy in My Soul, featuring young guitar wizard Sam Militich. Click here for a review of Stockholm Sweetnin’.

Dan Kusz © Andrea Canter

July 28-29, Dan Kusz CD Release (7 pm, $12). One of the stars of the Hot Summer Jazz Festival, young smooth sax king Dan Kusz has just the right sound for a hot summer night, and that sound is captured on his debut recording, Lost in the Groove. Only in his early 20s, Dan has been shaking the industry since high school, when he won the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. Named house band for Smooth Jazz 100.3 radio, Dan has played at major Twin Cities venues as well as area festivals. Tonight he will be celebrating his new CD, produced by Ricky Peterson. He’ll be joined on stage by his very funky bandmates, Deevo (guitar), Ace Mack (bass guitar), Victor Renyolds (drums), and Russ King (keyboards). As we always say at Jazz Police, “You have the right to remain funky!” At least this weekend!

More Jazz Every Night!

There’s live jazz at the Dakota seven nights per week, as well as Tuesday-Friday Happy Hour (4:30-6:30 pm) and the new Late at the Dakota series of cutting edge jazz on Friday and Saturday nights, 11:30 pm-2 am. Reservations are now accepted in the club for Friday and Saturday nights; reservations are highly recommended for national touring artists. For reservations and the full calendar, visit www.dakotacooks.com.

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