 Irma Thomas National Touring Artists January 3-4, Irma Thomas (7 & 9:30 pm; $45/$30). The “Soul Queen of New Orleans” returns to the Twin Cities for the first time in more than a decade. Growing up in New Orleans with the influences of Mahalia Jackson, Pearl Bailey, Cecil Gant, The Five Blind Boys, she was singing gospel in her teens. “Discovered” while waitressing in a New Orleans club at 18, her debut single, Dorothy LaBostrie's "(You Can Have My Husband, But Please) Don't Mess With My Man," hit #22 on the Billboard R&B chart in May 1960. Allen Touissaint produced a few more singles for Irma in the 1960s,
including the still-popular songs, “It's Raining,” “Ruler of My Heart” and “I Done Got Over It.” With Imperial records, she has her biggest hit ever with her own “Wish Someone Would Care” in 1964. Over the years, Irma has been more successful as a live performer than recording artist, writing many songs that became big hits for others, including “Time on My Side”, covered by the Rolling Stones. Post Katrina, Irma released After the Rain, which recently garnered a Grammy nomination. Noted John Sinclair (Blues Access), “As her lengthy reign as the Soul Queen of New Orleans extends into the 21st century, the great Irma Thomas continues to grow as an artist, bandleader, record producer and human being, ever gaining in accomplishment, grace, regal bearing and artistic stature.” Moutin Reunion Band January 8, Diane Delin & Dennis Luxion Duo/Moutin Reunion Quartet (7 pm; $15). In 2005, the Downbeat Critics Poll named jazz violinist/composer Diane Delin as a “Rising Star.” Of their hometown artist, the Chicago-Sun Times noted that “her playing has a toughness and stringency to go with its elegance and verve.” With five solo albums on Bluejazz, Delin performs at clubs, festivals and concert halls with support from the Illinois Arts Council and teaches at Chicago’s Columbia College. Delin’s frequent cohort pianist Dennis Luxion has worked with Chet Baker, Toots Thielmanns, Lee Konitz, Woody Shaw, and in Chicago with many touring artists. In a rare double header at the Dakota, Delin & Luxion will be followed by one of Europe’s finest jazz ensembles, the Moutin Renuion Quartet. Bassist Francois Moutin studied guitar and piano in Paris before settling on the bass in his teens. With a doctorate in physics, Moutin decided to turn fulltime to music in his mid-20s, joining the famed Martin Solal Trio. Moving to New York in the late 90s, he has played with Jean Michel Pilc, Vijay Iyer, Greg Tardy, Monty Alexander, Jimmy Heath and more. His Moutin Reunion Quartet includes twin brother and drummer Louis Moutin, pianist Pierre de Bethmann, and saxophonist Rick Margitza (former sideman for Miles Davis). Two great sets of elegant jazz!  Delfeayo Marsalis .jpg "Image") Matt Haimovitz January 14-15, CJ Chenier (7 & 9 pm; $22/$14). For the second time in less than a year, “the best living zydeco singer and accordionist” appears at the Dakota. Blending traditional Creole sounds with R&B and pop, zydeco is the soul of Louisiana music, and Chenier is its reigning master. Son of zydeco King Clifton Chenier, CJ grew up in Port Arthur, TX with little contact with his father, playing sax and keyboards. At 21, however, his father needed a sax player and enlisted young CJ. It wasn’t long before CJ was playing accordion and fully immersed in the world of zydeco. When his father died in 1987, CJ took over the leadership of the Red Hot Louisiana Band, and like his father, he only plays the piano accordion. Although following his father’s footsteps, CJ has taken the music to new levels, infusing it with the elements he grew up with—funk, soul, blues, rock. January 25-26, Susan Werner and Spencer Day (7 & 9 pm, $15/$10). Another double bill? Classically trained, singer-songwriter Susan Werner also plays guitar and piano. With four national releases, Susan has toured with Joan Armatrading and Richard Thompson and appeared on the Peter, Paul & Mary Lifelines special on PBS. Notes the Boston Herald, “Werner has begun to turn heads among jazz and classic pop aficionados.” Charismatic Spencer Day, currently based in San Francisco, sings standards and contemporary originals. A winning run on Star Search helped jump-start his career, and his touring today takes him from coast to coast.  Matt Wilson © Andrea Canter Dakota Foundation Benefit, January 28th (6-9 pm)  Bobby Watson © Andera Canter The Best in Local Jazz January 5, Ginger Commodre/Bobby Commodore Quartet (8 pm, $10). One of the most dynamic voices in town, or anywhere. Ginger just wrapped up performances in the Penumbra Theater’s Black Nativity. With her background singing with Sounds of Blackness and Moore by Four, Ginger brings strong hints of gospel and blues to the jazziest standard. January 6, Ginger Commodore and Dennis Spears (8 pm, $10). Half of Moore by Four will be on stage as Ginger and Dennis combine two of the greatest voices in the upper Midwest to create a stellar night of music.  Thomasina Petrus © Andrea Canter January 11, Mary Louise Knutson Trio (7 pm, $5). Not only is she one of the most revered pianists in the Twin Cities, Mary Louise is spreading her wings and taking her post bop chops on the road, first with gigs in Los Angeles in February and then a three-week tour of the Midwest in March. Catch her at home while you can! A finalist in the 2005 Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Piano Competition, Mary Louise is an accomplished composer as well as performer. Joining her will be current trio mates Graydon Peterson (bass) and Jay Epstein (drums). January 12, Steve Clarke and the Working Stiffs (8 pm, $10). If Clarke and the Stiffs are on the stage, you can be sure there will be a make-shift dance floor nearby. Popular with swing dance enthusiasts, this band will knock you off your feet. January 16, Tribute to Martin Luther King with Doris Hines and Irv Williams (7 pm, $7). Vocalist Doris Hines, tenor sax legend Irv Williams, and friends give a fitting tribute in honor of Martin Luther King. January 17, Signe Hensel (7 pm, $5). From acapella to big band to the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Signe Hensel has experienced jazz in every format. She’s a popular performer at clubs, benefits and festivals throughout the region.  Jeff Perry January 19-20, Nachito Herrera (8 pm, $15). From mambo to chacha and beyond, Cuban transplant Nachito Herrera is solely responsible for the employment of at least one piano tuner! With power and passion, he’ll blind you with his amazing technical facility while he revisits the diverse music of his critically acclaimed recordings, including the his recent Live at the Dakota 2. Whenever Nachito is on stage, there are no empty seats in the club, so come early, make a reservation, and have fun! January 21, Debbie Duncan (7 pm, $5). Minnesota’s “First Lady of Song,” Debbie can belt out the blues or slay you with a ballad. With a background rich in jazz, gospel and Motown, Debbie is a former member of the popular “The Girls” quartet. Her recording credits include work with Oleta Adams, Jimmy McGriff, pop bands Iffy and B-3, and local jazzers Fat Kids Wednesday, as well as her own recordings, including her recently released I Thought About You. If she didn’t sing, this would still be pure entertainment. But of course she sings like no one else.  Sue Tucker © Andrea Canter January 23, Connie Evingson (7 pm, $5). Her back to back hot club releases brought gypsy swing into the limelight in the Twin Cities, but Connie is one of the most versatile singers around. A member of Moore by Four, Connie’s projects have included interpretations of the great jazz masters, Peggy Lee, and the Beatles, as well as Django Reinhardt and Stephan Grapelli. And her reputation is growing globally, as she has performed in Japan and Sweden. January 24, Tom Hunter (7 pm, $5). One of the Twin Cities legends of blues piano, Tom Hunter relocated from the East Coast a few years ago and has now played with just about every blues band in the area. Covering the breadth of music from smoky jazz to gut-bucket Chicago blues, the Tom Hunter band will leave scorch marks on the Dakota stage. Bring a fire extinguisher! January 27, Davina and the Vagabonds (8 pm. $10). Led by singer/ songwriter/pianist Davina Sowers, this five-piece band features jazz-informed blues. January 31, Laura Caviani Trio (7 pm, $5). Long known as one of the finest pianists and composers in the Twin Cities, Laura Caviani is gaining a national reputation following her 2006 release, Going There, and her tours of duty with the likes of acclaimed vocalist Karrin Allyson. Locally, Laura fronts her own trio as well as holding the piano chair for Pete Whitman’s Xtet and supporting area vocalists; she’s also on the jazz faculties of Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges in Northfield. Her usual compatriots include master bassist Gordon Johnson and esteemed drummer Phil Hey. Happy Hour (4:30-6:30 pm, Tuesday-Friday)  Irv Williams © Andrea Canter Tuesdays, Travis Anderson (piano) Wednesdays, Cliff Brunzell (violin) Thursdays, JoAnn Funk Trio Fridays, Jazz by Fosse with Irv Williams
Later at the Dakota (Fridays and Saturdays, 11:30 pm- 1:30 am; $3 cover) January 5, Visger Row Drum Band (Donald Washington, Kevin Washington, Leonard King) January 6, James Wallace 3 January 12, CT and the Coterie January 13, Steven Good Trio January 19, Sambo Makti January 20, Javier Trejo Quartet January 26, Anti-Gravity
- January 27, James Buckley Trio
Coming in Soon! February 3, Duke Robillard February 4-5, Ruthie Foster February 19-20, Sonny Fortune February 26-27, Vital Information March, Kurt Elling
The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com. Reservations now taken for every night in the club and restaurant. |
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Saturday, 19 July 2008
