Jazz Police - No Signs of Cooling: A Hot Dakota Slate for October

National Shows (7 & 9:30 unless otherwise noted)

September 30-October 1. A cornetist, guitarist and singer, Olu Dara has followed a long legacy of musicans, including great uncles who performed with Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith. He initially built his reputation as an avant garde artist, playing with the likes of David Murray and Henry Threadgill. His musical persona expanded in the late 90s as a bandleader that merged African traditions with blues, jazz, storytelling, funk and reggae. Father of Rapper Nas, Dara has appeared on recordings with his son, and has also worked in theater as an accomplished playwright and actor.

Christian Scott

October 7, Christian Scott (7 & 9 pm). Last month trumpeter Terence Blanchard stopped here on his tour promoting his anthem to Katrina. Now a much younger lion (still in his early 20s), also from New Orleans, stops in to celebrate the release of his own Anthem, his second release for Concord and his personal testament to the storm’s fury and the Crescent City’s resurrection. Nephew of acclaimed saxophonist Donald Harrison, Scott’s debut Rewind received a Grammy nomination and he was named one of the Top Ten to Watch by Billboard in 2006. Said Chris Botti, “He’s the new voice in jazz trumpet. I love his point of view. He doesn’t sound like any other young trumpet player.”

October 8-9, Mary Wilson. It’s not often that the Dakota books an inductee from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. From her years as one-third of the famed Supremes to her more recent career as solo singer, actress, author and humanitarian, Mary Wilson has indeed been “supreme.”

Dee Dee Bridgewater with Louis Winsberg©Andrea Canter

October 16-17, Dee Dee Bridgewater. Her shows last fall highlighted Jazz Set host Dee Dee Bridgewater’s love affair with Paris and her marvelous touring ensemble. Now the winner of Grammy and Tony Awards digs into her African roots and brings a new project on a very limited tour, featuring her core trio and a septet of Mali musicians who appear on Red Earth: A Malian Journey, an amalgam of traditional African traditions and American jazz. Very few clubs—in fact very few cities have been able to book this band. Don’t miss one of the most compelling music events of the fall season.

October 21-22, Joey DeFrancesco. Considered one of the true giants of the Hammond B-3, Joey has been playing in the big leagues since he was just a kid—he was on the road with Miles Davis at 17. The scheduled headliner of the canceled 2007 St Paul Winter Jazz Festival brought his trio (Philadelphia drummer, Byron "Wookie" Landham, and Toronto guitar sensation,Juno-nominated Jake Langley) down the street and held court at the Artists Quarter, so now it’s Minneapolis’ turn to host this living legend.

October 25, Claudia Schmidt (7 & 9 pm). How did venerable folkie Claudia Schmidt end up on the Dakota stage making a live jazz recording? “I have always been a musical sponge, so my first opportunity to hear jazz (as an older teen) really sparked something,” says the veteran of Prairie Home Companion. That first opportunity was a live performance by Ella Fitzgerald. Then, “an older friend who was a sort of genius dragged me to hear McCoy Tyner and Sam Rivers. I had no idea what was going on with some of that, coming from my choir/folky place, but I loved it.” That live recording featured the Dean Magraw Quintet and was celebrated with a CD Release party a year ago at the Dakota. Expect some tunes from Live at the Dakota as well as new compositions and covers from one the Midwest’s most acclaimed and eclectic singers.

October 28, Zeke Fishead 3 Way. The Dakota continues its focus on New Orleans musicians with Ed Volker (aka Zeke), a singer/songwriter/keyboardist and founding member of the swamp rock band, The Radiators. He’s joined tonight by locals Mark Anderson and Peter Ostrushko.

October 29, David Sanchez Quartet. One of only a few jazz artists to receive a grant from the Chamber Society of America, Puerto Rican sax star David Sanchez offers the New York premiere of the resulting “La Leyenda del Cañaveral” at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall in Manhattan only ten days before his gig in Minneapolis. This multimovement work follows the migration of African people to the Caribbean through the melding traditional music of Tanzania and East Cameroon, Afro Cuban music and jazz. For the past decade plus, the Latin Grammy winner has created acclaimed compositions that bring native rhythms of Puerto Rico, Cuba and Brazil into modern jazz. His resume includes stints with Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Palmieri, Kenny Barron, Roy Haynes and Charlie Haden. His latest CD, Coral, brought him the Latin Grammy as well as his 4^th Grammy nomination. Sanchez will release a new recording later this fall—expect previews as well as music from “La Leyenda del Cañaveral.”

Al Di Meola

October 30-31, Al Di Meola’s World Sinfonia ’07-’08. Known for his explorations of world traditions, guitarist Al Di Meola has consistently been rated at the top of the heap by Guitar Player Magazine. He’s been acclaimed by critics worldwide for his rhythmic syncopation, lyrical melodies, sophisticated harmonies, and passionate commitment to his music. Seasoned jazz fans will recall Di Meola’s debut with Chick Corea and “Return to Forever” (1974) and the “Super Guitar Trio” with Paco De Lucia and John McLaughlin (1980). In the late 90s he formed a new trio with Jean Luc Ponty, and Stanley Clarke. In 2000 he formed the first edition of his World Sinfonia with musicians from Argentina, Cuba and Israel, and now he returns with another edition, displaying the influences of tango titan and friend, the late Astor Piazzolla.

Local Gigs (7 pm; 8 pm on weekends unless otherwise noted)

October 2, Charmin & Shapira. This swinging duo is always popular, with the ever-charming Charmin Michelle on vocals and virtuosic Joel Shapira on guitar. This is why you liked jazz in the first place.

October 3, Nichola Miller. Back home after a trial in New York, Nichola brings a golden voice and sassy attitude to the bandstand, putting pizzazz into standards and more.

October 4, Northcoast. The Twin Cities fusion giants are back!

October 5-6, Patty Peterson and the TC Jammers. One of the most popular singers from Minnesota’s First Family of Jazz offers a hot weekend of music.

October 10, Debbie Duncan. This much fun and artistry for $5? Try to find that in New York! Minnesota’s “First Lady of Song” is also the first voice in entertainment, be it ballad or blues… or just a little between tune banter.

October 11, Alicia Wiley CD Release. Singing and stroking the keys, Alicia can do it straight-ahead, smooth or funky. It’s about time we got to take a little of Alicia home.

October 12, The New Standards. A trio for the new millennium, New Standards picks up where straight-ahead left off, and they are setting a new standard.

Bruce Henry©Andrea Canter

October 13, Bruce Henry. He should be known as the Minnesota Soul Master. Bruce has a voice that will melt you into a puddle or rise you up into the clouds.

October 14, Juke Joint Sunday with Dennis Spears. The baritone voice of Moore by Four, Dennis can buy a song, wrap it in multiple colors of ribbon and convince you that he is only singing to you.

October 15, Christine Rosholt. Her ever-expanding repertoire of great covers from Howard Arlen to Cole Porter and beyond is always delivered with the utmost charm and just a bit of sass. She’ll be touring the Midwest come fall so enjoy her now as she celebrates five years on the Twin Cities music scene.

October 18, Diane Jarvi with Dan Newton, CD Release. A soulful voice and the soul of Café Accordion join forces for a very entertaining evening.

October 19-20, Connie Evingson. Fresh off a gig with Moore by Four, Connie brings eclectic chops and a far-reaching repertoire to the Dakota. From Peggy Lee to Lennon and McCartney to her latest fascination with hot club “gypsy jazz,” Connie’s songbook has no bounds.

October 26-27, Nachito Herrera. The Cuban keyboard locomotive is well known for bringing his native Havana to the Dakota stage, but he also has other projects, including tonight’s salute to Stevie Wonder. Check out the new “Twin Cities Horns” section in Nachito’s band, featuring a hot young brasserie.

Happy Hour (4:30 -6:30 pm)

Food and drink specials, Monday-Friday, with music to close out the week:

Thursdays, Travis Anderson Trio
Fridays, Jazz by Fosse with Irv Williams

Late Night Series (Friday and Saturday, 11:30 pm -1:30 am)

Acclaimed for its focus on new and “out there” music, this weekend series gives you plenty of reason to stick around the Mall after hours. Food and drink specials and $5 cover to hear some of the most inventive music in the area. See website for schedule or click here for a preview of October.

Coming Soon!

John Abercrombie Quartet, November 5-6 (with Mark Feldman. Scott Colley and Joey Baron)
Dr. John Solo, November 19-21
Dakota Combo directed by Kelly Rossum, December 1

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall, in downtown Minneapolis. For reservations and information, visit www.dakotacooks.com. The Dakota is a co-sponsor of the Pat Metheny Trio performance at Orchestra Hall on October 14^th.