 Irv Williams©Andrea Canter At the Artists Quarter in St. Paul, the transition weekend—February 29/March 1—features one of the oldest (or the oldest?) performing jazz artists in town, with 88-year-old “Mr. Smooth” Irv Williams on the bandstand celebrating his latest CD release. Just a week later, the AQ hosts barely 30-year-old Jaleel Shaw, and the following weekend it’s a quartet led by local teen jazzsters Javier Santiago and Chris Smith, in town with cohorts from the Brubeck Institute. The veterans return to close out the month, with weekend gigs featuring Carole Martin and Phil Hey. In between, there’s jazz from all corners of the spectrum of style and experience, guarnanteeing a month of red hot music in the funky cool surroundings of St. Paul’s renowned jazz venue.
Weekend Gigs (9 pm) February 29-March 1, Irv Williams ($10). It’s the “east side” CD release for Mr. Smooth, as the tenor sax legend celebrates what he claims to be his last recording, Finality (Ding Dong Music). Considering his recent output (one CD per year since age 84), the “finality” of this statement is a bit hard to believe. Irv continues to hold down a weekly Happy Hour gig at the Dakota and a weekly cocktail hour duet with Peter Schimke at Il Vesco Vino, as well as intermittent performances at the AQ. So who’s retiring? With the usual suspects (Peter Schimke, Kenny Horst, and Billy Peterson), Irv Williams blows one of the sweetest horns around, and he’s got nearly 70 years of fine tuning to back it up.  Jaleel Shaw©Andrea Canter
March 9, Joan Griffith/Lucia Newell/Laura Caviani (8 pm). Long known for her expertise in presenting (and composing) Brazilian music, master guitarist/mandolinist Joan Griffith is seen too seldom in public performances. Lucia Newell, who sings comfortably in Portuguese and spent some time singing in Rio, is a perfect partner, while acclaimed pianist Laura Caviani provides sublime support. And recently Laura and Joan have been recording together and some of music from their forthcoming release will likely be featured on this special Sunday evening of tropical breezes and sandy beaches—no matter what the late winter weather brings.  Joan Griffith©Andrea Canter March 14-15, Javier Santiago/Chris Smith Quartet ($10). The University of the Pacific’s Brubeck Institute honors alums Dave and Iola Brubeck with the annual awarding of five scholarships to outstanding new high school grads. What are the chances that two Brubeck Fellows at any given moment are products of the same high school—in south Minneapolis? Two of the quintet this year are Minneapolis South High products, pianist Javier Santiago and bassist Chris Smith. As even younger turks, Javier and Chris played together in the local teen band, The Eggz, and other ensembles. Chris was accepted as a freshman at Brubeck and is now in his second and final year with the program, while Javier is a freshman, enrolling after serving as the pianist for the inaugural edition of the Dakota Combo, the Twin Cities’ elite high school jazz ensemble. In addition to their long lists of exploits as high school musicians, Javier and Chris both enjoyed opportunities to play with the local big leagues. This weekend, they bring two of their Brubeck Institute colleagues to Minnesota for a homecoming party—Ben Flocks on sax and Cory Cox on drums. This is what the future of jazz is all about! Hear for yourself the results of Twin Cities jazz education programs! March 21-22, Carole Martin Quintet with Gary Berg ($10). One of the most beloved (and talented) of Twin Cities chanteuses, Carole has been enjoying a second career after staying out of the spotlight for a few decades. Her two recent releases have brought renewed attention to her sultry torch songs and swinging standards, and this weekend she revisits her collaborations with local sax king Gary Berg. Berg not only swings a fat tenor but his chromatic harmonica adds new dimensions to whatever is in his wake. It’s the perfect foil for the emotive lyrics of Carole Martin.  Javier Santiago and Chris SMith©Andrea Canter
Weeknights (9 pm, $5 unless otherwise noted) Mondays, 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! First Monday Poetry Slam (8 pm, $5)! On March 3rd, Soap Boxing Slam with Ed Bok Lee. 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. A weekly tradition at the AQ, you never know who might sit in—Joey DeFrancesco usually appears whenever he’s in town. Two special Organ Nights this month include another KFAI Rhythm and Grooves Live broadcast with host Larry Englund on March 11th; and a special guest appearance by master vocalist Bruce Henry on March 25th. Recently 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. March 5, Dean Granros Trio. Guitarist 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, Jazz Police). With a career spanning over 30 years of playing and composing, Granros worked with the band Curlew beginning in the late 1970s; more recent credits include duo work with Brad Bellows, FKG (with Scott Fultz and Dave King), and How Birds Work (see below). Dean released Live at the Artists Quarter in 2001. March 6, Twin Cities Hot Club. They’re all strings and all Django—hot club swing masters Robert Bell, Reynold Philipsek, Gary Schulte and Matt Senjem will take you back to a sidewalk café in Paris. They hold a weekly gig at the Times and have helped to define the local swing scene. Said Leigh Kamman (The Jazz Image), “Their passion, scholarship and skilled musicianship take you back to those days at Bricktop’s Cabaret in Paris. Listen and listen again, this is Minnesota calling the spirit of Django and Stephane.” March 12, Brian Grivna Quartet. Eclectic saxman Brian Grivna plays it cool in big band and small ensemble settings, or when partnering with fellow sax veteran, Dave Karr.  How Birds Work
March 19, Tanner Taylor Trio. His hands are faster than speeding bullets, his musical mind kicks it up another notch. Iowa’s best import since corn, young keyboard demon Tanner Taylor will dazzle with technique and intrigue with ideas. With musical genes straight out of Oscar Peterson, this trio might remind you of some of OP’s early ensembles. March 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. A recent recipient of a McKnight Grant, Dave can be found in the pit orchestra of touring Broadway shows, supporting the best area vocalists, holding down the horn sections of the JazzMN Big Band and Pete Whitman’s X-Tet, or 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). His usual suspects include Tanner Taylor, Gordy Johnson and Phil Hey.  Jim Marentic©Andrea Canter
March 27, Pete Whitman's X-Tet ($8).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 in April! - April 4 & 5, Jim Rotondi
- April 25, 26 & 27, Happy Apple
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!
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Thursday, 20 November 2008
