Music for Hot Summer Nights & Blistering Days: 8.28 – 9.3

One way to cool off at the Fair. Photo from Twin Cities.com

Well, the late summer heat wave may be keeping some folks from the State Fair, but those who are going will still have plenty of opportunity to hear some terrific music. Blues lovers should check out the calendar of the Minnesota Blues Society (link below) to see the daily line-up of talent at the Fair. Jazz lovers may also find the occasional gig, though that may be a bit harder to find. Note Radio Joe, listed below. At any rate, once the sun and the temps go down, there are opportunities galore for music in the Twin Cities. Here are but a few.

Jazz

Wednesday, August 28

Mountain King @ Jazz Central, Minneapolis. 8:30pm (Donation) Three bassists, Graydon Peterson, Brian Courage, and Jeremy Boettcher, play together, creating memorable music.

Lucia Newell @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($5) When Lucia wraps her voice around a song, you know your listening to a jazz singer. She’s showing some fine talent as a songwriter as well. This is a great chance to hear her in her natural habitat, as you can see in this video.

Thursday, August 29

Nichola Miller & Tanner Taylor @ Jazz Central, Minneapolis. 8:30 pm (Donation) The vivacious vocalist and sophisticated piano player go together like two straws in a coke. Parenthood has made it a bit more difficult for them to perform together, so take advantage of this opportunity while you can.

Ben Sidran @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($25) His latest CD, Don’t Cry for No Hipster, is full of Sidran‘s wry commentary, rhythmic playing, and groove-centered jazz. One cut, Back Nine, is getting lots of play on Sirius radio.  Here’s the video for the title tune of his latest CD.

Phil Hey Quartet @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($5) This quartet makes jazz look easy, even when they’re performing songs by Ornette Coleman or Charles Mingus. Of course, they’ve all been playing a long time, and playing together a long time as well. Phil Hey, drums; Dave Hagedorn, vibes; Tom Lewis, bass; and Phil Aaron, piano. If you haven’t seen them, go. If you have, go again. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, August 29, 30, 31

Radio Joe & the Jazzbos @ The State Fair, Saint Paul. (Free with Admission).  Guitarist Joe Demko brings his swinging little group to the AFL-CIO Pavillion from 4-6pm Thursday, and to the Ramberg Stage Friday at 10:30am, 11:45am, and 1:00pm, and Saturday at 3:15pm, 4:30pm, and 5:45pm. There will be swing dance demos at the Ramberg Stage performances.

Friday, August 30

Arne Fogel @ Parma 8200, Bloomington. 7:30 – 10:30pm (No Cover) The swingin’ Mr. Fogel is an expert on both Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, and he wears their influences well when he sings. This intimate lounge in a large restaurant is just right for his interpretations of the Great American Songbook.

Kevin Washington Quintet @ Dakota Late Night, Minneapolis. 11:30pm ($5) Washington is a drummer who is master of a number of world rhythms. For instance, listen to him play with Nachito Herrera to see how well he handles a variety of Cuban rhythms. As for his jazz bonafides, well, he did study with Max Roach.

Friday, Saturday, Aug 30, 31

JazzMN Big Band @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($20) This is a rare opportunity to see this 17-piece big band in a club, since they usually appear in big auditoriums. It’s a stellar group of seasoned musicians from the area, and they’ll knock your socks off, as the saying goes, in the relatively small confines of the AQ.  Here they are with a James Bond Medley.

More listings for Twin Cities jazz can be found at KBEM and at Jazz Police. Jazz Police also features jazz commentary as well, as do Bebopified, and Jazz Ink.

Blues, Roots, Other

Wednesday, August 28

Doug Otto & the Getaways @ KFAI and the 331 Club, Minneapolis. 5pm (KFAI), 7pm (331 Club – Tip Jar) Otto’s melancholy voice is perfect for the blues and classic country of this group. Tune in to KFAI (90.3FM & 106.7FM) at 5pm to hear them and then head over to the 331 Club. Here they are doing a CCR tune at the Fine Line.

Thursday, August 29

Prophets of Peace @ Palmers, Minneapolis. 10pm ($5) With the help of Hotpants Deejays, the folks at Secret Stash Records struck gold when they released a compilation of Twin Cities funk from the 60s and early 70s. Their Soul Revue has been playing to packed houses, and now the Prophets of Peace, one of the bands from the compilation, is back and playing with a vengeance. Hear them at one of the best dive bars in town, with Ben Mena and Dale Burback, two of the deejays that led the rediscovery of these guys, spinning between sets. Here’s an example of their old school sound.

Friday, August 30

Butanes 30th Anniversary @ Famous Dave’s, Minneapolis. 9pm ($7) Often named the Best Blues Band in the Cities, the Butanes have played at birthday parties, anniversaries, and other life-changing events for blues lovers in town. They’ve also backed Earl King at the Jazz Festival, played the Mother-in-law lounge, toured and recorded with Zydeco’s great Al Rapone, and currently hold down a weekly gig at Shaw’s, where folks like Davina Sowers, Jellybean Johnson, and others have dropped in. Led by the irascible, opinionated, and very funny Curt Obeda on guitar, the rest of the band includes Virgil Nelson on Hammond B-3, Rob Stupka on drums, and John Lindberg on bass.

Friday, Saturday, August 30, 31

Rosie Flores, Kenny Neal, Robert Randolph & the Family Band @ The State Fair Leinie Stage, Saint Paul. (Free w/Cover) It seems to be roots day at the Leinie Stage and if you can stand the heat, you can get to see the rockabilly and rockin’ country of Rosie Flores during the day, followed by guitarist Kenny Neal playing swamp blues. At night, Robert Randolph and the Family Band bring the sounds of sacred steel to the Fair. For times, etc., go here.

Saturday, August 31

Janiva Magness @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 8pm ($25) Magness has been cultivating a loyal fan base in the Twin Cities for a few years now. She’s had a turbulent life, and is Stronger For It, as her album from last year proved. “I Wont’ Cry,” from that album, was awarded Song of the Year and she also won her fourth award as Contemporary Female Blues Artist.  Check out her singing on this video.

John Nemeth @ Famous Dave’s, Minneapolis. 9pm   Nemeth is an up and coming bluesman with a penchant for soul. This year he was nominated by Living Blues Magazine as Most Outstanding Blues Singer, and by Blues Blast for Male Blues Artist of the Year. He’s entertaining and definitely soulful on stage.

Sunday, September 1

Oliver Mtukudzi & The Black Spirits @ Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis. 7:20pm (Free, while tickets last)  Here’s a chance to broaden your appreciation of world music for free, or at least while tickets last. Mtukudzi is a guitarist, vocalist, and composer from Zimbabwe. His music is inspired by the rhythms of the thumb piano, and he uses South African, Zimbabwe pop, and traditional drumming in his performances, and he has a big fan in Bonnie Raitt, who recorded one of his songs.

Monday, September 2

15th Annual Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival @ Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis. 1pm – 6:30 pm (Free) Spend Labor Day enjoying the Falls and the music of The Pride of the Prairie, Copper Creek, The Middle Spunk Creek boys, Platte Valley Boys, Sawtooth Bluegrass, and Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands.

For a more comprehensive listing of blues (and some roots) events, see the Minnesota Blues Society calendar. For a comprehensive listing of Cajun and Zydeco events, see the Krewe de Walleye calendar.

Outdoor Music and more…. 8.21 – 8.27

Fun at the Fair

Can it really be time for the State Fair already? Just when we’re getting some actual summertime temperatures. Well, there are still many chances to enjoy music and art outdoors, as well as at the State Fair. I’ve listed a few things at the Fair, but you really have to check out their website to get a sense of all of the music (and food, and exhibits, and rides) that’s available. And if you don’t go to the Fair, there is still plenty of music in our Twin Towns. As usual, I’ll have some videos and a few more links on my blog.  Have a good week.

Jazz

Wednesday, August 21

Snowblind @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($5) Styled after the hard bop quintets of the 60s, Snowblind plays originals in the style of Art Blakey and Thelonious Monk, with inspiration from Ellington, as well.  Adam Rossmiller, trumpet; Scott Agster, trombone; Shilad Sen, tenor; Graydon Peterson, bass; Reid Kennedy, drums.

Thursday, August 22

Patty & the Buttons w/Tom McDermott @ The Dakota, Minneapoils. (No Cover) Hot swing and gypsy jazz from accordionist Patty and his cohorts, Keith Boyles, bass; Tony Baluff, clarinet; and Mark Kreitzer, guitar; aided and abetted by McDermott, a highly regarded New Orleans pianist who played in the Dukes of Dixieland and formed the New Orleans Nightcrawlers. Joyous stuff.

Friday, August 23

Rhonda Laurie Trio @ Parma 8200, Bloomington. 7:30pm – 10:30pm (No Cover) Vocalist Rhonda Laurie has a great sense of swing, which is only heightened when she performs with a small group, as she’ll be doing tonight. 

 

Fuzzy Math @ The Red Stag Supper Club, Minneapolis. (No Cover) Electrically-based jazz that’s imaginative enough that you’ll find yourself head-bobbin’ and finger snappin’ without realizing it.

Friday, Saturday, August 23, 24

Dave King Trucking Company @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($15) Drummer King’s calendar must be awash in notation as he keeps track of the myriad bands for which he drums or is the leader (there are nine listed on his website). He leads this one, so you can expect some of his dry, off-beat humor as he hosts Eric Fratzke, guitar; Adam Linz, bass; and Brandon Wozniak, sax. They seem to perform in town only a few times a year, so catch them while you can.

Saturday, August 24

12th Annual Freedom Jazz Festival @ Martin Luther King Park, 4055 Nicollet, Minneapolis. 1pm – 7pm (Free) Best Kept Secret, Capri Big Band, Walker West Youth Jazz Ensemble, The Tangents, and more. The Freedom Jazz Festival features veterans, newcomers, and many musicians who don’t play out enough. This year it’s celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech. This will start with a rally and speeches at Sabathani, at 11am and a march to the park at noon. Music begins at 1:15. For more information, go here.

Zacc Harris Trio @ Minnesota Wine Country, State Fair. 6:30pm – 9:30pm. (Free with Fair Admission) Now here’s some music that’s a bit unexpected for the Fair, yet it makes perfect sense, given the compatibility of vineyards and jazz. Guitarist Harris will lead a trio playing originals, jazz standards, and, I imagine, other standards as well.

Monday, August 26

Ready to study

Evan Montgomery Good-bye Concert @ The Icehouse, Minneapolis. 10pm. ($5) Talented guitarist Evan Montgomery is packing his bags and heading to Los Angeles for graduate work. We’ll miss his precise, clean playing in bands like the Jana Nyberg Group, Lulu’s Playground, and the Adam Meckler Orchestra, among others. Both Lulu’s Playground and the Evan Montgomery Quintet will be playing tonight.

Tuesday, August 27

Adam Meckler Orchestra @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($10) Their debut at the AQ last month was electrifying. Though this is a monthly residency, that doesn’t mean you should put off hearing Meckler’s modern compositions and arrangements for this 18 piece band. For some examples of the band’s music, go here.

More listings for Twin Cities jazz can be found at KBEM and at Jazz Police. Jazz Police also features jazz commentary as well, as do Bebopified, and Jazz Ink.

 

Blues, Roots, Other  

Wednesday, August 21

Brass Band Night @ The Minnesota Music Cafe, Saint Paul. 9pm (No Cover) Two up and coming brass bands – the McNasty Brass Band (from McNally Smith) and the Dirty Shorts Brass Band will create a New Orleans Night at MMC, playing both the expected and unexpected when it comes to the N’Awlins repertoire.

 

Thursday, August 22

Mary Gauthier & Ray Wylie Hubbard @ The Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis. 7:30pm ($30) Literate, country-edged songwriting from two masters of the craft. Gauthier has the kind of history that gives her a uniquely honest insight into the human condition: adopted, a runaway, philosophy major at LSU, opened and operated a Cajun restaurant in Boston, didn’t start writing songs until she was 35. If you’ve any interest in roots and Americana, you’ve undoubtedly heard her song “Mercy Now.” Ray Wylie Hubbard is an elder statesman of Texas troubadours. Back in ’73, Jerry Jeff Walker recorded his song “Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother.” Here’s an example of Gauthier’s honest songwriting.

 

Andre Williams @ Lee’s Liquor Lounge, Minneapolis. 9pm. ($12) Williams has achieved cult status as an R&B singer (and songwriter) who has toiled on the edges of stardom for over 50 years. He had a #7 R&B hit with “Bacon Fat” in 1957, wrote songs recorded by Stevie Wonder, Ike & Tina Turner, Alvin Cash (Twine Time), and Parliament/Funkadelic, recorded for a slew of small, independent black labels, managed Edwin Starr for a while, and started recording for Bloodshot Records in 1999. Since then, he’s recorded or toured with a number of punk blues bands. Appropriately enough, L’Assassins open. 

 

Thursday, Friday, August 22, 23

Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band @ Leinie Lodge Stage, MN State Fair. 1pm & 2:30pm (Free w/Fair Admission) Work off your mini-donuts, deep fried bread pudding, and other State Fair treats with high energy zydeco punctuated with funk overtones. 

 

Friday, August 23

Soul Tight Committee @ Bunker’s, Minneapolis. 9:30pm. 7pm ($7) Old School Funk n’ R&B from the 70s. You’ll find it hard to stay off the dance floor when the 10-piece band kicks into gear. 

 

Saturday, August 24

LoLA Musicians @ Harriet Brewing Tap Room, Minneapolis. Noon – 10pm (No Cover in the afternoon, $5 after 6pm) The LoLA Art Crawl takes place throughout the Longfellow Neighborhood of Minneapolis, and the Tap Room is one of the sites. The Tap Room will be presenting the work of a number of artists, as well as the music of LoLA musicians such as blues/slide guitarist/singer Matt Yetter (noon), the adventurous jazz of John Devine sax; and Zacc Harris, guitar; (2pm), the Latin sounds of Rhumba Eterna (4pm). As the Crawl closes down, Mother Banjo, aka Ellen Stanley, will perform at 6pm, and the White Iron Band will close out the day with their rockin’ mix of blues, country, and Americana.

 

The Groove Merchants @ Famous Dave’s, Minneapolis. 9pm ($5) Big Walter Smith may be gone, but the Groove Merchants are good to go, doing a tribute to Big Walter with Jimi “Prime Time” Smith on guitar and vocals. Danceable R&B, with a 60s soul groove. 

 

Monday, August 26

It’s gonna be a party

Big Sam’s Funky Nation @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($25) From the other end of the Mississippi comes Big Sam, a trombone player who joined the Dirty Dozen when he was 19 and now lays down the funk with his own brass band. He’s appeared with Alan Toussaint and Elvis Costello, as well as Karl Denson, Widespread Panic, and Dave Matthews. 

 

Monday, Tuesday, August 26, 27

Sena Ehrardt @ the International Bazaar Stage, MN State Fair. 3:15, 4:30, & 5:45pm (Free w/Fair Admission) Sena is an up and coming fresh-voiced blues star, who has won awards for her Blind Pig debut, 2011’s “Leave the Lights On.” Her latest release, “All In,” produced by Grammy Winner Jim Gaines, was just released in March. Here’s a video of one of its songs.

 

Tuesday, August 27

Paul Mayasich w/Jeff Ray &Nick Salisbury @ Manitou Station, White Bear Lake. 8:30pm (No Cover) A couple of guitar wizards, Mayasich on slide & electric, and Ray on acoustic, together with Salisbury, who ably holds down the bottom on bass. 

 

Tango Pohjan Tahden @ Minnesota History Center, Saint Paul. 6:30pm – 8:30pm (Free) For the last night in their summer outdoor music series, the folks at MHC have come up with another act that stretches our imagination. Tango Pohjan Tahden plays Finnish Tango, which differs somewhat from its Argentinian origins. Though the popular conception of the Tango as a highly eroticized dance may clash with a view of Finns as staid and often depressed, the use of minor keys, and songs about longing (for a lover or home) match the music to the country. Pack a picnic, a blanket, some chairs, and enjoy the music. As always, there are dance lessons first, for those who want to match their moves to the music. Here they are, doing their thing.

 

For a more comprehensive listing of blues (and some roots) events, see the Minnesota Blues Society calendar. For a comprehensive listing of Cajun and Zydeco events, see the Krewe de Walleye calendar. 

 

Basses, Young Lions, World Music, and the Blues. Music: 8.14 – 8.20

Well, we’ve quite a week of music here in the Twin Cities. Tonight, jazz fans have the difficult job of choosing between two bass-centric gigs. We also have some young jazz musicians popping up on the scene, as well as some veteran blues musicians, gigs that will attract free-style and learned dancers, and world music, especially if you’re up for a drive towards Taylor Falls. 

 

Jazz

Wednesday, August 14

Back in the Day at the Emporium

Butch Thompson’s History of Jazz in Mendota, Mendota VFW, 1323 Sibley Memorial Highway, Mendota. 7pm (Free – limited space). This is a show that was rescheduled when its outdoor performance was weather-cancelled. Butch will talk about jazz in Mendota, including the heyday of the Emporium of Jazz, performing music from the time with the help of Charlie DeVore, trumpet; Steve Pikal, bass; and Lee Engele on vocals. 

 

The basics of a bass

Chris Bates & Anthony Cox Bass Duo @ Jazz Central, Minneapolis. 9:30pm (Donation – $5 – $10) Jess Stacken, solo piano, at 8:30pm. A rather exciting evening, as NYC-via-Hopkins pianist Jesse Stacken does a solo performance of originals, improvisations, and a standard or two, followed by the two-bass duel between Bates and Cox. 

 

Mountain King @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($5) Jeremy Boettcher, Graydon Peterson, Brian Courage. Over in Saint Paul, we’ve another bass showcase with this three-bass line-up. They’ll be performing new arrangements of some standards, original compositions, and tunes from the SuperBass songbook. 

 

Thursday, August 15

Ted Olsen Quartet @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($5) Ted Olson, bass; Quentin Tschofen, piano; Jake Baldwin, trumpet, Emerson Hunton, drums. Young Lions seem to be gathering all over the Twin Cities this summer. This is but one group of many who are forming in various combinations. Tschofen, Baldwin, and Hunton are all alumni of the Dakota Combo, essentially a high-school all-star group, and already making the circuit, even if they aren’t done with college-level studies. Olson is a bit older, but only by a couple of years. They’ll be chomping at their instruments and spitting out their own arrangements of jazz standards and originals.

 

Friday, Saturday, August 16, 17

Chris Bates’ Red Five @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($12) It’s been a while since this group played out, which is too bad, since each member of the group is so talented. Then again, that talent is the reason they are all in demand and playing in numerous other groups. Chris just came back from a tour in France with pianist Tony Hymas and brother JT Bates. Besides Chris on bass, there’s Zack Lozier, trumpet, Chris Thomson, tenor and soprano, (replaced by Nelson Deveroux on Friday); Brandon Wozniak, tenor and alto; and brother JT on drums. 

 

Saturday, August 17

Dean Brewington with Lila

Lila Ammons Quintet @ Honey, Minneapolis. 7pm – 9pm ($8)  Lila will be releasing a new CD in September. It’s a honey, with subtle interpretations of standards. With  Tom West, keys; Dean Brewington, sax; Ron Evaniuk, bass; Mac Santiago, drums.

 

Twin Cities Cabaret @ Jazz Central, Minneapolis. 8pm – 10pm ($10 Donation) Les Block, Katia Cardenas, Nichole Carey, Connie Dussl, Jennifer Eckes, Barbara Meyer, Janet Skidmore, Heidi Ziman, and Sheridan Zuther.  Steven Hobert and Phil Mattson on piano! Storytelling, jazz, and more from nine vocalists. 

 

Monday, August 19

Jake Baldwin Quintet @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. (No Cover) Baldwin, a trumpeter who was in the Dakota Combo before going off to the New England Conservatory, is back in town and beginning to appear in various venues. He recently graduated, and tonight he’s joined by Nelson Devereau, sax; Brian Courage, bass; Jo Strachan (another Dakota Combo alum) on piano; and Miguel Hurtado on drums. 

 

Tuesday, August 20

Explosion Big Band @ Jazz Central, Minneapolis. 8:30pm  (donation) This 18 piece big band is the brainchild of Doug Haining, sax; and Scott Agster, trombone, who have brought together many of the area’s talented musicians for this band. They’ve been appearing at Jazz Central on a monthly basis and will be playing a State Fair Showcase. However, the State Fair gig doesn’t quite cover the costs, so this is billed as a fundraiser for the Showcase. It’s intimate. It’s explosive. It’s fun.  

 

Brittain, Kjeer, Courage, and Horst @ The Artists’ Quarter. 9pm ($5) Here’s four different generations of musicians, from 16 year old Will Kjeer on piano, to 70 year old Kenny Horst on drums. In between we have twenty-something Brian Courage on bass, and Dave Brittain, who has played sax with the Cedar Avenue Big Band for twenty years, among other projects. I suspect the music will be seamless, straight ahead jazz. 

 

More listings for Twin Cities jazz can be found at KBEM and at Jazz Police. Jazz Police also features jazz commentary as well, as do Bebopified, and Jazz Ink.

 

Blues, Roots, Other

Thursday, August 15

Charlie Musselwhite @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($35), 9pm ($25) This harpmaster is versatile enough to play Cuban, Americana, a bit of jazz and Brazilian Chorros along with the blues. His latest recording Get Up!, with Ben Harper, is a stripped down affair that showcases Musselwhites powerful harp playing. Here’s a clip of him singing and playing

 

Fareed Haque’s MathGames w/Todd Clouser’s A Love Electric @ Whiskey Junction, Minneapolis. 9pm ($12) Guitar lovers and jam band fans rejoice. Fareed Haque is considered one of the best guitarists in the world. His former band, Garag Mahal, has many Twin Cities fans. His current band is funkified, jazzified, electronified, and psychedelizied, blending genres as easily as a baker combing eggs, flour, and milk. Clouser is another guitarist who has figured out how to blend jazz, rock, and a bit of funk, thrilling audiences in Mexico, Europe, and throughout the US. Clouser opens at 9:30. 

 

Friday, Augutst 16

Eisner’s Klezmorin @ The Coffeegrounds, 1579 Hamilne Ave, Saint Paul. 8pm (tip jar?) This String Band – violins, mandolin, double bass, creates the sound of Klezmer music before clarinets and brass were added to the mix. 

 

Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound @ Lee’s Liquor Lounge, Minneapolis. 9:30pm ($10) Most likely, long time fans (and they are legion) already know that Paul is bringing his rhythmic joyousness to town. Anyone who loves to dance and appreciates good songwriting inspired by old R&B and calypso (among other genres) should get to Lee’s and check him out. And don’t forget dancing shoes. Here’s an example of their music.

 

Saturday, August 17

World Music Festival @ Franconia Sculpture Park, 29836 St. Croix Trail, Franconia. Noon – 9pm (Free – $5 parking) Here’s a great way to spend a summer afternoon. Bring a picnic, or buy some food from vendors on site while you enjoy the Brazilian/jazz sounds of the duo Xibaba, the masterful drumming of Mu Daiko, and the danceable Cuban sounds of Viviana Pintando & Q-Band. The energy ramps up at 6pm with the punkabilly all-female, L’Assasins, and the all-female hip-hop crew The Chalice. All amongst the large outdoor sculptures of Franconia Sculpture Park, located about 3 miles west of Taylor Falls. Here’s an example of what you can expect from Mu Daiko.

 

Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials @ Famous Daves, Minneapolis. 9pm ($5) Raucous blues from slide master Lil’ Ed, who learned his craft from his uncle, JB Hutto. It’s high octane, high energy, house rockin,’ butt shakin’ music.

 

Sunday, August 18

Mary Cutrufello @ Washington Square, White Bear Lake. 6pm (Free) Mary’s original country tunes are as soulful as you can get. Tonight is a duo gig, just right for the cozy Washington Square Bar & Grill. There are twenty taps so you have plenty to choose from if you want to cry in your beer. 

 

Tuesday, August 20

Orkestar Bez Ime @ Minnesota History Center, Saint Paul. 7pm (Free) Orkestar Bez Ime will be playing Balkan party music outside on the plaza of the MN History Center overlooking downtown Saint Paul. Bring a picnic, if you wish, or partake of the food and beverage offerings on site. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself trippin’ over your picnic in a mad rush to dance without abandon. Here’s an example of what you might expect.

 

Patty & The Buttons @ Cafe Maude, Minneapolis. 7pm. (No Cover) Pat plays button accordion, and the Buttons back him up on swing numbers and more. As usual, when making reservations for dinner, request a table near the band, so you don’t end up in the back room. If you just want a drink and appetizers, you may be able to score a seat at the bar. 

 

For a more comprehensive listing of blues (and some roots) events, see the Minnesota Blues Society calendar. For a comprehensive listing of Cajun and Zydeco events, see the Krewe de Walleye calendar. 

 

Celebrations, Anniversaries, & Festivals, oh my. Music 8.8 – 8.13

An outdoor concert, waaay back in the day

It’s a week of celebrations, anniversaries, and outdoor festivals, ranging from the Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth, to the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival in Richmond, to the Irish Fair on Harriet Island in Saint Paul. There are more, including music in the parks, but you’ll have to search newspapers or the internet to find them. Have a great week.

 

Jazz 

Thursday, August 8

Retro Sister Swing @ Jazz Central, Minneapolis. 8pm – 10pm. (Donation) Vocalists Rhonda Laurie and Maryann Sullivan have tweaked the name of their aggregation, but the sound remains the same – well done, swinging standards. 

 

Southside Aces 10th Anniversary Party @ The Eagles Club #34, Minneapolis. 8pm Traditional New Orleans jazz. As if that couldn’t be enough of a party, the Aces are celebrating their tenth anniversary.

 

Friday, Saturday, August 9, 10

Illicit Sextet CD Release Party @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($12) This six-piece aggregation plays nothing but original tunes, which tend to be inspired by hard bop, bebop, and mainstream jazz. They’re a tight outfit, and their new CD “Chapter Eleven,” deserves to be played on every jazz station in the nation. 

 

Chris Speed Trio @ Dakota Late Night, Minneapolis. 11:30pm ($5) This Brooklyn via Seattle reed player has been in the forefront of adventurous music for a couple of decades now. His groups cover a wide range of music, from Balkan inspired jazz, to chamber and ambient music. Lately, he’s been playing with the Dave King Trucking Company. King will be playing drums with Speed for this engagement, along with Chris Tordini on bass. 

 

Sunday, August 11

Barbara LeShoure

PipJazz @ The Landmark Center, Saint Paul. 4pm ($10) Blues singer Barbara LeShoure is Pippi Ardennia’s guest today. Graduating members of the PipJazz Youth Orchestra will also be celebrated. 

 

For a more comprehensive listing of Jazz, go to the Twin Cities Live Jazz Calendar.  For further commentary on Twin Cities jazz, check out the blogs Jazz Police, Bebopified, and Jazz Ink.

Blues, Roots, Other

Thursday, August 8

Tom Rush @ the Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis. 7:30pm ($30,$40) Rush started performing at the blossoming of the folk music boom in 1960, when he was a student at Harvard. He went on to be among the first to record and perform songs by Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, and James Taylor, and had his 1968 composition, “No Regret” recorded by the Walker Brothers and Emmylou Harris. More recently, a video of his performance of “The Remember Song” has gone viral, gaining over 6 million views.  Here it is.

Friday, August 9

Mauilotus: the Marilyn Allsum Group @ Barton School, 4237 Colfax So, Mpls. 7:30pm ($15 suggested donation) This sounds like a very interesting evening. Marily Allsum, vocals, flute; David Wolfe, Santoor Persian Harp; Mike Hurley, drums, percussion; and Charles Fletcher, bass; bring together both Eastern and Western instruments and styles to create a unique sound. In addition to the aforementioned instruments, they play piano, Chinese Harp, Indian Tablas, Tibetan Singing Bowls, African Udu (drums) and other instruments to create unique acoustic music.

 

The mysterious Mr. Lawson

Charlie Lawson’s Mystery Combo @ Palmer’s Bar, Minneapolis.  9pm. (No Cover) Mr. Lawson brings together a number of his blues-playing pals, including Curtis Blake on harp, for an evening of various kinds of blues, from shuffles to rockers.

 

Saturday, August 10

Lowertown Guitar Festival @ Mears Park, Saint Paul. Noon – 10pm (Free) Here’s a new twist on a festival – Ten guitarists in ten different styles, ranging from the fingerpicking of Pat Donahue, to the Brazilian stylings of Joan Griffith, and the cross-genre inventiveness of Dean Magraw, to national artists like Marc Ribot and Scott Henderson. Complete schedule and information here.

 

Marcia Ball @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($35), 9pm ($30) As a pianist, Ms Ball calls on the spirits of Professor Longhair and numerous boogie woogie players. Together with her singing, “Long Tall Marcia Ball” can turn even a joint as classy as the Dakota into a roadhouse. 

 

Jerermy Ylvisaker and Hot Rod @ The Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar, Saint Paul. 8pm, 10pm (tip jar) This show is part of an art opening for an exhibit entitled “This Is Not Your Father’s Radio,” by Robin Rife’. Ylvisaker is one of a group of musicians who have worked with each other in various, always interesting, groups such as Andrew Bird, Dosh, and Alpha Consumer. As a guitarist and songwriter, he favors clean lines and memorable melodies. He’ll play solo at 8ish and be joined by Michael Lewis on bass (yes, the saxophonist from Fat Kid Wednesdays), and Adrian Suarez on drums at 10pm. 

 

Sunday, August 11

Lakestock @ Lions Park, White Bear Lake. 1pm – 6pm. Here’s a chance to see a number of bands and help support efforts to restore White Bear Lake to its normal levels. Besides a speaker or two, and food and beverages, there will be five bands playing next to Admiral Ds: The Sydney Moore Band, Creedence Clearwater Survival (guess what they play); Billy McLaughlin, The 617 Band, and the newly reunited Free & Easy, the 70s funk band that was inducted into the MN Music Hall of Fame in 2008. Attendees are encouraged to wear 70’s attire. More info here. Get down, get funky, and get informed about water issues. 

 

Golden State Lone Star Revue @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($25)  Some Texas and California musicians get together to play the blues and have a good time, including Anson Funderburgh (Anson & the Rockets) and Little Charlie Baty (Little Charlie and the Nightcaps) on guitars, Mark Hummel, harp; RW Grigsby, bass; and Wes Starr, drums. Gonna be some hootin’ and hollerin’ tonight. Here’s Hummel on harp.

 

For a more comprehensive listing of blues (and some roots) events, see the Minnesota Blues Society calendar. For a comprehensive listing of Cajun and Zydeco events, see the Krewe de Walleye calendar.