© Andrea Canter “In his amazing gossamer piano solos, he sprinkles stardust on whatever song he plays; you hold your breath in wonder. — Stephen Holden, The New York Times He brings a vitality—he swings hard and I like that! — Ray Brown The last pianist with the Ray Brown Trio, one-time support system […]
© Andrea Canter “Hip with a wink” — Town & Country John Pizzarelli, already familiar to Twin Cities audiences from a series of performances at the Dakota, headlined the 2016 Twin Cities Jazz Festival and further expanded the local fan base. His joy is as infectious as his swinging time is therapeutic. The singing […]
© Andrea Canter Before jazz became part of traditional American culture, Native American music was a thriving art form. Bringing these styles together, KBEM Jazz 88 presents a reprise of A Weaving of Traditions on Sunday, April 9, at 2 pm at the Minnesota History Center in downtown St Paul. Melding “the spirit of Native […]
© Andrea Canter As the weather turns very spring-like, it seems we are also adding steam to our sound waves. Maria Schneider returns to conduct the JazzMN Orchestra; pianist Larry Fuller makes his debut in a leading role with his trio in the Dunsmore Room; there’s a new installment of the Reich Fest at the […]
© Andrea Canter For the past 140 weeks (or so), Steve Kenny has presented two sets of jazz on the Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog series, usually starting the evening with a new configuration, a new project or a youth jazz ensemble, followed by a veteran, well-established band in the headliner slot. But […]
© Andrea Canter “Maria Schneider is a national treasure.” — National Public Radio “Like Wayne Shorter, she somehow expresses compassion through tones.” –The New York Times From her days as a precocious child musician in a small town on the prairie to her current status as a critically acclaimed, Grammy-winning jazz icon in New […]