Roy Haynes©Andrea Canter

Roy Haynes, one of the last active artists from the great jazz era of the 50s and 60s, likes the Artists’ Quarter and owner Kenny Horst. He even gave Kenny one of the drum kits that rotates on stage. So it figures he might come back now and then to check up on his friend, his drums, and one of his favorite clubs. With his original Fountain of Youth band, Haynes returns for two nights in November, headlining a month of great music including a homecoming for Pat Mallinger, a CD release for Roger James, a live CD recording session for Nichola Miller, tributes to Paul Lagos, Anita O’Day, and Michael Jackson/Stevie Wonder, a weekend with the X-Tet, and a Twin Cities Jazz Society “Jazz from J to Z” concert. 

Weekends (9 pm unless otherwise noted)

Jay Young©Andrea Canter

November 8, Monk in Motian (TCJS Jazz From J to Z) (7 pm, $10). Opening set with the St. Cloud All Star Jazz Band (5 pm, no cover). The Twin Cities Jazz Society presents Monk in Motian as part of its Jazz From J to Z concert series. With local monster musicians Zacc Harris and Park Evans (guitars), Brandon Wozniak and Scott Fultz (saxes), Chris Bates (bass) and Pete Hennig (drums), Monk in Motian brings together two of the greatest minds in jazz—the compositions and quirky rhythms of Thelonious Monk as interpreted by drummer Paul Motian’s Electric Bebop Band. Opening the evening, the St. Cloud All Star Jazz Band, an energetic ensemble of middle and high school students, will play a 5 pm set, no cover. So check out the directions of some of our youngest jazz stars, and stay to get an idea of where they might be headed! 

X-Tet©Andrea Canter

November 15, Tribute to Paul Lagos (8 pm, no cover). Celebrate the life and music of the late drummer with live music and plenty of stories. 

November 20-21, Roy Haynes and the Fountain of Youth (8 pm & 10:30 pm, $30/$25). If there is an “Energizer Bunny” of jazz, it has to be drummer extraordinaire Roy Haynes. At an age (84) when even jazz musicians tend to slow down and take it easy, Haynes has done the opposite, revving up his engines with his “Fountain of Youth” Band—so aptly named for its leader, issuing volcanic recordings and traveling cross-country to share the beat. One of the most dynamic timekeepers in the business, Haynes’ career mirrors the history of modern jazz as one of the last of the great innovators of the 1940s who is still pushing the genre forward in the 21st century. Few working musicians in 2009 include the bands of Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Dizzy Gillespie on their resumes; but many of today’s top 20-something rising stars are graduates of the “Academy of Roy Haynes.”  In 2006, Roy and FOY recorded live at the AQ, yielding Where As (Dreyfus) and a Grammy nomination for Roy’s solo track, “Hippity Hop.” Roy returns with his original band, Martin Bejerano (piano), John Sullivan (bass) and Marcus Strickland (saxophone). 

November 22, Nichola Miller and the Rick Carlson Quartet, Live Recording Session (7-11 pm). Her first release was Live at the Dakota. Now chanteuse Nichola Miller brings it across the river for a live session with the Rick Carlson Quartet. Hip and sassy, this lady swings like she invented the concept, churning through the Great American Songbook with a glint in her eye and a sultry invitation on her lips. Join Nichola and the band for a night of fun and hear your applause on the recording! 

Pat Mallinger©Andrea Canter

Great Jazz for Week Nights (9 pm, $5 cover unless otherwise noted)

Mondays, Headspace (7- 9 pm); Open Poetry With Live Jazz (9 pm) (no cover). Headspace features Rob Dewey on piano, Nick Haas on guitar, Rich Casey on bass and Spencer McGinnis on drums. Poetry Slam on November 2nd at 8 pm with guest Laura Yes Yes ($5; competitors free). 

Tuesdays with the Tuesday Night Band (early set—7 pm, no cover with the Cory Wong Quartet). B-3 Organ Night with the Tuesday Night Band features “Downtown” Bill Brown on Hammond B-3, along with Billy Franze on guitar and Kenny Horst on drums. A weekly tradition at the AQ, you never know who might sit in—Joey DeFrancesco usually appears whenever he’s in town; Jim Rotondi was a featured guest earlier this summer. (No cover after 11 pm). Tuesday night starts off early with the Cory Wong Quartet playing an early show at 7 pm (no cover). These young, talented musicians provide the perfect starter for AQ's longest-standing engagement.  

Wednesdays, early set, Tefsa Quartet Jam Session(7 -9 pm, no cover). Super McNally Smith connected young band includes Dejen Tesfagiorgis, saxophones; Adam Meckler, trumpet; Jesse Mueller, piano; Adam Tucker, bass; and Jaky Nyberg, drums. This weekly jam session provides a perfect warm up to whatever comes next! Bring your ax and join the jam! 

November 4, Chris Lomheim Trio. Sometimes he channels Bill Evans, sometimes he leans more toward Bud Powell, but Chris Lomheim is always a treat. 

Pink and Green Blues

November 11, How Birds Work. One of the AQ’s most popular creative bands, How Birds Work is the collaboration of four well-known area musicians—guitarist Dean Granros, bassist Chris Bates, pianist Peter Schimke, and drummer Kenny Horst. Sophisticated, often subtle, always working toward the edge from a firm foundation, How Birds Work offers multiple layers of challenge to the listener. 

November 12, Phil Hey Quartet. Put four eclectic and electrifying musicians on stage—pianist Phil Aaron, bassist Tom Lewis, vibes master Dave Hagedorn and drummer/ leader Phil Hey—and you get volcanic activity. A former student of Ed Blackwell and Marv Dahlgren, Phil has toured with Dewey Redman and more recently, Stacey Kent, including a gig at Birdland in Manhattan in May. Phil manages the trapsets for the Out to Lunch Quintet, Pete Whitman X-Tet, and small ensembles led by the area’s top bandleaders. But his own quartet is where Phil shines most, and the PHQ’s release Subduction garnered Best of the Year awards in 2006. We might expect the same for his new duet release with Kelly Rossum, Conflict. 

Lucia Newell©Andrea Canter

November 19, Dave Karr Quartet. We love to see Dave show off his (always) red socks and wisecrack his way through a set, but most of all, we just love Dave’s music, a “fluid style [that] is both exciting and elegant” (Don Berryman, Jazz Police). Whether playing with the JazzMN Big Band, Pete Whitman’s X-tet, backing vocalists like Connie Evingson or Christine Rosholt, gathering steam with his Mulligan Stew, or on stage with his quartet, Dave is always a consummate entertainer.  

Coming Soon!

• December 11-12, African Jazz Trio with Loba Akou, Serge Akou & Stokley Williams
• December 13, Laura Caviani Christmas Show with Hip Santa (Davis Wilson)
• December 18-19, Atlantis Quartet CD Release Party
• December 31, New Year’s Eve Party with Carole Martin and Friends

The Artists’ Quarter is located at 408 St. Peter Street in the lower level of the Hamm Building in downtown St. Paul; 651-292-1359; www.artistsquarter.com  

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