Rio Nido (show added)
December 28 | 9pm
BUY TICKETS HERE or call 612.332.5299
Rio Nido is one of the Twin Cities’ most beloved vocal groups. The original trio of Tim Sparks, Prudence Johnson, and Tom Lieberman established themselves as ace performers, playing classic jazz from the 1930s and ’40s at the hottest spots in Minneapolis. After garnering regional attention and releasing several records between 1972 and 1986, the group disbanded, and each member has gone on to enjoy successful solo careers.
The New Standards
December 29 – 30 | 7 & 9pm
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Started in 2005 as an off-shoot project between Minneapolis based musicians and friends Chan Poling (piano), Steve Roehm (vibes) and John Munson (bass), TNS has grown into a globe-spanning adventure, filling theaters and clubs around the world, spawning several CDs, videos, cartoons, dance/theater projects, and ancillary gewgaws that have charmed and delighted an ever-multiplying legion of faithful fans.
Maceo Parker
February 13 | 7 & 9pm
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Maceo Parker: his name is synonymous with Funk, his pedigree impeccable; his band, the tightest little funk orchestra on earth. He’s played with each and every funk pioneer, from his start with James Brown, to jumping aboard the Mothership with George Clinton, to his ongoing part in Prince’s tours. He’s the living, breathing pulse that connects the history of funk in one golden thread, the cipher that unravels dance music down to its core.
Dobet Gnahoré
February 17 | 7 & 9pm
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Singer, dancer and percussionist from the Ivory Coast, inherited the force of the “Bété“ tradition from her father, Boni Gnahoré, a master percussionist. Dobet met French guitarist Colin Laroche de Féline, who went there to immerse himself in African melodies and rhythms, after being introduced to them by Toroma Sika in France. Having spent some time in the well-known Tché Tché dance company, Dobet decided with Colin (in 1999) to form a duo, Ano Neko, which means “Let’s create together“ in the Bété language.
Marcia Ball
March 6 | 7 & 9pm
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The Texas-born, Louisiana-raised musical storyteller has earned worldwide fame for her ability to ignite a full-scale roadhouse rhythm and blues party every time she strolls onto the stage. Her groove-laden New Orleans boogie, deeply soulful ballads and rollicking Gulf Coast blues have made her a one-of-a-kind favorite with music fans all over the world.
Gary Burton and Makoto Ozone
March 15 | 7 & 9pm
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Such a collaboration inevitably recalls Burton’s landmark duo recordings with Chick Corea, but Ozone has a very different touch than Corea: less Latin and percussive and more classical and fluid. Where Corea is likely to go for the exclamatory chord, Ozone is more likely to go for the quick, smooth arpeggio. Ozone and Burton both love to run through chord changes in brisk, yet seemingly relaxed phrases which manage to touch on most of the possible notes in any harmony. These seamless, graceful lines are often extended at great length and then traded off to the comping partner. One might wish for some dirty low notes or harsh chords to offset all this dizzying lyricism, but there’s no denying the duo’s superb command of jazz romanticism.” –Geoffrey Himes, Amazon