It was a chilly night in late April 2014 when drummer Cory Healey brought a new band to Studio Z. This was following the most recent “polar vortex winter” and Cory thought the band should have a name like “Unique Beautiful Snowflake.” Tired of snow, however, an audience member requested “sunshine”, and the ensemble became […]
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…not only a superb technician and improviser, but also above and beyond this, a composer and conceptualist who can maintain the overall line and the DNA of the song in everything he plays. A musician’s musician. —Sting With his highly regarded discography, unique compositions, and acclaimed performances in a variety of configurations, Grammy-winning […]
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Wednesday nights at Jazz Central are “new music” nights, featuring musicians playing new and improvised works, often in new configurations. On March 23 (8:30 pm), saxophonist Nathan Hanson leads a trio of composers/improvisers, including pianist/accordionist Steven Hobert and tabla player Pratik Singh. Composer/performer Nathan Hanson (tenor and soprano saxophones) has been described as “unexpectedly tasteful […]
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Head of Minnesota’s “First Family of Music,” indefatigable performer and source of inspiration to generations of musicians, Jeanne Arland Peterson passed away on June 23, 2013. Daughter Patty, herself a tireless vocal performer and inspirational speaker, presents a special tribute to the life, music and legacy of her mother, joined by brother Paul Peterson and […]
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Over the years of their life and musical partnership, Ellen Lease and Pat Moriarty have led many ensembles teetering on the edge of modern jazz. Best known perhaps for their Lease-Moriarty Quintet, the pianist and saxophonist have also presented numerous variations of quintet and quartet in the company of the finest area improvisers. With a […]
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