Graydon Peterson © Andrea Canter

Highlights from the July Jazz Calendar

Thursday nights, 8 pm, Open Jam. All musicians welcome—jazz, funk, soul, R&B, rock, whatever. Come early to get on the list; e-mail for information – This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . No cover.

Saturday, July 1, 9 pm, Capone. Founded by Gennaro "Jeep" Capone (drums) and Allen Young (trumpet) , this band devoted to great jazz also includes sax player Bill Olson, keyboardist Ted Godbout, and bassist Graydon Peterson. Their original compositions fuse jazz influences from Miles Davis to Wynton Marsalis. ($5/$3 students). Opening set (no cover) at 6 pm, Andre Rodriguez (rock/pop/alternative)

Wednesday, July 5, 8 pm, Sol Spectre. Fusing eclectic rock, progressive jazz, experimental improvisation, funk and some electronica, Sol Spectre views music as the means to enlightenment, and you never know what will happen next given the band’s affinity for improvisation. And not just the music—the musicians trade instruments, invite guest artists, constantly change playlists… they keep you on your toes with ears wide open. Sol Spectre returns on Wednesday, July 19, 8 pm. Opening set (July 5)—Pan Metropolitan Trio with tuba/trombone, percussion and Chapman stick. $3

Alicia Wiley © Andera Canter

Friday, July 7, 9 pm, Alicia Wiley Trio. Returning to the French Press, young pianist/singer/songwriter Alicia Wiley draws on diverse influences from Miles Davis and John Coltrane to Smashing Pumpkins and Bjork. Her cohorts tonight are master bassist Jeffrey Bailey (of the Doug Little Quartet) and young drum executive Brandon Commodore. $5. Opening set, 6 pm, The Cutaways (no cover)

Tuesdays, July 11, 18, & 25, 7 pm, Sam Kuusisto Band. Guitarist/vocalist Sam Kuusisto has played and taught professionally for over 10 years, focusing on jazz, funk and R&B. Accompanied by veteran jazz musicians Dave Beattie (guitar), Mark Frokey (alto sax), Neil Powell (bass), Pete Henning (drums) and Brian Nielson (keyboards), Sam’s music has plenty of soul and open improvisation. $5

Dan Kusz © Andrea Canter

Friday, July 14, 9 pm, Dan Kusz Band CD Release Party. Smooth sax young lion, Dan Kusz is only in his early 20s but 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 was a hit at the recent Hot Summer Jazz Festival, and has played at major Twin Cities venues. 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 Reynolds (drums), and Russ King (keyboards). $5. Opening set at 5 pm, Brent Floren (vocals), no cover.

Sunday, July 16, 7 pm, The Girls. This quartet of Twin Cities’ divas is quite popular with audiences who love their infectious blend of stellar voices, magnificent piano, and hilarious banter, a recipe for high flying synergy. Pianist/vocalist Lori Dokken has been entertaining Twin Cities’ audiences for over 20 years. An award-winning songwriter and in-demand arranger, she is one of the area’s most popular cabaret performers. Head of the Vocal Music Department at McNally Smith College (MusicTech), Judi Donaghy has an eclectic list of credits in opera, musical theater, jazz, folk, country, gospel, pop, and R&B, including appearances with Moore By Four, the Mixed Blood Theater, Yo Yo Ma, Carole King, Janis Siegel, Garrison Keillor, and Marilyn McCoo. As a musical theatre performer, Erin Schwab portrayed Tina in Hey City Theater's long-running production of Tony n' Tina's Wedding,

Patty Peterson © Andrea Canter

Friday, July 21, 9 pm, Bellatrex. Pianist Laura Bohn and vocalist/sax player Donna Wilson founded this band that features traditional jazz standards, jazz influenced blues/rock, and inventive, and catchy originals. Their debut recording, Atmosphere, was released last year. $5. Opening set, 6 pm, Jeff Horwich One-Man Jam. No cover.

The French Press, at 213 E. 4^th Street in St. Paul, has music at least five nights per week. Mostly jazz but you’ll also find blues, indie rock, fusion, R&B, Latin and more. Check the website at www.fpjazz.com for the full schedule and ample descriptions of each band.

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