Ginger Commodore Quartet©Andrea Canter

Looking for antidotes to cabin fever in February? The Dakota Jazz Club offers something for everyone, with a packed calendar of jazz, blues, gospel, African soul and Cajun, with artists ranging from legendary to emerging, masters and exceptional students, a salute to Stevie Wonder and of course a musical Valentine’s Day special.  
 

Valentine’s Day Special (February 14)

In a romantic mood? The Dakota offers two options – a full dinner (main floor) and a light cocktail menu (mezzanine) with the same great music on stage—JoAnn Funk on keys at 5:30 and Debbie Duncan and Dennis Spears on vocals at 8 pm. Reservations required, $65 dinner/$15 cocktail seating. 

National Touring Artists (Sets at 7 & 9:30 pm unless otherwise noted)

February 3-4, Mavis Staples (7 pm only, tiered seating). Starting in the church with her family’s Staple Singers, and moving on to become the one of the voices of the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s, this gospel queen has frequently topped the charts over the last few decades, making her one of the most enduring artists of all time. 

Roberta Gambarini©Andrea Canter

February 9-10, Bob James and Keiko Matsui. How about we pair two of the most entertaining smooth jazz pianists on stage for two nights? A reprise of their 2009 Dakota date and acclaimed 2001 world tour, these two virtuosos present four hands on one instrument.  Sure to be one of the most exciting gigs of the year. 

February 16, Beau Soleil with Michael Doucet. Garrison Keillor calls Beau Soleiil “the best Cajun band in the world.” Over their three-plus decades, the band has accumulated eleven Grammy nominations including the Grammy in 2009, and a nomination in 2010 for Alligator Purse. Featuring award-winning fiddler/founder Michael Doucet, the band describes their music as a blending of “the rich Cajun traditions of Louisiana and elements of zydeco, New Orleans jazz, Tex-Mex, country, blues and more into a satisfying musical recipe." 

February 17, Marilyn Maye (7 pm only). Rex Reed sums up Marilyn Maye: “She has a theatrical flair that captivates and enthralls, and jazz-spiced chops that can reach notes most singers a third her age can’t even hit in their dreams. She’s the real deal, the surviving artist of the American popular singer.”  

Ahmad Jamal with James Cammack©Andrea Canter

February 24, Shemekia Copeland. Soon to be known as “The Queen of the Blues,” young Grammy nominee Shemekia Copeland has already opened for the Rolling Stones, headlined at the Chicago Blues Festival and numerous international festivals, earned critics choice awards from The New York Times and The Times of London), and performed with Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Taj Mahal and John Mayer. In 2009, she was named Rising Star blues artist by the Downbeat Critics poll, and has been nominated for the 2010 Blues Music Awards top Contemporary Blues Female Artist. And she’s barely over 30. 

February 28, John Hammond (7 pm only). And you can’t mention the blues without mentioning John Hammond, termed the “white Robert Johnson” for his renderings of 1930s era folk blues on guitar, harmonica and vocals. He’s a 2010 Grammy nominee for his Rough and Tough, having won the award in 1985 and received six other nominations; a nominee in 2010, John is a three-time Blues Music Award winner. Notes Tom Waits, “He's a great force of nature. John sounds like a big train coming. He chops them all down." 

Locally Sustainable Jazz (7 pm; 8 pm Friday/Saturday unless otherwise noted)

February 1, Rhonda Laurie and Sidewalk Café. About two years ago, savvy vocalist Rhonda Laurie began mixing it up with hot club swingers Sidewalk Café—Reynold Philipsek, Gary Schulte and Jeff Brueske. The result has been a high-class serenade of great standards and less familiar tunes, largely drawn from the 1930s and 40s songbooks. 

February 2, Brian Grivna/Dave Karr Quintet. Two saxes and a rhythm section—who could ask for anything more? Altoist Brian and tenorist Dave are two of the best in the business, and between them, there’s at least 80 years of great sax, jazz and more. Add in a great rhythm section and you have five reasons to come down to the Dakota! 

February 5-6, Jay Young’s Lyric Factory Tribute to Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. This veteran bassist knows how to assemble a band and keep it hot and funky! Jay Young brings his Jackson/Wonder show, on the Artists Quarter stage earlier this fall, across the river for two more nights of soulful artistry. 

Dakota Combo©Andrea Canter

February 12-13, Debbie Duncan with Anthony Cox and the Regional Jazz Quartet. Two treasurers of Twin Cities music join together for this special project. Known fondly as Minnesota’s First Lady of Song, Debbie Duncan has entertained and enthralled audiences from small clubs to concert halls and jazz festivals. Her blues are deep indigo, her ballads will tear your heart out, and her humor will simply crack you up. Anthony Cox enjoys an international reputation as one of the best bassists in jazz, reflected in his long list of credentials (including stints with Dewey Redman, Geri Allen, Ron Miles, John Scofield, Bill Carrothers and more). Locally Anthony plays with Jazz Is Now and many other ensembles, and like Debbie, is on the faculty of McNally Smith College. 

February 15, Robert Robinson (7 pm, ticketed show). Soulful gospel from a master of the genre.

Anthony Cox©Andrea Canter

February 20, Ginger Commodore Quartet. A member of Moore by Four and formerly with Sounds of Blackness, vocalist Ginger has incredible range of both notes and emotion. And her quartet only adds to the musicality—Lee Blaske on piano, Mark Weissburg on bass and Bobby Commodore on drums. 

February 25, Benny Weinbeck Trio. For years, pianist Benny Weinbeck was heard weekly at D’Amico Cucina downtown; now he has moved down the street for weekend duties at D’Amico’s Kitchen in the Chambers Hotel. But let’s put Benny into a real jazz setting and let him take off the gloves. 

February 26-27, Nachito Herrera. A monthly favorite, this monster pianist brings Havana to Minnesota. Forget the polka, this is a weekend for son, rhumba and cha-cha. 

Late Night at the Dakota (Friday/Saturday, 11:30 pm – 2 am; $5 and happy hour specials)

• February 5, Alicia Wiley
• February 6, Bryan Nichols Trio
• February 12, Aaron Hedenstrom Quartet
• February 13, Sophia Shorai and Supreme Privacy
• February 19, Jason Weismann Quartet
• February 20, Frankhouse
• February 26, Keston & Westdal with Graham O’Brien
• February 27, Atlantis Quartet

Coming Soon!

• March 1, Charlie Hunter
• March 2-3, Angelique Kidjo
• March 7, Marcia Ball
• March 8-9, Hiromi (solo piano)
• March 16-17, Larry Coryell and Bombay Jazz
• March 22-23, Arturo Sandoval
• April 6-7, Brad Mehldau Trio
• April 16-17, Chick Corea & Gary Burton
• April 25, Anat Cohen Quartet

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

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