“Dissolving the individual ‘I’ in the dynamic liquid of the collective ‘us,’ a new entity is unleashed, capable of seeking ever-higher levels of expressions unavailable to the isolated player. You know...... a band.” –Dean Magraw  Dean Magraw © Howard A. Gitelson The Musicians Starting out on bugle, St. Paul native Dean Magraw studied classical guitar at the University of Minnesota and Berklee College of Music in Boston. For many years, Magraw was half of a popular partnership with mandolin virtuoso Peter Ostroushko. Straddling jazz, folk, bluegrass and more, he has performed with and/or recorded with Ruth McKenzie, Claudia Schmidt and Greg Brown, among others; he has explored his Celtic heritage performing with Celtic accordionist John Williams.
 Dean Magraw © Andrea Canter  Dean’s long-time collaborator, bassist Jim Anton has a similarly eclectic resume, including recording and touring with Steve Tibbetts, Bradley Joseph, Jesse Johnson , Will Hale, Willie Wisely, Choying Drolma, Peter Ostroushko, Mandy Moore, John Gorka, Joey McIntyre, Delta Goodrem, Glen Phillips, and Jonny Lang. Locally he has also performed with Doctor Mambo’s Combo, Greazy Meal and Chris Cunningham’s trio. Drummer JT Bates is another fixture on the Twin Cities music scene, an agile percussionist who is equally at home in rock, mainstream jazz and experimental music settings. An early member of the Motion Poets, his regular gigs these days include Fat Kid Wednesdays, Slow Skate and the Kelly Rossum Quartet; he’s hosted a weekly jazz night at the Clown Lounge and anchors a number of ensembles at the Minnesota Sur Seine Festival.  JT Bates © Andera Canter Dean Magraw’s ethereal lines, wandering melodies and global influences permeate Unseen Rain as well as his live performances. Live or on disk, the influence of John Coltrane is ever-present, as well as threads of Asian, African, and Middle Eastern roots here and there. Add in the stunning work of his partners, Anton and Bates, and you have a jazz stew served with grit and finesse. Spend the day and early evening across the river on Peavey Plaza for the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, then head to St. Paul and top off your weekend at the Artists Quarter with Dean Magraw! The Artists Quarter is located at 408 St. Peter Street, in the lower level of the Hamm Building in downtown St. Paul. More about Dean Magraw is available at www.deanmagraw.com. See the full AQ schedule at www.artistsquarter.com.
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Twin Cities, MN 
Friday, 19 March 2010
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