 Freda Payne © Andrea Canter Lowell Pickett continues to bring a variety of music into the Dakota Jazz Club in May, along with rare chances to hear Freda Payne, Les McCann and Ivan Lins. Then there’s the surprise guest appearing with Tiempo Libre on Monday, May 5th! As always, a stunning array of local music pervades the schedule. National Touring Artists Sets usually at 7 and 9:30 pm, 8 and 10 pm on Friday/Saturday. Reservations highly recommended. May 4, Freda Payne. In her teens, eclectic vocalist Freda Payne was courted by both Duke Ellington and Berry Gordy. Jazz or Motown? But first she had to finish high school. Moving to New York, Payne released a couple jazz albums in the mid 60s and understudied for Leslie Uggams on Broadway (Hallelujah Baby) before finding success in R&B with the hit “Band of Gold” in 1970. Through the 70s and 80s, Freda was more often on stage and in front of the camera than in the studio, but saw a resurgence of her recording career in the 90s. Now Freda returns to her jazz roots with “A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald.”
 Tiempo Libre
May 7-8, Erin Bode. It’s a homecoming for young singer Erin Bode. Transplanted to St. Louis in her teens, Wayzata native Bode has two well-received MaxJazz recordings and plenty of accolades to her credit. She debuted at the Dakota in early 2005; this will be her third appearance with The Erin Bode Group, an ensemble she is reluctant to define as jazz. Which matters very little for a singer often compared to the likes of Norah Jones and Eva Cassiday. May 12, Typhanie Monique and Neal Alger (7 pm only). This dynamic vocal/guitar due blows in from Chicago where they have become local legends of eclectic grooves, combining jazz, rock, pop, R&B and soul. Alger has toured internationally with Patricia Barber, another vocal star from the Windy City.  Javon Jackson
May 27-28, Ivan Lins. The Dakota has had a hot link to Brazil lately, including Karrin Allyson’s performance of Brazilian songs in late April and a visit from Vinicius Cantuaria in March. Now one of the sources of legendary Brazilian song takes the stage himself. He stands second only to Antonio Carlos Jobim in the impact of his compositions on American performers. His songs have been performed and recorded by everyone from Elis Regina to Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan to Dianne Schur, Mark Murphy and Jane Monheit.  Bobby Lyle©Andrea Canter
Local Highlights There’s jazz seven nights per week at the Dakota, featuring new and established local artists, CD release parties and more. Weeknights start at 7, Friday and Saturday usually at 8 pm. Cover usually only $5 for weeknight local gigs. Full calendar on the Dakota website. Jazz highlights for May: - May 6, Nancy Harms. New young vocalist with a bright future!
- May 9, Bruce Henry. New world jazz from baritone innovator Bruce Henry.
- May 10, Cookie Coleman. Great vocal interpretations of classic jazz standards.
- May 11, Peterson Family. Three generations of Minnesota’s first family of music.
- May 14, Connie Evingson. From hot club swing to songbook standards to the Fab Four and the music of Dave Frishberg, Connie covers it all.
- May 16-17, Nachito Herrera. Cuban maestro brings fire and lava floes to the Dakota stage.
- May 18, Jazz Piano Scholarship Competion (2 pm). Annual finals of this great event sponsored by the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education and Schubert Club. Hear the three top applicants play with a seasoned trio before a stellar team of judges, with $2000 in scholarships to be awarded. Open to the public!
 Gordy Johnson©Andrea Canter - May 21, Tresa Sauer. She's been absent from the Dakota stage far too long. This is a bright and joyful voice to help you over the midweek blahs.
- May 23-24, Debbie Duncan & George Faber. Memorial Day weekend will be memorable for this pairing of favorite voices rockin' the blues.
- May 25, Gordy Johnson “Trios” CD Release Party. Acclaimed bassist Gordy Johnson has assembled yet another in his series of trios for piano, bass and drums with a cast of local and visiting greats. Expect some of the best piano trio music of the year…. Or the decade.
- May 29, CC Septet. All connected to Century College, CC Septet features a great blending of brass and more.
- May 31, Paul Renz with Anders Bostrom. Another CD release party from one of the kings of guitar and a flute /woodwind monster. Renz and his quintet live up to the title, Rebop.
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 May: - May 2, Doug Little and Charanga Tropicale. Sounds of the Caribbean, and very danceable.
- May 16, Ellen Lease/Pat Moriarity Quintet. Modern improvisation at its best.
- May 23, Volcano Insurance. Guitar trio that truly erupts.
- May 30, Ryan Lehman Quartet. A new sax voice on the Twin Cities scene.
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! - June 1, Nels Cline Singers
- June 5-6, Ashford & Simpson
- June 10-11, The Yellowjackets with Mike Stern
- June 16, Taylor Eigsti Trio
- June 18, Patricia Barber
- June 22, Henry Butler
- June 23, Barbara Dennerlein
- June 28-29, Sheila E
- June 30, Orchestra Baobab
The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall, in downtown Minneapolis. Full calendar and online reservations at www.dakotacooks.com
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Monday, 08 September 2008
