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 Nellie McKay photo credit: RD/Leon/Retna Looking for a cure for cabin fever? Tired of waiting for the ice to melt on your favorite lake? Look no farther than Nicollet Mall and the Dakota Jazz Club, where the music is always hot, seven nights (and two very late nights) ever week. And it seems that more and more, the music extends beyond our Midwest, even American roots to encompass global flavors. This month, you can enjoy some of the best mainstream jazz in the nation, along with liberal touches of blues, rock, and pop, and tastes of New Orleans, Havana, Rio, Hawaii and Africa. And if you love your music via strings—be it guitar, bass or even ukulele, the April line-up will sing to you! National Touring Artists (Shows at 7 & 9:30 pm) April 6-8, Nellie McKay (7 pm only). Her eclectic background might account for her eclectic and often outrageous career. Barely 26 (and that has been debated!), the London-born singer/songerwriter/actress/comedian spent much of her youth in New York, enrolling at the Manhattan School of Music before ultimately dropping out to do stand-up comedy in Greenwich Village. Her first recording (Get Away From Me) met wide acclaim, as did her Broadway debut in Three Penny Opera. Turmoil surrounded the release of her second recording (Pretty Little Head), and last fall her third (Obligatory Villagers) hit the streets with fewer bumps. Come hear why the LA Times refers to her as a “feminist firebrand, martini-cool chanteuse and resilient blithe spirit.”
April 13, Johnny A. Converted to guitar from drums after the Beatles invaded the US, Johnny A learned his trade in the Boston area, inspired by the bands of John McLaughlin and Return to Forever. His sound evolved from progressive rock and fusion, absorbing influences of country, blues and jazz into his own personal style. Says Johnny, I get just as big a thrill out of hearing Albert Lee and Jeff Beck as I do Wes Montgomery and Jim Hall or Chet Atkins and Les Paul. My music isn’t necessarily jazz or blues or country or rock ‘n’ roll, but all those things are a part of it. For me, it starts with a great song. That’s where I really get inspired, hearing a great song and then working off it.” The Gibson signature artist has released three acclaimed recordings in the past three years.  Somi phot by Matthew Furman
April 18, Eric Bibb (8 pm). Award-winning blues singer Eric Bibb comes by his chops honestly, the son of a popular New York-based folk singer and nephew of John Lewis, famed pianist of the Modern Jazz Quartet. And it didn’t hurt to have family friends like Pete Seeger, Odetta and Paul Robeson. He played steel string guitar from age seven, and dropped out of Columbia to pursue music in Paris, where he became immersed in the blues. He has since lived and worked throughout Europe and the US, garnering WC Handy nominations and “Best Newcomer” from the British Blues Awards. The great Taj Mahal said, “Eric is one of the new, young singers that has appeared on the scene that, much to my delight, has a great voice, is an excellent performer and has a great knowledge about the roots of this music." April 20-22, Tribute to Ray Brown with Christian McBride, Benny Green and Greg Hutchinson. Few bassists in jazz have had the influence of the late Ray Brown. His collaborations extended from Dizzy Gillespie and Ella Fitzgerald to the early edition of the Modern Jazz Quartet and his long tenure with the late Oscar Peterson. Among his many accomplishments as performer and manager were his efforts to promote the careers of young lions such as bassist Christina McBride, pianist Benny Green and drummer Greg Hutchinson. McBride, Green, and Hutchinson celebrate the life and music of Ray Brown with a three-night stand. If you remember Brown’s gigs at the old Dakota, you might also remember that Green and Hutchinson were along for the ride. And it’s no easy feat to be cast in the Ray Brown role, but if any modern bassist can pull it off, it’s Christian McBride, whom All About Jazz refers to as “perhaps the most exciting bass player since Ray Brown.” April 27, Jake Shimabukuro (7 pm only). Jazz, rock, pop and Hawaiian influences combine in the hands of this ukulele master, who says his instrument is an “untapped source of music with unlimited potential.” From age four in his native Hawaii, Jake devoured the ukulele, plugging in and gaining the reputation as the “Jimi Hendrix of ukulele.” Going against the current, however, Jake has evolved into an acoustic musician, and has played with or opened for Diana Krall, Fiona Apple, Bobby McFerrin, Les Paul, Jamie Cullum, Kaki King, Stanley Clarke, Bela Fleck, Jimmy Buffett and the Honolulu Symphony. Says Jake, “The ukulele is capable of being a very dynamic instrument. I focus on trying to expand the dynamic range of the ukulele, from soft to powerful. People have always heard the ‘softer’ side, but never the ‘angry’ side, the ‘rock ’n’ roll side’ of the ukulele.”  Karrin Allyson photo by Dwight Mccann
Local Jazz Scene (sets at 7 pm, 8 pm Friday & Saturday) There’s live music seven nights per week. The full Dakota calendar is available online at www.dakotacooks.com. Some jazz highlights for April: - April 1, Nancy Harms. A relative newcomer, Nancy is one of the rising star vocalists on the local scene. She swings and inspires.
- April 3, Connie Evingson CD Release Reprise. If you missed Connie’s CD release in February, you have another chance. Hear Connie’s latest project, the songs of Dave Frishberg.
- April 4-5, Bruce Henry. He’ll relocate to Chicago this summer so don’t miss any opportunity to hear one of the great baritones of local (and international) jazz.
- April 9, Snowblind. Brass rules with this quintet of young virtuosos.
- April 15, Laura Caviani Trio. Always a knock-out gig, one of the top pianists and composers around.
- April 19, Nachito Herrera. Fire and thunder, Havana’s best export always fills the house and raises the roof with his monstrous keyboarding and Cuban rhythms.
- April 23, Nichola Miller. It’s been a while since she released Live at the Dakota so join one of the area’s swingingest voices as she records some more.
 Sue Orfield (The Tiptons) ©Andrea Canter
Late at the Dakota (11:30 pm – 1:30 am, Friday and Saturday nights) About two years ago, the Dakota initiated a new series of mostly modern and experimental music, giving fans of serious jazz good reason to hang out after the usual weekend gigs and enjoy a low cover ($5) and late night food and drink specials. The popularity of this series keeps fueling the schedule. Check the website for full schedule, and note these highlights in April: - April 5, Zach Lozier Quintet. Young trumpeter plays regularly with Green, and tonight brings a tribute to Lee Morgan.
- April 19, JT Bates Trio. With pals Phil Aaron and Adam Linz, this will be an evening of sublime invention, led by the veteran of Fat Kid Wednesdays, the Kelly Rossum Quartet, and all things wild and jazzy.
- April 26, Counterclockwise. Bebop comes alive with the amazing trio of Tanner Taylor on organ (!), Zacc Harris on guitar, and Jay Epstein on drums.
Happy Hour There’s live music Thursdays and Fridays, 4:30-6:30 pm, no cover. - Thursdays, Travis Anderson Trio
- Fridays, Jazz by Fosse with Irv Williams
Coming Soon! - May 4, Freda Payne
- May 19, Javon Jackson with Les McCann
- May 27-28, Ivan Lins
- June 1, Nels Cline Singers
- June 2-3, Rosa Passos
- June 10-11, Yellowjackets with Mike Stern
The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall, in downtown Minneapolis. Full calendar and online reservations at www.dakotacooks.com
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Sunday, 07 September 2008
