Marcia Ball

No matter how you like your music—over-easy songs of the season, scrambled and edgy modern improvisers, hard boiled post bop, the Dakota Jazz Club has it all in December. Such annual favorites as the Bad Plus homecoming residency, Laura Caviani’s “Angels We Haven’t Heard” with Lucia Newell, holiday shows from Butch Thompson and the George Maurer Group, the Dakota Combo with special guest (this year, Irvin Mayfield), and a very special New Year’s Eve Party (this year with Moore by Four and the Steele Family) are all on the calendar, plus a much-anticipated CD Release from Christine Rosholt, recorded live last spring at the Dakota. Add in exciting touring artists like Ernestine Anderson, James Carter, Marica Ball, Toby Lightman and Luther Kent, as well as the month-long “warm up” act—the famous Holidazzle Parade, and you’ll find plenty of reasons to spend time on Nicollet Mall—no shopping required. 

National Touring Artists

Ticketed shows for national touring artists as well as special events—and most nights are special events in December—are often reserved well ahead, so visit the Dakota website for tickets or call for club reservations. Two shows, 7 pm and 9:30 pm for national shows unless otherwise noted. 

November 30-December 1, Ernestine Anderson. Closing out the Thanksgiving weekend is 80-year-old vocalist Ernestine Anderson, still going strong and owning the blues. A four-time Grammy nominee with five decades of song and 30 albums to her credit, the Houston native grew up with the blues, moved to Seattle as a teen and toured with Lionel Hampton before settling in New York. Winner of  Down Beat’s New Star Award for 1959, she lived in Europe for a while when American audiences turned more to rock ‘n roll, but saw a resurgence of interest in her career in the 1970s under the management of Ray Brown. She became a roster artist for Concord Records and sang often with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra in the 1990s.  

December 8, Toby Lightman (7 pm). Talented singer/songwriter and clever lyricist Toby Lightman has the versatility to cross genres and make it work every time. She started out on violin, not seriously considering singing til she performed a gospel version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” at her high school graduation. While at the University of Wisconsin, Toby taught herself to play guitar and continued pursuing singing opportunities, moving to New York City after graduation and ultimately landing a recording contract. She now has three CDs to her credit, including her 2008 release, Let Go. Lightman has performed with such bands as OAR, Rob Thomas, Jewel, Gavin DeGraw, Train, Prince, and Carbon Leaf. 

James Carter©Andrea Canter

December 14, Marica Ball. This singer/pianist has long been a popular act at the Dakota for good reason. Her engaging southern boogie and roadhouse blues have earned her accolades throughout her three decades of entertaining performances. The Minneapolis Star Tribune noted during a recent visit, "Ball is the bayou queen of the piano, steeped in blues and honky-tonk. When revved... she's a rollicking dynamo spewing heat-seeking triplets from the ivories while her horn-driven band wails. She's also a subtle songwriter and a formidable singer with a wisp of huskiness edging her Cajun-Texan twang." 

December 21, Luther Kent. Carrying on the Dakota’s commitment to the music and musicians of New Orleans is bluesman Luther Kent. Singing professionally since age 14, Kent did some tours with Blood, Sweat and Tears but has spent most of his career in his hometown. This is a rare appearance away from Crescent City. 

The Bad Plus

Special Events

Reservations in the club are highly recommended for these special shows, 7 pm unless otherwise noted. 

Irvin Mayfield©Andrea Canter

December 7, Butch Thompson Jazz Originals, Holiday Show (6 pm).  The local king of ragtime and stride piano, Thompson is well known for his long tenure with the Hall Brothers and on Prairie Home Companion. Also skilled on clarinet, Thompson performs with his trio, has performed at Preservation Hall in New Orleans, and produces Jazz Originals for KBEM radio. 

Laura Caviani©Andrea Canter

December 17, Christine Rosholt CD Release Party. Recorded “Live at the Dakota” last spring, now it’s time to celebrate the finished product with one of the Twin Cities most popular singers. A graduate of the Childrens’ Theater Company School, Christine makes full use of her acting talents to engage her audience and transform songs from the Great American Songbook into her personal scripts. Joining her will be her frequent bandmates, pianist Tanner Taylor, bassist Graydon Peterson, drummer Jay Epstein, and multi-reed specialist Dave Karr. 

December 23, George Maurer Group Holiday Show. Dubbed by Minnesota Public Radio as “one of central Minnesota’s sparkling contributions to the arts,” performer/producer/composer George Maurer is a master of eclecticism. He’s arranged for the Chiffons, played for White House staff, and composed music for the St. Paul Ballet Company and Bobby Vee. An acclaimed keyboardist, he’s arranged and produced music for genres from rock to pop to gospel. Often with his big band, tonight it’s the smaller George Maurer Group, as noted on his website, "performing world-class holiday songs with several grains of nutmeg and slightly too much egg-nog." Their holiday recording, Sniff the Mitten, was recorded at the Dakota, of course. 

December 31, New Year’s Eve (Dinner show 8 pm; Cocktail show at 10:30 pm). A double header for New Year’s Eve—reserve for one or both! The dinner show features acclaimed quartet Moore By Four, with pianist Sanford Moore backing the voices of Dennis Spears, Yolanda Bruce, Ginger Commodore, and Connie Evingson. Stick around for the late show at 10:30 with the gospel sounds of award-winning Steeles—JD, Fred, Jevetta and Jerlyn. It’s a night of songs to raise the roof and usher in a great New Year. Dinner show with creations from Jack Rieble’s kitchen, $100; Cocktail show with champagne and party favors, $80; both shows for $155. Reserve early! 

Other Gigs in December

Dan Musselman©Andrea Canter

• December 2, Nichola Miller. She’s sassy, smart and always on key. Nichola has one of the most swinging voices in town.
• December 3, Atlantis Quartet. They are young and restless and utterly exciting. Zacc Harris, Brandon Wozniak, Chris Bates and Pete Hennig take jazz to the next step.
• December 5, Nancy Harms. A band that swings and a singer who can be sweet and sultry.
• December 12-13, Nachito Herrera. A monthly favorite, Nachito and his band bring the rhythms of Cuba to Minnesota with volcanic energy.
• December 15, Larry McDonough Quartet. One of the most innovative of area pianists, Larry McDonough’s Simple Gifts recently was released nationally.  His original compositions often fracture time signatures, while his re-arrangements of standards are equally compelling.
• December 18, Dan Musselman. Young keyboard monster celebrated his first release of bold solo compositions last spring, and is well on his way to becoming one of the local heroes of jazz piano.
• December 22, Connie Evingson. No holiday season is complete without a few sets from Connie. And no one has a broader repertoire, from Peggy Lee to Lennon & McCartney to Django Reinhardt to Dave Frishberg.

Late Night at the Dakota

One of the most successful series of “new” and on-the-edge music, Late Night (Friday and Saturday) starts at 11:30 pm and goes on til 2 am. For $5, it’s the music bargain of the season.

• December 5, Bigbody Applehead
• December 6, Enormous Quartet (Chris Thomson, Park Evans, Chris Bates, Joey VanPhillips)
• December 12, Small City Trio (Jeremy Walker)
• December 13, Willie August Project
• December 26, Polipnick/Linz/Bates
• December 27, Adam Niewood Quartet (with Tony Blonigan, Adam Wozniak, Greg Schutte)

Coming in 2009

The Dakota recently announced these confirmed dates for the coming year:

• Buckwheat Zydeco, February 15
• Sophie Millman, February 16-17
• Joshua Redman, March 2-3
• Esperanza Spalding, March 5
• SF Jazz Collective with Joe Lovano, March 10
• Brad Mehldau, May 5
• Delfeayo Marsalis, May 12-13

In January, look forward to evenings with Doug Little, Joel Shapira, Monk in Motian, and some special nights with national touring artists. 

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com 
 

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