Roy Hargrove©Andrea Canter

“There’s a physical electricity to Hargrove’s performance that is not terribly common in jazz.” –David Adler

After Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove is probably the best known trumpeter on the planet today. And at only 36, his output as a recording artist (13 sessions as leader) is almost as remarkable as his chops. His most recent project, RH Factor, created a lot of buzz by merging R&B and hip-hop mainstream with jazz, but his past and current efforts are decidedly more Dizzy than Ice-T. As noted by Christopher Jones following a Hargrove Quintet performance at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley in Seattle, this is “straightforward, no-nonsense modern jazz…with integrity and conviction.” Hargrove brings that conviction – along with his quintet—to the Dakota in downtown Minneapolis for a welcome return engagement, September 7-8.

Gerald Clayton©Andrea Canter

The Roy Hargrove Quintet released Nothing Serious on Verve in 2006 and now celebrates a brand new recording, aptlyl titled Ear Food.The current quintet, with Justin Robinson (reeds), Gerald Clayton (piano), Danton Boller (bass) and Montez Coleman (drums), is a high energy, interactive, soulful collaboration. This IS something serious! Catch their "earfood" at the Dakota, September 7-8, sets at 7 and 9:30 pm.

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis; 612-332-1010; www.dakotacooks.com