You might say it’s a bit of a guitar-centered week, with some gypsy jazz players, as well as a couple of slide guitar wizards coming to town. There’s also a terrific opportunity to hear a variety of music with a four-night New Music Cabaret, as well as some horn-centered bands. Another good week in the Twin Cities.
Jazz
Wednesday, November 14
Fuzzy Math @ The 318 Club, Excelsior. 8pm ($6) Original, contemporary jazz that swings quite nicely, with touches of Latin and world music just to make things a bit more interesting. The 318 is a small club, so reservations are recommended.
Caravan of Thieves @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($20) This group is known for playing Gypsy jazz, but they play much more: acoustic jump blues, and swing, wrapped in vocal harmonies & intriguing songs, including covers of artists such as the Talking Heads and Queen. The Gypsy Mania Quartet opens. Here’s a video:
Thursday, November 15
Phil Mattson Singers @ Jazz Central, Minneapolis. 8pm (Donation) Phil Mattson has gathered six very good singers and arranged a number of songs with six part, jazzy harmonies. Hear them tonight in the comfy confines of Jazz Central.
Friday, November 16
Jana Nyberg Group @ Hell’s Kitchen, Minneapolis. 6pm – 9pm. (No Cover) Jana and the guys have been keeping quite busy doing tours of the Midwest, from Wisconsin to Chicago, to Missouri and Omaha. They’re invited back to clubs in no small part because of Jana’s easy, yet knowing vocals, but don’t discount the solid backing she gets from band stalwarts hubby Adam Meckler on trumpet and Evan Montgomery on guitar.
Brad Bellows/Donald Washington Quartet @ The Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar, Saint Paul. 8pm (tip jar) Washington is the guy that taught saxophonist James Carter.Bellows plays valve trombone around town. Together they create music that goes to the edge, but never falls off. Their ability to communicate with each other is the trick, as each follows and anticipates the other with ease.
B3 Organ Night, with Guest David Martin @ Jazz Central, Minneapolis. 7-9pm (donation) Tanner and Mac are taking the organ out of the storeroom for a night of groovalicious jazz. Martin is a versatile guitarist, just as home with Brazilian rhythms as he is accompanying vocalists or trading licks with a B3.
Friday, Saturday, November 16, 17
How Birds Work @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($10) Peter Schimke, piano; Dean Granros, guitar; Billy Peterson, bass; and Kenny Horst, drums. It’s been a while since we’ve heard from this exciting quartet, and it’s good to welcome them back. They play adventurous originals as well as compositions by folks such as Coltrane and Wayne Shorter with assurance and imagination, throwing hints of rock and funk into a post-bop mix.
Monday, November 19
Dorado Schmitt and the Gypsy Jazz All-Stars @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($27), 9pm ($20) Last time Schmitt was in town was a few years back for the Minnesota Sur Seine Festival, where he wowed the audience with his guitar wizardry. He’s a favorite of the annual Django Reinhardt Festival in NYC, and has played with folks like Oscar Peterson, Philip Catherine, Paquito D’Rivera, and James Carter.
More listings for Twin Cities jazz can be found at KBEM and at Jazz Police. Jazz Police also features jazz commentary as well, as do Bebopified, and Jazz Ink
Blues, Roots, Other…
Wednesday, November 14
Sound System Sabotage @ the Icehouse, Minneapolis. 9pm ($5) Live Reggae Dub. Haunting sounds that float above a righteous rhythm, all produced by a trio – keyboards, bass, drums, with an occasional trombone
Sonny Landreth with Charlie Parr @ Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis. 7:30 pm ($30) Landreth came to prominence playing in Clifton Chenier’s band. He has since become well known among guitarists, if less known among those of us who simply listen (or dance) to music. He’s a master of the slide guitar, and has contributed to recordings and music by Dr. John, Maria Muldaur, Government Mule and others. Bonus opening act: Charlie Parr, he of the stripped down blues. Here’s a video of Sonny talking and demonstrating his skills.
Thursday, November 15
Crankshaft @ Hell’s Kitchen, Minneapolis. 6pm (Free) If anyone can crack the noise at Hell’s Kitchen, then Crankshaft can, with his raw, hyper energy, all in the cause of playing the blues. It’s more Hill Country than Chicago, or even the Delta. Hang on tight.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, October 15, 16, 17, 18
New Music Cabaret @ Studio Z, Saint Paul. 7pm (Thursday, Friday) 5:30pm (Saturday), 2:00pm Sunday ($10/night or $25 for all) The New Music Cabaret is now in it’s fourth year, and it continues to prove to be a great sampler of Twin Cities music. From Baroque to the 21st Century. From Big Band to world fusion. From new classical music, to new pop/fusion. From 21st Century jazz to free improvisation. See the Zeitgeist website for a complete rundown.
Friday, Saturday, November 16, 17
CJ Chenier @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 8pm ($25) The only thing keeping the Dakota from being overrun during these shows is the lack of a dance floor. CJ carries on the zydeco tradition of his dad Clifton, with a modern touch or two, nothing however that will keep you from moving, even if you’re in a chair.
Saturday, November 17
Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials @ Famous Dave’s Uptown, Minneapolis. 9pm ($6) Explosive Slide Guitar from Lil’ Ed. Chicago blues of the highest order. The Alligator Records veteran is getting a bit older, so I don’t know if he still jumps off the stage and does splits during some of his solos, but never fear, the fire in his guitar will get you going.
Greazy Gravy & Swamp Kings @ Cherokee Tavern, Saint Paul. 9pm (No Cover) A two-fer of danceable blues and Louisiana rhythms up Smith Street from the High Bridge. Greazy Gravy is a blues aggregation headed up by Harmonica Curtis Blake, while Tom Harkness and his trio stir up the swamp sounds.
Willie Murphy & the Angel-Headed Hipsters @ The Eagles Club #34, Minneapolis. 9pm ($5?) Willie is celebrating his birthday, so you know the dance floor will be filled with folks shufflin’ and scufflin, movin’ and groovin’ and bumpin’ some rumps, as Willie and the band blast R&B, Soul, and a little Rock n’ Roll your way. Here’s a clip from the Minnesota Original show.
For a more comprehensive listing of blues (and some roots) events, see the Minnesota Blues Society calendar. For a comprehensive listing of Cajun and Zydeco events, see the Krewe de Walleye calendar.
Tagged: Artists' Quarter, Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar, Charlie Parr, Dakota Jazz Club, Dorado Schmitt, Fuzzy Math, How Birds Work, Jana Nyberg, Jazz Central, Lil' Ed, Sonny Landreth, Willie Murphy
