The Band

Jake Baldwin started trumpet in sixth grade, he says, “because it was between that and choir, and if you've ever heard me sing, well, be glad I play trumpet.” Hearing Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra pulled him into jazz, while Charles Mingus and Thelonious Monk are other sources of inspiration. A 2009 graduate of Minnetonka High School and alum of the second and third editions of the Dakota Combo (2007-09), Jake also played in his school bands and with the Minnesota Youth Jazz Band, the Isaac Zuckerman Quartet, and Metropolitan Port Authority. Now attending the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Jake notes that “since getting here things have changed a lot for me. My whole perspective on music has changed thanks to my studies with Jerry Bergonzi, Bob Moses, John McNeil, Joe Morris and Fred Hersch. These guys have all been incredibly supportive and helpful in shaping me as a musician. The musical climate here is unbelievable and I really feel like this place is perfect to me.”  Perfect enough that Jake was one of three finalists in the 2011 International Trumpet Guild Solo Competition in spring 2011. Jake has taken advantage of school vacations to perform and work in the Twin Cities, appearing with his sextet last January at the Dakota, leading the Dakota Combo Alumni Band at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival in June, performing at Jazz Central with a "Young Lions" ensemble in July, and last weekend, appearing as student guest artist with Pippi Ardennia on the August PipJazz Sunday concert. The horn Jake played last weekend, and plans to play at the Dakota, is one he built himself while working this summer at a trumpet factory. This one has some extra valves--one to produce quarter tones, one to lower the horn's range.

Noah Ophoven Baldwin graduated from Roseville Area High School where he played trumpet under the direction of Pat Moriarty. Noah attends the University of Minnesota where he plays in Jazz Ensemble I led by Dean Sorenson. He has also been seen and heard on local stages with Pat Moriarty and Ellen Lease's ensembles and is a member of the Adam Meckler Orchestra.

Pianist Joe Strachan is a graduate of Northfield High School (2009) and was the pianist for the third edition of the Dakota Combo (2008-09). A student of Laura Caviani, he first studied classical music, switching to jazz in eighth grade. Joe cites as historic influences Ornette Coleman, Wayne Shorter, Charles Mingus, and Keith Jarrett, while more contemporary sources of inspiration include Adam Linz, Bryan Nichols, Michael Lewis, Chris Morrisey, JT Bates, Craig Taborn and Tim Berne. In addition to the Dakota Combo and his Northfield High School jazz, band and choral ensembles, Joe played with the 2008-09 All State Jazz Band, Minnesota Youth Jazz Bands, Shell Lake Jazz Ensemble, MITY Jazz Ensemble, the Isaac Zuckerman Quartet, and his own trio. Joe was a scholarship recipient in the 2008 and 2009 Jazz Piano Scholarship Competition sponsored by the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education and Schubert Club, taking the Performance Prize in 2009. After a year at Lawrence Conservatory of Music, he transferred to the U of M in Minneapolis where he has found more performance opportunities, appearing recently at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Artists Quarter and Studio Z. 

Bassist Cory Grindberg played with Joe and Jake in the Dakota Combo while attending Minneapolis South High School. He's played in bands led by Issac Zuckerman, Joe Strachan, and Jake Baldwin at Twin Cities venues, and is currently attending Northwestern University where he is studying jazz bass.

Miguel Hurtado (drums) graduated from Minneapolis South High in 2006. As a teenager he played throughout the Twin Cities with The Eggz, Second Nature and The Bridge as well as with South High jazz ensembles. While attending the Manhattan School of Music, he continued to gig during vacation periods with other local stars-in-the-making, including Javier Santiago, Chris Smith, Daniel Duke and John Raymond, and with a band of college students dubbed Neoterik at the 2008 Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Miguel graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in spring 2010, and returned to the Twin Cities where he has quickly become a working member of the local jazz scene. He’s played with John Raymond and led his own sextet at the 2011 Twin Cities Jazz Festival and at the Artists Quarter. He’s also expanding his musical resumé, playing with some local pop and R&B singers, particularly Alicia Steele and vocalist/rapper Toussaint Morrison.  

Late Night Gig

It’s always cool to hear how promising student musicians evolve into accomplished young masters. And to hear how they integrate their new influences with their already-substantial talents. The Jake Baldwin Quintet tet takes the stage at the Dakota at 11:30 pm on Saturday, August 18th, following the incendiary sets of Nachito Herrera from 8-11 pm. Late Night cover only $5.  

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com. Find Jake Baldwin on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jakebjazz.