The National Acts (7 & 9:30 pm unless otherwise noted)

March 3-4, Maceo Parker. Think funky, groovy, and soulful—that defines veteran saxman Maceo Parker. From his beginnings with James Brown to Mothership (George Clinton) and Bootsy’s (Collins) Rubber Band, Parker has defined the history of funk with such collaborators as Ray Charles, Ani Difranco, James Taylor, De La Soul, the Dave Matthews Band, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Prince. In 2007, Parker initiated an acclaimed tour with the WDR Big Band in tribute to Ray Charles, leading to his new recording, Roots and Grooves. Bring your dancing shoes-- it’s "2% Jazz, 98% Funky Stuff.” 

March 6, Tuck and Patti. Together for nearly three decades, Tuck Andress and Patti Cathcart sell out jazz and blues venues wherever they go. From childhoods surrounded by music but miles apart, guitarist Tuck and vocalist Patti ended up performing in the Bay Area, and ultimately met when Patti auditioned for Tuck’s band. As they say, the rest is history, their duo initially inspired by the great pairing of Joe Pass and Ella Fitzgerald. Married now for 26 years, the duo has its own recording studio and its own label—and a following that makes them one of the post popular acts in jazz, blues and soul. Come hear why Bobby McFerrin calls this “the best duo on the planet.” 

March 9-10, The Holmes Brothers. The trio of Holmes Brothers (bassist/vocalist Sherman Holmes, guitarist/pianist/ vocalist Wendell Holmes, drummer/vocalist Popsy Dixon) puts the spirit of gospel and the energy of roadhouse rock into their soul, funk, country and blues repertoire. Among their collaborators have been the likes of Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, Odetta, Phoebe Snow, Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash, Levon Helm and Joan Osborne, and their tours have included a performance for President Clinton. Signed to Alligator Records, the Holmes Brothers’ latest release is State of Grace (2007). Notes Entertainment Weekly, “The Holmes Brothers are juke-joint vets with a brazenly borderless view of American music.” 

March 13, Holly Cole. On a rare American tour, the transcendent Canadian Holly Cole graces the Dakota stage for just one night of vocal bliss. In a family of classical musicians, Holly discovered jazz via Nina Simone, Sonny Rollins and Betty Carter in her teens. Says Cole today, “Jazz is a big influence on my sound but ultimately it is a fusion of many styles.” Her 11th release, Holly Cole (Alert, 2007) won raves from Jazz Times as “among the year’s finest vocal achievements.” 

March 16-17, Mary Stallings. With a voice already spanning four octaves before she hit her teens, Mary Stallings joined Louis Jordan’s Tympani Five while in high school, came of age in the big band era, and toured with Count Basie, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald. She dropped off the national scene in the 70s but continued singing in the Bay Area, re-emerging in the past decade as one of the top voices of our time. Her recent performances have been with the Eric Reed Trio, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra; most recent recordings for Concord, MaxJazz and Half Note. Mary Stallings is not a household name, but as the New York Times observed, “Perhaps the best jazz singer alive today is a woman almost everybody seems to have missed. Her name is Mary Stallings.” Don’t miss her at the Dakota. 

March 18-19, Vinicius Cantuaria. Bridging classic bossa nova and the modern sounds of Tropicalia, Brazilian native, New York transplant Vinicius Cantuaria brings guitar, percussion, voice and modern composition to an infectious musical fusion. Covering several zones of Brazilian music, his band has been described as “post-electronica acoustic” – with jazz bassist Paul Socolow, trumpeter Michael Leonhart (of Steely Dan) and a rotating crew of Brazilian percussionists (Nanny Assis, Mauro Refosco and legendary drummer Paulo Braga). Their repertoire of Jobim and Gilberto Gil, as well as Cantuária’s original songs, has been wowing audiences for the past two decades. Of his own songwriting, Cantuaria notes that “I try reminding people of Miles Davis and Chet Baker – the music and harmonies are so sweet.” Catch Vinicius at the Dakota for two nights of sweet and riveting music. 

March 26-28, Irvin Mayfield. A big hit just a couple weeks ago at Orchestra Hall with his big band, New Orleans trumpeter Irvin Mayfield returns to the Twin Cities with a smaller ensemble for a more intimate three-night stand. Of course this is not his first visit—Mayfield has appeared at the Dakota several times with Los Hombres Caliente, and played a surprise late set following the Orchestra Hall gig last month.   Already well-established in his mid-20s and appearing with Wynton Marsalis, Mayfield now serves as his native city’s “cultural ambassador” and has toured nationally in support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Mayfield’s quartet features equally accomplished musicians who make clear that the Crescent City spirit is alive and well. 

March 30-31, John and Lillian Boutte. This brother and sister act is relatively new although both John and Lillian have enjoyed distinguished solo careers for over three decades in their native New Orleans. Gospel, jazz and Delta blues are on the menu for this rare performance away from the Big Easy. 

The Local Line Up (7 pm unless otherwise noted)

February 29-March 1, Ginger and Bobby Commodre (8 pm). The jazziest couple in the Twin Cities, help Ginger and Bobby celebrate their birthdays! 

March 2, Donahue, Newton and Raynor. Three veterans of Prairie Home Companion combine to deliver traditional Delta blues, rags, jug-band music, and 20th century popular songs. Featuring guitarist Pat Donahue, accordionist Dan “Daddy Squeeze” Newton and bassist Gary Raynor. 

March 5, Tom Hunter. Singer/pianist lets loose with his gut-bucket Chicago blues. 

March 7, Davina & the Vagabonds (8 pm). Becoming the Twin Cities’ premiere band for blues and roots music. 

March 8, George Maurer Group (8 pm). This band covers everything from trad to bop to original tunes. 

March 11, Tresa Sauer. A dash of country charm infuses the fresh sound of one of our strongest voices. A welcome return to the Dakota! 

March 12, Jeff Goldstein. The lush piano of Jeff Goldstein is complemented by the many talents of saxman Peter Viricks, bassist Kevin Teachout and drummer Phillip Crump. 

March 14-15, Nachito Herrera (8 pm). Get your monthly dose of frenetic Caribbean energy when keyboard monster Nachito and company set the Dakota stage ablaze with montuno and Cubo-bop. 

March 20, Charmin & Shapira and Friends. Their collaboration on Pure Imagination was pure delight, pure charm, pure swing. Vocalist Charmin Michelle, guitarist Joel Shapira and assorted other local talents usher in an early spring. 

March 21-22, Doug Little (8 pm). Over the past five years or so, multi-reedman Doug Little has proven to be the harbinger of southern hemisphere music in the Twin Cities, with bands ranging from his Twin Cities bop quartet to Seven Steps to Havana to Tres Mundos to Charanga Tropicale. This weekend marks the return of Seven Steps, Doug’s septet devoted to modern Cuban-infused jazz. But expect a touch of Brazil where Doug has been studying for the past few months! New York-based trombonist Mark Miller joins the fun. 

March 23, JD Steele CD Release. JD celebrates a quarter century of performance with a CD release and a cast of special guests. 

March 24, Christine Rosholt. Reprising her January recording session, Christine sings through a growing book of standards with acclaimed sidemen—Tanner Taylor, Dave Karr, Vinnie Rose, Graydon Peterson and Jay Epstein. 

March 25, Brian Grivna. With a resume including a stint with Buddy Rich, saxman Brian Grivna will take you on a swinging bop ride. 

March 29, Druscilla Abernathy and the BKS Vine (8 pm). Kathleen Johnson and company bring their R&B, soul and jazz chops to the Dakota stage for some weekend fun. 

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

• Thursdays, Travis Anderson Trio. Young keyboard maniac in the spirit of Oscar Peterson.
• Fridays, Jazz by Fosse with Irv Williams. Piano, bass and Mr. Smooth on tenor sax.

 

Late Night (11:30 pm- 1:30 am)

• March 1, Wozniak, Peterson and Olson. Sax trio of original and trad music.
• March 7-8, Kelly Rossum Quintet with Woody Witt. Local trumpet king joins forces with long-time collaborator from Houston, tenorman Woody Witt and his pianist, Joe LoCascio
• March 14, Ragassa. Guitar, tabla and laptop? Only at Late Night!
• March 15, Sam Sadigursky Quartet. ASCAP winning saxman, New York based Sam Sadigursky performs with Phil Aaron, Chris Bates and Jay Epstein.
• March 21, Nate Brown Trio. Now based in New York, guitarist Nate returns home on break from his Broadway gigs.
• March 22, Atlantis Quartet. A band of young turks playing original music.
• March 28, Late Night All-Stars. Combining the talents of popular late night performers, it will be a night of surprises.
• March 29, Ernie Coleman Trio. Who is Ernie? We aren’t sure but we do know that the trio includes three of the most creative jazzers in town—Chris Thomson, Chris Bates and JT Bates.

 

Coming in April

• April 6-8, Nellie McKay
• April 16-17, SOMI
• April 18, Eric Bibb
• April 20-22, Tribute to Ray Brown with Christian McBride, Benny Green and Greg Hutchinson
• April 29-30, Karrin Allyson

 
 

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Tickets and information at www.dakotacooks.com or 612-332-1010.