This Saturday The Autumnal Equinox occurs, when the sun will appear to cross the celestial equator, marking the first day of Autumn. The outdoor music season is winding down, though there will undoubtedly be some glorious days ahead. In the meantime, we’ve a passel of shows for you to consider, from celebrations of artists who have passed over, to genre-bending jazz, to a CD release party, and an outdoor concert in a sculpture park. Music Lifts the Spirit!
Jazz
Wednesday, September 19
Jazz Central Fundraiser @ Indeed Brewing, 711 15th Avenue NE, Minneapolis. 3pm – 6pm (No Cover) All the proceeds from beer sales will benefit Jazz Central today, and starting at 6pm, 35 or 40 of the musicians that play at Jazz Central will perform in different combinations.
Kendra Shank @ Crooners’ Dunsmore Room, Fridley. 7:30pm ($15, $20) Vocalist Shank has released seven acclaimed CDs amid critical huzzahs from Time, Downbeat, and The Boston Globe. She’s a NYC jazz figure and has been featured n NPR, and has headlined the Blue Note, Birdland, the Jazz Standard, and the Iridum, in addition to festival appearances around the world. She’ll be accompanied by resident jazz stalwarts Phil Aaron, piano; and Graydon Peterson bass.
Thursday, September 20
Mary Louise Knutson Trio @ Crooners’ Dunsmore Room, Fridley. 7:30pm ($15, $20) Pianist Knutson is a bright light on theTwin Cities jazz scene, whether performing with a trio, accompanying a singer, touring with Doc Severinson, or playing with the MNJazz Orchestra and the Jazz Women All-Stars. She’ll be joined by bassist Chris Bates and drummer Greg Schulte.
Yasmeen Quintana @ The Black Dog, Saint Paul. 8pm (Tip Jar) This vocalist and native of Barcelona performs Latin Jazz and Neo Soul. Quintana will be backed by resident musicians Kevin Gastonguay, keys; David Feily, bass; and Arthur LA Buckner, drums.
Friday, September 21
Debbie Duncan @ Vieux Carre, Saint Paul. 9pm ($10) Vocalist Duncan is always entertaining, but more to the point, she’s a great singer who can croon ballads with great warmth, and be funky, funny, or sophisticated, as her songs require.
Saturday, September 22
Saturday Night Jazz @ the Black Dog, Saint Paul. 8:30pm (Tip Jar) The17-piece Inatnas Orchestrais the brain child of the married couple composer/conducter Asuka Kakitani and trombonist/composer JC Sanford After being an important part of the NYC large ensemble scene for years, the couple moved back to Sanford’s home town here in the Twin Cities and established Inatnas to showcase the couple’s compositions. The band includes many of the area’s A-list players, along with vocalist Kim Sueoka, joining the band for the first time. This show will be held in the large room at the Black Dog, which, based on previous shows, may still not be large enough to hold interested fans. Here is Kakitaniwith an orchestra she had in NYC aboutm6 years ago.
Larry McDonough Trio @ Merlin’s Rest, Minneapolis. 8:30pn (Tip Jar) Pianist McDonough and his trio will be presenting the Music of Bill Evans at this neighborhood pub that never has their TV on during a musical performance.
Monday, September 24
Dan Weiss Starebaby @ The Icehouse, Minneapolis. 9:30pm ($20) NYC drummer Dan Weiss regularly performs with artists like Rudresh Mahanthappa, Chris Potter, and John Zorn, in addition to his own groups, one of which is Starebaby, conceived of as a group that combines jazz with the power of heavy metal and electronic new music. He’s created a group with some of the most talented and accomplished players in the current scene: Mpls native Craig Taborn and Matt Mitchell, keyboards, piano, and electronics; Ben Monder, guitar; and Trevor Dunn, bass.
Tuesday, September 25
Maud Hixson: The 1920s Songbook @ Crooner’s Dunsmore Room, Fridley. 7:30pm ($15) Vocalist Maud Hixson and musical partner pianist Rick Carlson will present songs created in the 1920s, along with stories of th songwriters and singers and an explanation of the slang of the time.
Tuesday, Wednesday, September 25, 26
Madeline Peyroux @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($55, $65, $75) Vocalist Peyroux has come a long way since her days of busking in the streets of Paris. Her latest album, Anthem!, received a glowing review in DownBeat, which called it “…a finely polished production, each performance in crisp servitude to the song.” Here’s a cut from the album.
Cyrus Chestnut Trio feat: Buster Williams, Lenny White @ Vieux Carre, Saint Paul. 7pm ($35, $40), 9pm ($30, $35) Oh my! Pianist Chestnut, called “The best jazz pianist of his generation” by Time magazine, is a draw all by himself with a sound that reflects a gospel background, but tonight he’s also joined by the master bassist Buster Williams and the formidable, Grammy-winning drummer Lenny White.
For more listings, KBEM has a calendar of jazz and roots events, while the Jazz Police features commentary, reviews, and previews of jazz in the Twin Cities and beyond.
Blues, Roots, Other
Wednesday, September 19
Stephanie Niles on KFAI and @ The 331 Club, Minneapolis. 5pm (90.3FM), 7pm (331 Club – Tip Jar) Pianist and singer/songwriter Niles can play raucous juke joint blues, then turn around and barrel through the changes on a jazz tune. Chicago born, she spends her time in New Orleans when not on the road, which is about 150 nights a year.
John Oates @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($45, $50, $55) You may know Rock N’ Roll Hall of Famer John Oates as half of Hall & Oates, but you probably don’t know of his love for Americana music. He’ll demonstrate his approach the genre with songs from the recently released album Arkansas, backed by The Good Road Band: Russ Paul, pedal steel; Guthrie Trapp, guitar; Steve Mackey, bass; and Josh Day, drums.
Thursday, September 20
Gilded Palace Sinners @ The Hook & Ladder, Minneapolis.7:30pm ($7 Advance/$10 Door) Eleven, count em, eleven talented musicians from various Americana bands in the area come together to celebrate the “Cosmic American Music” of Gram Parsons, who helped create country rock in the 70s playing in bands like The International Submarine Band, the Byrds circa Sweetheart of the Rodeo, and the Flying Burrito Brothers.
Miss Myra & the Moonshiners w/Special Guest Papa John Kolstad @ Vieux Carre, Satin Paul. 8pm ($7) Miss Myra and her band serve up a bracing dose of barrelhouse blues and jazz, with Miss Myra handling guitar and most vocals. They are joined tonight by Papa John Kolstad, who knows a thing or three about blues and swinging jazz himself.
Friday, September 21
Pat Donahue & the Prairie Home All-Stars @ Crooners Lounge & Supper Club, Fridley. 7:30pm ($12, $15 to guarantee your seat) You heard them on Prairie Home Companion, or you may have seen them on local stages. Either way, you know guitarist Donahue leads a talented band that can take on the blues, jazz, folk, and pop, and will leave you musically satisfied.
Saturday, September 22
Annie Mack @ Vieux Carre, Saint Paul. 9pm ($10) Vocalist Mack isn’t your normal 12-bar blues singer. Her blues is tinged with gospel, a bit of classic Motown, and the occasional county twang. Come early to see the folk-blues of Nikki Roux & Rich Rue, who play from 6:30-8:30pm.
Built To Last Festival IV @ The Hook & Ladder and Moon Palace Courtyard, Minneapolis. 5pm ($15 Advance, $20 Door. GA plus Afterparty – $25 Advance, $30 door) Here’s a chance for Deadheads as well as more casual followers of The Grateful Dead to celebrate the legendary band’s music with headliner Peter Rowan, jam-grassers Kind Country, and a number of Grateful Dead tribute bands, including the Jones Gang, which will perform the Built to Last album.
22nd Annual Art & Artists Celebration @ Franconia Sculpture Park, 29836 St. Croix Trail, Fraconia. 11am – 7pm (Free, $5 Parking) If you’re up for a small road trip, this day of music and sculpture is a chance to see new sculptures, listen to five different bands, and take part in some family-friendly activities, including the creation of solar fountains and transforming stuffed animals into one-of-a-kind assemblages. There will also be guided tours showing off just-completed sculptures. Musical acts include Harper’s Jar, a youth band; Sharon is Karen, a trio performing grunge, and indie music of the 90s; the soulful sounds of Retro Soul & the Westside Horns; the soul & funk of Jaedyn James & The Hunger; and the blues, roots, and country of Corey Medina & Brothers. FMI, go here.
Sunday, September 23
Ben Cook-Feltz Album Release @ The Icehouse, Minneapolis. 6pm ($8 Advance/$10 Door) Pianist/singer/songwriter Feltz is celebrating the release of his EP, BCF. It’s a charming project, from the punk-rockish Intro, through the gospelish Holy Water, the country rocker Come On By, a cover, and the funny rave up of the outro. Feltz will have a number of guests, many of whom took part in the EP, including Jillian Rae, Kari Arnett, Mother Banjo, Ben Miller of the Federales, and Haley Rydell of the Lowland Lkers. Opening set by Sarah Morris and the Sometimes Guys. Here’s something from his previous work.
Tribute to Aretha w/Ginger Commodore @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($15) While no one can replace Ms Franklin, Ginger Commodore, with an background in gospel and stints in The Sounds of Blacknessand Moore By Four, will have no trouble honoring the spirit of the late Queen of Soul.
For a more comprehensive listing of blues (and some roots) events, see the MN Blues Society calendar. For a comprehensive listing of Cajun and Zydeco events, see the Krewe de Walleye calendar.