Irvin Mayfield©Andrea Canter

The third edition of the Dakota Combo – an elite ensemble of area youth jazz artists—has been selected following auditions in late September. Sponsored by the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education and the MacPhail Center for Music, the Combo will rehearse under the direction of trumpeter/MacPhail instructor Kelly Rossum and will perform with special guest artist, trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, at their fall show at the Dakota Jazz Club on December 6th. They will also perform during the Minnesota Music Educators Association annual conference in February, tour area schools in early 2009, and perform at the final Jazz Thursdays concert at the MacPhail Center for Music in May. Rehearsals get underway this month. 

Jake Baldwin©Andrea Canter

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  Corey Grindberg©Andrea Canter
  Ryan Freitas, saxophones, Willmar High School
• Tony Pistilli, tenor saxophone, Providence Academy
• Jake Baldwin, trumpet, Minnetonka High School
• Carson King-Fournier, trombone, Apple Valley High School
• Joe Strachan, piano, Northfield High School
• Corey Grindberg, bass, Minneapolis South High School
• Cameron LaCrone, drums, Minnetonka High School

Joe Strachan©Andrea Canter

• Peter Nyberg, alto saxophone, St. Paul Central High School
• Caleb McMahon, trumpet, Perpich Center for Arts Education
• John Cushing, trombone, Minnetonka High School
• Chris Misa, piano, Perpich Center for Arts Education
• Caitlin Kehliher, bass, Minneapolis Southwest High School
• Rob Fletcher, drums, Eden Prairie High School

Keep up to date with the Dakota Combo at www.dakotacombo.com. More information about the musicians and their upcoming performances will be posted soon!