Dean Granros©Andrea Canter

You can have your figgy pudding and eat it too. There’s plenty of free and very inexpensive live jazz throughout the Twin Cities this season. Take a break from shopping and eggnog with a gift to yourself or someone on your list. And be sure to check out these venues and more for complete calendars of live music, including a raft of New Year’s Eve celebrations. 

Artists Quarter (408 St. Peter Street, St. Paul; www.artistsquarter.com)

It’s like that famous bar in Boston, at the AQ everybody knows your name, and they are always glad you came. You will be glad, too, to be in a small venue dedicated to listening to the finest jazz around. You don’t come into the AQ to add points to your social resume, you come here to listen to music, enjoy a drink, and listen to music. Weeknight covers seldom exceed $5, and even on weekends, covers over $12 are reserved for occasional national acts. Music at 9 pm except for Mondays (Green at 7 pm, open poetry at 9 pm).

• December 6, Gary Berg Quartet. Veteran Twin Cities saxman who still pulls out the harmonica now and then!
• December 12, Chris Lomheim Trio.  Steeped in Bill Evans, Chris always brings together a simpatico trio.
• December 13, Peter Schimke Trio. Known best for his supporting roles with Irv Williams, Bruce Henry, and visiting artists, Peter is a fiery and inventive leader who can as easily tear up the keyboard as astound you with his soft elegance.
• December 16, Walker West Student Show (2 pm). A free opportunity to hear the future stars of jazz.
• December 19, Dave Karr Quartet. Whatever his instrument—flute, clarinet, tenor or bari sax—Dave offers a virtuoso reading and plenty of bop magic.
• December 20, Phil Hey Quartet. The Modern Jazz Quartet of the 21st century? Phil and company put “modern” into modern jazz while always remaining accessible and melodic.
• December 27, Lucia Newell Quartet. One of the Twin Cities’s favorite voices.

Café Maud (5411 Penn Av S., Minneapolis, www.cafemaud.com)

In the former Connors Bakery space, south Minneapolis has grown a bustling bistro with a penchant for great jazz every week. Reservations a must if you want to actually sit down and enjoy the menu while you listen. No cover, experimental music on Tuesdays and Thursdays and great jazz on the weekends, 9 pm – midnight.

• December 7, Enormous Quartet with Chris Thomson, Park Evans, Chris Bates and Joey Van Phillips.
• December 14, Dean Granros Trio. Catch drummer Kenny Horst outside the Artists Quarter!
• December 19, Dean Granros solo guitar
• December 21, Andrew Schwandt, Gordy Johnson and Batume.
• December 28, Tommy O’Donnell. Adam Linz and Alden Ikeda.

Crave at Galleria (70th and York S., Edina)

Mostly this converted Sidney’s space is an eclectic restaurant and bar in a shopping mall. Inside there is a postage stamp space for live music and a sound system that sounds leftover from a surplus store. But if you plan seating carefully (e.g., at the stage end of the bar or at one of the nearby tables) you can enjoy the Laura Caviani Trio most Friday nights, a treat by itself, but Laura is booking the best singers in town to join her. No cover, music 7:30- 11 pm (best listening late!) and a great menu.

• December 7, with Lucia Newell
• December 14, with Dorothy Doring
• December 21, with Jeff Jensen
• December 28, with Charmin Michelle

Dakota County Music Café (Dakota County Steakhouse, Burnsville Holiday Inn)

An unlikely venue for top jazz? Enjoy music in the bar or from a nearby table in the restaurant. No cover; music every weekend, jazz (usually with a vocalist) typically on Friday nights, 7:30-11:30 pm.

• December 21-22, Sisters in Song. Three of the area’s top songbirds—Lila Ammons, Dorothy Doring and Vicky Mountain serenade you.
• December 29, Christine Rosholt. She’s back for more, and you’ll find that you can never get enough.

Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant (1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com)

Weeknight covers usually $5 at the classiest clubbiest jazz venue in the Twin Cities. The free Happy Hour on Thursdays (with Travis Anderson) and Fridays (with Jazz by Fosse with Irv Williams) as well as the $3 Friday/Saturday “Late Night” Series provide the some of the best bargains in town.

• December 6, Connie Evingson and Arne Fogel (8 pm, $5) –Holiday favorites from the former hosts of  KBEM’s “Singers and Standards”
• December 10, Christine Rosholt (7 pm, $5). Vocals that run from sweet to sassy
• December 11, Mary Louise Knutson (7 pm, $5). Sublime pianist with Gary Raynor. Greg Schutte, and special guest, saxophonist Sue Orfield from Seattle
• December 18, Ginger Commodore (7 pm, $5). Ginger’s all-star holiday show is a must-see!
• December 19, Tanner Taylor Quartet (7 pm, $5).  The young monster pianist in fine company.
• December 20, Bruce Henry (8 pm, $5). A holiday special with the king of baritones.

Rossi’s Blue Star Room (80 S. 9th Street, Minneapolis; www.bluestarjazz.com)

One of the noisier venues with jazz, blues, R&B and pop. If you avoid Happy Hour you can sometimes find a quiet table.

• December 16-20 and 23rd, Nancy Harms. One of the newer voices on the scene, Nancy sings with a variety of cohorts, usually in trio format. 8-11 pm.
• December 26-27, Katie Gearty. Young but building a strong reputation for jazz and soulful blues. 8 pm- Midnight.

Times Bar and Café (201 E. Hennepin, Minneapolis; www.timesbarandcafe.com)

Arne Fogel©Andrea Canter

• Sunday Brunch with the Wolverines, 10 am – 2 pm. Guest for December—Kim Cameron.
• Sunday nights, Twin Cities Hot Club (8:30-11:30 pm) Gypsy swing, dancers welcome!
• Tuesdays, Singer Showcase (7 pm)/Tribute to Greats (8 pm). Host Lori Dokken starts off the evening introducing a new vocalist, then joins with guest artists to salute the legends. Guests this month: 12/4, Debbie Duncan; 12/11, Rachel Holder; 12/18, The Girls.
• Wednesdays with the Wolves (8 pm). December features local songbird Maud Hixson.
• Thursdays, Salsa del Sol (9:30 pm-12:30 am). Latin night, dancing night.
• December 14, Doug Haining & TC Seven with Charmin Michelle. Swinging classics.
• December 22, Arne Swings Bing Holiday Show. Second annual gig, master interpreter of Bing Crosby salutes the holidays. Dreaming of a White Christmas?
• December 29, Debbie Duncan. It’s like having New Year’s Eve twice.

Best Bets, $12 or Less

• December 7-9, Happy Apple at the Artists Quarter (9 pm, $12)
• December 8, Cookie Coleman at the Dakota Jazz Club (8 pm, $10)
• December 14-15, Diane Witherspoon at the Artists Quarter (9 pm, $12)
• December 28-29, Dean Magraw and Red Planet at the Artists Quarter (9 pm, $10)

Best Bets, Any Price

Matt Wilson©Andrea Canter

• December 7, Matt Wilson’s Carl Sandburg Project at the Minnesota Opera Company ($15)
• December 26-29, The Bad Plus at the Dakota Jazz Club, tickets $40/$28)
• December 31, New Year’s Eve with Carole Martin and Irv Williams at the Artists Quarter ($32 includes light buffet, champagne and lots of fun; reserve early)

More venues are scattered throughout the Twin Cities. Visit the Twin Cities Jazz Society website for more great listings of events— www.tcjs.org

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