Icehouse (Fat Kid Wednesdays) © 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, now offering the area's continuously updated Live Jazz Calendar;  venue websites (The Dakota, Artists Quarter and more have frequently updated sites with music calendars);  Maryann Sullivan's Local Corner on KBEM every Thursday night covers the local scene. Want print? Gigs at clubs and concert venues are listed every Friday in the Star and Tribune’s Variety section as well as a few highlights in City Pages. Concert venues are listed in the Twin Cities Jazz Society's Jazz Notes and jazz gigs are listed in the online CODA and easily printed out.

Brandon Wozniak, Mike Lewis and Erik Fratzke at the AQ©Andrea Canter

The following is not an exhaustive list of area venues catering to jazz as well as tight 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, during the summer, there will be more options for outdoor music, including the free Twin Cities Jazz Festival in June (in Mears Park St Paul), and smaller festivals in Bloomington and Burnsville. Keep in mind that, particularly in this age of recession, clubs and restaurants come and go. For purpose of this listing, we consider only venues offering jazz for $12 cover or less.

318 Cafe (318 Water Street, Excelsior)

Looking for music out in the west burbs? This little joint has good food and drink, a small stage, and a calendar with of some of the best local music in the metro. Reynold Philipsek is a frequent performer, but you can hear the likes of Christine Rosholt for a $6 cover midweek. The music is very eclectic so check the website to find something to your liking.

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 HeadSpace and open mic poetry readings for no cover at all; Tuesday-Thursday the cover rarely exceeds $5 for such popular jazzers as  Laura Caviani, Phil Hey, Dave Karr, the X-Tet, Lucia Newell, Chris Lomheim and more. And the usual early sets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays also charge no cover! On weekends, the cover generally is $10-12. Even if a big name national act comes to down, which averages once 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 (except once or twice per week, sample "Westside Tacos"), 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 (free on Sundays) regardless of any area events. Most nights music starts at 9 pm, 7 on Mondays and when there is an early show (Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

Black Dog Cafe' (308 Prince Street, St Paul; http://blackdogstpaul.com)

Aside from Lowertown's growing reputation as the place for avant culture and after-work socializing in St Paul, the Black Dog has long been a hot spot for both. Currently, Community Pool--Deep End series on alternating Fridays is curated by Fantastic Merlin saxman Nathan Hanson and bassist Brian Roessler, who program some of the area's most interesting music. First Tuesdays it's Dean Magraw and Davu Seru! Never a cover. And some great sandwiches and pizza to go with the local brews.

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.  Cafe Maude now features music usually on Wednesday nights at 7 pm,  featuring the best of cutting-edge jazz (Michael Lewis, Chris Thomson, Chris and JT Bates, James Buckley, Adam Linz, Dean Granros, Bryan Nichols, Todd Clouser and more). Come for dinner 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 near the music otherwise. But expect a din as you move further from the stage. No cover. Free on-street parking although you might need to walk a block.

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

Tanner Taylor on keys at Jazz Central © 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 twice-weekly gig in a little Richfield pizza parlor? Singing her heart out, of course. Charmin Michelle has been a Monday/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. And when Charmin is otherwise busy, her subs are topnotch--often Maud Hixson.  No cover and the pizza is a good deal any night. Music 7-9 pm. 

Hell's Kitchen (80 S. 9th Street, 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 throughout the week, from crooners like Arne Fogel to brunch with modern ensembles like Fat Kid Wednesdays. 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!

Icehouse (2528 Nicollet Av South). Remember the old Clown Lounge "Jazz Implosion" series? Curator/drummer JT Bates brings it back on Mondays at the Icehouse in south Minneapolis. And it really was an old Icehouse, then studio, now combination bar and trendy dining spot with a stage and almost nightly music. Monday's Implosion features the likes of Dave King, Fat Kid Wednesdays and other like-minded ear blowing ensembles. Weekends features a piano/bass duo like Adam Linz and Tommy O'Donnell, James Buckley and Bryan Nichols. Quirky but mighty fine bar and food menues.

Jazz Central (407 Central Av NE, Minneapolis). Yes, Minneapolis has its own underground jazz club. Formed in 2010 by Tanner Taylor and Mac Santiago, Jazz Central operates out of an old recording studio with a small but warm performance space for weekly jams, Tuesday Night big bands (yes, the big band takes up about half the space), and various other performances throughout the week. Usually no cover, donations are encouraged to pay the rent as well as musicians. This is a great opportunity to hear combinations of musicians that don't otherwise come together and to focus in on some of our top sidemen.

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

Resurrection at Studio Z © Andrea Canter

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 Fridays during December), 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.

Studio Z (275 E 4th Street, #200, St Paul)

Home to the new music ensemble Zeitgeist, Studio Z hosts other gigs as well, such as Insurgent (Pat Moriarty, Ellen Lease, Phil Hey) and visiting avant garde musicians and composers. Coming back for 2012-2013 is the monthly "Jazz at Studio Z" performance at 7 pm, usually third Saturday of the month. This series is curated by Zacc Harris, so you know the music will be intriguing.

The Lexington (1096 Grand Av, St Paul)

The stately restaurant has gone through some updating lately, including the addition of a jazz series curated by Arne Fogel. Now on Friday and Saturday nights, in the clubby Williamsburg Room, you can dine with the likes of Fogel, Maud Hixson, Connie Evingson, Patty Peterson, Debbie Duncan, Charmin Michelle, Thomas Bruce and more, usually with a duo or trio of fine instrumentalists. No charge if you spend $20 in the dining room, which is easy to do and worth it.

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

• 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
• Wabasha Street Caves--215 Wabasha Street, South St. Paul;651-224-1191; www.wabashastreetcaves.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/. And keep up with the LIve Jazz Calendar here on Jazz Police! 

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