Mary Louise Knutson © Andrea Canter

Among the top echelon of a rich pool of Twin Cities’ pianists, Mary Louise Knutson is highly respected for her commitment to composition and teaching, as well as her broad range of performance chops. One of five finalists in the first-ever Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Piano Competition, held at Kennedy Center in 2005, Mary Louise returns to the Dakota on May 28th with her exceptional trio partners, Gordon Johnson on bass and Jay Epstein on drums. 

After graduating from the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music (Appleton, WI), Knutson cut her performance teeth with such notables as Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Dianne Reeves, Slide Hampton, Richie Cole, Greg Abate, Von Freeman, and Billy Hart; and toured with Smoky Robinson, the Osmond Brothers, Engelbert Humperdinck, comedians such as Phyllis Diller, and internationally with Synergy (formerly Rupert’s Orchestra). A former jazz instructor at Carlton College, today she conducts master classes and often provides keyboard support for local divas Connie Evingson and Debbie Duncan, the JazzMN Big Band, and the Doug Little Quartet. But her chops are most apparent with her own trio, playing her own compositions and arrangements. Her compatriots at the Dakota, bassist Gordy Johnson and drummer Phil Hey, are also the nucleus of her highly acclaimed recording, Call Me When You Get There, released in 2001 on Meridian Jazz and set for release in Japan this month. Said Jazz Times, "Call Me When You Get There is...state-of-the-art piano trio finery." Deservedly, Knutson has earned considerable recognition as a composer, including two awards from Billboard magazine for her compositions, "How Will I Know?" and "Meridian.” No small wonder that Call Me When You Get There hit the jazz charts’ “Top 50” in the United States and Canada for eight consecutive weeks following its release!

Gordy Johnson©Andrea Canter

Bassist Gordy Johnson is one of the busiest on-call musicians in town, often supporting vocalists and instrumentalists as well as producing his acclaimed series of "Trios" recordings. (GJ4 was just released on May 25th!) A graduate of the Eastman School of Music (as a flute major), Gordy toured with Maynard Ferguson, Chuck Mangione and Sergio Mendes before returning to the Twin Cities. He's a regular performer with the Chris Lomheim Trio,  Laura Caviani Trio, Pete Whitman X-Tet and in duos with Benny Weinbeck and Tommy O'Donnell. If he isn't playing bass, he probably tuning the piano!

Jay Epstein is similarly one of the busiest drummers in town, appearing regularly with Red Planet, Framework, Counterclockwise, Blue Chi, Maintime, Mary Louise Knutson and touring artists such as Bill Carrothers. Jay earned his college degree in math and chemistry before turning to jazz. He studied poly-rhythmic concepts with drummer Barry Altschul, a member of Chick Corea's avant-garde quartet, Circle.  Before settling in Minneapolis, Jay worked in Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, Atlanta and Miami, playing everything from Dixieland, swing, bebop, and avant-garde, to rock, country, polka, and klezmer.  He also spent five years serving as the house drummer on cruise ships.

Jay Epstein©Andrea Canter

Typically, the playlist for the Mary Louise Knutson Trio includes originals and covers from Brazilian to Jarrett and Hancock, sometimes unfamiliar and yet always accessible, the arrangements fresh and engaging. Lately she’s been including new compositions and arrangements as she works on a new recording project. Somewhat reminiscent of Marian McPartland, Mary Louise combines strength and lyricism, line and texture, fresh reconceptions and exciting, beautiful original melodies.

Spring is in full bloom in Minnesota, and at the Dakota, jazz is flowering with the return of the Mary Louise Knutson Trio on May 28th!

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall, in downtown Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com. See full schedule and more about Mary Louise Knutson at www.marylouiseknutson.com

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