“The PHQ is a true, seasoned ensemble laying down a musical vision with common purpose.”—Pat Courtemanche

Phil Hey © Andrea Canter

While there are many jazz quartets in town, few have the Modern Jazz Quartet configuration of vibes plus rhythm section. Described by Jazz Police Administrator Don Berryman as a “no-nonsense, uncompromising band of local jazz greats,” the PHQ puts the music of Coltrane, Shorter and more (music typically featuring horns) in the virtuoso hands of Hey, Phil Aaron, Tom Lewis, and Dave Hagedorn. Together as an ensemble since 2000, leader Hey notes that "this is a real band. Everyone in the group is a bandleader in his own right and we have really come together as an ensemble.” Last fall, the PHQ released arguably the best local CD of the year, Subduction. Said Don Berryman, “The word 'subduction' deals with the movement of tectonic plates that is a slow process that can result in earthquakes and volcanic activity. Likewise, music on this CD builds tension subtly and releases that tension in great rhythmic eruptions.”

Tom Lewis © Andera Canter

A former student of Ed Blackwell and Marv Dahlgren, native Philadelphian Phil Hey is one of the busiest drummers in town. In addition to twenty years of touring with the late Dewey Redman, he often is on the bandstand at the Dakota and Artists Quarter backing touring artists (Stacy Kent, Judi Silvano, Benny Golson), local vocalists (Connie Evingson, Lucia Newell), and small ensembles (Chris Lomheim Trio, Laura Caviani Trio). He also manages percussion duties for the Pete Whitman X-Tet, Departure Point, Apex, Mulligan Stew and the Out to Lunch Quintet (OTLQ), and finds time to teach at the University of Minnesota and Macalester College in St. Paul. His recording credits are legion, including on the Artegra label with the Chris Lomheim Trio (The Bridge) and with the Pete Whitman Quintet (Sound of Water) and X-Tet (Where’s When; Solid Liquid). He also contributed to Von Freeman’s Live at the Dakota, rating four stars from Down Beat. City Pages named Phil its Jazz Artist of the Year for 2006.

Dave Hagadorn © Andrea Canter

Vibes master Dave Hagedorn directs the jazz bands and percussion ensemble at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. With degrees from the University of Minnesota, New England Conservatory and Eastman School of Music, his performance schedule includes percussion duties with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and Minnesota Opera, and regular jazz gigs with the Phil Hey Quartet, Out to Lunch Quintet, Maintime, and the Pete Whitman X-Tet. Hear his CD, Solid Liquid, released on Artegra Records. Dave has also studied and toured with the great George Russell. Notes Don Berryman, Hagedorn “brings an integrated knowledge of complex harmony and rhythm that never fails to swing or to move anyone with ears.”

Tom Lewis (bass) is another busy sideman throughout the Twin Cities, a “straight-ahead, hard bop, and bebop bassist and he swings like anything” (Don Berryman). He played in Eddie Berger’s last band, The Jazz All-Stars, and has appeared with such touring artists as Benny Golson, Mose Allison, Jim Rotondi, Slide Hampton, Lew Tabackin, and Charles McPherson . He’s a fixture of the Phil Aaron Trio, Out to Lunch Quintet, The Five, and recently joined the brass quintet Snowblind; he appears on numerous recordings with area musicians.

Phil Aaron © Andrea Canter

Phil Aaron (piano) had long-running weekly solo and trio gigs at the Hotel Sofitel, as well as playing with the Phil Hey Quartet and other area ensembles. He continues to lead his acclaimed trio, can be found at various venues backing the best of area vocalists, and last summer, led his trio at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Drawing inspiration from Bill Evans, Cedar Walton, Tommy Flanagan, and Keith Jarrett, he “can swing hard or wax romantic at the keyboard" (Minneapolis Star Tribune).

If you long for the ensemble eloquence of the Modern Jazz Quartet infused with new millennium grooves, be sure to come down to the Artists Quarter this weekend. It doesn’t get any better than this. Anywhere.

The Artists Quarter is located in the lower level of the Hamm Building in downtown St. Paul, 7^th Place and St. Peter St. Information and a calendar are available at www.artistsquarter.com or call 651-292-1359. And you can usually catch the Phil Hey Quartet at the Artists Quarter monthly, check the online calendar!