 Laura Caviani © Andrea Canter The State Fair is over and the kids are back in school; the nights are cooler—and longer. Which is a good thing if you enjoy live jazz! In the Twin Cities, while we are fortunate to have numerous concert series and visits from national touring artists, we are also blessed with many opportunities to enjoy American’s indigenous art form at little or no cost. In the past few months we’ve also enjoyed the opening of several new restaurants that not only expand dining options but offer great music at no charge. While the sound systems are not on par with the local jazz clubs, these new venues, such as Crave in Edina and Café Maude in south Minneapolis, provide the opportunity to introduce jazz to new audiences and to give aficionados the option to enjoy dinner and stay for the rest of the evening. So take some time out from fall chores and visit favorite venues or try out a new one without compromising your budget!
Artists Quarter (408 St. Peter Street, St. Paul; www.artistsquarter.com) Dave Karr © Andrea Canter There’s music at least six nights per week, and the weeknights rarely exceed $4. Note a recommendation for each week, but see the calendar for the full schedule—every night is worthwhile! Sets at 9 pm unless otherwise noted. Mondays at 7 pm, Green (boppish quartet) followed by open mic poetry (no cover) Tuesdays, The Tuesday Night Band (B-3 Organ Night), $4 September 5, Dave Karr Quartet, $4; veteran saxman and friends. September 13, Phil Hey Quartet, $4; a modern-day Modern Jazz Quartet September 20, Marv Dahlgren, $4; the Dean of Percussion celebrates #83! September 27, Pete Whitman’s X-Tet, $6; ten of the best around
Café Maude (5411 Penn Av South, Minneapolis; www.cafemaude.com) One of the newest music venues in town, Café Maude has become a popular neighborhood destination with a great menu and some of the best jazz bookings. Midweek and weekends, no cover. See the website for the full month’s schedule.
Crave (The Galleria, Edina; www.cravemn.com)  Arne Fogel © Andrea Canter
September 7, Lucia Newell and Laura Caviani Trio September 14, Connie Olson and Mary Louise Knutson Trio September 21, Dorothy Doring and Laura Caviani Trio September 28, Arne Fogel and Laura Caviani Trio
Dakota County Music Café (Holiday Inn, 14201 Nicollet Avenue S, Burnsville; http://www.hiburnsville.com/all_that_jazz/index.cfm)
Inside the Dakota County Steakhouse where you can get a very reasonably priced steak or prime rib while listening to some of the area’s best small ensembles; no cover. Sets 8 pm –Midnight, Fridays and Saturdays. September 7-8, Arne Fogel; a real crooner channeling Frank, Bing, and more September 15, Dorothy Doring; a chanteuse that swings standards, blues, and a lot more September 22, Christine Rosholt; classic jazz songs with charm and pizzazz
Dakota Jazz Club (1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com) James Buckley Trio This month there is an excess of national touring shows, reducing the number of bargain nights, but still, you can find plenty for $5. (Park on the street or $4 at the Target Ramp adjacent to the club.) Sets at 7 pm unless otherwise noted. See full schedule! September 5, Brian Grivna & Pete Whitman, $5; a pairing of sax titans September 6, Katie Gearty, $5; a young vocalist with a veteran’s style September 19, Signe Hensel, $5; sophisticated vocals September 20, James Buckley CD release, $5; creative bassist with his trio
Fireside Pizza (6736 Penn Avenue South, Richfield; 612-869-4040) A good little neighborhood pizza parlor with first class entertainment on Monday and Wednesday nights. No cover.
Il Vesco Vino (579 Selby Av, St. Paul; 651, 222-7000). Irv Williams © Andrea Canter New Italian eatery in the old Vintage mansion, moderately priced dining and two of the best Twin Cities musicians two nights per week, no cover.
Rossi’s Blue Star Room (80 S. 9th Street, Minneapolis; www.bluestarjazz.com) A good place for happy hour fare or a good steak with great music that rarely can be heard above the din in the bar. But come later, when the crowd disappears, and you might be among a handful of folks who actually listen to the jazz! Rossi’s books smooth jazz, blues, pop and… the real thing, local music usually free or $3 cover. September 4-6, 8-11 pm, Nancy Harms; fast-rising vocalist with plenty of style. September 10-12, 8-11 pm, Katie Gearty; young singer with diverse chops September 17-22, 8 pm/9 pm weekend, Alicia Wiley; a week with the popular singer/pianist September 24-28, 8 pm/9 pm weekend, Nancy Harms; two bookings in one month says it all!
Selby Avenue Jazz Festival (Intersection of Selby and Milton in St. Paul) September 8, Noon – 8 pm. The 6th annual neighborhood festival of jazz, food, and fun will feature the Dick and Jane Brass Band, local jazz legends (Felix James, Wilburt Dugas and more), headliner Wain McFarlane and more. The music is free and the eats are cheap!
The Beat Coffee House (1414 W. 28th Street, Minneapolis) Doug Little © Andera Canterter A new venue for jazz (at least monthly!), it’s a funky coffee shop with a large performance space. September 6 (First Thursdays), 8:30-11 pm, The Doug Little Quartet, $6. Grab a latte and enjoy one of the best post bop bands in the Midwest.
The Times Bar and Café (201 E. Hennepin, Minneapolis; www.timesbarandcafe.com) Nightly entertainment and no cover in this friendly bar and café. Sunday brunch with the Wolverines Trio. Sunday Brunch, 10 am – 2 pm, Arne Fogel with the Wolverines Trio; like you stepped out of the 40s and into a dream… Sundays, 8 pm, The Twin Cities Hot Club; the finest in gypsy jazz! Mondays, 8 pm, “Martini Mondays” with Erin Schwab and Jay Fuchs Tuesdays, 7 pm “Singer Showcase” with Lori Dokken; 8 pm “Tribute to Jazz Greats” (9/4 Debbie Duncan; 9/11, Bonnie Raitt tribute with Patty Peterson; 9/18 & 9/25, New Talent Showcase) Wednesdays, 8 pm, The Wolverines Trio with Judi Donaghy; one of the best band singers around. Thursdays, 9:30 pm, Salsa del Soul; dancing encouraged! September 14, 9:30 pm, Atlantis Quartet CD Release Party September 15, 9:30 pm, Maud Hixson; classics with style September 29, 9:30 pm, Latin jazz with Shai and Viviana; globally influenced Latin grooves
Best Bets, $12 or less For about what it costs for a night at the movies (I’m counting the popcorn!), you can hear some of the best jazz anywhere: September 7-8, Dean Magraw and Anthony Cox at the Artists Quarter (9 pm, $10); masters of guitar and bass join forces! September 9-10, Mina Agossi at the Dakota Jazz Club (9:30 pm, $12; earlier show $17). One of the most unusual voices you’ll hear, bringing new meaning to vocal improvisation. September 14-15, Lucia Newell Quartet at the Artists Quarter (9 pm, $10). The mistress of Brazilian vocals as well as a great interpreter of Strayhorn and more. September 21, Connie Evingson at the Dakota Jazz Club (8 pm, $10). From Peggy Lee to John Lennon to Hot Club of Sweden, Connie sings it all.
Best Bets, Any Price (Reservations Recommended!) Mose Allison © Andrea Canter September 4, Terence Blanchard at the Dakota Jazz Club (7 & 9:30 pm, $40/$30). Monster trumpeter with a new recording tribute to New Orleans and Katrina September 16, John McLaughlin at the Dakota Jazz Club (7 & 9:30 pm, $65/$50). The granddaddy of fusion guitar. September 21-23, Mose Allison at the Artists Quarter (8:30/10:30 Friday & Saturday, 7:30 & 9:30 Sunday; $20). It’s a lot of entertainment for $20 with the master songwriter.
This is a selected listing. For a more extensive calendar, including many free and bargain events, visit the Twin Cities Jazz Society website at www.tcjs.org and the monthly Twin Cities listing on Jazz Police.
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Twin Cities, MN 
Thursday, 08 January 2009
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