Jazz Police - Impulso! Magraw, Wozniak and Epstein at the Artists Quarter, March 13-14

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Impulso! Magraw, Wozniak and Epstein at the Artists Quarter, March 13-14

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Saturday, 20 March 2010

Impulso! Magraw, Wozniak and Epstein at the Artists Quarter, March 13-14

Written by Andrea Canter, Contributing Editor

Monday, 09 March 2009

Impulso: Brandon Wozniak, Dean Magraw, Jay Epstein

One of the most prolific and popular musicians based in the Twin Cities, guitarist Dean Magraw is also one of the most eclectic, with a thirty-year career spanning genres and cultures, from blues to classical to folk and jazz, from Japanese and Indian to Celtic and middle American. Leader of his Dean Magraw Trio and Red Planet, Dean has conjured yet another ensemble that makes its Artists Quarter debut this weekend (March 13-14). Dubbed Impulso, this features Brandon Wozniak on saxophones and Red Planet partner Jay Epstein on drums.

Dean Magraw©Andrea Canter

Starting out on bugle, St. Paul native Dean Magraw studied classical guitar at the University of Minnesota and Berklee College of Music in Boston. For many years, Magraw was half of a popular partnership with mandolin virtuoso Peter Ostroushko. Straddling jazz, folk, bluegrass and more, he has performed with and/or recorded with Ruth McKenzie, Claudia Schmidt and Greg Brown, among others; he has explored his Celtic heritage performing with Celtic accordionist John Williams. Other collaborations include Japanese shamisen prodigy Nitta Masahiro, classical violinist Nigel Kennedy, South Indian vocalist and vina virtuoso Nirmala Rajasheker, songstress and storyteller Ruth MacKenzie, Irish supergroup Altan, Garrison Keillor and Prairie Home Companion, and jazz bassist Anthony Cox. Magraw’s first solo recording, Broken Silence, won the NAIRD 1994 Best Acoustic Instrumental Album of the Year. Dean released Seventh One in 1998, the solo album Heavy Meadow in 2004, Raven with John Williams in 2006; and appears on Claudia Schmidt’s 2006 release, Live at the Dakota with his quintet.

Brandon Wozniak©Andrea Canter

A year ago, Dean and his regular trio of Jim Anton and JT Bates released the acclaimed Unseen Rain. Of Magraw, Steve Tibbetts wrote, "It's guitar, but it's so liquid, lyrical and effortless that it's like listening to a dancer."

Brandon Wozniak has become one of the most in-demand saxophonist in the metro area, currently performing with the Atlantis Quartet, Monk in Motian, singers Bruce Henry and Katie Gearty, and just last week, with the Dean Magraw Quintet backing Claudia Schmidt. Brandon’s wide-ranging skills reflect his diverse background, including living in New York (1999 to 2005) and performing for six months in Shanghai, China and seven months in Berlin (with rock band Zwiebel Zwiebel Hurra). He’s studied with David Baker at Indiana University and privately with Chris Potter. Among Brandon’s performance credits are singer Nellie McKay, George Porter Jr., Johnny Vidacovich, Joe Krown, and The Tommy Dorsey Jazz Orchestra. Jazz Improv Magazine noted that "Wozniak demonstrates impeccable articulation as he explores the possibilities throughout the range of the saxophone."

Drummer Jay Epstein is seen all over the Twin Cities, often in the company vocalists (Christine Rosholt, Connie Evingson) and top instrumentalists (Bill Carrothers, Gordy Johnson, Benny Weinbeck, Mary Louise Knutson, Dean Magraw). He had a long-standing gig with the Phil Aaron Trio at the Hotel Sofitel in Bloomington, and released a highly acclaimed recording, Long Ago. Jay studied polyrhythmic concepts in Manhattan with Barry Altschul (drummer in Chick Corea's Circle) and lived in Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, and Miami before moving to Minneapolis, and played in house bands for 5 years on several cruise lines. In addition to Impulso and Red Planet, Jay plays regularly with another guitar trio, Framework, and the quartet Main Time.

Bringing together three of the area’s most exciting improvisers, Impulso promises a weekend of sonic high-wire thrills. Sets Friday and Saturday at 9 pm at the AQ!

The Artists Quarter is located at 408 St. Peter Street in downtown St. Paul. Visit www.artistsquarter.com

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