Eric Kamau Gravatt©Andrea Canter

Weekend Gigs (9 pm)

October 5-6, Dean Granros Trio ($10). One of the Midwest’s premiere jazz guitarists, Dean Granros “blends the vocabulary of bebop, acid rock and delta blues into a delightful and potent cocktail that may leave you shaken or stirred” (Don Berryman). A member of the New York band Curlew in the late 1970s, Dean’s more recent resume includes How Birds Work, Starry Eyed Lovelies and F*K*G. A regular performer at the AQ, this weekend gig is a special treat, as are Dean’s veteran and virtuoso partners, bassist Tom Lewis and drummer/AQ owner Kenny Horst. 

October 12-13, Eric Kamau Gravatt & Source Code ($10). Here in our midst reside some of the truly international figures of jazz—Frank Morgan, Anthony Cox, and Eric Kamau Gravatt to name a few. An alum of Weather Report and the bands of Joe Henderson and others, Gravatt has maintained an association with McCoy Tyner across the decades. Like Tyner and Coltrane, he is a native of Philadelphia. Early in his career, he was approached by Miles Davis but turned down the Prince of Darkness to follow Wayne Shorter into Weather Report. With his band Source Code, Gravatt tackles the works of such heavyweights as Coltrane and Jackie McLean—and his own band has the power to handle the repertoire, with Dean Brewington on sax, Dave Leigh on trombone, Dave Hagedorn on vibes, and Ron Evaniuk on bass. 

Pete Whitman's-XTET©Andrea Canter

Jim Snidero

Special Events

October 10, Monk’s 90^th Birthday With the Laura Caviani Trio ($6). As she often does at the AQ, pianist extraordinaire Laura Caviani celebrates the birthday anniversary of one of her favorite muses, Thelonious Monk. Her trio, featuring bassist Adam Linz and drummer Phil Hey, help guarantee an exciting evening of the highest caliber jazz around. Monk’s compositions appear on Laura’s recordings and are frequently featured in her live performances. “For me,” she says, “the beauty of Monk's compositions are in their deceptively difficult nature. He'll set you up, then make a quick left and leave you wondering where ‘one’ is! A younger me found Monk's music too angular and quirky, not romantic enough, perhaps. Now, his humor keeps me sane in this crazy world. Monk's compositions leave enough space for musicians to make their personal mark, and it's been fun interpreting his work with Adam and Phil.” The music creates its own fun, but there will also be birthday cake! This much fun for only $6 should be illegal. 

Laura Caviani©Andrea Canter

October 21, Jazz for JC (Benefit for John Clegg), 7 pm (suggested donation $10). Come on down to the AQ for a Sunday night of fiery jazz and opportunity to raise funds for our friend, saxophonist, noted educator and great guy, John “JC” Clegg who is battling esophageal cancer. Many of JC’s friends will be on hand to ease the burden of medical expenses, and the Black Dog Café will provide some good snacking. If you know JC, you’ll want to be part of the event, and if you don’t know JC, join us anyway, meet JC, and help support one of the AQ’s best supporters. 

Weeknight Gigs (9 pm, $5 unless otherwise noted)

Mondays, Green (7 pm)/Open Poetry (9 pm) and First Monday Poetry Slam (8 pm). 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. Following their sets, open mic poetry reading gets underway at 9 pm. No cover! First Mondays feature the monthly Poetry Slam—following an hour of Green, a special guest poet convenes the “slam” at 8 pm. $5 cover for Poetry Slam. 

Tuesdays, B-3 Organ Night with the Tuesday Night Band. The Tuesday Night Band features “Downtown” Bill Brown on Hammond B-3, along with Billy Franze on guitar, Gary Berg on saxes, and Kenny Horst on drums. One of the long-standing acts at the AQ, you never know who might sit in—in March, Joey Defrancesco brought his trio. 

October 3, Framework. A great guitar trio featuring drummer Jay Epstein, bassist Chris Bates, and guitar whiz Chris Olson. 

October 4, Dave Karr Quartet. Master of all reeds from flute to bari sax, Dave and his red socks are literally part of the AQ stage. A recent recipient of a McKnight grant, Dave also leads the mighty fine Mulligan Stew, a quintet band dedicated to preservation the music of Gerry Mulligan, and blows his horn for the JazzMN Big Band.  

October 11, Chris Lomheim Trio.  A popular performer at the AQ, Dakota, and throughout the metro, Chris Lomheim is “the most sensitive and romantic player you will hear around the Twin Cities' scene. He has prodigious piano technique and an individual ear for harmony” (Jeremy Walker).  With a style reminiscent of his muse Bill Evans, Lomheim has made two acclaimed trio recordings, And You’ve Been Waiting? (1994, IGMOD) and The Bridge (2002, Artegra) and is in high demand as sympathetic support for area vocalists. Lately we have seen Chris with Anthony Cox and Phil Hey, but tonight it’s back to his own trio.  

October 14, Green With Envy (8 pm). A fun excuse to go out on Sunday night, the Monday night regulars join up with “Envy” and you will be the envy of your friends if you come down to the AQ tonight! 

October 17, How Birds Work. 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. Sophisticated, often subtle, always working toward the edge from a firm foundation, How Birds Work offers multiple layers of challenge to the listener.  

October 18, 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. 

George Avaloz©Andrea Canter

October 25, Brian Grivna Quartet. A former Young Artist clarinet soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra, Brian Grivna joined the Buddy Rich band as the lead alto sax player in 1971. Back in the Twin Cities, he did a ten-year stint in the woodwind chair for the Guthrie Theater and now performs at jazz clubs and with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Children's Theater Company, JazzMN Big Band, and touring orchestras for musicals such as The Lion King, as well as teaching at Macalester and the U of M. For the best in straight-ahead chamber jazz, look no farther. 

October 31, Marv Dahlgren and Friends. Back for the second straight month! The local Dean of Percussion is joined by an assortment of friends and relatives while he proves that his talents on drums and vibes are still as vibrant as ever. A lot of local percussionists cite Marv as a major influence and mentor. Last month Marv celebrated #83 at the AQ. And he’s still celebrating. Trick or Treat?  

Coming Soon!

• November 16-17, Patty Peterson and the Jeanne Arland Peterson Trio
• November 23-24, Pat Mallinger Quartet
• November 30-December 1, Maud Hixson & Rick Carlson CD Release Party

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!