Benny Green & Bucky PizzarelliŠAndrea Canter

Save a few late sets during the RNC, it’s business as usual at the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis. And that business is to present an eclectic mix of music, jazz and beyond, from talented local performers to seldom-seen-in-clubs touring artists, from the top of the Mississippi to the delta, east coast and west coast, seven nights per week. September highlights include the early return of one of the most tantalizing pairs to grace the Dakota stage, Benny Green and Bucky Pizzarelli, back now for a live recording date. Roy Hargrove also returns on the heels of his latest CD release; and the Dakota welcomes back Duke Robillard, John Boutte, Maria Muldaur and Jaqui Naylor. Appearing for the first time at the Minneapolis location are guitar legend Earl Klugh and Grammy winning singer/songwriter Shawn Colvin. There will also be hot local talent including two appearances by Debbie Duncan and one-nighters with Connie Evingson, Connie Olson,  Christine Rosholt, Ginger Commodore, Nichola Miller, with Davina and the Vagabonds leading off the month. 

National Touring Artists (Sets at 7 and 9:30 unless otherwise noted; see website for covers) 

September 5, John Boutte and Paul Sanchez (8 pm, $15). Two New Orleanians share the stage! Soulful singer Boutte has become a popular visitor at the Dakota. Tonight he’s joined by former Cowboy Mouth guitarist/singer/songwriter Paul Sanchez. 

September 7-8, Roy Hargrove Quinttet ($40/$25). After Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove is probably the best known trumpeter on the planet today. And at only 38, his output as a recording artist (16 sessions as leader or coleader) is almost as remarkable as his chops. His recent project, RH Factor, created a lot of buzz by merging R&B and hip-hop mainstream with jazz, but his past and current efforts are decidedly more Dizzy than Ice-T. Last year Hargrove released new CDs with each band, Nothing Serious (Quartet) and Distraction (RH Factor). In truth, the jazz this night will be “something serious.” And now the quartet celebrates its latest release, brand new Earfood. Aptly named. 

September 9, Duke Robillard ($20/15). Three decades encompassing Roomful of Blues and the Duke Robillard Band have brought this bluesman plenty of acclaim and awards, including four of five consecutive Blues Music (W.C. Handy) Awards as “best guitarist.” Also a recipient of a Grammy nomination and the Rhode Island Pell Award, Robillard always attracts a crowd at the Dakota so reserve your seat early! 

September 14-15, Earl Klugh ($40/$25). Often cited as one of the best acoustic guitarists on the scene, Detroit native Earl Klugh is well known in smooth jazz circles, but his sound is really a blend of jazz, pop and R&B. Klugh was considered a prodigy when his talent first came to light, and since he has evolved into a pioneer and now a legend of contemporary jazz. His work with Bob James garnered Grammy; he has 22 Billboard Top Ten releases and 11 Grammy nominations. His new recording Spice of Life launched with a bang. 

Jacqui NaylorŠOliver Heineman

September 23-24, Maria Muldaur ($25/20). Maria Muldaur has sustained a diverse singing career for four decades, bringing the great American Songbook blues, gospel, folk, country and R&B to stages throughout the world. Be it “Midnight at the Oasis” or prime time at the Dakota, Maria delivers a sincere repertoire.

September 28-29, Benny Green and Bucky Pizzarelli Live Recording ($25/18). In early August, Lowell Pickett introduced pianist and Oscar Peterson protégé Benny Green to seven-string guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli. They met at sound check and by 7 pm were swinging like old friends. Across their four sets, we were treated to some of the most simpatico duets ever on the Dakota stage, and we were just sorry no one thought to record the exchange. It didn’t take Lowell long to schedule the encore and book the recording engineer. Be a part of history when this cross-generational swingest proves lightning can strike twice in the same place. (See a review of the August gig, click here.)

Roy HargroveŠAndrea Canter

Locally Sustainable Jazz

Our rich local jazz scene is frequently on display at the Dakota, usually for a $5 cover weeknights. Shows at 7 pm Sunday-Thursday and 8 pm Friday and Saturday unless otherwise noted. Do note that during the Republican Convention, most nights will start at 10:45 pm; the Dakota is closed for a private party on September 2nd.

September 1, Davina and the Vagabonds ($10, 10:45 pm). Enjoy the end of the holiday weekend with the blues and roots music of the very popular Davina Sowers and her Vagabonds.

September 3, Debbie Duncan ($10, 10:45 pm). Minnesota’s First Lady of Song might be singing for a potential First Lady tonight. Be it a sultry ballad or a raucous blues, Debbie is always a class act.

September 4, Ginger Commodore and Geoff Jones ($10, 10:45 pm). Two of our best area voices together on stage. Ginger is a popular performer, be it solo, with her quartet or with Moore By Four. Add in Geoff Jones and you have two for the show! It will be a Grand Old Party.

September 6, Ronn Easton’s All Star Soul Revue ($10, 8 pm). Convention is over, time to get down and cleanse your soul! An All Star Soul Revue is the winning ticket.

September 10, Jennifer Grimm. Young singer with a new CD, After Noon.

Dan MusselmanŠAndrea Canter

September 13, Ginger Commodore ($10, 8 pm). If you avoided downtown during the RNC, fear not, here is another chance to hear those velvety pipes and wide-ranging repertoire of one of the Twin Cities' most prized voices.

September 17, Twin Cities Hot Club. For a taste of the hot clubs of 1930s Paris, you need to look no farther than a jazz club in 21st century Minneapolis! The TCHC holds a regular Sunday night gig at the Times, so expect to see a lot of their regular followers and a few swing dancers squeezing between the tables.

September 18, Nichola Miller. Bright, sassy and swinging, this vocalist spent some time in New York but missed her Minnesota audience and traded the Big Apple for the Mini Apple. Their loss.

September 19-20, Debbie Duncan and George Faber ($10, 8 pm). Two local legends of blues and more.

Connie OlsonŠAndrea Canter

September 22, Christine Rosholt. It’s become a monthly show from one of the fastest rising vocalists in the area and a singer’s dream band of Tanner Taylor, Dave Karr, Graydon Peterson and Jay Epstein.

September 25-26 ($20, 8 pm). Nachito Herrera’s All Stars. Our own Cuban Missle Crisis erupts whenever this keyboard dynamo takes the stage. For two nights, Nachito’s 12-piece band blasts away in preparation for their gig at the Austin City Limits Festival.

Nachito HerreraŠAndrea Canter

September 27, Tom Hunter ($10, 8 pm). Blues piano will warm up that nip in the air. 

Late Night at the Dakota (11:30 pm – 1:30 am, $5 cover)

Some of the best in young and new talents, and new music, every Friday and Saturday nights. September highlights:

• September 5, Reid Kennedy Trio with Chris Lomheim and Graydon Peterson
• September 12, Jelloslave (2 tabla, percussion quartet)
• September 19, Snowblind (brass quintet, no piano)
• September 20, James Buckley Trio with Bryan Nichols and JT Bates
• September 27, Charlie Devanna, a new group from Park Evans

Coming Soon!

• October 5-6, Ruthie Foster
• October 15, Lura
• October 23-24, Ola Onabule
• October 27-28, Stanley Jordan Trio
• November 2, Booker T and the MGs

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Information and reservations at 612-332-1010 or www. dakotacooks.com