Weekend Gigs

February 1-2, Ari Hoenig/Jean-Michel Pilc Project (9 pm, $20). Their visit last winter was one of the highlights of the AQ season. Philadelphian Hoenig has been described as “one of the most manically obsessive, spasmodic and musical drummers in jazz (Jazz Times), hot off the release of the acclaimed Inversations (Dreyfus). Parisien (now transplanted in New York) Pilc’s “jaw-dropping technique, boundless imagination and effortless mastery” provide the perfect counterpoint (All About Jazz). Pilc appears on Inversations as well as leading his trio (including Hoenig) through several hot releases and his own solo projects. This time they are joined by master bassist Hans Glawishnig, a frequent cohort of David Sanchez.

February 8-9, Eric Kamau Gravatt and Source Code (9 pm, $12). In the software world, "Source Code" is the name of a collection of instructions written to generate the programs that run on our computers, PDA's, cell-phones and toasters. A frequent collaborator of McCoy Tyner and alum of Weather Report, drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt and his Source Code band will generate unique and engaging music using the works of jazz masters like Monk, Coltrane, and Jackie McLean as their source. Raised in Philadelphia (that seems to be a common thread this month!), Gravatt has lived in the Twin Cities since retiring from his “day job” as a prison guard. Source Code includes some of the Twin Cities’ finest, including Dean Brewington on sax, Ron Evaniuk on bass, Dave Hagedorn on vibes and Dave Leigh on trombone. 

February 10, Jazz Vocalists of Minnesota Singers’ Showcase (7 pm, $5). Some of the metro’s most beloved singers as well as rising stars present a round-robin of great tunes, mostly solo as well as some group combinations. Hear Lucia Newell, Vicky Mountain, Bruce Henry, Dorothy Doring, Rhonda Laurie, Connie Dussl, Lee Engele and more. Backing the singes is an all-star rhythm section of Phil Aaron on piano, Graydon Peterson on bass and Jay Epstein on drums. The August showcase proved that Sunday evening is a great time for standards and fun. 

February 15-16, 2nd Annual Bobby Peterson Memorial Piano Showcase (9 pm, $10). Probably there is no other pianist who influenced so many others in the Twin Cities. When Bobby Peterson passed away in 2002, we lost a great musician, teacher and friend. He started out on keys for the Buddy Rich Orchestra at only 21, and when he returned home, he was regularly on the piano bench at the AQ. Reprising last year’s first showcase will be six of the area’s best, with Peter Schimke, Tanner Taylor and Chris Lomheim on Friday, and Laura Caviani, Mikkel Romstad and Phil Aaron on Saturday night. So you need to come both nights! Billy Peterson (Bobby’s cousin) and AQ owner Kenny Horst—both regular cohorts with Bobby--provide the rest of the rhythm team.  

February 22-23, Kelly Rossum Quartet (9 pm, $10). Possibly the most versatile musician in town, and certainly one of the most prolific across the wide range of jazz and modern music, trumpeter Kelly Rossum not only leads one of the hottest quartets around but also directs jazz studies at the MacPhail Center for Music, directs the high school dream team of the Dakota Combo, and lends his magical horn to Pete Whitman’s X-Tet and Nachito Herrera’s big band, among other ensembles. He even found time to earn a doctorate in Baroque trumpet, which at times might seem incongruous with his trademark Mohawk. With his band he’s released three acclaimed recordings (most recently, Line) and is set to release another in August. With a knock-out group that includes brothers Chris and JT Bates and pianist Bryan Nichols, you can count on only one thing from a master who combines elements of swing, bop, avant garde and free improvisation—it will be exciting, and it will be uniquely Kelly. 

February 29-March 1, Irv Williams CD Release Party ($9 pm, $10). Didn’t we just celebrate his last release a year ago? And wasn’t that Irv’s 88th birthday party this past fall? Yes and Yes, it seems Irv Williams has been releasing a new recording each year since he was a mere 84. But this one, he says, is it, and aptly titled Finality. An empty threat, perhaps? All we know is that Irv is still playing every Friday night Happy Hour at the Dakota, still takes the stage with singer Carole Martin, still plays in duet with Peter Schimke, and otherwise shows no sign of real retirement. Mr. Smooth is as engaging as ever on his new recording, and will be happy to share it with you in the company of Peter Schimke, Loren Walstad, Gordy Johnson and Kenny Horst. Better come, just in case he means it this time…. 

Monday Nights

Green (7 pm)/Open Poetry with Live Jazz (9 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. Newest 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!  

February 4, First Monday Poetry Slam/Soap Boxing (8 pm, $5). Monthly event! 

Tuesdays with the Tuesday Night Band (9 pm, $5)

B-3 Organ Night with 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. A weekly tradition at the AQ, you never know who might sit in—Joey DeFrancesco usually appears whenever he’s in town. Starting in November, Tuesday night expanded with an exciting new band featuring Zach W. Schmidt, Cory J. Wong, Cassie Meier, and Dan M. Musselman playing an early show at 7pm (no cover). These young, talented musicians provide the perfect starter for AQ's longest-standing engagement. 

February 5, Live KFAI Radio Show. Host Larry Englund broadcasts live from the AQ!

February 19, Special Guest Debbie Duncan. Everyone’s favorite diva with everyone’s favorite Tuesday Night Band. 

Wednesdays and Thursdays (9 pm, $5 unless otherwise noted)

February 6, Framework. Trio magic with guitarist Chris Olson, bassist Chris Bates and drummer Jay Epstein. 

February 7, 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—and reward-- to the listener. 

February 13, Fat Kid Wednesdays. Three for the edge: FKW features three of the most inventive performers in area –or national—jazz. Saxophonist Michael Lewis, bassist Adam Linz and drummer JT Bates assemble and deconstruct a largely original repertoire. No wonder they have been popular performers at the Minnesota Sur Seine Festival as well as at the AQ, Clown Lounge, and more. 

February 14, A Valentine’s Day Party with Maud Hixson and Rick Carlson. You want an intimate experience for this special day? Spend the evening with Rick and Maude and you’ll think you’ve been invited to a private party—nobody else but you and the music.  

February 20, Dave Karr Quartet. Long a favorite of Twin Cities’ jazz audiences and artists alike, multi-reedist Dave Karr grew up in New York listening to the great boppers, from Charlie Parker to Dizzy Gillespie. Today he holda down the horn sections of the JazzMN Big Band and Pete Whitman’s X-Tet, as well as leading his own bands, Mulligan Stew and this quartet. On bari, tenor, flute or clarinet, Dave’s “fluid style is both exciting and elegant” (Don Berryman).  

February 21, Phil Hey Quartet. The 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 the U of M, and toured with the late 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. 

February 27, Lucia Newell Quartet. Lucia tackles Jobim and Strayhorn with equal finesse. Along with a well-established quartet featuring Laura Caviani on keys and Pete Whitman on sax, Lucia offers her signature takes on standards and less familiar tunes in smoky and sultry phrases. 

February 28, Pete Whitman’s X-Tet ($7). One of several projects led by veteran sax performer, composer, and arranger Pete Whitman, the X-Tet brings together the best artists in the region for sophisticated arrangements and original compositions. Head of Woodwinds and Brass at McNally Smith College, Whitman has performed with Randy Brecker, Jack McDuff, and the Woody Herman Orchestra, in addition to leading his X-Tet and Departure Point (sextet) and working regularly with the Jazz MN Big Band. This is one of the most popular monthly gigs at the AQ, so come early and stay late! 

Coming Soon!!

• March 7-8, Jaleel Shaw
• April 4-5, Jim Rotondi

 
 

The Artists Quarter is located at 408 St Peer Street in downtown St. Paul; www.artistsquarter.com