MacPhail Presents: Dakota Combo

Join us in celebration of the Dakota and MacPhail’s partnership in nurturing the next generation of great musicians! MacPhail’s elite Dakota Combo features some of the top high school talent in the state. Also, some of the extraordinary instructors that lead music education in the Twin Cities will perform.

Each year offers different opportunities for members of the Dakota Combo. This group is an audition-based jazz combo made up of the region’s top high school jazz musicians. Additionally, musicians are offered scholarships for a year of serious extra-curricular jazz study and performance.

Past combos have gone far with this specialized instruction. They have produced their own recordings. Also, groups have received the Mingus Spirit Award at the Charles Mingus High School Competition and Festival in New York. Further, alumni have gone on to perform at jazz venues throughout and beyond the Twin Cities. 

Dakota Combo:
Seth Ziemniak
Anna Golikova
Kai Sartin
Dominic Cudd
James Antón

MacPhail faculty:
Arthur “LA” Buckner
Christopher Rochester
David Feily

Christopher Rochester is a musician, educator, and composer who has been working at the professional level for 15 years. Moreover, he has studied and played with artists such as Greg Osby, George Garzone, and Scotty Barnhart. And, he has worked with many other musicians at the forefront of the music industry.

L.A. Buckner is a performing musician, teaching artist, and producer from the Northside of Minneapolis. Also, he sets himself apart from other drummers and musicians with his wide range. Further, he incorporates Latin, blues, pop, hip-hop, and R&B influences into whatever style of music he is playing.

David Feily is a first-call guitarist in the Minneapolis area. He plays regularly with BZ3 Organ Trio, LA Buckner’s BiG HOMiE, and New Sound Underground. He also performs for artists including Charles Lazarus, Steve Cole, The Steeles, Jamecia Bennett, and others. 

LEARN MORE: https://www.macphail.org/