“Miles Davis said that the only question for a musician was, ‘Do you have ideas and can you project them?’ For Snowblind, the answer is, “at all times.” –Phil Hey

When none less than virtuoso Twin Cities drummer/educator proclaims his admiration for an ensemble, one needs to pay attention. The brass-laden quintet Snowblind has easily earned this distinction, which was apparent in their Dakota debut last spring and follow-up shows in both “prime time” and as part of the “Later at the Dakota” series. Now the quintet returns to the Dakota for some more fun on November 14th.

The musicians of Snowblind came together in 2005 through their connections to the University of Minnesota where all have and/or continue to study: Tenor saxman and Chicago native Shilad Sen is a doctoral candidate in computer science who contributes horn arrangements as well as original compositions; Denver-ite Adam Rossmiller, a doctoral candidate in trumpet performance who studied with rising star Ron Miles, similarly contributes to the horn arrangements and original repertoire. Once a student of Tiny Baker, trombonist Scott Agster is also a doctoral candidate in jazz performance at the U of M and an alum of the famed University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band with substantial composing and arranging chops of his own; with skills to play anything from Bach to rock, bassist Mark Drehmann has contributed orchestral arrangements to the band’s playlist, as has drummer Reid Kennedy, whose timekeeping skills have been used by such luminaries as Joe Lovano and Gunther Schuller. Drehmann and Kennedy are recent graduates of the U of M.

There will be a new face in the band after the Dakota gig on the 28^th, however, as Drehmann will be heading to the Big Apple. Replacing him will be veteran Twin Cities’ ace bassist Tom Lewis, recently with the Phil Aaron Trio, the Out to Lunch Quintet, Phil Hey Quartet, and many other area ensembles.

Last fall, Snowblind released their first recording, aptly titled Arctic Fury, a set combining original tunes and covers of jazz classics. Now they are back in the studio working on a new recording. “This time around we are including all original tunes that span a variety of styles and compositional approaches,” notes drummer Reid Kennedy.

Jazz is, of course, very cool while simultaneously very hot. Whether drawing from Arctic Fury or from their forthcoming CD, Snowblind gives “arctic” chill a volcanic steam, be it on original compositions like Scott Agster’s “Ric-Tick” or Shilad Sen’s “Katet’s Groove” or on inventive covers of “East of the Sun” or “Night and Day.” Listen to Rossmillers’ arrangement of “Night in Tunisia” and you wonder if there really are only five musicians, only three horns as it sure sounds like a Big Band!

Notes Phil Hey, “Shilad, Adam, Scott, Mark and Reid have formed a truly democratic, egalitarian ensemble. Their approach and sound is their own, yet firmly rooted in the tradition of Max Roach’s late 50s/early 60s groups with Booker Little, Charles Mingus’ various piano-less groups and Dave Holland’s recent quintets…They can play ‘rag-time to no-time’ and are well versed in hip-hop, funk and Latin music in addition to swing and bop.” And adds Twin Cities trombone master Dave Graf, “It all coheres into a quirky, melodic group sound, full of unexpected turns and infused with a refreshing sense of playfulness."

Arctic Fury or hot springs playground, you’ll enjoy this night of big bold brass from five rising stars, Snowblind at the Dakota, November 14^th, 7 pm. And if that isn't enough Arctic Fury for you, they will also provide the Late at the Dakota set at 11:30 pm on Saturday, November 18th.

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, www.dakotacooks.com. Snowblind sets begin at 7 pm, $5 cover. On November 18th, hear Snowblind "Late at the Dakota" at 11:30 pm, cover $3. Next month, they take the stage at the Artists Quarter in St. Paul on December 13th, 9 pm. Keep up with Snowblind at www.snowblindmusic.com.

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