Our Neighbor Benefit, Sophia Shorai, Cory Henry, Anita Baker Tribute, Kandace Springs, Rogue Valley Featured in Star Tribune

It will be like the New Standards’ Holiday Show minus the dancing Christmas trees and yule tunes. The New Standards will have a parade of singing guests including Twin Cities favorites Dave Pirner, Curtiss A, Tina Schlieske, Aby Wolf, Jeremy Messersmith, Dylan Hicks, Matt Wilson and Lucy Michelle. Plus, the New Standards trio of Chan Poling, John Munson and Steve Roehm will be joined by the rhythm section of John Fields and Ken Chastain. Even with a revamped repertoire, Munson will be able to sing the December chestnut “Snow Days.” The concert is a benefit for five legal aid organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and Immigration Law Center of Minnesota, and will be livestreamed for free.

After satisfying with five acclaimed soul/jazz albums, the Prince-endorsed Nashville singer/pianist did something bold in 2025. She interpreted Billie Holiday’s classic orchestral album, 1958’s “Lady in Satin.” The songs are not in the same order, but the Springs project doesn’t come across as an homage as much as a gloriously sophisticated work of art. Using her natural instincts and elegant phrasing on a dozen ballads, Springs recorded it in Portugal with the 60-piece Orquestra Classica de Espinho. She won’t have an orchestra in her return to the Dakota, but she might preview her new album due this spring.