Vocalist ganavya’s latest recording, 2024’s Daughter of a Temple, came out of what she describes as “a gathering in and for devotion”. She drew on studies of the musico- philosophies of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda. Furthermore, she’d even promised herself she’d invite anyone who brought up Turiyasangitananda’s name around her.

What is “Sitting-In”? Sitting in is not the same as a “jam session”. A musician’s definition of “sitting in” is to participate in a working group, as a guest, usually to play a couple of songs. This usually occurs at the invitation of someone in the band. This is how Jazz Musicians typically audition and […]

Red Planet, featuring Jay Epstein, Dean Magraw, Chris Bates and Kavesh Kaviraj

Minneapolis-based jazz pianist and composer, Mary Louise Knutson (k’NOOT-son), 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.

Grammy-winning titan of jazz saxophone Joe Lovano and virtuoso guitarist Julian Lage have enjoyed a long journey of mutual admiration. They first met in 1999 at Yoshi’s in Oakland, where Joe was performing with McCoy Tyner. Julian’s father brought the young prodigy to the show, and it was there he connected with Joe. They kept […]

The Bill Simenson Orchestra is a 17 piece big band (5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, guitar, piano, bass, and drums). Since June of 2012 the band has performed the first Tuesday of every month at Jazz Central Studios.

Grammy-winning titan of jazz saxophone Joe Lovano and virtuoso guitarist Julian Lage have enjoyed a long journey of mutual admiration. They first met in 1999 at Yoshi’s in Oakland, where Joe was performing with McCoy Tyner. Julian’s father brought the young prodigy to the show, and it was there he connected with Joe. They kept […]

The Cherry Pit presents an open jam for musicians and music lovers in the Twin Cities. It’s a social hub for Twin Cities creatives, a training ground to refine musicianship, and a vehicle for high-vibrational improvisation. This is not a free-form basement jam or strictly a jazz jam. Our goal is to find an equilibrium […]

They’re Back!…Lighting Up Fingal’s Cave! 7-9pm at the MetroNOME Davu Seru (percussion) Dean Magraw (guitar) Souls Take Refuge and Remember… Keeping the Flames of Improvised Music Burning!

The Phil Hey Trio Phil Hey on Drums Tom Lewis on Bass Chris Lomheim on Piano

Chris Bates, Nathan Hanson and Davu Seru present an evening of improvised investigation into the current state of things. Music to remind us that we are not alone. Join us for an evening of duos and solos and this trio of longtime collaborators. Chris Bates is a bassist of formidable talent. Having worked professionally for 25 […]

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 Crooners Supper Club, the Hook and Ladder, Volstead’s Emporium, and Resource. Before his move to Minnesota, Andersen graduated from the University of North Texas with […]

Ahmed Abdulkarim has been performing music his entire life. He began on the piano, then moved to the bugle to the trombone before finally settling on the trumpet in 1956. Trumpet jazz is where he truly found his voice. Ahmed studied under Manny Laureano of the Minnesota Symphony and has performed at legendary venues including […]

Jake Baldwin is a trumpet player based in Minneapolis, MN. His stylistic versatility has made him one of the busiest freelance trumpet players in the Midwest. You can hear him with groups ranging from the iconic Four Freshmen to the Minnesota Orchestra. In 2023 Jake won a grammy for his contributions to the videogame “Assassin’s […]

Pianist Abebi Stafford and guitarist Ian Duerr will perform two sets of Abebi's originals and jazz standards. Ian Duerr is a jazz guitarist with a deeply expressive style. He is currently based in St. Paul, MN. A 2004 graduate of Cardinal Stritch University with a BFA in jazz performance, he spent five years honing his craft aboard […]

Minneapolis-based jazz pianist and composer, Mary Louise Knutson (k’NOOT-son), 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.

The Gypsy Mania “Hot Club” Quartet, 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, with a unique French twist. Performing together for over […]

Trumpeter Omar Abdulkarim, pianist Dale Alexander, bassist Dan Carpel, drummer Joe Mason III, and saxophonist Laeton Olaleye will perform an exciting two-set tribute to Cannonball and Nat Adderley: brothers who changed the world of jazz. This excellent Twin Cities–based band will embody the same soulful, innovative, and engaging spirit that the Adderley brothers brought to […]

The trio featuring Everett Needleman (drums), Cody Steinmann (guitar), and Calvin Caron (bass) are blending jazz standards with original compositions, and mixing tradition and innovation. Steinmann’s expressive guitar work combined with Caron’s steady bass provides a rich foundation for Needleman’s drumming, creating a seamless and exciting musical experience for audiences familiar to the genre as […]

Benny Benack III is a fiery trumpet player and singer performing standards and his own astute compositions with a thrilling sense of showmanship. Join the Benny Benack III Quartet during The Midwest Jazz Collective Tour at Crooners! Benny Benack III: Trumpet, Vocals Tyler Henderson: Piano Caleb Tobocman: Bass Charles Goold: Drums A graduate of The Manhattan […]