Jazz Police

© Andrea Canter Launched just a few years ago under the leadership of drummer/composer Lars-Erik Larson, Mancrush has become a popular and formidable ensemble on the Twin Cities jazz scene, playing everything from folk tunes to Bartok, as well as Larson’s eclectic original compositions. With Bryan Nichols on keyboard, Brandon Wozniak on tenor saxophone, and […]

© Andrea Canter Saxophonist Pat Moriarty and drummer Phil Hey are among the most creative improvisers in Minnesota music, and have shared a collaboration for more than 40 years. Back in the day, they won a Minnesota Music Award as Best Contemporary Jazz Group, released an album Let Them All Come, and received a Best […]

© Andrea Canter Once a teen prodigy playing piano around the Twin Cities, Javier Santiago went on to study for two years at the acclaimed Brubeck Institute, Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead, and ultimately graduate from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in Manhattan. After performing on the New York scene for a few […]

© Andrea Canter “…the two disparate worlds of these two singular musicians push and pull at one another to create true harmony.” –Kenneth Pattengale, liner notes, Avalon Two outstanding guitarists from two seemingly different musical worlds converge at the Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, February 25. Jazz prodigy Julian Lage and bluegrass hero […]

© Andrea Canter If the past week was a whirlwind of jazz, then this Saturday alone will keep our ears spinning. In the vortex this week–Julian Lage, John Scofield, Laura Caviani and Chris Olson, Jack Brass Band, the Pat Moriarty-Phil Hey Duo…. keep the gigs coming.   Big Gigs This Week Friday, February 24. One-time […]