Jazz Police

Friday nights at Jazz Central Studios typically focus on a local “master,” and few are as masterful as trombonist Dave Graf. Graf brings a star-studded quartet to Jazz Central on April 8 (8 pm), featuring Peter Schimke on piano, Ron Evaniuk on bass and Eric Kamau Gravatt on drums. The late night set typically presents […]

One of the most area popular ensembles of the late 1980s and early 90s, the Illicit Sextet was dubbed “the Cadillac of local jazz” by critic Jim Meyer. In 1993 they released their acclaimed debut recording, Chapter One. Back on the jazz scene since 2009 after a long hiatus, the Illicit Sextet finally released Chapter […]

For the past year, trumpeter Steve Kenny has curated a Friday Night jazz series at The Nicollet, now rebranded as Reverie Bar and Cafe. Starting in May, the series becomes Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie. For the month of April, however, the series is “in exile,” performing a couple Friday nights on other stages. On […]

Not all legacies live up to their heritage, but  Twin Cities vocalist Lila Ammons stands tall with the likes of Ravi Coltrane, John Pizzarelli and Marcus Gilmore. The granddaughter of Boogie Woogie master pianist, Albert, and niece of tenor sax titan, Gene “Jug” Ammons, Lila proves that one can indeed make a successful leap from […]

The music of jazz is characterized by its unpredictability–shifts in rhythm, dynamics, time signatures, melodies that give jazz its forward motion and that element of surprise that keeps your ears alert and eager for the next note, next tune. On the Twin Cities jazz scene, however, there are a few sure things — like First […]