June 3, Luba Mason (7 pm only). Blending jazz and Brazilian traditions into a jazzy pop vibe, vocalist Luba Mason is touring in support of her new recording, Krazy Love. She had early success on Broadway, performing in The Will Rogers Follies, Sunset Boulevard, Chicago and the revival of How to Succeed in Business; went on to roles in a variety of television productions, and took her vocal talents to such clubs as Catalina’s and Yoshi’s. At the Dakota she’ll be supported by guitarist Sandro Albert, who appears on Krazy Love. She’s got a couple Twin Cities-connected artists on her current tour—drummer J.T. Bates (Fat Kid Wednesdays) and bassist Michael O’Brien, recently transplanted to New York. We can hope they make this gig, too. 

June 8-9, Pinetop Perkins. (7 pm only). Blues pianist Pinetop Perkins is 95 and still going strong! His career began in the late 1920s. A rare opportunity to see essentially the entire history of blues piano in one performer. 

June 11, Bettye LaVette (7:30 and 10 pm). The Great Lady of Soul returns to one of her favorite clubs, and she is indeed one of our faves as well. In fact Bettye’s career was rejuvenated in 2004 when she took a comeback recording on tour and found a warm reception at the new Dakota. She’s been back annually ever since, always with a smokin’ band and her own brand of soul-wrenching soul and blues.  

June 21-22, Hiromi. We first met Hiromi at the 2004 Twin Cities Jazz Festival and she has made frequent returns to Minneapolis and the Dakota ever since. A protégé of Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal and Chick Corea (with whom she recently released the dazzling Duet), she possess some of the most technically adroit chops in modern jazz as well as one of the genre’s most inventive minds. Melding acoustic and electronic elements, she leads her Sonicbloom quartet through a largely original repertoire sprinkled with sizzling recreations of standards (as on the group’s latest Telarc release, Beyond Standard). Her usual cohorts will be on hand—guitarist David Fiuczynski and bassist Tony Grey, along with new drummer Mauricio Zottarelli.

June 23-24, Karrin Allyson. Another favorite and one-time Twin Cities resident, Karrin Allyson is among the top jazz vocalists performing today. An accomplished pianist who brings that instrumental sensibility to her vocal interpretations, Karrin’s repertoire is vastly diverse, from Coltrane to Jobim, blues to Latin. Who does she sound like? Karrin Allyson, no one else. 

June 28, Karriem Riggins Experience with Mulgrew Miller. Dynamite drummer brings a virtuoso musical experience to the Dakota! The Detroit native is an alum of Betty Carter’s famed Jazz Ahead program who has performed with the likes of Hank Jones, Ray Brown, Oscar Peterson, Milt Jackson, Donald Byrd, Cedar Walton, Bobby Hutcherson, Kenny Burrell, Benny Green, Mulgrew Miller, Ron Carter, Gary Bartz and Diana Krall. Equally accomplished as a hip-hop artist as jazzman, 34-year-old Riggins brings his new project to the Dakota, opening with a drum showcase with DJ and closing with his quintet, featuring the highly acclaimed piano master, Mulgrew Miller. This night will indeed be an Experience! 

June 30-July 1, Dr. John (tiered seating). The former Mac Rebennack has built a reputation as one of the powerhouses of boogie and blues piano, bringing his unique brand of New Orleans, R&B, and rock to stages worldwide. Add in his gravely vocals and a bit of voodoo magic and you have a one-man show to bring down the house.  

Local Favorites ($5 cover, 7 pm weeknights; $10 cover, 8 pm on Friday/Saturday unless otherwise noted). 

June 4, Paul Renz Group. The best of modern bop from guitar master Renz and his stellar ensemble. 

June 5, Scottie Miller and the Re-Uptake Inhibators. New Orleans/blues piano and vocals. A guaranteed anti-depressant. 

June 6, George Maurer. Master of eclectic pandemonium. 

June 12-13, Ginger Commodore Quartet. One of the area’s most distinctive and outstanding voices, Ginger covers jazz, blues and gospel as if she owns them all.  

June 15, Christine Rosholt. Popular chanteuse always has some new material, as well as a great band, led by Tanner Taylor and featuring saxman Dave Karr.

June 16, Linda and Jason Peterson. Two from the famed Peterson clan who rarely come into town at the same time, given their busy performing schedules. Brother and sister act that will truly “beat the band.” 

June 17, A Piece of Prairie Home Companion with Pat Donahue, Dan Newton and Gary Raynor ($7). Three of the best reasons to tune in to PHC with guitarist/vocalist Donahue, accordionist Newton and bassist Raynor sharing the stage, live. 

June 18, John Raymond Project. We’ve been saying for years that this is one of the best young monsters to come along in a long time. He’s still young but now he’s a college grad and heading to New York to pursue music studies and wow new audiences, so catch him while you can! Trumpeter Raymond always assembles a stellar ensemble. 

June 19-20, Nachito Herrera ($15). A taste of Havana with a sprinkling of bebop and maybe a little Bach or Chopin? Nothing says summer heat like a night with Nachito, the enemy of piano tuners and delight of every audience he encounters. 

June 25, Alicia Wiley. Pianist/vocalist who straddles genres with ease and virtuosity. 

June 26-27, Bruce Henry ($12). Back again! Although master vocalist Bruce Henry moved back to his native Chicago nearly a year ago, he finds his way back to the Dakota often, always sounding even better than the time before, and always with his local band of standouts.

  

June 29, Cookie Coleman/Cynthia Johnson/Pat Frederick. Three Dakota favorite share the stage, so that makes it a Triple Vocal Delight. 

Late Night at the Dakota

One of the area’s longest-running club series, and one of the best for new music. Sets start at 11:30 on Fridays and Saturdays and the cover is only $5. Check the calendar for full schedule. Jazz highlights in June:

• June 5, Rossum/Olcott Food Team Duo
• June 13, Chris Thomson Quartet
• June 20, Terence Hughes/Phil Fest
• June 27, Bryan Nichols Trio

 

Coming Soon!

• July 2, Charles Lloyd Quartet with Jason Moran
• July 5-6, Roseanne Cash
• July 10-11, Estaire Godinez
• July 12, Steve Smith and Vital Information
• July 14-15, Julian Lage
• August 2, Marcia Ball
• August 24-26, Suzanne Vega
• August 29-30, Kelly Rossum Send-off

 
 

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com. Reservations recommended for national shows.