National Touring Artists (sets at 7 and 9:30 pm unless otherwise noted; reservations recommended) 

June 30-July 1, Dr. John and the Lower 911. A direct descendent of Professor Longhair, Dr. John’s bluesy piano and vocals are augmented by his touring band. Born Mac Rebbanack, The Doctor has been purveying his own “voodoo music” for fifty years. Usually a sell-out, it might already be too late to join in the fun, but call the box office and beg. 

July 2, Charles Lloyd New Quartet. An early cohort of Jack Dejohnette and Keith Jarrett, multi-reed specialist Lloyd is a longtime recording artist for ECM, which released his acclaimed Rabo de Nube in 2008, featuring the current ensemble of Jason Moran (piano), Reuben Rogers (bass) and Eric Harland (drums). After the famed album Forest Flower in the mid-60s, Lloyd retreated from the commercialism that seemed to follow success, returning to music to mentor Michel Petrucciani and then to tour and record with the late Billy Higgins. In the past five years he has performed in trio with two percussionists, young drummer Eric Harland and tabla master Zakir Hussein; in quartet with pianist Geri Allen; and now with his “New Quartet” with Harland, Rogers and Moran. Jason Moran was recently on stage at Walker Art Center with his Thelonious Monk tribute, “In My Mind: Monk at Town Hall.” 

July 5-6, Roseanne Cash (7 pm only). Johnny’s daughter is doing quite well on her own, rarely playing venues as small as the Dakota. A folk/country/pop blend, Cash is a Grammy-winning singer/songwriter. 

July 8-9, Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir. Multi-faceted  project with a vocalist/percussionist/producer and cultural historian, Tillery and company takes on sermons, folk tales and dance. 

July 10-11, Estaire Godinez (8 pm). Once a Twin Cities resident, California based Estaire has collaborated with Prince, George Benson and Pete Escovedo. 

July 12, Steve Smith’s Vital Information. With performance credits going back more than 25 years, Vital Information is one of the longest-running bands still performing today. Master drummer Smith was here last fall with his Legends Quartet, and now returns with Tom Coster, on keyboards, Baron Browne on bass and Vinny Valentino on guitar. 

July 13, Lura. Drawing on her Cape Verdean heritage, this mesmerizing singer blends the rhythms of West Africa with European traditions as well as R&B, zouk and pop. 

July 14-15, Julian Lage. Lage was still in his teens when he first landed on the Dakota stage with Gary Burton’s New Generations band in 2005, and returned last year with the Taylor Eigsti Trio. But now the young veteran guitarist brings in his own band, featuring bass, percussion, cello and saxophone. And they are celebrating Lage’s debut recording, Sounding Point, released this spring. 

July 27–28, Average White Band. Nominated for multiple Grammy’s and with several gold albums to their credit, AWB is arguably the top soul and funk band working today. 

July 29, Toby Lightman (7 pm only). Acoustic pop at its vocal best. 
 

Locally Sustainable Jazz and Beyond (7 pm, 8 pm Friday-Saturday)

• July 3, Debbie Duncan. Minnesota’s First Lady of Song seems to raise it a notch with each performance. Ballads or blues, Debbie can make you laugh and cry with a single note.
• July 7, Nancy Harms. Young singer on a fast trajectory, Nancy has a personal style, deep sense of swing, and an ever-expanding songbook.
• July 16, Todd Clouser Quartet. Stellar guitarist, with an ensemble featuring virtuoso pianist Benny Weinbeck.
• 

  Nachito Herrara©Andrea Canter
  July 18, Nachito Herrera. Cuban dynamo who has made son and rhumba as familiar as “hot dish” in Minnesota. And “hot” doesn’t begin to describe what Nachito brings to the keyboard.
• July 19, Story City. Drummer Dave Jennings and company explore the music of Pat Metheny and Michael Brecker.
• July 22, Say Lovey. Young quartet celebrates classic vocal jazz.
• July 23, NowNet. Jeremy Walker’s innovative ensemble highlights original compositions by some of the area’s most creative artists.
• July 24-25, The New Standards. If 60s rock had been this good....Hip trio has generated a large following at home but also in the Big Apple after their appearance at Joe’s Pub.
• July 26, Orkestar Bez Ime. Balkan folk music as well as inspiration from other Old Country traditions.
• July 30, Dan Musselman Quartet. Young keyboard monster, with a highly sophisticated solo recording to his credit, brings his working band to the Dakota for an exciting evening of original music.
• July 31, John Raymond Project.  Trumpeter John Raymond already has a long list of performance credits at the Dakota and beyond while still in his early 20s. The might be the last chance to see John before he heads to New York for graduate studies. And then...
• July 31, Mpls Trumpet Summit (10 pm). Stick around as John Raymond joins Kelly Rossum and Charles Lazarus along with the Dakota Trio (Tanner Taylor, Gordon Johnson and Phil Hey) for a late set devoted to all things trumpet!

 

Late Night at the Dakota

An innovative series of weekend late sets that just keeps expanding musically and in its audience, Late Night brings emerging artists and veteran innovators to the stage, 11:30 pm on Friday and Saturdays. The cover is cheap ($5) and the music always intriguing. Guaranteed to keep you wide awake. 

• July 3, Kati Ray CD Release – Singer/songwriter brings R&B to the Dakota
• July 10, Nick Haas Trio – Modern guitar trio with Peter Susag on bass and Eron Woods on drums
• July 11, Javier Santiago Experiment. Three of our most successful “native sons” home for the summer. Pianist Javier Santiago spent the last two years at the highly selective Brubeck Institute and now heads to New York and the New School to round out his college education. Bassist Chris Smith also completed a two-year residency with Brubeck and is in his final year at the New School, as well as touring with the Jeff “Tain Watts” Quartet. Drummer Miguel Hurtado will start his final year at the Manhattan School of Music in September. Remember when these guys were part of The Eggz and other teen bands? Catch them now as young professionals.
• July 17, Adam Meckler Quintet. Young trumpeter often on stage at the Artists Quarter with the Tefsa Quartet makes his Late Night debut.
• July 18, Tim Sparks Trio. The sleeper of the season, the acclaimed guitarist appears with Chris Bates and Jay Epstein for a much-anticipated performance.
• July 24, JelloSlave. One of the most unusual ensembles in town, with two cellos, tabla and percussion. Very hip, very exciting.
• July 25, Willie August Project. Guitar trio featuring original music, led by Ben Siems.
• August 1, Small City Trio. New project from pianist/Jazz Is Now director Jeremy Walker.

 
 

Coming Soon!

• August 2, Marcia Ball
• August 23, Bobby Rush
• August 24-26, Suzanne Vega
• September 7-8, Chick Corea with Stanley Clarke and Lenny White

 
 

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