Jazz Police - Sizzling Summer Jazz and More at the Dakota in June

Sizzling Summer Jazz and More at the Dakota in June

Written by Andrea Canter, Contributing Editor

Thursday, 31 May 2012

Stanley Clarke©Andrea Canter

The Dakota Jazz Club heats up its jazz offerings in June, with touring artists Sophie Milman, Rachelle Ferrell, Roy Hargrove, Stanley Clarke and George Duke, along with local favorites Bruce Henry, Ginger Commodore, Nachito Herrera, Patty Peterson, Joann Funk and Robert Everest on the calendar. Throw in some other top music acts like Al Stewart, Melissa Manchester, Booker T. Jones and Keri Noble, and it’s another winning month on Nicollet Mall.

Jazz Nights

Sophie Milman©Andrea Canter

June 2, Bruce Henry (8 pm, $12 cover). Despite his move to Chicago three years ago, we see plenty of Bruce Henry and can never get enough of the soulful baritone. Whether he is crooning Gershwin or twisting Charlie Parker or raising his voice to honor Coltrane, Bruce has amazing range, musically and emotionally. He’s one to see every chance you get.

June 3, Sophie Milman (7 & 9 pm, $30/20 ticket). Born in Russia, spending her childhood in Israel and then emigrating again to Canada as a teenager, 29-year-old vocalist Sophie Milman’s diverse life experiences inform the passions of her music. Winner of Canada’s 2008 Juno Award for Best Jazz Album, Sophie sold out the famed Massey Hall in Toronto and has performed at major venues worldwide. Said Don Heckman (LA Times), "Not the next Ella or Sarah but the first Sophie Milman...she is one of a kind." Sophie returns to the Dakota for her third visit with a new recording, In the Moonlight, covering diverse terrain from Gershwin to Kurt Weill to Jobim and Ellington.

June 5, Robert Everest World Quintet (7 pm, no cover). Guitarist/vocalist Robert Everest explores the intersection of jazz, Brazilian, classical and world folk traditions. Foodie Night means dining specials correlated with the music!

Rachelle Ferrell©Andrea Canter

June 7-8, Rachelle Ferrell (7 & 9 pm; $45/35 ticket). One of the most exciting vocalists to come to the Dakota in the past few years, Rachelle Ferrell makes a welcome return. Covering the gamut of urban contemporary pop, gospel, classical music, and jazz, she also composes for voice, piano and violin. But it’s that remarkable voice that generates the most response from her audience. On the notes to her First Instrument, Ferrell wrote that "Some people sing songs like they wear clothing, they put it on and take it off. But when one performs four sets a night, six nights a week, that experience affords you the opportunity to present the song from the inside out, to express its essence…The songwriter translates emotion into words. The singer's job is to translate the words back into emotion." Ferrell excels at her job!

June 9, Ginger Commodore (8 pm, $10 cover). Ginger’s been winning fans at the Dakota and throughout the metro as one of the area’s most soulful voices, be it with her own quartet, with Sounds of Blackness or with Moore by Four. And she took her talents to the stage at Chanhassan recently, costarring in Hairspray. But it’s her voice that brings fans back time and again, jazz standards, some gospel, some R&B. Always an entertaining evening.

Roy Hargrove©Andrea Canter

June 10-11, Roy Hargrove Quintet (7 & 9 pm, $35/$25 ticket). After Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove is probably the best known trumpeter on the planet today. Just over 40, his output as a recording artist (14 sessions as leader) is almost as remarkable as his chops. As noted by Christopher Jones following a Hargrove Quintet performance in Seattle, this is “straightforward, no-nonsense modern jazz…with integrity and conviction.” Hargrove brings that conviction – along with his quintet—to the Dakota for a return engagement as he has done nearly annually over the past 5+ years. And each time Roy takes the stage here, it seems to be one of the most exciting gigs of the year. His usual cohorts include saxophonist Justin Robinson, pianist Sullivan Fortner, bassist Ameem Saleem and drummer Montez Coleman.

June 14, Joann Funk Trio (7 pm, no cover). When does a hotel piano bar become a jazz venue? When the talent belongs to musicians who not only soothe bar patrons with refined artistry, but at the same time can engage jazz cognescenti with their interpretive skills and serious repertoire. Pianist/vocalist JoAnn Funk effectively crosses that line every weekend at the Lobby Bar of the St Paul Hotel, and tonight she brings her trio (Jeff Brueske on bass, Nathan Norman on drums) across the river to grace the Dakota’s Foodie Night with her diverse book of standards and songs that should be, from Cole Porter to Blossom Dearie.

Nachito Herrera©Andrea Canter

June 18-19, Stanley Clarke/George Duke Project (7 & 9 pm, $60/50/40 ticket). Jazz titans bassist Stanley Clarke and keyboardist/producer George Duke have been working together for decades, in many different projects, teaming up for the Clarke/Duke Project back in 1981. Together they scored a top-twenty pop hit with “Sweet Baby,” and so far have recorded three albums. The Dakota has enjoyed Clarke in different configurations in recent years, with Chick Corea, in duo with Hiromi, and with his own trio. Now we can enjoy the soulful collaboration with Duke, whose resume includes Al Jarreau, Jean-Luc Ponty, Frank Zappa, Cannonball Adderley, Nancy Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, and Billy Cobham.

June 22-23, Nachito Herrera (8 pm, $15 cover). Nachito comes into the Dakota this weekend hot off his appearance in Nashville where he received the American Immigration Council’s highest honor, the American Heritage Award. But he is always a winner when he sits at the piano, bringing the rhythms of his native Havana into alignment with the traditions of American jazz and classical music, resulting in a bubbling display of pyrotechnic chops and Cuban soul.

June 28, Sophia Shorai (7 pm, no cover). Charming and talented vocalist Sophia Shorai puts her own spin on jazz and pop tunes, usually accompanied by monster pianist Tommy Barbarella. Foodie Night means a great show, food and wine specials, and the best of local music.

June 29, Patty Peterson and Friends with Steve Cole (8 pm, $12 cover). Maybe the busiest of the local Peterson Family clan, Patty hosts the weekly Playroom show on KBEM, taking a break from her many club and concert hall appearances with family and friends – friends tonight including special guest, saxophonist Steve Cole, along with usual suspects Billy Franze, Paul Peterson, Jason Peterson DeLaire, and Bobby Vandell.

Late Night Jazz (11 pm, $5 cover; free after midnight)

 June 2, Sidewalk Café. Gypsy Swing with Reynold Philipsek, Gary Schulte and Jeff Brueske.

 June 22, Jake Baldwin Quartet. Native Minnesotan now at New England Conservatory, this young trumpeter will blow the roof off.

More Music!

Jeff Brueske and Joann Funk©Andrea Canter

The Dakota hosts a wide array of performers, from blues to rock to pop to soul and beyond. Visit the website for more about these and more shows in June:

 June 1, Jon Anderson

 June 4 & 6, Al Stewart

 June 13, Sarah Morris

 June 15, CéU

 June 16, Mick Stirling and the Irresistibles

 June 17, Melissa Manchester

 June 21, Booker T. Jones

 June 26-27, Les Nubians

Coming Soon!

 July 1-2, Bill Frisell (Music of John Lennon)

 July 9-10, Victor Wooten

 July 29, James Carter Organ Trio