Looking for something fun to do? You're not alone! Maybe you're fatigued with choice overload, worried about whether or not it's going to snow this weekend, or trying to find a new local jazz album to listen to? Maybe we can help.
If you want to get out of the house and check out some live music...
Friday, December 17th: A Trip to Brasil with the Duo Bossa Nova at KJ's Hideaway.
Brazilian vocalist Natania Kamin and European guitarist Pavel Jany offer a playlist of famous bossa nova classics blended with a few jazz standards and other great tunes from around the globe. Natania is a vocalist, songwriter and dancer, a charismatic performer who is passionate about sharing the music of her native Brazil with American audiences. Pavel is a contemporary jazz guitarist who’s diversity and eclecticism encompasses many various styles. 7:30 pm at KJ's Hideaway in Downtown St. Paul. For more information click here.
Saturday, December 18th: SPACE at the Black Dog.
SPACE is a Minnesota-based collective fusing the sounds of jazz, rock, pop, avant-garde and more consisting of Jack Courtright (trombone), Will Schmid (guitar), Patrick Adkins (piano), Alma Engebretson (bass) and Luke Peterson (drums). Thrilled to be back at the Black Dog after a two-year hiatus, the band will be playing repertoire from their debut album "Non-Trivial Problem" (click for more info) as well as brand-new material by every member of the group. Show at 8:30 pm. Opening act at 7pm: the JazzINK Young Artists' Showcase. For more information click here.
For a very long time now, trumpeter Steve Kenny has been booking these shows into the Black Dog Cafe in Lowertown St. Paul weekly. You should follow the "Saturday Night Jazz at the Black Dog" Facebook page if you'd like to stay appraised of upcoming events.
Monday, December 20th: GRAIN Trio at ICEHOUSE MPLS.
GRAIN was formed as a vehicle to rumble the foundations of the city with the low end power of the hammond B3. They are "definitely coming out of the foundations of the early meetings of rhythm and blues/jazz and gospel, however, not limited to that." Featuring JT Bates on drums, Kevin Gastonguay on hammond B3, and Zacc Harris on guitar. Monday, December 20th at ICEHOUSE MPLS. Doors at 6, show at 8. With Aby Wolf and Eric Mayson opening. Click here for more info.
Here's GRAIN covering Big John Patton's Soul Woman. And here's an interview and two more songs from GRAIN courtesy of The Current.
Or if you're staying home and wondering what new and cool thing you should listen to next...
Check out the 2021 album "Cognitive Dissonance" by Framework (guitarist and composer Chris Olson, bassist Chris Bates and drummer Jay Epstein), who "can swing, can deliver a delightfully melodic waltz, and they can create aural waterfalls -- [and] the trio’s musicality will win you over." -- Richard B. Kamins. Check it out here.
Guitarist Joel Shapira "emerges from the pandemic with [a] solo album" in this interview by Anne Murphy for My Villager, where he shares his path through the challenges of the pandemic and talks about his new (2021) album "Triple Bridge."
And if you're wondering what might be coming soon...
You might recall that every year Chicago-based saxophonist Pat Mallinger comes home to the Twin Cities right around this time, often playing a gig or two while in town. He'll be playing at KJ's Hideaway (the old AQ space) on Wednesday 12/29, and the band will include Kenny Horst on drums! Stay tuned for more information-- we'll send out a follow up email before then.
Thanks for making it all the way through this long email that was entirely devoid of pictures! And thanks for your love of jazz.