 Dave Karr © Andrea Canter Don Ringnalda Memorial, August 5 (4 pm) One of the AQ’s most ardent fans, Don Ringnalda passed away in late June at age 62. The St. Thomas English Professor had been battling throat cancer. Don was often seated at the bar, one of the AQ “regulars.” A jazz fan by night, Don taught at St. Thomas by day. He turned his Viet Nam experience into an acclaimed book, Fighting and Writing the Vietnam War, "probably the number one work that will give you a handle on this body of work, including literature, film and nonfiction,” said his Department Chair, Andrew Scheiber. "Don's basic hypothesis is this: The very way that we make sense of history as Americans keeps us from seeing the world as it actually is and leads us into political and moral disasters." The AQ will celebrate Don’s life and love of jazz at this Sunday afternoon event.
Weekends and Birthdays (9 pm unless otherwise noted) Carole Martin © Andrea Canter August 3-4, Carole Martin ($10). Early in her career—before the realities of family—Carole Martin was heard for nights on end at local clubs such as the Point Supper Club, Mar-key Club, the Radisson, and later at the Artists Quarter and Dakota. Her first recording, The Music That Makes Me Dance, was released back in 1968, and audiences had to wait more than 35 years for Pieces of Dreams. With her children now grown, Martin gradually resumed public appearances, special engagements and finally a return to the recording studio. Pieces of Dreams was followed quickly by Songs From My Heart. Stand close and Carole will singe your heart with a torch song.  Rick Germanson © Andrea Canter
 Jeanne Arland Peterson, with Ricky © Andra Canter
 Irv Williams © Andrea Canter
August 24-25, Starry Eyed Lovelies ($10). Four of the most adventuresome jazz artists in the Twin Cities (or anywhere else) come together in a new ensemble: Drummer Dave King (Happy Apple, Bad Plus), saxophonist Michael Lewis (Happy Apple, Fat Kid Wednesdays), guitarist Dean Granros (How Birds Work, FKG), and bassist Anthony Cox (Grismore Scea). The “starry eyes” will be in the audience with these lovelies on stage! August 26, Face Candy Trio (8 pm, $10). A unique evening of improvised lyrics and music, with Eyedea providing spoken word, Casey O’Brien on bass, and JT Bates on drums. "... This incarnation of the organism tends to eschew the sterilized safety of machine-addicted studio overproduction in favor of the unchained barbarism of face-to-face encounters with reality" (Dean Magraw, CD liner note).  Happy Apple © Howard A. Gitelson
Weeknights, Starry Nights (9 pm, $4 unless otherwise noted) Mondays, Green (7 – 9 pm, no cover). The explosive post bop quartet Green features Rob Dewey (piano), Rich Casey (bass), Zack Lozier (trumpet), and Scotty Schultz (drums). Green has been the Monday night band at the AQ for the past three years. Rob is a noted improviser who has performed with Test Type Trio and Streets of Acid; busy Scotty works with Ross William Perry among other projects; Rich can be heard with Javier Trejo. New addition Zack has focused on bringing traditional New Orleans jazz to the Midwest, and performs regularly with the Jack Brass Band. Second “sets” : Typically, Green is followed at 9 pm by open poetry and music. Note the usual “first Monday” Poetry Slam will be a Sunday (August 5th) “Soap Boxing Slam” (8 pm, $5). Tuesdays, B-3 Organ Night with the Tuesday Night Band ($4). The Tuesday Night Band is a long-running gig that features “Downtown” Bill Brown on Hammond B-3, along with Billy Franze on guitar, Gary Berg on saxes, and Kenny Horst on drums. And you never know who might sit in!  Dean Granros © Andrea Canter
August 2, Phil Hey Quartet. Phil Hey Quartet’s repertoire includes the tunes of Kenny Wheeler, Bobby Hutcherson, John Coltrane, and Wayne Shorter. A former student of Ed Blackwell, Phil teaches jazz drum at Macalester College and toured with Dewey Redman. He’s joined by long-time bandmates Dave Hagedorn on vibes, Tom Lewis on bass, and Phil Aaron on piano. The PHQ’s debut recording, Subduction, was one of the best CDs of 2005. And I don’t mean just local releases. August 8, Jim Marentic Quartet. This ace saxman (and accomplished on flute, clarinet and bass as well) returned a couple years ago after playing three decades in Los Angeles and the Big Apple—a boon to the Minni-Apple! Come hear why Jim has received three NEA grants for composition! August 9, Dave Karr Quartet. A native New Yorker, multi-reedman Dave Karr has been a fixture on the Twin Cities jazz scene for nearly 50 years, and has appeared on multiple recordings and live gigs with local artists ranging from vocalists (Connie Evingson, Christine Rosholt) to small ensembles (Pete Whitman’s X-Tet) and big bands (JazzMN Big Band). In addition to his quartet, Dave also leads the mighty fine Mulligan Stew, a quintet band dedicated to preservation the music of Gerry Mulligan. Dave blows a sweet horn (actually, a lot of horns) and is always in the company of the best area musicians. And this spring, Dave was awarded a McKnight Grant! August 15, Tanner Taylor Trio. Iowa’s best export, young Tanner Taylor is a keyboard monster with an endless flow of musical ideas and the chops to make each one count. He’s dazzling backing area vocalists and such national acts as Barbara Morrison and the United Trombone Summit, but in his own trio, he’s incendiary. August 22, Gary Berg Quartet. One of the area’s grand masters of the saxophone, Gary Berg is known for his Tuesday night tenure on tenor and also as a master of the chromatic harmonica. From bebop and hard bop to soul-jazz, Gary’s band will keep you bouncing in your chair.  Adam Niewood © Andrea Canter
August 29, Lucia Newell Quartet. Whether singing in Portuguese or English, Strayhorn or Jobim, Lucia brings fresh interpretations to her songbook. And her support is impeccable—Phil Aaron on piano, Gordy Johnson on bass and Kenny Horst on drums. August 30, How Birds Work. Featured in the January 2007 issue of Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine, HBW is one of the most popular regular attractions at the AQ. How Birds Work is the collaboration of four well-known area musicians—guitarist Dean Granros, bassist Chris Bates, pianist Peter Schimke, and drummer Kenny Horst. Guitarist Dean Granros keeps busy with his own trio, FKG, and the new Starry Eyed Lovelies band (see above). Bassist Chris Bates plays regularly with Low Blow and the guitar trios, Framework and Red Planet. In his role with How Birds Work, pianist Peter Schimke also displays his skills as a composer and adds vocals to the mix. And AQ owner/drummer Kenny Horst is a “great hard-bop, soul jazz, and fusion chops and the sweetest guy you could meet” (Don Berryman). Sophisticated, often subtle, always working toward the edge from a firm foundation, How Birds Work offers multiple layers of challenge to the listener. September Alert! The Artists Quarter is located at 408 St. Peter Street, downtown St. Paul in the lower level of the Hamm Building. Visit www.artistsquarter.com and sign up for the e-newsletter! |
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Monday, 01 December 2008
