2026 ARTISTS PERFORMING ON THE AARP MINNESOTA MAIN STAGE
All performances on Friday and Saturday, June 19 and 20, are free admission!
YELLOWJACKETS
Friday, June 19th at 8:30pm – Mears Park
“…a perfectly combustible electric-acoustic outfit whose smart, often challenging and unpredictable compositions draw from fusion, postbop and contemporary jazz. — Jazz Times
Throughout their storied 43-year history, the Yellowjackets have recorded 26 albums, received 16 Grammy® nominations – won 2 – performed countless sold-out tours, and enjoyed worldwide critical acclaim and commercial success.
The Yellowjackets formed in the late 1970’s as the backup band for guitarist Robben Ford. They recorded their first album together in 1980. Shortly after that recording, however, Ford decided to part ways and go in a different musical direction. As a result, the modern day Yellowjackets were formed — a trio with Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip and Ricky Lawson. Since then, and with the addition of Bob Mintzer, the Yellowjackets have gained and maintained prominence as one of jazz’s most influential and loved groups.
Over the years the band has undergone numerous lineup changes. Never failing to rise to the inevitable challenges of adjustment, the Yellowjackets – Russell Ferrante, William Kennedy, Bob Mintzer – have maintained an extraordinarily high quality of musicianship that is the rival of many but a surprise to no one who knows and appreciates the band and their music.
The most recent addition to the band adds Australian bass player Dane Alderson in to the mix. With his exceptional rhythmic sensibility and natural disposition toward groove, Dane brings a new energy to the band and adds a youthful approach to the music.
The Yellowjackets album “Raising Our Voice” was released in Fall 2018 and features special guest vocalist Luciana Souza. Their album “Jackets XL with the WDR Big Band” was nominated for a Grammy® in 2021.
Their latest album “Parallel Motion” (2022) also received a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Album and is a true testament to the longevity and resilience of a band who debuted over 40 years ago. Consistently reinventing themselves through elevated instrumentation in their signature electro-acoustic soundscape, the current lineup showcases a collective at their prime.
Band:
Russell Ferrante – Keyboards & Piano
Bob Mintzer – Sax & EWI
Will Kennedy – Drums
Dane Alderson – Bass
To register to be in the audience for the Yellowjackets Masterclass at Walker West Music Academy on June 19th at Noon, click here.
JAZZMN ORCHESTRA W/ MICHAEL MAYO
Saturday, June 20th at 8:30pm – Mears Park
Michael Mayo:
Whether Michael Mayo is performing with his band, as a guest, or alone with a looper pedal and a piano, the LA native’s commanding and other worldly vocalese has been gathering critical and commercial acclaim around the globe. Mayo attended the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance (now the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz), only the third vocalist to be accepted into the 20-year-old program, where he learned from the likes of Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock. Mayo, a veteran international performer, has led his own band to perform at some of the worlds most revered jazz clubs and festivals. As a featured guest, he has recently recorded and performed with Herbie Hancock, Terri Lynne Carrington, Jacob Collier, Scary Pockets, Lenny Kravitz, Josh Groban, Ben Wendel and The War and Treaty.
Signed to Mack Avenue/Artistry Records, Mayo’s debut record “Bones”, produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Eli Wolf (Norah Jones, Al Green, The Roots) was released in 2021. In 2022, Mayo was named “International Artist of the Year” at the Deutscher Jazzpreis. Mayo’s highly anticipated sophomore release “Fly” featuring pianist Shai Maestro, bassist Linda Oh, and drummer Nate Smith was released in 2024 and nominated for 2 Grammy Awards.
JazzMN Orchestra:
JazzMN Orchestra is Minnesota’s premier professional jazz ensemble.
That statement is frequently reinforced by world-renowned guest artists who have told audiences that JazzMN is as good or better than any big band they have played with in New York or LA. JazzMN Orchestra members are “first call” musicians for touring Broadway shows at the Orpheum, State, Guthrie and Ordway theaters or national acts at clubs and casinos. Many have toured with Doc Severinsen, Buddy Rich, Glen Miller’s iconic sax section and Prince. JazzMN musicians also include Woody Herman’s former drummer, plus a current member of the Four Freshmen. Many are also educators at area colleges.
Like big band era orchestras, JazzMN features our renowned band members as soloists, along with internationally-acclaimed guest artists, and showcases original compositions and arrangements by jazz icons.
JazzMN was founded in 1998 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit to promote and preserve an original American art form, Jazz…and also to inspire and help foster the next generation of jazz musicians. Following the model of the classical orchestra, JazzMN performs a broad range of jazz repertoire from classic to contemporary styles, including Swing, BeBop, Fusion, R&B, Latin, Rock and even Rap genres. Jazz crosses age and race barriers.
For nearly three decades, JazzMN has presented over 90 concerts, with dozens of additional performances at jazz and arts festivals around the metro area (e.g. Twin Cites Jazz Fest). JazzMN guest artists have included highly-regarded performers from diverse backgrounds including Arturo Sandoval, Wycliffe Gordon, Bob Mintzer, Nicholas Payton, Rob McConnell, Gordy Goodwin, Paquito D’Rivera, Phil Woods, James Moody, Dave Weckl, Buddy DiFranco, Wayne Bergeron, Terence Blanchard, Diane Schuur, Tierney Sutton, Morgan James, Kurt Elling, New York Voices and prominent local vocalists like Connie Evingson and Debbie Duncan, as well as Minnesota native composer Maria Schneider.
The JazzMN Orchestra has performed at many prominent venues around the metro, including the Ordway, Orchestra Hall, Ted Mann, Fitzgerald and State Theaters, plus Dakota, Crooners and the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.
Educational outreach is also an important part of JazzMN’s mission. Activities in this area have included the Winter Jazz Blast that showcases and works with high school jazz bands, clinics and master classes at area schools and colleges conducted by JazzMN musicians and guest artists, as well as performances by the full orchestra at school jazz festivals and events, often students’ first exposure to a professional jazz orchestra. Outreach activities allow local school students the opportunity to learn from, and then play alongside, JazzMN musicians. These performances have proven to be highly inspirational to young musicians. Some have cited JazzMN’s concerts as one of the things that influenced their decision to go into music as a career.
YOGEV SHETRIT TRIO – Way of Tradition
Friday, June 19th at 6:00pm – Mears Park
Yogev Shetrit, an international composer and drummer was born in 1978. Earned his BA in
Musicology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Shetrit was the founder and member of the
famous worldwide Coolooloosh band. Shetrit has performed with notable artists, including Chuchito
Valdez, Tia Fuller, Arnie Lawrence, Paulo Morello, & Kevin Mahogany.
Shetrit, a composer at heart, created his trio in 2016 in order to play his original compositions.
He recorded as a bandleader and composer his first studio album, “New Path”. Since then, the Yogev Shetrit Trio has performed, in over 40 countries, at some of the largest festivals & venues worldwide, including The International Panama Jazz Festival and The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC. Casa Del Jazz, Rome, Italy and more.
In addition, Shetrit has released two studio albums and two Live albums, 3rd studio album “Way of
Tradition” released in May 2025 in Africa, India, Europe, USA and Israel. Shetrit’s music contains original compositions that elegantly fuse traditional North African music, Gnawa, Andalusian music from his Moroccan heritage, along with contemporary Jazz and Mediterranean music.
Shetrit last graced the TCJF stage in 2019 – we welcome him back to Saint Paul and the Midwest!
Band:
SULLIVAN FORTNER TRIO
Saturday, June 20th at 6:00pm – Mears Park
For more than a decade, Sullivan Fortner has been stretching deep-rooted talents as a pianist, composer, band leader and uncompromising individualist. The GRAMMY Award-winning artist and recipient of the 2026 Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award has garnered international praise as a leader and a fierce collaborator. He earned the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance on Samara Joy’s “Twinkle Twinkle Little Me” and the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album alongside Cécile McLorin Salvant for her acclaimed album The Window, on which he serves as both key player and producer. Fortner also has earned GRAMMY nods for his 2023 release Solo Game and his provocative arrangement of “Optimistic Voices/No Love Dying” from Salvant’s 2022 release Ghost Song.
As a solo leader he has issued Aria (2015); Moments Preserved (2018); Solo Game (2024), which earned 4-star reviews in DownBeat and France’s Telerama Magazine; and Southern Nights (2025) which landed Fortner on the February cover of DownBeat. Winner of the 2024 DownBeat Critics Poll for Rising Star Jazz Group: Sullivan Fortner Trio, the prolific artist has enjoyed creative associations with Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Diane Reeves, Etienne Charles and John Scofield; his frequent and longtime collaborators have included Ambrose Akinmusire, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Stefon Harris, Kassa Overall, Tivon Pennicott, Peter Bernstein, Nicholas Payton, Billy Hart, Gary Bartz, Chief Adjuah and the late Roy Hargrove.
Playing solo or leading an orchestra, Fortner engages harmony and rhythmic ideas through curiosity and clarity. Coming up in New Orleans, he began playing piano at age 7, earning his Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory and Master of Music in Jazz Performance from Manhattan School of Music (MSM). A champion of mentorship, Fortner has offered masterclasses at MSM, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), Purdue University, Lafayette Summer Music Workshop, Belmont University and Oberlin Conservatory where he held a faculty position and subsequently returned as visiting professor of jazz piano.
A highly-sought improviser, Fortner has performed at Snug Harbor, New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, Sweet Lorraine’s and The Jazz Playhouse in New Orleans, and Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jazz Standard and Smalls Jazz Club in New York City. He’s appeared at Newport, Monterey, Discover, Tri-C and Gillmore Keyboard jazz festivals. In 2019, Fortner brought his band to the historic Village Vanguard for a week-long engagement he would reprise in 2020 as a virtual performance during lockdown. His notable studio contributions include work on Etienne Charles’ Kaiso (Culture Shock, 2011), Donald Harrison’s Quantum Leap (FOMP, 2010), and Theo Croker’s The Fundamentals (Left Sided Music, 2007).
Fortner’s artistry preserves the tradition and evolves the sound. He seeks connections among different musical styles that are at once deeply soulful and wildly inventive. Both his works and his insights have been featured in culture drivers from The New York Times to The Root. Further accolades include the 2015 Cole Porter Fellowship awarded by the American Pianists Association, Leonore Annenberg Arts Fellowship, the 2016 Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists, the prestigious Shifting Foundation Grant in 2020 for artistic career development and the 2024 Western Jazz Presenters grant, which allowed him to tour the west coast with his trio.
Band:
Sullivan Fortner – Piano
Tyrone Allen – Bass
Kayvon Gordon – Drums
This presentation of the the Sullivan Fortner Trio is supported through a Chamber Music America Presenter Consortium for Jazz grant in collaboration with American Piano Awards and School of Music at Indiana State University. A component of the Doris Duke Jazz Ensembles Project, Presenter Consortium for Jazz is funded by the Doris Duke Foundation.
SELBY AVENUE BRASS BAND WITH THOMASINA PETRUS
Friday, June 19th at 4:00pm – Mears Park
The Selby Avenue Brass Band brings a unique voice to the Minneapolis / St. Paul music scene. While our musical roots come from the streets of New Orleans we expand from that genre into many others.
The group is led by Tom Wells, tubaist, arranger & composer and music educator in the Twin Cities area. Tom’s compositions and arrangement fuel a band comprised of enthusiastic and experienced musicians (including a Grammy winner).
LUCIA SARMIENTO
Saturday, June 20th at 2:00pm – Mears Park
Peruvian-American saxophonist and composer Lucia Sarmiento brings fire and charisma to every stage. Blending jazz, funk, and traditional Peruvian rhythms, her music features contagious grooves and singable melodies from her debut album Escape (2025). After touring globally with pop icons Pitbull and Karol G, Lucia now leads her own powerhouse jazz quintet. Born and raised in Peru and musically shaped by her years in Minneapolis, she brings a unique blend of cultural richness and storytelling to her performances. “Minneapolis raised me musically,” she reflects. “It’s a smaller city compared to LA or NYC, but the music scene is
vibrant, steeped in the legacy of Prince. I began performing with Prince’s long-time collaborators and Weather Report’s legendary drummer Eric Gravatt right out of college. I got to explore every genre—from Minneapolis funk to brass band, and from Motown to free jazz. What was really important was that I came to develop my own sound. At first, it wasn’t easy to keep up with the loud drums, distorted guitars, and very experienced funk players, so I spent lots of time working on my sound and time. I also admire how Michael Brecker, Bob Mintzer, and Chris Potter play with so much strength and a sense of urgency—that’s how I want to play.” Now based in Chicago and endorsed by Eastman, Theo Wanne, and D’Addario, Lucia continues to carve her path as a bold new voice in contemporary jazz—pairing her big
saxophone sound and imaginative writing with an unmistakable sense of joy and freedom. A Saxophone Performance Scholarship brought her to Minneapolis in 2013, where she has since collaborated with esteemed artists including Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, Arturo Sandoval, Melissa Aldana, Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Kurt Elling, Grace Kelly, Antwaun Stanley, and Ella Briceno. With over 150,000 social media followers and performances spanning festivals, jazz clubs, and international stages, Lucia Sarmiento represents a new generation of artists bridging cultures and redefining what jazz can be.
Band:
Lucia Sarmiento – saxophone
David Feily – Guitar
Jason Craft – Keys
Anibal Soares – Bass
Pete James Johnson – Drums
ZACC HARRIS GROUP
Saturday, June 20th at 4:00pm – Mears Park
Zacc Harris is a Minneapolis-based guitarist, composer, and bandleader who has been an integral part of the Twin Cities jazz scene since 2005, earning the honor of Best Jazz Artist in 2017 by City Pages. A dynamic performer and composer, Harris leads and contributes to a range of acclaimed projects, including the Atlantis Quartet—recipient of a 2015 McKnight Fellowship and named Best Jazz Artist in 2011—as well as the Zacc Harris Group, American Reverie, and the Zacc Harris Trio.
He has toured extensively across the U.S. and U.K., with standout performances such as a 2016 engagement at London’s legendary Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and a featured spot on the main stage of the 2022 Twin Cities Jazz Festival. His 2021 release Small Wonders earned a 4-star review from DownBeat Magazine and landed on its Best Albums of the Year list. His latest album, Chasing Shadows, has drawn critical acclaim, with JazzWise Magazine praising his compositions for “exploring the kind of big-sky generous melodicism pioneered by artists like Metheny and Gary Burton,” adding that “his timing and articulation are beyond reproach and his imagination extensive.”
Band:
OTHER SCHEDULED PERFORMANCES
All performances on Friday and Saturday, June 19 and 20, are free admission!
The collaborators that form Alma Brasileira started their journeys from widely disparate points– recorder virtuoso Clea Galhano grew up in Brazil; vocalist Lucia Newell spent two years in Rio performing and studying with local masters; and guitarist Chris Olsen has performed as a solo artist, in duos with many of the finest singers and instrumentalists in the Twin Cities. But it is through Brazilian music that their art intersects, and it is at this intersection that we hear some of the world’s most beautiful melodies and danceable rhythms, from classic Brazilian songcrafters like Luis Bonfa, Jobim and Pixinguinha as well as Minnesota’s own High Priestess of samba and baiao, Joan Griffith. Together they play a wide variety of well-loved samba, bossa nova, choro, baiao and original tunes that celebrate the joy that defines the Brazilian soul.
Visit: www.LuciaNewell.com
ALMA BRASILEIRA:
Lucia Newell – vocals and percussion
Cléa Galhano – recorders
Chris Olsen – guitar
Saturday, June 20th – The Minnesota Museum of American Art – 3PM
ANTHONY THOE & NICK BAKER
Saturday June 20th – The Mezz Taproom – 3PM
Join ArtStart Artists in creating a colorful and jazzy guitar or trumpet from artful reuse materials! And look for dancing Hijinks Stiltwalkers, who take jazz-era fashion to new heights.
These activities supported by the STAR Cultural grant awarded to ArtStart
Saturday, June 20th – Mears Park – 2:00-6:00PM
Bernadette Brownrigg Spray is a jazz singer who is making a name for herself among the Twin Cities jazz community. With her unique style and scatting abilities, Bernadette breathes new life into the Great American Songbook. Diagnosed with Autism at age 2, Bernadette discovered singing as her best way to communicate with the world around her. Bernadette’s strong affinity for jazz started at age 7. Her influences include Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn to name just a few. Bernadette holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Augsburg University. She has performed at Crooners, First Avenue/7th St. Entry, The Cedar, Minneapolis Depot, Jazz Central Studios and The MetroNome. Bernadette is a 2025 recipient of a MN State Arts Board grant.
Bernadette Spray – Vocals
Jeffrey Merrill – Piano
Omar Abdulkarim: Trumpet
Ben Erhlich- Drums
Billy Peterson: Bass
Friday, June 19th – Zamboni’s on 7th – 7PM
A Minneapolis-based group performing their own brand of originally composed afropsych music. Taking their cues from the godfathers, the band draws on complex polyrhythmic percussion, driving bass lines, dizzying guitar interplay, rolling keys, and room-commanding brass.
BAND:
Charlie Bruber
Sam Harvey-Carlson
Murphy Janssen
Cameron Kinghorn
Cody LeDuc
Luke Rivard
Mitch Sigurdson
David Tullis
Thursday, June 18th – Mears Park – in partnership with Lowertown Sounds – 6:15PM
BLANCHE THE JAZZY JEWESS OF SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS
Blanche the Jazzy Jewess of South Minneapolis is excited to bring her combo to Gambit Brewing! Expect Jazz standards, show tunes, and comedy – all delivered with the chutzpah everyone has come to expect from Blanche! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you might even leave with new life advice!
Friday, June 19th – Gambit Brewing Co – 6-7:30PM
BrassZilla’s original music runs the gamut from what we like to call hip shakin’ beer jazz – through several influences – all the way to chamber jazz, defying any typical ideas of genre or style. BrassZilla also plays and draws on the standards, including influences from blues, swing, NOLA and cool jazz. Latin, ska and reggae influences also pop up from time to time.
BrassZilla is:
Bob DeBoer, trumpet
Zach Zins, trombone
Hal Longley, sousaphone
Andy Deckard, drums and percussion
Saturday, June 20th – Bigos 6th Street Stage – 7:30PM
CALVIN CARON’S AMERICAN WEST QUINTET
Calvin Caron is a bassist and composer living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His “American West Quintet” project draws inspiration from the landscapes and people that contribute to the story of the American west. As a composer, Calvin is inspired by country and folk music. He aims to create unique musical atmospheres that encourage freedom of expression and listening.
Chris Thompson – Sax
Jackson Peters – Guitar
Toivo Hannigan – Guitar
Calvin Caron – Bass
JT Bates – Drums
Friday, June 19th – Zamboni’s on 7th – 8:30PM
Carson Parker, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, has emerged as one of the Midwest’s most captivating young jazz pianists, blending a mix of jazz, blues, and funk into his distinctive style. Carson’s musical journey began at the age of six, when he first played the piano, setting a foundation for a lifelong dedication to the craft. His music, marked by passion and precision, shows a deep appreciation for jazz greats like Cedar Walton, Oscar Peterson, and Benny Green who have significantly shaped his sound.
Carson’s talent has taken him to some of the region’s greatest venues, including Chicago’s Fulton Street Collective, Clara Chicago, Opus Concert Cafe, Des Moines’ Noce Jazz Club, and the Iowa City Jazz Festival. Carson is grateful to be influenced by many teachers and mentors including Nate Sparks, Nick Ruckert, and Dr. William Menefield. His versatility as both a solo artist and collaborator has allowed him to work with musicians including trumpeter Sean Jones, drummer Isaiah Spencer, trumpeter Benny Bennack III, vocalist Max Wellman, drummer Jerome Gillespie II, and singer-songwriter James Tutson.
In 2023, Carson achieved the honor as the sole pianist of the National Jazz Band of America. Now an established professional, he continues to play for audiences across the Midwest, both with his ensemble and as a sought-after sideman, consistently showcasing his passion and commitment to the music. Carson’s journey is only just beginning as he pushes forward, leaving a mark on the jazz world.
Band:
Carson Parker – piano
Spencer Paulsen – bass
Zane Gedler – Drums
Saturday, June 20th – MetroNOME Brewery – 8PM
CEDAR AVENUE BIG BAND with COLLEEN RAYE
CEDAR AVE BIG BAND feat. Colleen Raye Vocalist presents:
“THE ARRANGERS“
RIDDLE/QUINCY/THAD JONES/MANCINI/ELLINGTON/TOP TWIN CITY ARRANGERS AND MORE
The Cedar Ave Big Band has been renowned in the TC area for over 35 years. Originally under the musical direction of the Late Great Steve Devich, This 16-piece Kick Butt Big Band now has Mike Haynes at the helm. This Killer Ensemble of musicians and Vocalist Colleen Raye are a great combination. The many soloists in the band are outrageous! You’ll hear Hard Swinging tunes and challenging charts that will knock your socks off.
Powerhouse Vocalist Colleen Raye performs Mercer/Carmichael “Sky Lark,” Duke Ellington “I’m Gonna Go Fishing”, Rodgers and Hart “You Took Advantage of Me “arr. Riddle, Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice” and the moving ”Everything Must Change”
Members of the Band:
Scott Johnson, Alto sax
Joshua Johnson, Alto sax
Race Hoglund, Tenor sax
David Brattain, Tenor sax
Bill Burton, Bari sax
Pete Enblom, Trombone
Mike Haynes, Trombone
John Olson, Trombone
Ross Fugl, Bass Trombone
Gus Lindquist, Trumpet
Phil Holm, Trumpet
Bob Kase, Trumpet
Greg Lewis, Trumpet
Mark Asche Piano
Gary Raynor, Bass
Craig Hill, Drums
Sam Bergstrom, Guitar
Colleen Raye, Vocals
Friday, June 19th – Crooners Supper Club – Belvedere Stage – 7:30PM
Free Admission – Reservations are recommended. Please make reservations here.
Choro Borealis brings together some of the Twin Cities’ finest musicians who share a deeply rooted passion for Brazilian music: Pat O’Keefe on clarinet, Tim O’Keefe on percussion and mandolin, Robert Everest on 7-string guitar and vocals, John Croarkin on flute, and David Burk on cavaquinho. Choro music is a lively instrumental genre native to Rio de Janeiro with strong European and African roots, and which developed at the same time as Ragtime and Dixieland Jazz in the US. Performing both choro standards and original compositions, the magic of Choro Borealis is the playful interplay among the musicians, and the many varieties of instruments they employ in bringing choro music to life for their audiences.
Saturday, June 20th – Bigos 6th Street Stage – 5:00PM
CONNIE EVINGSON’s recorded catalog of acclaimed CD’s ranging from jazz and Broadway standards to the music of Peggy Lee, Dave Frishberg, the Beatles, bossa nova, gypsy jazz and more reflects an adventurous spirit that knows no boundaries. Connie appears regularly at Crooner’s, the Dakota and various other Twin Cities venues. She has been a featured guest artist with Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion, Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis, the Minnesota Orchestra conducted by Doc Severinsen, Philip Brunelle’s Vocalessence, the JazzMN Orchestra and has toured worldwide with appearances at concert halls and theaters across the U.S., Europe and Japan. Her 10 CD’s have all charted in the Top 50 Jazz releases in the U.S. and Canada, and her music is included on numerous CD compilations in the U.S., China, France and Japan. She is a longtime member of the popular vocal jazz group Moore By Four and is a two-time recipient of the McKnight Fellowship for Performing Musicians and the Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant. Connie and pianist Jon Weber first met at the 2003 Twin Cities Jazz Festival at Peavey Plaza, and have been working together ever since.
Friday, June 19th – w/ Jon Weber – Crooners Supper Club – Maggie’s Piano Lounge – 8-10PM
Dakota Andersen is a vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and educator based in Minneapolis. A newcomer to the Twin Cities, he is quickly becoming established in the jazz scene with performances at Jazz Central Studios, Aster Cafe, The Lexington, MetroNOME Brewery, Hook and Ladder, and Resource. Most recently, he released his debut album of 10 original songs entitled Switchgrass. The album encompasses a wide range of vocal jazz styles – funk, bebop, bossa nova, Tin Pan Alley era swing, modal jazz, jazz folk, etc. – and draws heavily on inspiration from nature. Past collaborations include Kurt Elling, Sinne Eeg, Darmon Meader, Laila Biali, Miguel Zenón, Myra Melford, Carl Allen, the One O’Clock Lab Band, and the Minnesota Jazz Orchestra. Dakota is originally from Fairfield, Iowa and earned his undergraduate degree in choral music education from the University of Northern Iowa and his master’s degree in jazz studies from the University of North Texas.
Friday, June 19th – Episcopal Homes – 6:30PM
Local jazz vocalist Dorothy Doring and New York based pianist Jon Weber will team up for a dynamic duo performance on Friday, June 19 @5pm. Dorothy Doring is a seasoned vocalist who has performed for several decades in the Twin Cities area and has recorded three award-winning jazz albums. Dorothy Doring and Jon Weber have worked together before at the Twin Cities Summer Jazz Festival and will join up again to present a fun duo that is sure to engage audiences with their skill, repertoire and relaxed delivery.
Friday, June 19th – w/ Jon Weber – Bigos 6th Street Stage – 5:00PM
Duo CORDA (cellist Jacqueline Ultan and guitarist Pavel Jany) blends together elements of jazz, classical music and a variety of international music styles.
Jacqueline Ultan is a singularly creative cellist and composer. Also a dedicated teacher, Ultan is on the faculty of MacPhail’s Center for Music and holds a Master’s Degree in Performance from Yale University. In demand locally and nationally, Ultan has recorded and collaborated extensively with many theater, pop, jazz, rock and new music artists.
Pavel Jany is a contemporary jazz guitarist and composer whose long musical journey encompasses many various styles. Pavel has founded several international jazz projects on the Twin Cities’ music scene, including Brazilian jazz ensemble “Ticket To Brasil”, acoustic jazz trio “Talking Strings”, and jazz fusion group “Global Jazz Collegium”.
Friday, June 19th – The Minnesota Museum of American Art – 4PM
EAST LAKE JAZZ WORKSHOP
The East Lake Jazz Workshop (ELJW) is made up of Bill McMahon, Guitar, Bill Bergmann, Guitar, Scott Fultz, Saxophone, John Brown, Bass and Eric Linde, Drums. The group plays an eclectic mix of straight-ahead and contemporary jazz with a heavy dose of funk and groove. ELJW covers a range of popular jazz standards and styles as well as a number of original compositions.
Friday, June 19th – White Squirrel Bar – 6-8PM
ELI ZUKOR QUINTET
Eli Zukor is originally from Minneapolis, where he grew up studying with some of MN’s finest musicians— including Aaron Hedenstrom, Graydon Peterson, Adam Linz, and Michael Cain— at places like MacPhail, Walker West, and Jazz Central Studios. From there, he went to college for Jazz Upright Bass at Temple University, where he studied with Terell Stafford, Tim Warfield, and Dick Oatts. After graduating, he spent a year playing jazz in NYC with musicians from MSM, Juilliard, and NYU. He has performed at MN’s Orchestra Hall, The Dakota, and Chris’s Jazz Cafe (Philly).
Videos recordings:
BAND:
Cameron Sewell, saxophone
Medeski Dow, saxophone
Lasse Corson, piano
Eli Zukor, bass
Everett Needleman, drums
Saturday, June 20th – MetroNOME Brewery – 4:30PM
Ella Grace is an award-winning performer, composer, and educator based in Chicago. Born in Georgia and raised in Minnesota, Ella was heralded as a “rising star” in the Twin Cities jazz scene before moving to Chicago in 2021, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from DePaul University in 2025. In 2024, Ella won the Chicago Music Scene Fellowship, which funded her debut album as a leader, releasing March 2026 on Shifting Paradigm Records. Ella performs frequently in the Chicago area, Midwest, and beyond both as a sidewoman and bandleader with her original compositions in a variety of jazz and jazz-adjacent styles. Ella has performed with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and toured internationally with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Marcus Printup has called Ella’s sound “big, soulful, human” and “unlike anyone I’ve heard before.” Ella plays to share that sound and the cathartic power of music with the world.
BAND:
Ella Grace trumpet
Tyler Lustek piano
Lance McDonald bass
Jonah Walt saxophone
Jack Schabert drums
Saturday, June 20th – Nautilus Music-Theater – 5PM
Erin Livingston is a Jazz, Blues and R&B singer in the Twin Cities. Erin has graced venues such as Crooners Supper Club and The Lexington and many others across the state. She has enjoyed an Artist Residency at The St. Paul Hotel for several years and is glad to be back for Twin Cities Jazz Fest again this year! Erin is part of the Voice Department Faculty at Macphail Center for Music.
Robert Bell-guitar Robert Bell formed the Twin Cities Hot Club in 2004. The group has released a self titled CD and the DVD Live at the Times. Robert is also a member of the traditional jazz band the Southside Aces. Robert leads the Robert Bell Hot Swing Combo, and has also worked as bandleader for Lili’s Burlesque and MPR Stage Sessions .
Matt Peterson upright bass Matt Peterson grew up in Hopkins and fell in love with jazz under the direction of his high school band director Don Bates. He followed this passion and studied music at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, then moved back to the Twin Cities in 2004, quickly becoming an in-demand bassist. He regularly plays with Zacc Harris’ American Reverie, the Explosion Big Band and the Twin Cities Hot Club. Peterson is also a music educator, teaching elementary K-5 aged students in the Edina Public Schools.
Friday June 19th, and Saturday, June 20th – Saint Paul Hotel Lobby Bar – 4-8PM
Ethan Ostrow is a Minneapolis-based pianist and composer. Ethan’s original music ranges from soaring melodies over head-banging grooves, to powerful reflective ballads, drawing influence from Jazz, Rock, Funk and Folk.
A recent transplant from New York City, Ethan has quickly established himself in Minnesota, performing and recording with the Snapped Open Mic band, Ashley DuBose, Adam Bohanan, Omar Abdulkarim, Abinnet Berhanu, Zacc Harris, Dakota Andersen, Leslie Vincent, Kathleen Johnson, Toussaint Morrison, the Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra, Sunshine & the Nightwalkers, Pete Enblom, and more at venues such as The Dakota, Crooner’s Supper Club, the Cedar Cultural Center, The Green Room, Aster House, and Berlin.
Ethan has performed extensively across the US; and abroad in Havana and Tokyo. His time in NYC included performances at Birdland, Dizzy’s, Chelsea Table & Stage, Nublu, and Rockwood Music Hall with musicians such as Dayna Stephens, Kellin Hanas, and Nick Marziani. He is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, having been mentored by Stefon Harris, Ingrid Jensen, Jaleel Shaw, and Phil Markowitz.
Stephanie Wieseler – Tenor Saxophone
Dan Carpel – Bass
Everett Needleman – Drums
Ethan Ostrow – Piano
Saturday, June 20th – MetroNOME Brewery – 3PM
Funk Lump and The Nugs is yet another side project for a bunch of grizzled old-timers in Twin Cities: Rod Smith, Mary K Stone, Eric Kreidler, Mark Messina, and Andy McClure. Music is varied, but mostly falls somewhere in the Rock/Funk/Blues neighborhood.
Saturday, June 20th – White Squirrel Bar – 2-4PM
Fuzzy Math has been a fixture on the Twin Cities scene since 2011, led by Twin Cities native Mark Vandermyde, a classically-trained pianist and organist who began migrating from Mozart to Miles in middle school, studied music theory and composition at Harvard, banged around in blues bands and rediscovered his love of writing, and jazz, and writing jazz. He’s been lucky enough to assemble some of the finest players in town including Andrew Schwandt on tenor sax, Matt Peterson on bass and Haralds Bondaris on drums, to help bring to life his vision of creating music that’s interesting, accessible and fun…serious music that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and offers something for everyone. The group has released 5 CDs, each offering a new iteration of their uniquely eclectic blend of original tunes and creative pop / rock / indie covers for which the StarTribune named them to its Best of Minnesota list under “best jazz act for people bored with jazz”. Racket (the successor to the City Pages arts beat) described them as “fluid as hell…generously melodic…alternately tender and brawny…nuanced…this is jazz that never gets too far out but never dawdles too close to home – a genuine sweet spot.
Thursday, June 18th – Erta Ale Ethiopian Restaurant – 7-9PM
This Twin Cities based ensemble blends together sounds of music from around the world combined with elements of American jazz and their original material.
Pavel Jany-guitar
John Croarkin-sax/flute/harmonica
Dan Weston-bass
Francisco Pancho Lopez-percussion
Saturday, June 20th – Erta Ale Ethiopian Restaurant – 7-9PM
Gonzo’s Planet plays a blend of music inspired by jazz, funk, rock, and soul.
Saturday, June 20th – Gambit Brewing Company – 6-8PM
Grady Cartony, a rising talent in the Twin Cities jazz scene has been playing the saxophone since age 10. Grady plays several instruments, including alto and soprano saxophone, clarinet, flute, and piano, but his primary instrument is tenor saxophone. He has played throughout the Twin Cities metro area in various ensembles including the Minnesota Youth Jazz Band, Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, and many more. Grady also was featured on Jazz 88 radio at age 16 for Next Generation Jazz and appeared on the KARE 11 news. He was also selected for the Minnesota All-State Jazz Band and has appeared at various venues and festivals including the Dakota Jazz Club, Jazz Central, Crooners Supper Club, MetroNOME Brewery, Pablo Center at the Confluence, Minnesota Music Cafe, Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Duluth Jazz Festival, and Smalls Jazz Club in New York City. Grady studied under acclaimed jazz artists such as Scott Johnson, Mike Tucker, Ryan Devlin, and Eric Alexander. He has had various feature solos and has shared the stage with notable artists including Chad LB, Kenni Holmen, Dale Alexander, Tom Lewis, Omar Abdulkarim, Jennifer Grimm, Kavyesh Kaviraj and Phil Hey. Grady blends sounds from Gene Ammons, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Cedar Walton, Sonny Stitt, and many more. He plans to continue his music education out east and pursue a degree in jazz performance for tenor saxophone.
Grady Cartony – saxophone
Laeton Olaleye – saxophone
Xavier Johnson Ryan – piano
Callum Schultz – bass
Seth Ziemniak – drums
Saturday, June 20th – Zamboni’s on 7th – 7PM
GUVENC, BURK & O’KEEFE ORCHESTRA
Guvenc & Burk Orchestra plays a variety of Turkish music. During the GBO performances, it is not out of the ordinary to hear a Classical Turkish piece followed by a Baris Manco (Anatolian Rock/ Pop) tune followed by an Asik Veysel (Anatolian Folklore) tune and a 9/8 Gypsy tune from Trace. Guvenc & Burk Orchestra features some of the world class musicians from the Twin Cities area. These musicians include David Burk, Pat O’Keefe, Tim O’Keefe and Serdar Guvenc. Occasionally, guest artists include other well known Twin Cities musicians such as, Laura Harada, Hristo Alexiev and Mick LaBriola. Guvenc & Burk Orchestra members play traditional and modern instruments. Here are some of instruments that you might see during the performances:
- Stringed instruments: Saz, cumbus, cura, violin, viola, bass guitar, Spanish guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, uzun sap baglama, charango, oud
- Winds: Clarinet, duduk, saxophone
- Drums: Darbuka, tef, dumbek, cajones, brake drum, maracas, clave, davul
- Keyboards, synthesizers and sequencers
Guvenc & Burk Orchestra also specializes in educational workshops that focus on communicating the richness and vastness of Turkish music and culture
The Band:
David Burk – Guitars, vocals, saz, oud, cumbus, percussion
Serdar Guvenc – Guitars, vocals, percussion
Tim O’Keefe – Drums, percussion, duduk, oud
Patrick O’Keefe – Clarinet, soprano saxophone, percussion
Hristo Alexiev – Clarinet, keyboard, vocals
Friday, June 19th – Erta Ale Ethiopian Restaurant – 4-6PM
HEYARLO is an instrumental indie group based out of Minneapolis, MN. The group is: DeCarlo Jackson on Flugelhorn, Mickey Mahoney on Bass, Evan Slack on Guitar, Sam Rosenstone on Keys and Rick Haneman on drums. Each member is very active in the Twin Cities music scene and can be seen and heard playing with notable groups such as Hippo Campus, Sid Sriram, Lissie, Boyish, Samia and more.
“HEYARLO is a group of talented artists with careers already launched separately. They come together with a sophisticated, rich sound. Their latest single, “Chanting & Gossip,” lives up to the band’s self-proclaimed mix of soul, funk, hip-hop, and jazz.”
-NT (The Current)
Saturday, June 20th – Zamboni’s on 7th – 8:30PM
Hot Club Mania Quartet, a Twin Cities-based swing jazz band, performs a timeless jazz tradition commonly known as Gypsy Jazz, a blend of traditional Roma music and swing jazz. Originating in Paris in the early 1930s, the ‘Hot Club’ jazz tradition brings back happy memories of the swing jazz era, and for all an opportunity to nod, tap, or hit the dance floor. Their music keeps audience members on the edge (or out) of their chairs with the band’s formidable improvisational prowess, and exceptional stylistic dimension. A group not to be missed! Performing over 16 years, the ensemble includes the unmistakable mastery of jazz violinist Gary Schulte, the diverse guitar styling of Glen Helgeson, the tasty refined work of acoustic bassist Steve Pikal, and the rhythmic sensibility of drummer Danny Coots.
Glen Helgeson – guitarist bandleader. Composing and performing for nearly three decades, Glen Helgeson has established himself jointly in both world music and in the field of music therapy. Glen achieved a Masters degree in Music (1999); a certification in Neurologic Music Therapy (2003), and has practiced music therapy for 22 years.
Gary Schulte – violin Gary Schulte is a master improvisor and performance composer to whom Stephane Grappelli gave his most sincere blessing. A veteran of A Prairie Home Companion, he has done everything from classical improvisation with harpsichord master Layton James to the avant garde with David Byrne, and extensive collaborative work with groups such as Ballet of the Dolls, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, and Zorongo Flamenco. University School of Music, Schulte studied with Paganini virtuoso Rugierro Ricci.
Steve Pikal – bass Steve Pikal is highly regarded as a first call bass player from the Minnesota Twin Cities area jazz scene. He has had the pleasure backing shows with legendary performers such as Cab Calloway, Bob Hope, and Margaret Whiting. Some of his additional playing credits include the Jim Cullum Jazz band, Butch Miles, Artie Shaw Orchestra, the Barbary Coast Dixieland Show band, Dick Hyman, Delfeayo Marsalis, Jon Weber, Danny Coots, Brian Holland, the Wolverines Big band, Butch Thompson, Hal Smith, John Cocuzzi, Jeff Barnhart, The Midiri Brothers, and the Bill Evans New Orleans Jazz band.
Danny Coots – Arguably the most requested drummer on the jazz circuit today, Danny Coots is every musicians’ dream percussionist. He has been praised by fellow instrumentalists, singers, and audience members all over the world. His undeniable sense of timing combined with his incredible sensitivity to the overall musical canvas allows him to blend seamlessly into just about any rhythmic setting.
Saturday, June 20th – Erta Ale Ethiopian Restaurant – 4-6PM
HOW BIRDS WORKED
Kevin Washington, drums, is one of the Twin Cities most versatile musicians and doesn’t stick to the jazz of the past. He takes the music to a new level, often incorporating other genres from Afro-Latin to hip hop and R&B beats. The son of saxophonist Donald Washington and singer Faye Washington, he grew up in Detroit immersed in learning music and listening to the jazz greats who came before him.Since moving to the Twin Cities in his teens, Washington continues to capture the spirit of African and African American music, while making it his own. Washington is a drumming instructor at Walker West and works with the student jazz ensembles.
Billy Peterson, bass, one of the most celebrated bass players in the world. His uncompromising talents as a performer have brought him widespread recognition, as well as his numerous credits as a composer, arranger and producer. Billy´s contributions to the music scene are inestimable. During his extensive musical career, the permanently in-demand bassist has worked with many internationally acclaimed artists, including Carlos Santana, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Prince, Les Paul, and Steve Miller, just to name a few.
A current member of Juilliard’s Artist Diploma ambassador ensemble, NYC-based Will Kjeer, piano, is among the vanguard of his generation bringing the continuum of jazz to new audiences and stages across the globe. Will was raised in the midwest and spent formative years within the walls of the legendary Artists’ Quarter jazz club in St. Paul. He has performed with globally acclaimed artists such as Dave King, Jerry Bergonzi, Adam Nussbaum, Sinne Eeg, Benny Benack III, Billy Peterson, and Karrin Allyson, and he is a regular touring collaborator with the classically trained crossover cello duo Empire Wild. He is currently on tour with legendary singer Judy Collins of the folk revival movement.
Saturday, June 20th – MetroNOME Brewery – 9:30PM
Jake Baldwin is a Minneapolis-based trumpet player and bandleader known for his versatility and lyrical improvising. A New England Conservatory alumnus, he is a prizewinner of multiple national jazz trumpet competitions and a finalist in the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Competition. He has released three albums on Shifting Paradigm Records, including Misc. Items, which received a four-star review in DownBeat Magazine. Jake’s style is a conglomeration of his collective influences filtered through the lens of a thoroughly midwestern sound.
Band:
Jake Baldwin – Trumpet
Adam Harder Nussbaum – Drums
Cody McKinney – Electric Bass
Toivo Hannigan – Guitar
Friday June 19th – Nautilus Music-Theater – 4:30PM
JAZZ FESTIVAL JAM SESSION HOSTED BY GRAYDON PETERSON TRIO
Will Kjeer – Piano, Graydon Peterson – Bass, Pete James Johnson – Drums
Friday, June 19th and Saturday, June 20th – Zamboni’s on 7th – 10PM
JIM WITZEL WITH THE PHIL AARON TRIO
Jim is an SF Bay Area based jazz guitarist, educator, recording artist and bandleader and very excited to be making his very first appearance at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Joining him for the quartet performance is his long-time musical partner pianist Phil Aaron, along with bassist Dan Carpel and drummer Reid Kennedy (AKA the “Phil Aaron Trio”).
Phil and Jim have produced and released two recording of Jim’s quartet: Breaking Through Gently (2024) and Very Early – Remembering Bill Evans (2025) and will be playing selections off of the Very Early album for the performance at the Jazz Fest this year.
Saturday, June 20th – Nautilus Music-Theater – 8:30PM
Jazz pianist Jon Weber has recorded and toured all over the world, winning numerous honors for performance and composition – scoring extensively for television since 1987. Gary Burton, Roy Hargrove, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Kurt Elling and Avishai Cohen have all recorded Jon’s music, and his critically acclaimed release, SIMPLE COMPLEX, rose to #1. Jon lives in New York City hosting NPR’s “Piano Jazz with Jon Weber” after frequently serving as guest host for Marian McPartland. Jon has played duet concerts with Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin and Stevie Wonder. PS Classics released “I Know Things Now” – a Sondheim tribute CD which Jon orchestrated and conducted. He served as musical director at Peggy Lee’s Centennial Concert in Carnegie Hall. Jon is serving as musical director for the O’Neill Theatre six years running – and has conducted the Mabel Mercer Foundation’s Cabaret Convention at Lincoln Center since October 2008. Weber performed in the London Jazz Fest, Vossa, Oslo and Molde Jazz Fests in Norway, Luzern, Switzerland Jazz Fest 11 times, the Melbourne Jazz Fest six times, 26 consecutive Twin Cities Jazz Festivals – and served as artistic director of the 2023 and 2025 Cayman Arts Festival.
Thursday, June 18th – solo at Dunsmore Jazz Room @ Crooners Supper Club – 5:30-7:00PM
Friday, June 19th – solo at Episcopal Homes – 2:00PM; w/ Dorothy Doring – Bigos 6th Street Stage – 5:00PM; w/ Connie Evington – Maggie’s Piano Lounge @ Crooners Supper Club 8-10PM
Saturday, June 20th – solo at Episcopal Homes – 2:00PM &; solo at Maggie’s Piano Lounge @ Crooners Supper Club – 8-10PM
KEVIN GAMBLE RAY CHARLES TRIBUTE BAND
For as long as he can remember music has been a part of Kevin Gamble’s life. One of his first experiences with music was growing up in his home church playing the piano. Gospel, along with influences of Jazz, Funk, country, Soul, and HipHop growing up definitely shaped his sound as a musician. After years of sharpening his skills on piano and finishing his music education in 2018, he decided in 2019 to form his fusion group KG4. Since starting his professional music career and forming his band he has had the opportunity to play with many incredible musicians here in the Twin Cities. Growing up Kevin’s biggest musical influence was the amazing genius that is Ray Charles. Kevin is so excited to be doing this tribute concert honoring Ray Charles for the Twin Cities Jazz Fest. Also joining him as a special guest on lead vocals will be Robyn Charles the daughter of legendary singer and musician Ray Charles! From Kevin: “As a kid growing up listening to him as a singer, composer, musician and a band leader really impacted me in an incredible way and pushed me to want to have my own musical career being a musician, band leader, and composer.” Joining Kevin in the band are Tarek Abdelqader (Drums), Andrew Tomten (Sax), Nick Benish (Bass) and Frank Merchlewitz (Organ/Aux).
Saturday, June 20th – Crooners Supper Club – Dunsmore Jazz Room – 4:30PM
Free admission – reservations recommended. Please make reservations here.
LEE ENGELE & REYNOLD PHILIPSEK WITH SPECIAL GUEST GARY SHULTE
Vocalist Lee Engele performs with guitarist Reynold Philipsek, and a special appearance by Gary Schulte on violin. A veteran of local big bands, small ensembles and theater; Lee has released a number of recordings to date, two with Reynold and Gary. She has performed in New York, and at major Twin Cities and Midwest venues. Reynold Philipsek is one of the area’s most prolific artists and has appeared on over fifty recordings either under his own name or in support of other artists. His guitar (and voice) can be heard in the ensembles East Side and Side Walk Café.
Saturday, June 20th – Heime’s Haberdashery – 2PM
A prolific jazz songwriter and vocalist, Leslie Vincent’s lyrical creativity, rich alto tone, and magnetic stage presence have made her a standout in the modern jazz scene. She creates award-winning tunes inspired by modern-day queries.
Alongside Blake Foster (guitar), Patrick Adkins (piano), Matt McIntyre (bass), Ben Ehrlich (drums), and Mitch Van Laar (trumpet), Leslie melds modern lyrics rooted in the jazz, swing, and blues traditions, creating award-winning tunes inspired by modern-day queries and performing heartfelt, high-energy shows across the Midwest. Her upcoming album of original music, Little Black Book, was featured in The Star Tribune as one of the Top Albums of the Year.
Beyond the stage, Leslie is a passionate advocate for the arts and a frequent collaborator. Her performances often feature cross-genre interpretations and a welcoming energy that makes audiences feel right at home. Learn more at lesliedellavincent.com
Friday, June 19th – MetroNOME Brewery – 9:30PM
Jazz pianist-composer Mary Louise Knutson has been called “one of the most exciting artists to happen to jazz piano in quite some time.” Her warm, inviting tone, broad range of emotional expression, and distinctive compositions have brought her much recognition on the national music scene. Knutson performs, records, and tours with her group, the Mary Louise Knutson Trio, and freelances with area vocalists, notably Connie Evingson and Patty Peterson; and with a variety of instrumental groups including the JazzMN Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra. From 2010-2018, Knutson toured with trumpeter Doc Severinsen, former bandleader for the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson; and has also performed with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Kevin Mahogany, Diane Schuur, Randy Brecker, Bobby Shew, Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard, Richie Cole, Ernie Watts, Delfeayo Marsalis, Mike Stern, Peter Erskine, and many more. Check out her music on Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, or Amazon Music. www.MaryLouiseKnutson.com
Mary Louise Knutson, piano
Dan Carpel, bass
Greg Shutte, drums
Saturday, June 20th – Nautilus Music-Theater – Noon
MAUD HIXSON WITH RICK CARLSON
Maud Hixson Sextet
New York Bistro Award winner and Minnesota native Maud Hixson celebrates her love of swing and the Great American Songbook with a voice that All About Jazz calls “gently virtuosic.” Her sextet features pianist Rick Carlson, bassist Steve Pikal, guitarist Mike Cramer, drummer Danny Coots and violinist Gary Schulte. With two decades of performances from New York to London, she has just released her eighth recording, When Winter Comes. Find out more at MaudHixson.com
Maud Hixson Bio:
Hailed as “gently virtuosic” (All About Jazz), Maud Hixson is a devoted exponent of great songs, ranging from the classic Great American Songbook to the often unsung or forgotten compositions awaiting rediscovery. Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Maud made her Guthrie Theater debut in the Noel Coward revue Coward’s Women, also appearing in Park Square Theater’s The Soul of Gershwin. She teamed with Sir Richard Rodney Bennett in 2012 for the long-running Midtown Jazz at Midday concert series at Saint Peter’s and debuted her show Skyscraper Wits in London and New York in 2015. She has made three appearances at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall for the New York Cabaret Convention, presented by the Mabel Mercer Foundation. Maud received a Next Step Grant from the McKnight Foundation in 2015 and is the recipient of four Artist Initiative grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board, one of which supported the research for her album comprised of compositions by Broadway composer Michael (Mickey) Leonard. Her newest recording is devoted to the music of her mentor, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, which earned a 2024 Bistro Award.
Rick Carlson Bio:
He has been the pianist for the Wolverines Big Band since 1980. He has performed on concert stages from London to New York City, and has appeared with Count Basie drummer Butch Miles, horn stars Warren Vaché, Delfeayo Marsalis, Evan Christopher and Wycliffe Gordon. His credits as musical director, arranger and pianist include the Guthrie Theater presentation of “Coward’s Women”, the Capri Theater “Legends Series” and in various concert and cabaret presentations internationally. He once opened for Rosemary Clooney, has accompanied Kathryn Crosby in cabaret shows, and counts Madeleine Peyroux among his many unwitting fans.
Friday, June 19th – Maud Hixson Sextet – Nautilus Music-Theater – 6PM
Saturday, June 20th – Maud Hixson & Rick Carlson – Episcopal Homes – 6:30PM
METRONOME YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA
The MetroNOME Youth Jazz Orchestra, directed by drummer/composer Jack Schabert, is a youth big band made up of student musicians from all over the Twin Cities. The program provides an opportunity for young musicians to prepare a concert with other passionate students and perform at a professional venue. This will be the eighth iteration of the MYJO, which now offers a need-based scholarship, enabling students to participate who would not otherwise be able. For more information about the program, or to make a donation to the MYJO scholarship, contact Jack Schabert at [email protected].
Saturday, June 20th – MetroNOME Brewery Youth Stage – MYJO 1 – 11AM
Saturday, June 20th – MetroNOME Brewery Youth Stage – MYJO 2 – 12PM
MINNEAPOLIS COLLEGE’S IZUIZMAI COMBO
Minneapolis College’s Izuizmai Combo is an ad hoc group made up of current Minneapolis College Jazz Ensemble members. MCJE combos perform at Minneapolis College in concert and for campus events, and off campus when opportunity calls. Members include students majoring in music as well as students from other degree programs at Minneapolis College.
Friday, June 19th – MetroNOME Brewery Youth Stage – 12PM
MINNESOTA HARD BOP COLLECTIVE JAZZ PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP
The Minnesota Hard Bop Collective/MetroNOME Jazz Performance Workshop meets every Monday night during the school year, inviting advanced student vocalists and instrumentalists of all ages to experience a college-level jazz workshop that goes far beyond technique. We focus on the mental side of performance, offering practical strategies for managing stage fright, preparing for auditions, and maintaining focus in a professional-track environment. Each week, students dig into solo transcriptions as a hands-on way to internalize the blues, rhythm changes, and other essential standard song forms. The workshop challenges participants to sharpen their timekeeping, master swing feel, and develop the art of soloing ‘over the form,’ all within a learn-by-doing setting that prizes spontaneous, real-time musical conversation and communication over reliance on charts. Here, it’s all about the ears, eyes, and heart—not just reading notes off a page.
Friday, June 19th – MetroNOME Brewery Youth Stage – 11AM
Minnesota Youth Jazz Bands Jazz 1 under the direction of Phil Holm, is a non-profit premier jazz education program that brings together some of the Twin Cities 13 county area’s most talented middle and high school musicians. MYJB cultivates a dynamic environment where young performers can grow as musicians, collaborators and leaders. MYJB enjoys 4 High School Jazz Ensembles, a Super Sax Ensemble and a Middle School Honor Jazz Ensemble.
Auditions for the 2026 – 2027 season are August 22nd, 23rd, 29th & 30th. For more information visit our website www.mnyouthjazz.com or contact Phil Holm email [email protected]. Directors; Phil Holm, Scott Johnson, Brian Lukkasson, Jon Dostal and Sam Bergstrom.
Saturday, June 20th – MetroNOME Brewery Youth Stage – 2PM
Mississippi Hot Club showcases the distinct style of music pioneered by maestro guitarist Django Reinhardt during the 1930s-1940s in Paris, France. This hot club is an all-string jazz ensemble with la pompe rhythm guitar, upright bass, and the lively improvisation of a solo guitar and violin. Staying true to the 1930s hot club sound, MHC also adds a healthy spread of modern twists. During a live set, you can expect them to play romantic ballads, American jazz standards, European folk, and science fiction theme songs. This troupe is sure to get you swinging with their virtuosic style and expert arrangements. Their new album, Swing Cities, tips its hat to the Twin Cities swing dance scene, and to the cities around the world who keep the traditions of gypsy jazz and swing alive and vibrant as ever.
Band:
Joshua Parlanti Electric Guitar
Ian Stenlund Acoustic Guitar
Joseph Downing Upright Bass
Alissa Jacobsen Violin
Friday, June 19th – Bigos 6th Street Stage – 7:30PM
Nancy and Jim Bierma have performed with various jazz ensembles for many years and are in the Iowa Jazz Hall of Fame. Nancy has a degree in classical piano from Drake University and has led her own duo and trio since her college days. Nancy and Jim write original music and play songs recorded by Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, and Pat Metheny. Some of their recent performances have been at The Dakota, Crooners, and Jazz Central.
Nathan Norman is from Washington D.C., graduated from Eastman School of Music, traveled the country with many jazz groups, and is one of the most requested drummers in the Twin Cities. He also plays vibraphone and other mallet instruments. Nathan has performed in a variety of musical settings including the Louisville Symphony, Mannheim Steamroller, Minnesota Orchestra, Debbie Duncan Quartet, and Travis Anderson Trio.
Nancy Bierma: piano
Jim Bierma: bass
Nathan Norman: drums
Saturday, June 20th – Bigos 6th Street Stage – 3PM
Nate Hance is not your average pianist. Classically trained and endlessly creative, he flips songs on their head—sometimes literally—with bold genre mashups, upside-down playing, and spontaneous stunts. He takes song requests and makes every audience member feel seen, heard, and part of the show. Whether he’s at an airport, a nursing home, or a concert hall, Nate delivers a one-of-a-kind experience. He plays over 300 gigs each year for numerous audiences, but his favorites remain providing a few moments of respite for stressed travelers at the MSP Airport, entertaining seniors at nursing homes, playing jazz with the Nate Hance Trio, and putting twists on classic songs with Cocktail Combo. Follow Nate’s creative endeavors on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, where he’s always experimenting with new ways to explore and share his craft.
Saturday, June 20th – Twin Cities PBS Family Zone – 3-5PM
No Rest for the Pedestrians is a Minnesotan contemporary jazz/folk quintet founded in 2018 by pianist/composer Will Kjeer, bassist Graydon Peterson, and drummer Miguel Hurtado. The current frontline features Twin Cities trumpet mainstay Jake Baldwin (of the Four Freshman) and former New York saxophonist Bryan Murray. The group focuses on Kjeer’s original compositions and arrangements which utilize the two horns to their full harmonic extent, and which are unafraid to reflect a need for unity and activism in today’s corrupt, violence-riddled society. The ensemble often features vocalist – and Kjeer’s sibling – Pixie Green, who lends intimacy and pristine tone to new renditions of Joni Mitchel, Bob Dylan, and Anais Mitchel, among others. Under Kjeer’s musical direction, the band has presented concerts at Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog, KJ’s Hideaway, MetroNOME Brewery, Jazz Central Studios, and most recently at Berlin MPLS. Expect a blend of lush compositional storytelling and fiery improvisation by some of the state’s best improvisers, in a context that invites vulnerability and togetherness in an increasingly disturbing world.
Will Kjeer
NYC-based pianist and composer Will Kjeer was once called “A pianist of exceptional heart” by the late, legendary guitar player Russell Malone. Currently touring with folk legend Judy Collins, Will is also a member of the prestigious Jazz Artist Diploma ensemble at the Juilliard School, where he also received a M.M. in 2024. Standing at the crossroads of contemporary jazz, folk, and classical music, he has performed and recorded with artists including Dave King, Jerry Bergonzi, Adam Nussbaum, Sinne Eeg, Benny Benack III, Karrin Allyson, Larry Long, JT Bates, and Billy Peterson. He is also a regular touring collaborator with the Juilliard-trained crossover cello duo Empire Wild. Will has performed his own award-winning, “highly original, sensitive, and lyrical” compositions across America at venues including the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall in Chicago, and Dizzy’s at Lincoln Center. He has won numerous awards including Ravinia’s Bridges Composition Competition, the Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition, the Angel City Jazz Festival Young Artist Competition, and the Jazz Fest Bonn International JazzBeet Competition. He is an alumni of Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead and the Steans Music Institute, and has performed for Herbie Hancock as a finalist for admission to the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute.
Friday, June 19th – Nautilus Music-Theater – 8:00PM
Obadiah Gamble is an up and coming Twin Cities music artist whose melodic, inventive brand of indie pop has been featured on The Current’s The Local Show. He was named one of The Current’s 10 Minnesota Musicans that Pop, July 2024 and has appeared at Taste of MN, The Green Room, Twin Cities Jazz Fest, Metronome Foundation NxtGn series, Street Show Mpls, and Music in the Backwoods. Obadiah studies jazz guitar and played with the MacPhail Center for Music First Ave Ensemble. He’s been writing and performing music ever since the age of 6 when his song “Hey Teddy” charmed Minnesota Vikings fans and got quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, to come to his birthday party. Obadiah is partnered with Free Guitars for Kids and got the honor of playing onstage at Paisley Park for one of their events. His music is influenced by a myriad styles, but he has a particular love for jazz and Bossa nova. His critically acclaimed debut album, Notice, released early 2026 and is available on all streaming platforms.
Friday, June 19th – MetroNOME Brewery Youth Stage – 2:00PM
Tubaist Ralph Hepola is heard on 51 recordings and 55 video productions. He won a position in The United States Army Band of Washington, D.C. while still a teenager, then earned a music degree at Northwestern University where he studied with Arnold Jacobs of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Ralph then won an audition for Switzerland’s Basel Symphony Orchestra followed by freelancing in New York City and Minneapolis/St. Paul. Recently, Ralph’s music video “Original Thought” has won screenings and awards at eight film festivals in the U.S. and Europe. Ralph was a 2024 Made in New York Jazz Competition Runner-Up; the first low brass player to ever advance that far in this esteemed competition founded in 2013. Ralph was a John Stites Jazz Awards Winner, which funded a May 2024 tour of Illinois & Michigan with a four-piece group. Also see RalphHepola.com
Born in Hong Kong, pianist Peter Shu was classically trained as a prodigy starting at age four. He emigrated to the U.S. and earned a music degree at North Central University in Minneapolis. His background includes choral and orchestral conducting, arranging, producing, sound and electrical engineering. Peter holds a Masters degree in Music Education from Boston University. Also see www.PeterShuMusic.com
Drummer David Stanoch began performing professionally at age twelve; launching an eclectic career performing with artists in jazz, rock, R&B, Broadway, motion pictures and television. He is currently musical director for Emmy Award Winner Shaun Johnson’s Big Band Experience. David served on the faculty of McNally Smith College of Music for twenty-seven years and has guest-taught at the Berklee College of Music. Learn more at www.DavidStanochSchoolOfDrumming.com
Bassist, Jim Bierma is from Des Moines and is in the Iowa Jazz Hall of Fame. He played at the Hotel Savery for 16 years with the Irene Myles Trio. He moved to the Twin Cities in 1994 with his wife Nancy. He has played in the Nancy Bierma Duo and Trio since 1976. He was fortunate enough to accompany Debbie Duncan off and on for 12 years. Besides Nancy, some musicians he has played with include Chreese and Geoff Jones, Nathan Norman, Larry McDonough, Mark Yannie, Ian Duerr, Charmin Michelle, Lynn Deichart, and Paul Harper. He also writes original music with his wife Nancy.
Saturday, June 20th – Crooners Supper Club – Main Stage Showroom – 7:30PM
Free admission – reservations recommended. Please make reservations here.
Red Planet (Dean Magraw, Chris Bates, Jay Epstein) was formed in 2003, playing innovative jazz sounds with a strong emphasis on creative interactivity for the 21st Century. In addition to its personalized original material, Red Planet is known for its unique interpretations of the music of John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, & Jimi Hendrix. Jazz Police says, “One of jazz’s most innovative bands!” This past year we’ve added the phenomenal pianist, Kavyesh Kaviraj to our band, forging a perfectly strong/sensitive blend of empathetic musical spirits. Our 4 year residency at St. Paul’s MetroNOME Brewery every 1st Tuesday of the month has garnered a lot of interest and elation from our core fans and we’ve recorded our 1st CD to be released soon.
Previous venues include: Dakota Bar, Reif Art Center Grand Rapids MN, Artist Quarter, KAXE Radio, Vieux Carre, Winona State Concert on the Green, Crooner’s, Studio Z, Berlin Music Bar, KJ’s Hideaway, Jazz Central, Black Dog, Reverie Cafe & Bar, Khyber Pass, St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, Realphonic Radio, Landmark Center, Old Arizona Theater.
Dean Magraw: guitar
Kavyesh Kaviraj: piano
Chris Bates: bass
JT Bates: drums (filling in for Jay Epstein)
Saturday, June 20th – Nautilus Music-Theater – 1:30PM
In neighborhoods across Brazil, musicians often gather in a circle to play, sing, and share joy. Roda de Samba Brasil with S brings that same spirit to Saint Paul with an authentic Brazilian musical experience.
Enjoy traditional Brazilian instruments, lively woodwinds, and songs in Brazilian Portuguese, plus a few English favorites with a Brazilian samba-jazz twist. More than a performance, this is a chance to feel the warmth, rhythm, and community of Brazil right here in our neighborhood. Instagram: @brasil_with_s
Free Tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brazilian-samba-jazz-a-twin-cities-jazz-festival-event-tickets-1987328587302?aff=oddtdtcreator
Cultural Destinations are entrepreneurial spaces where culture, commerce, and community come together to create something memorable. They are places alive with the energy of art, music, food, heritage, and storytelling, offering visitors not just something to buy, but something to experience. A Cultural Destination is marked by quality, authenticity, and a welcoming spirit. It invites people to discover the richness of a community, support local entrepreneurs, and enjoy a place where culture is not on the sidelines but at the very center of the experience. These spaces help neighborhoods thrive by building connection, visibility, pride, and economic opportunity. For more information, visit Cultural Destinations at www.culturaldestinations.org.
Urban Growler® Brewing Company – Minnesota’s first women-owned microbrewery, is a perfect example of this spirit in action. It is a neighborhood microbrewery and restaurant where everyone feels at home. With its warm atmosphere, local character, and commitment to creating a welcoming place to gather, Urban Growler offers more than food and drink. It offers belonging, connection, and a shared community experience. For more information- https://www.urbangrowlerbrewing.com/
Saturday, June 20th – Cultural Destinations World Music Series presents…at Urban Growler Brewing Company – 4:30-7:30PM
ROMA JAZZ
Violinist Jim Plattes and pianist Larry McDonough lead Roma Jazz, which packed the Aster Café and the Lexington with their show “Grappelli, Ellington, and More.” They will celebrate the collaboration of legendary French violinist Stéphane Grappelli with Duke Ellington, adding music from parings with George Shearing, Claude Bolling, and Oscar Peterson, and concluding with music from Paris, including the music of Grappelli partner Django Reinhardt.
Violinist/Composer Jim Plattes’ list of credits includes recording for Prince at Paisley Park and touring nationally as a member of Olivia Newton-John’s backup band. Jim played with RCA Recording artists The Daisy Dillman Band and studied violin with virtuoso Richard Adams, assistant concertmaster with the Minnesota Orchestra. He has released 4 albums. “The Gypsy Fiddle Player/Amorica (1980). “First Ray of Sunlight” (1997). “In the Moment” (2006) and “French Musettes & Love Songs” (2013). Jim is a multi-instrumentalist (diatonic & chromatic harmonica, mandolin, piano, fiddle, vocals) and winner of the West Bank School of Music “Jazz Composer Series” competition. Jim’s musical tastes are eclectic. This is reflected in the ensembles he currently performs with: Parisota Hot Club, Rogue Tango & The Root Pickers.
https://www.youtube.com/@JimPlattes
https://www.facebook.com/jim.plattes
Larry McDonough is an award-winning St. Paul jazz composer, pianist, singer, and teacher, performing around the world and recording with his group the Larry McDonough Quartet as well as solo, and in duos and trios. He has performed with legendary saxophonist and composer Benny Golson, Trombonist Fred Wesley, and trumpeters Lew Soloff and Duane Eubanks, as well as a who’s who of local jazz artists, and was inducted into the Minnesota Rock Country Hall of Fame for his work in the group Danny’s Reasons. His awards include the American Composers Forum Showcase Award for the composition “Strait of Gibraltar.” He has released twelve CDs and DVDs as a leader. His current CDs are “Best of the Aster Classic Jazz Series” and “Intermodulating Undercurrents Live at the Kos: The Music of Bill Evans and Jim Hall.” “Kind of Bill on the Palace Grounds, Marking 40 Years since the Death of Bill Evans,” was played on jazz radio stations and streaming services around the country. The two-CD set “Alice in Stonehenge and other AcoustElectric Adventures” has played on radio stations and streaming services around the world and charted #18 on the Roots Music Report’s Top 50 Jazz Album Chart. “Simple Gifts” reached number 29 on the CMJ Jazz Chart and also has been played on hundreds of stations around the country and throughout the world. His other jazz projects include Fusebox (original jazz fusion trio) and Trios Trio (classic jazz). When not playing jazz, he performs jam fusion in Quantum Mechanics, funk in Funkin’ Right, classic rock in Whiskey Burn, indie-rock in HiFi, and punk in Saint Small. He also is a lawyer and law professor selected by William Mitchell College of Law as one of “100 Who Made a Difference” over the 100-year history of the school.
http://www.larrymcdonoughjazz.homestead.com
Jim Plattes – Violin
Larry McDonough – Piano
Matt Senjem – Bass
Corey Needleman – Drums
Friday, June 19th – Crooners Supper Club – Dunsmore Jazz Room – 5:30PM
Free Admission – Reservations are recommended. Please make reservations here.
When Ronny Loew returned to the Twin Cities in 1997, he set out to recreate the energetic spontaneity he’d lived for during Funk Nights at Boston’s Wally’s Jazz Club—where familiar tunes dissolved into fearless, unrehearsed explorations and the audience rode every twist of the groove. That spirit became the foundation of the Ronny Loew Band, quickly earning a devoted following at clubs, festivals, and events across the region. In 1999, the band helped launch the inaugural Twin Cities Jazz Festival, opening the event and backing guitarist Eric Essix, a Berklee-era friend of Ronny’s. When rain washed out the main stage, an impromptu after-hours jam at The Red Sea was captured live and released as a hit CD.
After a hiatus beginning in 2002 as Ronny focused on family, the band has returned nearly three decades later with renewed fire. Blending original members with fresh talent, the Ronny Loew Band delivers high-energy funk jazz that fuses jazz, funk, soul, R&B, and rock, mixing originals with bold takes on timeless classics. With nods to saxophone legends like David Sanborn, Maceo Parker, Kirk Whalum, Grover Washington Jr., Toto, The Gap Band, and Tower of Power no two shows are ever the same—and that fearless, in-the-moment approach is exactly what keeps audiences coming back.
Saturday, June 20th – Crooners Supper Club – Belvedere Stage – 6:00PM
Free admission – reservations recommended. Please make reservations here.
Originally from Iowa and currently based in the Twin Cities, guitarist, composer, and scholar, Ross Clowser has been performing his original “thoughtful and thought provoking” music throughout the Midwest for the last decade. Drawing on jazz, free improv, electronic music, science fiction, and music cultures from around the globe, his distinctive and innovative music focuses on texture, melody, intensity, and collective interplay with his group. His debut album, this is how we move through time, was released on Aura Vortex records in 2025 and features Joe Strachan on piano, Josh Granowski on bass, and Tarek Abdelqader on drums.
Friday, June 19th – MetroNOME Brewery – 8PM
SAINT PAUL CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND
Friday, June 19th – MetroNOME Brewery Youth Stage – 4:00PM
SIAMA’S MUSICAL INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO
Bring the kids to Siama and Dallas’ cool, cozy, Africa-themed tent for a really fun, hands-on jam session. Siama’s known for intricate guitar, spirited singing, catchy songs and fun African instruments (plus hambone, double-whistle and beatbox…) while Dallas encourages everyone to play shakers, check out the balafon and join in lively sing-along.
Saturday, June 20th – Twin Cities PBS Family Zone – 12:00-3:00PM
St. Paul native Jeff Perry is a guitarist and leader of the trio Sonic Dream. The group is known for their “hip retooling” of pop classics that span from Elvis to Dua Lipa. Perry has been called “fabulous…one of the Twin Cities’ best” by the Dakota Jazz Club and is described as “a fusion guitarist in the best sense of the word” (Twin Cities Blues News). Joining Perry are two seasoned players on the local jazz scene; upright bassist Matt Blake and drummer Nathan Norman.
Friday, June 19th and Saturday, June 20th – Burger Moe’s – 5-8PM
Sophia Kickhofel is a jazz alto saxophonist based in New York City. She is a graduate of Juilliard and performs around NYC as a band leader and sideman. She has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, Library of Congress, Dizzy’s Jazz Club, CloseUp, and Smalls with musicians including Russell Malone, Sean Jones, and Dan Weiss. Sophia recently organized a two week long tour of her original compositions in South Korea with the help of a YoungArts microgrant. She also brought her NYC based quartet to Minnesota to play at venues she grew up performing at. Through exploring the expression of emotion using sound, she seeks to resurface memories people hold close to their hearts.
“We will be performing a collection of original compositions that are inspired by experiences from the past few years that are important in the development of my sense of self. While I was in college, I attempted to compose every day. This process slowly became therapeutic for me and now these compositions represent the state of my emotions during that season of my life. Half of the compositions we will play are diary entries that are titled the date in which they were composed. The other half of the songs are inspired by experiences that I had in nature that were shared with people in my life who I love. ”
Sophia Kickhofel – saxophone
Jackson Wheeler – guitar
Chet Carlson – bass
Thursday, June 18th – Volstead’s Emporium Uptown – 7:00PM
SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE
The South High Jazz band is a dedicated group of high school students that meet every day during 0 hour, at 7:20 AM. This year, they recorded an album with the South High Advanced Modern Band, and recorded tunes with Jazz 88 studios. Directed by Sophia Butler, the South High Jazz Band enjoys performing a diverse collection of tunes, from jazz standards to modern music genres, and they frequently perform out in the greater twin cities community.
Friday, June 19th – MetroNOME Youth Stage – 3:00PM
STEVE CLARKE AND THE WORKING STIFFS
Steve Clarke and the Working Stiffs – Performing vintage Jazz and blues with joyful abandon with Ted Godbout – piano; Tom Lewis – bass; Haralds Bondaris – drums; will be joined by vocalist Laurie Knutson who has thrilled audiences throughout the Twin Cities.
“Formed in 2001 for “Let Freedom Swing”, a benefit for the families of 911, the Working Stiffs have become the premier swing and jazz group performing throughout the region with their smoking all-star rhythm section and Steve Clarke’s sax front-and-center.
Minneapolis sax man Steve Clarke has been a major musical figure for decades. He is one of the most active players in the twin cities, recording and performing with musicians not from coast to coast. He has appeared hundreds of recordings covering all styles of music. Steve has performed with Shirley Witherspoon, John Scofield, Debbie Duncan, Charmin Michelle, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Michael Bolton, Lamont Cranston, Cornbread Harris, Maurice Jacox, and many others.
Steve and the Working Stiffs have received 11 Minnesota Music Awards, 3 Grammy nominations, and 3 MSP awards.
Steve has been inducted into the Mid America Music Hall of Fame, has appeared in Downbeat Magazine, and serves as musical ambassador at the MSP International Airport.
Steve Clarke – Tenor and Soprano Saxophones; Flutes
Ted Godbout – Piano
Tom Lewis – Bass
Haralds Bondaris – Drums
Laurie Knutson – vocals
Friday, June 19th – Crooners Supper Club – Main Stage Showroom – 6:30PM
Free Admission – Reservations are recommended. Please make reservations here.
Steven’s transportive sound from the heart embodys Wonder and Mystery. He seeks to facilitate playfulness, healing, provoke compassion and warmly sink into the moment. His music has been described as “delightful, innovative and viscerally inspiring” that “dazzles audiences, opens hearts and fires up imaginations.” Steven performs on piano, accordion, & vocals as a soloist, with jazz project Sirclesound, the world beat-driven ensemble FireFlyForest, and Oudyano with renowned Syrian oud player Issam Rafea. He has released three albums: “Ballet”, “Ocean Eyes”, and “Soft Equation”.
Steven Hobert – keyboards
Samuel de Moraes – sax
Chico Chavez – percussion
Dan Weston – bass
Friday, June 19th – Erta Ale Ethiopian Restaurant – 7-9PM
THE MUSIC OF CLIFFORD BROWN & MAX ROACH WITH STEVE WAGNER & PHIL HEY
The Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet was “firing on all cylinders, this is take no prisoners, uncompromised 1950’s hard bop at its best.” Clifford Brown, who brought us jazz standards such as Joy Spring, was often considered the best hard bop trumpet player during his short life. Besides Clifford, his partnering with Grammy winning, Downbeat Magazine hall of fame drummer Max Roach led to several “Best hard bop Jazz recordings of all time.” You’ll be taken back in time with some challenging yet uplifting hard bop selections, including “deep cuts” from this award-winning group.
Steve Wagner had been a mainstay in the jazz music scene since the 1980’s, playing virtually every jazz club and theater in the twin cities area. Steve also toured with Bobby Watson of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Phil Hey has been a first call drummer and a mainstay in the jazz community for decades. Phil has appeared in over 125 recordings and has also played for film soundtracks and touring Broadway shows.
Steve Wagner: Trumpet
Phil Hey: Drums
Adi Yeshaya: Piano
Dave Brattain: Sax
Graydon Peterson: Bass
Saturday, June 20th – Nautilus Music-Theater – 3PM
Formed in 2005 as an off-shoot project between three Minneapolis-based musicians and friends, The New Standards has grown into a globe-spanning adventure—filling theaters and clubs around the world and spawning several CDs, videos, cartoons, and dance and theater projects that have charmed and delighted an ever-multiplying legion of faithful fans.
Thursday, June 18th – Mears Park – in partnership with Lowertown Sounds 7:30PM
A funky instrumental trio consisting of three of the twin cities most seasoned musicians (we’re talking fresh herbs – none of the stale dried out store bought stuff). Trench Size Trio (TST) has been developing a sound and a body of work for close to a decade and not showing any signs of slowing down. Tom Reichert is the founder and has been playing with Joey Van Phillips for over two decades. So, it’s no mystery that their symmetry together has been a natural progression. Jim Anton, a long-time touring musician to the stars, has more recently settled down in the twin cities and has become a household name to musicians and listeners alike. Together the three have developed a very unique sound, a cohesive musical bonding that gives a joyful listening experience. TST plays all original music leaning towards a back beat heavy sound with a jazz sense of improvisation. The melodies are catchy and quirky at the same time, but easily accessible to the average listener.
Tom Reichert – guitar and composition
Jim Anton – bass
Joey Van Phillips – drums
Saturday, June 20th – White Squirrel Bar – 6-8PM
TRISTANO SCHOOL: A TRIBUTE TO LEE KONITZ AND WARNE MARSH
Saxophonists and long time friends Sarah Navratil and Sophia Kickhofel pay tribute to the great Lenny Tristano, Lee Konitz, and Warne Marsh with their ongoing tribute project that was fully established in 2022 with their sold out show at the 318 Cafe in Excelsior MN. This project has been featured on Jazz 88 radio and at their most recent performance at Jazz Central Studios, they broke the current livestream record alongside a full house.
Sarah and Sophia were both raised in Minnesota where they came up playing alongside each other. After having each finished their degrees; Sarah at the Eastman School of Music and Sophia at Juilliard, they are now musicians based in New York City and revive their Lennie Tristano, Warne Marsh, and Lee Konitz Tribute Project in Minnesota as often as possible.
Band:
Sophia Kickhofel-Alto Saxophone
Sarah Navratil-Tenor Saxophone
Ben Erlich-Drums
Dan Carpel-Bass
Patrick Adkins-Piano
Saturday, June 20th – MetroNOME Brewery – 6PM
TWIN CITIES JAZZ SOCIETY VOCAL SHOWCASE
Steven Hobert-piano
Steven’s transportive sound from the heart embodys Wonder and Mystery. He seeks to facilitate playfulness, healing, provoke compassion and warmly sink into the moment. His music has been described as “delightful, innovative and viscerally inspiring” that “dazzles audiences, opens hearts and fires up imaginations.” Steven performs on piano, accordion, & vocals as a soloist, with jazz project Sirclesound, the world beat-driven ensemble FireFlyForest, and Oudyano with renowned Syrian oud player Issam Rafea. He has released three albums: “Ballet”, “Ocean Eyes”, and “Soft Equation”.
Maurice Jacox
Maurice Jacox is a bona fide legend in the Minnesota music scene. He progressed from flute to saxophone to vocals Starting out as a charter member of the iconic Willie and the Bumblebees. He then went on to front area bands for thirty years, before winning the Jazz Award in the Mn. Music Awards and touring with the Nat King Cole tribute show, “Straighten up and Fly Right”,which brought him to Havana Cuba twice to sing with the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra. This multiple award winning artist brings an organic blend of Jazz, Blues R&B and Soul to everything he’s a part of. He’s an eclectic mix of all these years of experience To quote John Bream of the Star Tribune, “Mister Everything”.
Vicky Mountain
Vicky Mountain is an active presence in the Twin Cities, MN jazz scene where she appears with Vicky Mountain and Friends, the SongSister vocal trio, and other ensembles. A longtime jazz voice instructor at MacPhail Center for Music, she has released four CDs featuring an eclectic mix of tunes along with her original compositions and arrangements. She is a longtime member of the Twin Cities Jazz Society and was featured in 3 different Jazz From J To Z concerts. She is a member of the Twin Cities Cabaret Artists Network and was a founding member of the (now defunct) Jazz Vocal Coalition of MN. Vicky is grateful for the vibrant Twin Cities’ musical community and happy to be a part of the 2026 Jazz Festival.
Niny Salem
Niny Salem is a jazz vocalist originally from Vientiane, Laos. As a Southeast Asian immigrant who has lived across three continents, she brings a rich global perspective and multilingual flair to her music. Her warm tone, expressive voice, and thoughtful phrasing make each performance an intimate and unforgettable experience, blending timeless jazz with poignant storytelling.
Dakota Anderson
Dakota Andersen is a vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and educator based in Minneapolis. Most recently, he released his debut album of 10 original jazz compositions entitled Switchgrass, which encompasses a wide range of vocal jazz styles, and draws heavily on inspiration from nature. Featuring a heavy-hitting lineup of local Twin Cities this album is sure to captivate listeners through the ensemble’s dynamic playing and Dakota’s thoughtful compositions. Past collaborations include Kurt Elling, Sinne Eeg, Darmon Meader, Laila Biali, Miguel Zenón, Myra Melford, Carl Allen, the One O’Clock Lab Band, and the Minnesota Jazz Chamber Orchestra. Dakota is originally from Fairfield, Iowa and earned his bachelor’s degree in choral music education from the University of Northern Iowa and his master’s degree in vocal jazz studies from the University of North Texas.
Thursday, June 18th – Wells Pianos – 5PM
VASICH, GRANOWSKI, AND HEPOLA PLAY “MONEY JUNGLE”
Saturday, June 20th – Berlin – 4:30-7PM
WALKER WEST MUSIC ACADEMY & MACPHAIL CENTER FOR MUSIC YOUTH PERFORMANCES
Saturday, June 20th – AARP MN Main Stage in Mears Park – 12:00PM
WALL OF CRUNCH: ROSEVILLE AREA HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ COMBO I
Roseville Area High Schools (RAHS) Jazz Combo 1, or “Wall of Crunch”, is a group of dedicated high school musicians and friends who love playing all kinds of jazz together. The group features Lena Gehrz on tenor sax, Tiago Bada Lappi on trumpet, Lucas Betterman on trombone, Kaio Ferreira on guitar, Mitchell Pederson on bass, Micah Sethi on piano, and Savien Powe on drums.
Saturday, June 20th – MetroNOME Brewery Youth Stage – 1:00PM
Wave Cage combines jazz composition, atmospheric synths, and driving beats to create their own blend of electrified, synth-heavy jazz fusion. Jazz Weekly pronounced them “Soulful space cadets”, while the River Cities’ Reader described their sound as “evoking the smooth melodies and diverse textures of early Weather Report; the ambitious, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink arrangements of groups such as Jaga Jazzist; and the more genre-agnostic trip-hop beat decisions of such projects as Thievery Corporation and Zero 7.”
In the last year, Wave Cage has performed in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Minneapolis, and more. They were also recipients of a 2025 Jazz Road Tours Grant, presenting a jazz fusion and spoken word collaboration with poet, Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey, in communities across the Midwest.
The band’s latest album, Even You Can See in the Dark, (Shifting Paradigm Records) celebrates how collaboration nurtures creative communities, creates a sense of belonging, and encourages artistic and personal growth. This project was made possible due to the support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Iowa Arts Council. Wave Cage’s next full-length album is set to be released in early 2027.
Nolan Schroeder – sax
Ryan Garmoe – trumpet
Jarrett Purdy – keyboards
Chris Jensen – drums
Friday, June 19th – MetroNOME Brewery – 6:30PM
WE’RE JUST MAKING THIS UP – A DOCUMENTARY
Welcome to the Artists’ Quarter, where the sophisticated cool of New York City mixed with Midwest friendliness and warmth, and jazz was on the calendar 6 nights a week. The AQ was a unique place: a musician-owned club hosting jazz giants on the national and local scene, incubating young talent, and supporting creative exploration. Walk downstairs with us. Step into that dark basement and feel the warm rush of its welcoming embrace. Some of the Twin Cities’ hippest cats are there, running the hottest, swingingest jazz club in the Midwest.
This is a work-in-progress screening, scheduled for completion December 2026. Runtime approximately 1 hour
Saturday, June 20th – Andy Boss Community Room, 4th floor – George Latimer Central Library, Saint Paul – 12:00PM
WPK TRIO FEATURING JUDI VINAR & STEVE WAGNER
Mark Weisberg has played with many local jazz artists including Debbie Duncan, Prudence Johnson, Dennis Spears, Patty Peterson, T. Michael Rambo, Fred Steele, JD Steele, Mary Louise Knutson, and Ginger Commodore Quartet (GCQ). While living in Detroit, he previously played with Earl Klugh, Phyllis Hyman and Marcus Belgrade.
Michael Pilhofer has been a top call drummer in the Twin Cities for over 30 years.
Phil Kadidlo on piano and keyboards has accompanied many local artists including Prudence Johnson, Bruce Henry, Patty Peterson and Wayne Anthony.
Judi Vinar has been been singing in the Twin Cities since 1989, including regular appearances with the Wolverines Classic Jazz Orchestra, JazzMN Orchestra, Lori Dokken presentations, The Girls, and most recently with acclaimed guitarists Pat Donohue and Dean Magraw. She has toured internationally with Bobby McFerrin as a member of “Voicestra” and “Gimme5” since 2001.
Steve Wagner is a top call professional freelance trumpet player based in the Minneapolis/St Paul area. He has performed in Broadway shows at the Guthrie Theater, the Orpheum Theater, the Ordway Theater, the Chanhassen Dinner Theater, and numerous other local and regional theaters. Steve also toured and recorded two live jazz quintet recordings in Europe, along with Bobby Watson (of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers). He is most recently re-assembling his jazz quintet playing the music of Clifford Brown/Max Roach, including performances at Crooners Jazz Club and the Twin Cities Jazz Festival.
Saturday, June 20th – Nautilus Music-Theater – 6:30PM
YOUTH VOCAL JAZZ SHOWCASE
Friday, June 19th – MetroNOME Brewery Youth Stage – 1PM
Zachary Finnegan is a Chicago-based trumpeter, composer, and bandleader rapidly establishing himself as one of the most compelling new voices in jazz. Since joining Michael Bublé’s band in 2022, Finnegan has performed on five continents & on some of the world’s most iconic stages, including Madison Square Garden, the Staples Center, London’s O2 Arena, the Metropolitan Opera House, Chicago Symphony Center, São Paulo’s Allianz Parque, and Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena. Praised for his “golden tone and excellent technical command” (All About Jazz), his artistry has been featured on fourteen recordings, culminating in his debut solo release Guidance & Gratitude (Shifting Paradigm Records, 2024), which received international acclaim. As Jason Crafton of the International Trumpet Guild observed, “His compositions have a depth and maturity that hold the listener’s attention, and his improvisations are mature and engaging.”
Friday, June 19th – Berlin – 4:30-6:30PM