The Out to Lunch Quintet at the Artists Quarter©Andrea Canter

Too often I hear complaints from would-be jazz fans that it’s too expensive to go out and hear live music in the Twin Cities. They will cite Orchestra Hall or downtown clubs that they perceive as offering hefty ticket prices and often expensive parking. And indeed, concert hall tickets can cost $45 and up; ramp parking downtown can run $8 a pop (or more for “event parking”). But in truth, the vast majority of jazz performances in the Twin Cities are not taking place at Orchestra Hall or Ordway; even downtown clubs have many bargain nights and many of the ramps offer reduced rates in the evenings. Additionally, more and more jazz is appearing at neighborhood and suburban venues where parking and usually the admission are free. So where is all this “free and cheap” jazz in the Twin Cities, and how do you learn about it?

Learning about jazz offerings, free and otherwise, is pretty easy online. Check out Jazz Police of course! But also check out the Twin Cities Jazz Society home page, venue websites (The Dakota, Artists Quarter, Crave, Maude and more have frequently updated sites with music calendars); MinnPost (Pamela Espeland provides a weekly set of recommendations along with an interesting view on one of upcoming events—often a free or cheap one); Maryann Sullivan's Corner Jazz on KBEM every Saturday night covers the local scene. Want print? There are listings every Friday in the Star and Tribune’s Variety section as well as a few highlights in City Pages.

The following is not an exhaustive list of area venues catering to jazz as well as entertainment budgets, but provides a listing of venues that routinely can fill your needs for bop and more without requiring a significant investment. And remember that, once summer finally arrives, there will be more options for outdoor music, including the free Twin Cities Jazz Festival in June (June 18-20 in Mears Park St Paul). Keep in mind, particularly in this age of recession, clubs and restaurants come and go, and some recent sad departures include The Times and Cue... but fingers are crossed that both will rise again.

Artists Quarter (408 St Peter Street, St Paul; www.artistsquarter.com)

The AQ is beloved by musicians and fans alike for its cozy, neighborhood-bar friendliness and terrific jazz six (sometimes seven) nights per week. Monday, you can hear the trio Green and open mic poetry readings for no cover at all; Tuesday-Thursday the cover rarely exceeds $5 for such popular jazzers as The Tuesday Night Band, Laura Caviani, Phil Hey, Peter Schimke, Fat Kid Wednesdays, the X-Tet, Lucia Newell, Debbie Duncan and more. And on weekends, the cover generally is $10-12. Even if a big name national act comes to down, which averages monthly, the cover will be far lower than what you would pay elsewhere—rarely exceeding $20 for such monster musicians as Eric Alexander, Jim Rotondi, Ari Hoenig, Lee Konitz or Mose Allison. No food although you can order in from adjacent Great Waters or Wild Thymes; the bar has all the basics at neighborhood prices as well. Parking? Find a spot on the street after 6 for no charge or use the Macy’s Ramp at 6^th and Wabasha (one block from the AQ) for $3 after 6 regardless of any area events. And on Sundays the ramp is free. Except for Mondays (7 pm) and usually Sundays (8 pm), the music starts at 9 pm.

Café Maude (5411 Penn Av South, Minneapolis; www.cafemaude.com)

Since opening in spring 2007, Maude has become one of the hot neighborhood spots for the younger generation, but also a destination for serious jazz listeners. Of course listening is challenging up til about 10:30 pm on weekends, but particularly on Friday nights, the stage will feature the best of cutting-edge jazz (Michael Lewis, Chris Thomson, Chris and JT Bates, James Buckley, Adam Linz, Dean Granros, Bryan Nichols and more) and the music goes on til midnight. Come earlier if you want to sample Maude’s eclectic and reasonable menu and long list of interesting beverages—but only with a reservation because there just won’t be a table otherwise. But expect a din. For music, come late, you will probably find a table and you’ll be able to hear. No cover. Free on-street parking although you might need to walk a block on a weekend night.

Clown Lounge at the Turf Club

Below the Turf Club off University and Snelling in St Paul sits a little cavern for experimental and very modern music. Monday nights, it’s often the site for bands like Fat Kid Wednesdays. Music starts late, usually 9:30, and cover is usually $5. Parking? On the street.

Crave at Galleria (70^th and York, Edina; www.cravemn.com)

One of the most well-intentioned music spaces in the south metro, Crave fills the old Sidney’s space at Galleria. Which means it was never built as a music venue. But poor acoustics and a teeny performance space locked in by a fireplace and booths notwithstanding, Crave brings great music to an eclectic restaurant setting. With masterful pianist Laura Caviani curating the jazz, you can count on her elegant trio most Friday nights, and usually one of the area’s top vocalists—Lucia Newell, Patty Peterson, Maud Hixson, Dorothy Doring, Arne Fogel…And when Laura takes the night off from Crave, you may find Mary Louise Knutson or Phil Aaron cramped over the electric keyboard instead. The music is close to the bar and the sound dim unless you are right across from it, but come after 10 when the crowd thins out, find a table or booth close to the band, and you can enjoy some intimate, very classy music… and some reasonable munchies as well. No cover, free parking in the Galleria lots. Music Friday nights from 8:30-11:30 pm.  Also check out the new Crave at the West End Shops in St. Louis Park for Sunday brunch with Charmin Michelle and Rick Carlson.

Dakota County Steak House (Nicollet and County Rd 42 in the Burnsville Holiday Inn; http://www.hiburnsville.com/all_that_jazz/index.cfm)

In its second year as a major weekend jazz destination, the music café within the steakhouse has a small stage, comfortable bar, and adjacent dining room. Jazz usually is scheduled on Friday nights and often again on Saturday nights, and never a cover charge or bar minimum. You can just come in and listen to some of the best area vocalists backed by the best area rhythm sections—here Vicky Mountain, Dorothy Doring, Katie Gearty, Lee Engele, Arne Fogel, Maud Hixson and more. And if you want a snack or dinner, the bar and dining room menus offer great variety at reasonable prices, from huge crabcakes for $9 to prime rib and other steaks at $15 and up. Reservations for the dining room recommended on weekends. Park in the free hotel lot. Music usually from 8-11 pm.

Dakota Jazz Club (1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com)

Christine Rosholt at the Dakota Jazz Club©Andrea Canter

Fireside Pizza (67^th and Penn, Richfield; 612-869-4040)

What’s one of the best vocalists in the Upper Midwest doing with a weekly gig in a little Richfield pizza parlor? Singing her heart out, of course. Charmin Michelle has been a Monday night (and sometimes Wednesday night) favorite here for the past few years, usually in the company of Denny Malmberg. The “stage” is a tiny space not even built for two, but the songs are buttery renditions of standards that go quite well with pepperoni and beer. No cover and the pizza is a good deal any night. Music 6:30-8:30 pm.

Hell's Kitchen (80 S. 9th Streent, Minneapolis)

In the old Rossi's space with it's own kitschy decor, Hell is offering live music which currently features the Wolverines Trio and guests on Wednesday nights (Rick Carlson, Steve Pikal and Jendeen Forberg), and other area favorites on weekends. It's still in a basement space but any other similarity to Rossi's is gone--people seem to be coming in to listen (or dance), the wait staff is friendly, and the word is that musicians are treated with respect. If you are going to Hell, this is a great way to go!

Honey (205 E. Hennepin, Minneapolis)

In the space formerly known as Jitters below the restaurant formerly known as the Times (now Ginger Hop), it's still a basement club but the ambience is definitely more upbeat, the menu more enticing (especially the chocolate tastings!) and the jazz more frequent. And still no cover. Hear Nichola Miller, Christine Rosholt, Nancy Harms, Maud Hixson and more of your favorites most evenings.

MacPhail Center for Music (501 S. Second Street, Minneapolis; www.macphail.org)

The new digs of the region’s largest community music school also include several beautiful performance spaces and there’s an unending array of free and inexpensive music throughout the year. You can hear MacPhail faculty or student recitals, a Thursday night jazz series (four per year at either no charge or $5); master classes in all genres (usually $5 for nonstudents). Parking at meters or adjacent ramps.

A jazz joint in a suburban mall? The Sage has live music a few nights per week, and often it's a jazz duo or trio on the weekend. With a long wine list and some great bar food (try the flat crust pizza!), it's a laid back, friendly way to unwind after work, and you might hear some of the best vocalists in the area to boot.

St. Paul Hotel, Lobby Bar (350 Market Street, St. Paul)

One of the most elegant spots in the city, the St Paul Hotel's Lobby Bar now sports live music every Saturday night, and the gig belongs to equally elegant and classy pianist/vocalist JoAnn Funk and her usual partner, bassist Jeff Brueske. From 7-11 pm, you can sip wine, order from an extensive bar menu, and just sit back and enjoy music far more sophisticated than what one generally finds in similar settings--Blosssom Dearie is a favorite.

And More!

For more jazz in your neighborhood, check out the following for calendars as jazz (free!) is often on the calendar:

• 318 Restaurant --318 Water Street, Excelsior; www.three-eighteen.com

• Club Saratoga--331 Canal Park, Duluth; 218-727-7865
• Hat Trick Lounge--134 East 5th Street, St Paul; 651-228-1347
• Ingreidents Cafe --4725 Hwy 61 North, White Bear Lake;www.ingredientscafe.com
• O’Gara’s -- 164 N. Snelling, St. Paul; www.ogaras.com (Big bands every week)
• The Nortons-- W. 7171 135th Avenue, Bay City, WI; 715-792-2464 
• Rogue Buddha Gallery -- 357 13th Av NE, Minneapolis; www.roguebuddha.com. (experimental music at least monthly)
• Wabasha Street Caves--215 Wabasha Street, South St. Paul;651-224-1191; www.wabashastreetcaves.com
• Washington Square Bar & Grill - 4736 Washington Square, White Bear Lake; http://wbsquare.googlepages.com

For a listing of venues for "improvised" (experiemental, free jazz) music in the Twin Cities, many which are free or very low covers, see Pamela Espeland's list at: www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/8622/115/

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