Jim Rotondi©Andrea Canter

There’s lots of brass, a big dose of avant sass, and sublime keyboarding at the Artists Quarter in April, from trumpet monster Jim Rotondi and a salute to trumpet icon Lee Morgan, to the return of Happy Apple, and a Peterson Family Weekend led by matriarch Jeanne Arland Peterson. In between, it’s a virtual who’s who of diverse local jazz.

Weekends Gigs (9 pm)

April 4-5, Jim Rotondi Quartet, $15 (with Phil Aaron Friday, Bill Carrothers Saturday). One of the leading purveyors of modern trumpet on stage with two of Minnesota’s finest pianists? Jim Rotondi, a perennial popular performer at the AQ, returns from his New York base to share the bandstand with local star Phil Aaron (Friday night) and expatriate native son Bill Carrothers (Saturday night), a giant of keyboard improvisation who is more often on tour in Europe than in his home territory. And they will be supported by a pair of the Twin Cities most potent timekeepers, bassist Tom Lewis and drummer/AQ owner Kenny Horst. Jim will no doubt share a sampling from his latest recording, Four of a Kind. The confluence of these great artists makes for an unforgettable weekend of cutting edge jazz.

John Pemberton©Andrea Canter

April 18-19, Jeanne Arland Peterson with Patty and Billy Peterson, $10. Almost as amazing as her 70-year career in music is pianist Jeanne Arland Peterson’s role as head of Minnesota’s “First Family of Music.” She now heads three generations of talented musicians, including five musician offspring, two of whom join her this weekend. It’s hard to find a gig or recording in the Twin Cities that does not include at least one Peterson. And Jeanne is not content to sit back and enjoy the talents of her family—she is still gigging and arranging into her 80s. With an approach heavily influenced by the great Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson, she spent 22 years performing on WCCO radio as well as around town on club stages and in recording studios. She was the organist for the Minnesota Twins from 1969-71 and built a resume that included work with Perry Como, Bob Hope, Dianne Carroll, Sonny Stitt, Roy Eldridge, Bud Shank, and George Benson. Along with Judy Garland, Jeanne is one of only two women in the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, and two Minnesota governors—Rudy Perpich and Arne Carlson--declared days in her honor. Popular vocalist Patty and ever-busy brother, bassist Billy Peterson join Kenny Horst to give Jeanne plenty of support.

Jeanne Arland Peterson©Andrea Canter

April 25-27, Happy Apple, $12 (Sunday sets at 8 pm). Together for a decade, this Twin Cities avant-garde trio is know for its “loud, fast, and bursting music—a little electronica, a little Coltrane, a little Cobain” (The Rake). The threesome includes bassist Eric Fratzke, a veteran of such projects as Casino Royale and Zebulon Pike; multi-reedist Michael Lewis, also known for his work with Fat Kids Wednesdays; and the raging bull of percussion, Dave King, who splits his time among Happy Apple, FKG, and of course the Bad Plus. Influenced by classic Coltrane and Ornette Coleman, Happy Apple also reflects the techno-infused childhoods of the musicians. The group released 4 private label recordings before hitting it big with aptly titled Youth Oriented (Sunnyside, 2002). Their next release, The Peace Between Our Companies (Sunnyside, 2005), gave further testimony to the versatility and cross-generational appeal of the trio. Last summer, the Applemen celebrated Back on Top (Sunnyside), as if they were ever anywhere else. They started 2008 with a gig at Joe’s Pub in Manhattan, and will be coming home from a couple nights at John Zorn’s The Stone. Plan to arrive early as this gig is always a sell-out—even here in the Minneapple!

Weeknights, Cheap Nights ($5 cover, 9 pm unless otherwise indicated)

Mondays, Green (7 pm)/Open Poetry (9 pm) and First Monday Poetry Slam (8 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 Mondays feature the monthly Poetry Slam—following an hour of Green, a special guest poet convenes the “slam” at 8 pm. Special guest on April 7th is poet Shannon Leigh ($5).

Peter Schimke©Andrea Canter

April 2, Dean Granros Trio. One of the region’s most exciting voices on guitar is always a good draw at the AQ. Jazz Police Don Berryman says it best: “Granros blends the vocabulary of bebop, acid rock, and delta blues into a delightful and potent cocktail that may leave you shaken or stirred.”

April 3, Peter Schimke Trio. One of the busiest keyboard virtuosos in the Twin Cities today, Peter appears frequently at the AQ, Dakota, and just about anywhere else that requires first class comping and soloing on piano or Fender Rhodes. His collaborations with saxman Irv Williams are legendary and yielded the acclaimed CD, Duo. Peter has been performing in Spain and is developing an international audience, but around here we just know him as one of the best and most eclectic. And he’ll be back at the AQ later this month with How Birds Work.

Chris Thomson©Andrea Canter

April 10, Chris Lomheim Trio. Any comparison of Chris Lomheim with his hero Bill Evans is wholly appropriate. A prodigious talent as a teen whiz on organ and piano, St. Paul native Chris evolved virtuoso chops as composer and improviser in the key of Evans, yielding two elegant trio recordings to date. Former keyboardist for the Illicit Sextet and a long-time favorite at the AQ and Dakota Jazz Club, as well as a first-call keyboardist for area vocalists, Chris led weekly jams at the Dakota County Music Café last spring and has a regular gig for Happy Hour on weekends at the St. Paul Hotel. But the piano trio—this trio—is his first born.

April 16, Dave Karr Quartet. Celebrate your tax refund with Twin Cities’ favorite, multi-reedist Dave Karr. Dave 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 (like Connie Evingson and Christine Rosholt), 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.

April 17, Framework. Three of the Twin Cities’ most creative musicians join forces for an evening of original works and inventive covers. Featuring drummer Jay Epstein, guitarist Chris Olson and bassist Chris Bates, the music of John Scofield, Dave Holland, and Chick Corea, as well as the compositions of the three musicians, will indeed provide a “framework” for an exciting evening of modern jazz.

April 23, 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.

April 24, 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. Last month he starred as part of the Sax Summit II with fellow members of Jazz Ax. This is one of the most popular monthly gigs at the AQ, so come early and stay late!

April 30, 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.

Coming Soon!

Mark your calendars, these are too good to miss:

• May 9-10, Out to Lunch Quintet
• May 23-25, Eric Alexander
• May 30-31, Andres Prado Quintet

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