BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Dakota - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Dakota
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Dakota
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Chicago
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20250309T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20251102T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20260308T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20261101T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20270314T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20271107T070000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260408T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260408T210000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260224T173554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260306T162857Z
UID:10003321-1775674800-1775682000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Judith Owen
DESCRIPTION:“she’s a charmer and a seducer\, a rocker and… a jazz chanteuse” – Variety\n  \nJudith Owen’s outstanding new album\, 2026’s Suit Yourself\, can only be described as the full Judith Owen experience. Here\, she celebrates all her strengths and everything that has brought her joy throughout her last three releases. It includes the joyous swagger of her wildly successful 2024 album Come On and Get It. There\, this was Owen’s high-octane love letter to big band. She also evokes the mesmerizing Judith Owen Swings Christmas\, and the live power of Comes Alive. Moreover\, she showcases her own emotionally intoxicating songwriting and arrangements. \nSuit Yourself is a beautiful blend of jazz\, blues\, and big band. Above all\, it showcases her inimitable sound that seamlessly unites all the tracks. Whether solo at the piano or accompanied by her band\, Judith’s rich\, mellifluous voice seduces\, and her interpretations thrill. \nRecommended for fans of Davina and The Vagabonds\, Veronica Swift\, Blossom Dearie and Peggy Lee. \n📸: Steve Rapport
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/judith-owen-apr8-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/700x400-JudithOwen.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260409T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260409T210000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260106T182113Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260305T191954Z
UID:10003256-1775761200-1775768400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Takuya Kuroda
DESCRIPTION:“inspired amalgamation of jazz\, funk\, hip-hop and neo-soul” – All About Jazz\n  \nKobe-born\, Brooklyn-based trumpeter Takuya Kuroda is dedicated\, and his eighth studio record\, 2025’s Everyday\, is proof of that. Kuroda has not missed a beat since the release of 2022’s Midnight Crisp –– a record PopMatters called a “future classic”. Now\, the 45-year-old musician desires to achieve the “perfect blend of production and organic performance”. It’s why he continues to throw himself into his daily practice\, nearly thirty years into his musical life. \nEveryday builds on and dives ever deeper into the hip hop and neo-soul elements of his previous work. Here\, it is a deliciously rhythmic enterprise and a triumph of genre-blending modern jazz. Moreover\, Kuroda’s playing is sure-footed and pure –– whether on the horn\, synth\, or Rhodes. He virtuosically dances among infectious rhythms of his own creation.  \nKuroda’s twenty-one years in the United States have been fruitful. After studying composition at The New School\, he threw himself into work. There\, he played with DJ Premier’s Badder Band and Akoya Afrobeat and recorded as a sideman and bandleader. But as Kuroda himself says\, “the only way to make the music that I want to make is to work hard\, every day.” And so we have Everyday\, a title which reflects\, as Kuroda puts it\, “that simple message.” \nEveryday is hyperaware of a panoply of old ideas and a pantheon of old gods. However\, as Kuroda engages these tropes and personalities day in and day out\, he turns it all around in a style that’s undeniably cool and personal. As Pitchfork put it\, “Kuroda’s skill is not drawing influence from so many different forms\, it’s radiating joy in doing so.” It’s this sterling dedication that makes Takuya Kuroda and Everyday anything but commonplace. \nRecommended for fans of Theo Croker\, Kamasi Washington\, Karriem Riggins and Robert Glasper.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/takuya-kuroda-apr9-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/700x400-TakuyaKuroda.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260410T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260410T203000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20251231T171217Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260105T144414Z
UID:10003250-1775845800-1775853000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Arturo Sandoval
DESCRIPTION:“one of the best ever” – Barack Obama\n  \n2024 Kennedy Center Honoree\n2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient\n10-time Grammy Award winner\nEmmy Award recipient\nSix-time Billboard Award winner \nA protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie\, Arturo Sandoval was born just outside Havana\, Cuba in 1949. Just two years prior\, Gillespie became the first musician to bring Latin influences into American jazz. Arturo began studying classical trumpet at the age of twelve\, but it didn’t take him long to catch the excitement of the jazz world. \nWith dazzling technique and near-limitless range\, he has evolved into one of the world’s most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn. He is also a renowned classical artist\, pianist and composer. \nSandoval is one of the most dynamic and vivacious live performers of our time. He has been seen by millions at the Oscars\, at the Grammy Awards\, and the Billboard Awards. \nArturo can be heard on recordings from Dizzy Gillespie\, Woody Herman\, Woody Shaw\, Michel Legrand\, Josh Groban\, and Tony Bennett. He has also performed with Stan Getz\, Johnny Mathis\, Frank Sinatra\, Paul Anka\, Rod Stewart\, and Alicia Keys\, among many others. He has performed with John Williams with the Boston Pops\, and at the Super Bowl with Tony Bennett and Patti LaBelle. \nArturo Sandoval reaches beyond the scope of mere effort. His struggles while in Cuba and since his defection have given him more energy and strength. His inner drive urges him to accomplish and surpass his childhood dreams. Filled with a virtuoso capability\, he desires nothing more than to share his gift with others. \nRecommended for fans of Wynton Marsalis\, Dizzy Gillespie\, Miles Davis and Chucho Valdés. \n📸: Jeremy Lock
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/arturo-sandoval-apr10-2026/2026-04-10/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/700x400-ArturoSandoval.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260410T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260410T230000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20251231T171217Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260105T144414Z
UID:10003251-1775854800-1775862000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Arturo Sandoval
DESCRIPTION:“one of the best ever” – Barack Obama\n  \n2024 Kennedy Center Honoree\n2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient\n10-time Grammy Award winner\nEmmy Award recipient\nSix-time Billboard Award winner \nA protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie\, Arturo Sandoval was born just outside Havana\, Cuba in 1949. Just two years prior\, Gillespie became the first musician to bring Latin influences into American jazz. Arturo began studying classical trumpet at the age of twelve\, but it didn’t take him long to catch the excitement of the jazz world. \nWith dazzling technique and near-limitless range\, he has evolved into one of the world’s most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn. He is also a renowned classical artist\, pianist and composer. \nSandoval is one of the most dynamic and vivacious live performers of our time. He has been seen by millions at the Oscars\, at the Grammy Awards\, and the Billboard Awards. \nArturo can be heard on recordings from Dizzy Gillespie\, Woody Herman\, Woody Shaw\, Michel Legrand\, Josh Groban\, and Tony Bennett. He has also performed with Stan Getz\, Johnny Mathis\, Frank Sinatra\, Paul Anka\, Rod Stewart\, and Alicia Keys\, among many others. He has performed with John Williams with the Boston Pops\, and at the Super Bowl with Tony Bennett and Patti LaBelle. \nArturo Sandoval reaches beyond the scope of mere effort. His struggles while in Cuba and since his defection have given him more energy and strength. His inner drive urges him to accomplish and surpass his childhood dreams. Filled with a virtuoso capability\, he desires nothing more than to share his gift with others. \nRecommended for fans of Wynton Marsalis\, Dizzy Gillespie\, Miles Davis and Chucho Valdés. \n📸: Jeremy Lock
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/arturo-sandoval-apr10-2026/2026-04-10/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/700x400-ArturoSandoval.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260413T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260413T210000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260313T154727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T144327Z
UID:10003347-1776106800-1776114000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:MacPhail Jazz Night: Dakota Jazz Ensemble
DESCRIPTION:MacPhail Jazz Night celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month with a performance by the Dakota Jazz Ensemble\, directed by Zacc Harris. Also\, acclaimed MacPhail faculty artists Michael Cain\, Paul Babcock\, and Zacc Harris. \nThe Dakota Jazz Ensemble at MacPhail Center for Music is a premier\, audition-based group. Here\, this group features some of the Twin Cities’ most outstanding high school jazz musicians. Additionally\, the tuition-free ensemble provides advanced training in improvisation\, ensemble performance\, and a wide range of jazz repertoire. \nMeet the band:\n\nSam Stauning (tenor saxophone)\nDominique Paguyo (alto saxophone)\nPeter Sullivan (piano)\nBasil Saathoff (piano)\nFinn Bergstrom (bass)\nZach Minkin (drums)\n\nThe evening highlights the vibrant tradition of jazz in the Twin Cities. Here\, rising young artists unite with acclaimed performers and educators who are shaping the artform today. Presented during Jazz Appreciation Month\, the concert reflects MacPhail and the Dakota’s long-standing commitment to jazz education and to supporting the next generation of musicians. \n  \nMichael Cain is an internationally recognized jazz pianist\, composer\, and educator. His career spans performances with Jack DeJohnette\, Dave Holland\, and the World Saxophone Quartet. A longtime MacPhail faculty member\, he also serves as Vice President of Music Education. He is known for his innovative approach to improvisation and genre-blending performance. \n \n  \nPaul Babcock is a percussionist\, educator\, and CEO of MacPhail Center for Music. A professional musician and teaching artist for more than three decades\, he is deeply committed to transforming lives through the power of music. He continues to perform in jazz\, rock\, and classical settings and has collaborated with artists including Marvin Hamlisch\, Geoffrey Keezer\, and Michael Cain. \n \n  \nZacc Harris is a Minneapolis-based guitarist\, composer\, and educator known for his work with Atlantis Quartet and many other groups. A bandleader and recording artist\, his projects explore modern jazz\, original composition\, and creative improvisation. He is on the faculty at MacPhail Center for Music and directs the Dakota Jazz Ensemble.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/macphail-jazz-night-dakota-jazz-ensemble-apr13-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/700x400-DakotaComboMacPhailFaculty.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T210000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260120T191336Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260126T142842Z
UID:10003280-1776279600-1776286800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Fred Hersch Trio
DESCRIPTION:“A pristine pianist with a poet’s soul… truly transcendent.” – Boston Globe\n  \nFred Hersch belongs to jazz’s piano pantheon. He has been an influential creative force for decades as an improviser\, composer\, educator\, bandleader\, collaborator\, and recording artist. Here\, he has been proclaimed “the most arrestingly innovative pianist in jazz over the last decade” by Vanity Fair. Also\, he is hailed as “a living legend” by The New Yorker. A seventeen-time Grammy nominee\, Hersch has garnered jazz’s most prestigious awards. Here\, these include a Doris Duke Artist (2016)\, Jazz Pianist of the Year from the Jazz Journalists Association (2011\, 2016\, 2018)\, and the Jazz Magazine (France) International Artist of the Year (2021). Furthermore\, the Fred Hersch Trio was voted the #1 Jazz Group in the 2019 Downbeat Critics Poll. \nHersch is an acclaimed and influential solo pianist. There\, he has twelve solo recordings in his catalog including the 2024 release\, Silent\, Listening. All About Jazz has remarked that “when it comes to the art of solo piano in jazz\, there are two classes of performers: Fred Hersch and everybody else”. Also\, New York Times simply calls him “a master who plays it his way”. \nThe Fred Hersch Trio has remained at the pinnacle of modern jazz\, venerated for embodying thrilling interplay and dynamic spontaneity. The Wall Street Journal calls the trio “one of the major ensembles of our time.” Also\, the New Yorker has applauded it for playing with “high lyricism and high danger.” The Trio has appeared at major jazz festivals throughout Europe and the U.S. Additionally\, they have regularly headlined the legendary Village Vanguard since 1977. \nRecommended for fans of Brad Mehldau\, Keith Jarrett\, Chick Corea and Julian Lage.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/fred-hersch-trio-apr15-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/700x400-FredHerschTrio.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260418T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260418T203000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20251111T191444Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T153831Z
UID:10003186-1776537000-1776544200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Pat Metheny
DESCRIPTION:“That liquid\, crystalline tone; those airborne\, searching melodies.” – NPR\n  \nPat Metheny was born in Lee’s Summit\, MO on August 12\, 1954 into a musical family. He started on trumpet at the age of eight\, then switched to guitar at age twelve. By fifteen\, he worked regularly with the best jazz musicians in Kansas City\, receiving valuable on-the-bandstand experience. Then\, Metheny burst onto the international jazz scene in 1974. Over his three-year stint with vibraphone great Gary Burton\, the young player already displayed his soon-to-become trademarked playing style. Here\, he blended the loose and flexible articulation customarily reserved for horn players with an advanced rhythmic and harmonic sensibility. Moreover\, this way of playing and improvising was modern in conception but grounded deeply in the jazz tradition of melody\, swing\, and the blues. With his first album\, Bright Size Life (1975)\, he reinvented the traditional “jazz guitar” sound for a new generation.  \nMetheny’s versatility is nearly without peer on any instrument. He has performed with Steve Reich\, Ornette Coleman\, Herbie Hancock\, Jim Hall\, Milton Nascimento\, and David Bowie. Metheny’s body of work includes compositions for solo guitar\, small ensembles\, electric and acoustic instruments\, large orchestras\, and ballet pieces and even the robotic instruments of his Orchestrion project\, while always sidestepping the limits of any one genre.  \nPat Metheny has won twenty Grammy Awards spread out over a variety of different categories. Once\, he won seven consecutive Grammys for seven consecutive albums. In 2015 he was inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame\, becoming only the fourth guitarist to be included. In 2018 he was named an NEA Jazz Master\, the nation’s highest honor in jazz. \nRecommended for fans of Chick Corea\, Keith Jarrett\, Wes Montgomery and Bill Frisell. \nThese tickets do not qualify for the A-Train discount.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/pat-metheny/2026-04-18/3/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-PatMetheny.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260418T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260418T230000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20251111T191444Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T153831Z
UID:10003187-1776546000-1776553200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Pat Metheny
DESCRIPTION:“That liquid\, crystalline tone; those airborne\, searching melodies.” – NPR\n  \nPat Metheny was born in Lee’s Summit\, MO on August 12\, 1954 into a musical family. He started on trumpet at the age of eight\, then switched to guitar at age twelve. By fifteen\, he worked regularly with the best jazz musicians in Kansas City\, receiving valuable on-the-bandstand experience. Then\, Metheny burst onto the international jazz scene in 1974. Over his three-year stint with vibraphone great Gary Burton\, the young player already displayed his soon-to-become trademarked playing style. Here\, he blended the loose and flexible articulation customarily reserved for horn players with an advanced rhythmic and harmonic sensibility. Moreover\, this way of playing and improvising was modern in conception but grounded deeply in the jazz tradition of melody\, swing\, and the blues. With his first album\, Bright Size Life (1975)\, he reinvented the traditional “jazz guitar” sound for a new generation.  \nMetheny’s versatility is nearly without peer on any instrument. He has performed with Steve Reich\, Ornette Coleman\, Herbie Hancock\, Jim Hall\, Milton Nascimento\, and David Bowie. Metheny’s body of work includes compositions for solo guitar\, small ensembles\, electric and acoustic instruments\, large orchestras\, and ballet pieces and even the robotic instruments of his Orchestrion project\, while always sidestepping the limits of any one genre.  \nPat Metheny has won twenty Grammy Awards spread out over a variety of different categories. Once\, he won seven consecutive Grammys for seven consecutive albums. In 2015 he was inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame\, becoming only the fourth guitarist to be included. In 2018 he was named an NEA Jazz Master\, the nation’s highest honor in jazz. \nRecommended for fans of Chick Corea\, Keith Jarrett\, Wes Montgomery and Bill Frisell. \nThese tickets do not qualify for the A-Train discount.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/pat-metheny/2026-04-18/4/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-PatMetheny.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260419T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260419T193000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20251111T191444Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T153831Z
UID:10003178-1776619800-1776627000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Pat Metheny
DESCRIPTION:“That liquid\, crystalline tone; those airborne\, searching melodies.” – NPR\n  \nPat Metheny was born in Lee’s Summit\, MO on August 12\, 1954 into a musical family. He started on trumpet at the age of eight\, then switched to guitar at age twelve. By fifteen\, he worked regularly with the best jazz musicians in Kansas City\, receiving valuable on-the-bandstand experience. Then\, Metheny burst onto the international jazz scene in 1974. Over his three-year stint with vibraphone great Gary Burton\, the young player already displayed his soon-to-become trademarked playing style. Here\, he blended the loose and flexible articulation customarily reserved for horn players with an advanced rhythmic and harmonic sensibility. Moreover\, this way of playing and improvising was modern in conception but grounded deeply in the jazz tradition of melody\, swing\, and the blues. With his first album\, Bright Size Life (1975)\, he reinvented the traditional “jazz guitar” sound for a new generation.  \nMetheny’s versatility is nearly without peer on any instrument. He has performed with Steve Reich\, Ornette Coleman\, Herbie Hancock\, Jim Hall\, Milton Nascimento\, and David Bowie. Metheny’s body of work includes compositions for solo guitar\, small ensembles\, electric and acoustic instruments\, large orchestras\, and ballet pieces and even the robotic instruments of his Orchestrion project\, while always sidestepping the limits of any one genre.  \nPat Metheny has won twenty Grammy Awards spread out over a variety of different categories. Once\, he won seven consecutive Grammys for seven consecutive albums. In 2015 he was inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame\, becoming only the fourth guitarist to be included. In 2018 he was named an NEA Jazz Master\, the nation’s highest honor in jazz. \nRecommended for fans of Chick Corea\, Keith Jarrett\, Wes Montgomery and Bill Frisell. \nThese tickets do not qualify for the A-Train discount.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/pat-metheny/2026-04-19/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-PatMetheny.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260419T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260419T220000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20251111T191444Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T153831Z
UID:10003179-1776628800-1776636000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Pat Metheny
DESCRIPTION:“That liquid\, crystalline tone; those airborne\, searching melodies.” – NPR\n  \nPat Metheny was born in Lee’s Summit\, MO on August 12\, 1954 into a musical family. He started on trumpet at the age of eight\, then switched to guitar at age twelve. By fifteen\, he worked regularly with the best jazz musicians in Kansas City\, receiving valuable on-the-bandstand experience. Then\, Metheny burst onto the international jazz scene in 1974. Over his three-year stint with vibraphone great Gary Burton\, the young player already displayed his soon-to-become trademarked playing style. Here\, he blended the loose and flexible articulation customarily reserved for horn players with an advanced rhythmic and harmonic sensibility. Moreover\, this way of playing and improvising was modern in conception but grounded deeply in the jazz tradition of melody\, swing\, and the blues. With his first album\, Bright Size Life (1975)\, he reinvented the traditional “jazz guitar” sound for a new generation.  \nMetheny’s versatility is nearly without peer on any instrument. He has performed with Steve Reich\, Ornette Coleman\, Herbie Hancock\, Jim Hall\, Milton Nascimento\, and David Bowie. Metheny’s body of work includes compositions for solo guitar\, small ensembles\, electric and acoustic instruments\, large orchestras\, and ballet pieces and even the robotic instruments of his Orchestrion project\, while always sidestepping the limits of any one genre.  \nPat Metheny has won twenty Grammy Awards spread out over a variety of different categories. Once\, he won seven consecutive Grammys for seven consecutive albums. In 2015 he was inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame\, becoming only the fourth guitarist to be included. In 2018 he was named an NEA Jazz Master\, the nation’s highest honor in jazz. \nRecommended for fans of Chick Corea\, Keith Jarrett\, Wes Montgomery and Bill Frisell. \nThese tickets do not qualify for the A-Train discount.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/pat-metheny/2026-04-19/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-PatMetheny.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260427T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260427T210000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260127T165024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260305T192019Z
UID:10003285-1777316400-1777323600@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Julius Rodriguez
DESCRIPTION:“tremendous sense of harmony and virtuosity” – New York Times\n  \nJulius Rodriguez is an American jazz pianist\, composer\, and rising star in the vibrant alternative jazz scene. There\, Rodriguez is known for his soulful sound and dynamic playing. He blends a deep understanding of traditional jazz with modern influences\, creating a distinctive voice that resonates across genres. His music effortlessly merges elements of jazz\, funk\, and soul\, capturing the essence of both old-school and contemporary styles. \nBorn and raised in New York\, Rodriguez began his musical journey at an early age. Furthermore\, he studied piano and drums\, developing a love for jazz through the city’s rich musical history. He made a name for himself at eleven years old in the vibrant West Village jazz club scene. Later\, he honed his craft at the Juilliard School of Music\, where he further shaped his sound and refined his improvisational skills. \nRodriguez’s artistry extends beyond his musicianship. As a composer and bandleader\, he brings a unique energy to every performance\, seamlessly navigating between melodic inventiveness and intricate rhythms. His debut album\, Let Sound Tell All\, showcased his ability to craft intricate compositions that push the boundaries of jazz. His most recent album\, Evergreen\, further demonstrates his growth as an artist. Here\, he blends rich\, complex arrangements with a deep sense of emotion\, continuing to push the boundaries of the genre. \nRodriguez continues to establish himself as one of the most promising voices in contemporary alternative jazz. His work as a collaborator is equally impressive. He has worked with Meshell Ndegeocello\, Lianne La Havas\, Remi Wolf\, Kurt Elling\, and Chris Botti. Also\, A$AP Rocky\, Cautious Clay\, and Madison McFerrin. With impeccable technique\, musicality\, and vision\, Julius Rodriguez is poised to become one of the defining voices of his generation. \nRecommended for fans of Gerald Clayton\, Immanuel Wilkins\, Jon Batiste and Julian Lage.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/julius-rodriguez-apr27-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/700x400-JuliusRodriguez2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260428T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260428T203000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260113T193717Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T165230Z
UID:10003271-1777402800-1777408200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Chucho Valdés Royal Quartet
DESCRIPTION:“A pianist of imperial command\, possessed of a dazzling\, deceptively casual virtuosity” – New York Times\n  \nChucho Valdes\, piano\nHoracio “El Negro” Hernandez\, drums\nArmando Gola\, bass\nRoberto Vizcaino Jr.\, percussion \nCuban pianist\, composer\, and arranger Chucho Valdés is the most influential figure in modern Afro-Cuban jazz. Here\, in a rich career spanning sixty years\, he has won seven Grammy and seven Latin Grammy Awards. Moreover\, Chucho pushes boundaries in pursuit of new expressions in Afro-Cuban music. Additionally\, his influence in the genre is immeasurable\, establishing the standard by which younger generations create their own. \nChucho received musical education through formal studies and countless nights on the best stages in Cuba. There\, he performed with his father\, Bebo Valdés\, and his orchestra Sabor de Cuba\, and with the seminal Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna. Chucho is acclaimed as the founder\, pianist\, and main composer and arranger of Irakere\, a landmark ensemble in Cuban music. Also\, Chucho led Irakere for more than thirty years\, but since 2005 he has focused on his personal career. Here\, he showcases his piano prowess with small ensembles\, like the Afro-Cuban Messengers\, Jazz Batá\, and his acclaimed Royal Quartet. \nChucho has been named an NEA Jazz Master. Additionally\, he earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. Also\, he was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame\, and received a DC Jazz Festival Lifetime Achievement Award. There\, he joined an illustrious list that includes Kenny Barron\, James Moody\, Ellis Marsalis\, George Wein\, and Dave Brubeck. \nValdés is a restless visionary forever evolving Afro-Cuban music. Further\, he is as creative and playful as ever on his Grammy-nominated\, Latin Grammy-winning release\, 2024’s Cuba & Beyond. \nRecommended for fans of Arturo Sandoval\, Gonzalo Rubalcaba\, Alfredo Rodriguez and Nachito Herrera.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/chucho-valdes-royal-quartet-apr28-2026/2026-04-28/1/
CATEGORIES:Global,Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/700x400-ChuchoValdesRoyalQuartet.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260428T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260428T230000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260113T193717Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T165230Z
UID:10003272-1777410000-1777417200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Chucho Valdés Royal Quartet
DESCRIPTION:“A pianist of imperial command\, possessed of a dazzling\, deceptively casual virtuosity” – New York Times\n  \nChucho Valdes\, piano\nHoracio “El Negro” Hernandez\, drums\nArmando Gola\, bass\nRoberto Vizcaino Jr.\, percussion \nCuban pianist\, composer\, and arranger Chucho Valdés is the most influential figure in modern Afro-Cuban jazz. Here\, in a rich career spanning sixty years\, he has won seven Grammy and seven Latin Grammy Awards. Moreover\, Chucho pushes boundaries in pursuit of new expressions in Afro-Cuban music. Additionally\, his influence in the genre is immeasurable\, establishing the standard by which younger generations create their own. \nChucho received musical education through formal studies and countless nights on the best stages in Cuba. There\, he performed with his father\, Bebo Valdés\, and his orchestra Sabor de Cuba\, and with the seminal Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna. Chucho is acclaimed as the founder\, pianist\, and main composer and arranger of Irakere\, a landmark ensemble in Cuban music. Also\, Chucho led Irakere for more than thirty years\, but since 2005 he has focused on his personal career. Here\, he showcases his piano prowess with small ensembles\, like the Afro-Cuban Messengers\, Jazz Batá\, and his acclaimed Royal Quartet. \nChucho has been named an NEA Jazz Master. Additionally\, he earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. Also\, he was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame\, and received a DC Jazz Festival Lifetime Achievement Award. There\, he joined an illustrious list that includes Kenny Barron\, James Moody\, Ellis Marsalis\, George Wein\, and Dave Brubeck. \nValdés is a restless visionary forever evolving Afro-Cuban music. Further\, he is as creative and playful as ever on his Grammy-nominated\, Latin Grammy-winning release\, 2024’s Cuba & Beyond. \nRecommended for fans of Arturo Sandoval\, Gonzalo Rubalcaba\, Alfredo Rodriguez and Nachito Herrera.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/chucho-valdes-royal-quartet-apr28-2026/2026-04-28/2/
CATEGORIES:Global,Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/700x400-ChuchoValdesRoyalQuartet.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260429T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260429T210000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20251230T163845Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260305T192027Z
UID:10003247-1777489200-1777496400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Joey Alexander
DESCRIPTION:“seemingly limitless technique… dazzling” – NPR\n  \nJoey Alexander is one of the most exciting voices in contemporary jazz. He is a Grammy-nominated jazz pianist and composer from Bali\, Indonesia. He has released seven acclaimed albums\, and performed at the White House\, Carnegie Hall\, and the Grammy Awards.  \nAlexander burst onto the global jazz scene in 2015 with his debut album My Favorite Things. Since then\, he has released seven albums\, earning widespread acclaim and three Grammy Award nominations. There\, My Favorite Things was nominated for Best Instrumental Album\, and he also earned Best Jazz Solo noms for “Giant Steps” and “Countdown.”  \nHis albums My Favorite Things and Countdown both reached Number One on the Billboard Jazz Charts\, while Eclipse climbed to Number Three. \nJoey has performed for President Barack Obama at the White House and President Bill Clinton at the Arthur Ashe Learning Center Gala. Additionally\, he has appeared at the Grammys\, The Grand Ole Opry\, the Apollo Theatre and Carnegie Hall. Furthermore\, he performs at major jazz festivals\, clubs\, and concert halls worldwide. \nTV show 60 Minutes has profiled him\, and The New York Times has featured him. Here\, this solidifies his reputation as a prodigious talent and a leading figure in modern jazz. \nRecommended for fans of McCoy Tyner\, Ahmad Jamal\, Brad Mehldau and Keith Jarrett.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/joey-alexander-apr29-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/700x400-JoeyAlexander.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260501T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260501T170000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260204T194801Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T204753Z
UID:10003299-1777651200-1777654800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:VIP Event: Al Di Meola: Guitarchitect
DESCRIPTION:Click the links below for show tickets!\nAl Di Meola: MAY 1 • 6:30pm performance\nAl Di Meola: MAY 1 • 9:00pm performance\nAl Di Meola: MAY 2 • 6:30pm performance\nAl Di Meola: MAY 2 • 9:00pm performance \n\nUpgrade your evening with an exclusive VIP Meet & Greet experience with Al Di Meola. This limited opportunity offers fans an intimate behind-the-scenes look before the show begins. \nInvitation to pre-show experience with Al Di Meola\, including:  \n\nPre-show soundcheck \nPre-show meet & greet with Al Di Meola\n\nIMPORTANT: This is not a ticket to the show. \n\n\n“a terrifyingly dexterous electric guitarist… a remarkable acoustic shredder.” – Premier Guitar\n  \nAl Di Meola is one of the top guitarists of our time. Here\, he has enjoyed a celebrated career that has spanned more than four decades. His fascination with complex rhythmic syncopation\, provocative lyrical melodies\, and sophisticated harmony are at the heart of his music. Among his myriad critical accolades are multiple Grammys and Grammy nominations. Additionally\, twelve awards from polls conducted by Guitar Player magazine\, which inducted Di Meola into its Gallery of Greats. \nA bona fide guitar hero and prolific composer\, Di Meola has created more than thirty albums as a leader. Furthermore\, he has collaborated on about a dozen others. These include fusion supergroup Return to Forever (with Chick Corea\, Stanley Clarke\, and Lenny White). Also\, the celebrated acoustic Guitar Trio (featuring fellow virtuosos John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucía). Further\, the Rite of Strings trio (with Clarke and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty). Here\, his dazzling technique has made him a hero to fretboard fanatics. However\, the depth of Di Meola’s writing\, along with the soulfulness and inherent lyricism of his expressive playing\, have won him a worldwide fanbase beyond the guitar aficionado set. \nRecommended for fans of Chick Corea\, John McLaughlin\, Paco de Lucia and Wayne Shorter.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/vip-event-al-di-meola-guitarchitect/2026-05-01/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/700x400-AlDiMeolaVIP.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260501T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260501T203000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260204T192248Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T205625Z
UID:10003295-1777660200-1777667400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Al Di Meola: Guitarchitect
DESCRIPTION:VIP Meet & Greet Add-On. Click the links below for tickets!\nAl Di Meola: MAY 1 • 4:00pm VIP Meet & Greet\nAl Di Meola: MAY 2 • 4:00pm VIP Meet & Greet\n \n\n“a terrifyingly dexterous electric guitarist… a remarkable acoustic shredder.” – Premier Guitar\n  \nAl Di Meola is one of the top guitarists of our time. Here\, he has enjoyed a celebrated career that has spanned more than four decades. His fascination with complex rhythmic syncopation\, provocative lyrical melodies\, and sophisticated harmony are at the heart of his music. Among his myriad critical accolades are multiple Grammys and Grammy nominations. Additionally\, twelve awards from polls conducted by Guitar Player magazine\, which inducted Di Meola into its Gallery of Greats. \nA bona fide guitar hero and prolific composer\, Di Meola has created more than thirty albums as a leader. Furthermore\, he has collaborated on about a dozen others. These include fusion supergroup Return to Forever (with Chick Corea\, Stanley Clarke\, and Lenny White). Also\, the celebrated acoustic Guitar Trio (featuring fellow virtuosos John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucía). Further\, the Rite of Strings trio (with Clarke and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty). Here\, his dazzling technique has made him a hero to fretboard fanatics. However\, the depth of Di Meola’s writing\, along with the soulfulness and inherent lyricism of his expressive playing\, have won him a worldwide fanbase beyond the guitar aficionado set. \nRecommended for fans of Chick Corea\, John McLaughlin\, Paco de Lucia and Wayne Shorter.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/al-di-meola-guitarchitect/2026-05-01/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/700x400-AlDiMeola.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260501T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260501T230000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260204T192248Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T205625Z
UID:10003296-1777669200-1777676400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Al Di Meola: Guitarchitect
DESCRIPTION:VIP Meet & Greet Add-On. Click the links below for tickets!\nAl Di Meola: MAY 1 • 4:00pm VIP Meet & Greet\nAl Di Meola: MAY 2 • 4:00pm VIP Meet & Greet\n \n\n“a terrifyingly dexterous electric guitarist… a remarkable acoustic shredder.” – Premier Guitar\n  \nAl Di Meola is one of the top guitarists of our time. Here\, he has enjoyed a celebrated career that has spanned more than four decades. His fascination with complex rhythmic syncopation\, provocative lyrical melodies\, and sophisticated harmony are at the heart of his music. Among his myriad critical accolades are multiple Grammys and Grammy nominations. Additionally\, twelve awards from polls conducted by Guitar Player magazine\, which inducted Di Meola into its Gallery of Greats. \nA bona fide guitar hero and prolific composer\, Di Meola has created more than thirty albums as a leader. Furthermore\, he has collaborated on about a dozen others. These include fusion supergroup Return to Forever (with Chick Corea\, Stanley Clarke\, and Lenny White). Also\, the celebrated acoustic Guitar Trio (featuring fellow virtuosos John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucía). Further\, the Rite of Strings trio (with Clarke and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty). Here\, his dazzling technique has made him a hero to fretboard fanatics. However\, the depth of Di Meola’s writing\, along with the soulfulness and inherent lyricism of his expressive playing\, have won him a worldwide fanbase beyond the guitar aficionado set. \nRecommended for fans of Chick Corea\, John McLaughlin\, Paco de Lucia and Wayne Shorter.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/al-di-meola-guitarchitect/2026-05-01/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/700x400-AlDiMeola.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T170000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260204T194801Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T204753Z
UID:10003300-1777737600-1777741200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:VIP Event: Al Di Meola: Guitarchitect
DESCRIPTION:Click the links below for show tickets!\nAl Di Meola: MAY 1 • 6:30pm performance\nAl Di Meola: MAY 1 • 9:00pm performance\nAl Di Meola: MAY 2 • 6:30pm performance\nAl Di Meola: MAY 2 • 9:00pm performance \n\nUpgrade your evening with an exclusive VIP Meet & Greet experience with Al Di Meola. This limited opportunity offers fans an intimate behind-the-scenes look before the show begins. \nInvitation to pre-show experience with Al Di Meola\, including:  \n\nPre-show soundcheck \nPre-show meet & greet with Al Di Meola\n\nIMPORTANT: This is not a ticket to the show. \n\n\n“a terrifyingly dexterous electric guitarist… a remarkable acoustic shredder.” – Premier Guitar\n  \nAl Di Meola is one of the top guitarists of our time. Here\, he has enjoyed a celebrated career that has spanned more than four decades. His fascination with complex rhythmic syncopation\, provocative lyrical melodies\, and sophisticated harmony are at the heart of his music. Among his myriad critical accolades are multiple Grammys and Grammy nominations. Additionally\, twelve awards from polls conducted by Guitar Player magazine\, which inducted Di Meola into its Gallery of Greats. \nA bona fide guitar hero and prolific composer\, Di Meola has created more than thirty albums as a leader. Furthermore\, he has collaborated on about a dozen others. These include fusion supergroup Return to Forever (with Chick Corea\, Stanley Clarke\, and Lenny White). Also\, the celebrated acoustic Guitar Trio (featuring fellow virtuosos John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucía). Further\, the Rite of Strings trio (with Clarke and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty). Here\, his dazzling technique has made him a hero to fretboard fanatics. However\, the depth of Di Meola’s writing\, along with the soulfulness and inherent lyricism of his expressive playing\, have won him a worldwide fanbase beyond the guitar aficionado set. \nRecommended for fans of Chick Corea\, John McLaughlin\, Paco de Lucia and Wayne Shorter.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/vip-event-al-di-meola-guitarchitect/2026-05-02/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/700x400-AlDiMeolaVIP.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T203000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260204T192248Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T205625Z
UID:10003297-1777746600-1777753800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Al Di Meola: Guitarchitect
DESCRIPTION:VIP Meet & Greet Add-On. Click the links below for tickets!\nAl Di Meola: MAY 1 • 4:00pm VIP Meet & Greet\nAl Di Meola: MAY 2 • 4:00pm VIP Meet & Greet\n \n\n“a terrifyingly dexterous electric guitarist… a remarkable acoustic shredder.” – Premier Guitar\n  \nAl Di Meola is one of the top guitarists of our time. Here\, he has enjoyed a celebrated career that has spanned more than four decades. His fascination with complex rhythmic syncopation\, provocative lyrical melodies\, and sophisticated harmony are at the heart of his music. Among his myriad critical accolades are multiple Grammys and Grammy nominations. Additionally\, twelve awards from polls conducted by Guitar Player magazine\, which inducted Di Meola into its Gallery of Greats. \nA bona fide guitar hero and prolific composer\, Di Meola has created more than thirty albums as a leader. Furthermore\, he has collaborated on about a dozen others. These include fusion supergroup Return to Forever (with Chick Corea\, Stanley Clarke\, and Lenny White). Also\, the celebrated acoustic Guitar Trio (featuring fellow virtuosos John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucía). Further\, the Rite of Strings trio (with Clarke and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty). Here\, his dazzling technique has made him a hero to fretboard fanatics. However\, the depth of Di Meola’s writing\, along with the soulfulness and inherent lyricism of his expressive playing\, have won him a worldwide fanbase beyond the guitar aficionado set. \nRecommended for fans of Chick Corea\, John McLaughlin\, Paco de Lucia and Wayne Shorter.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/al-di-meola-guitarchitect/2026-05-02/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/700x400-AlDiMeola.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T230000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260204T192248Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T205625Z
UID:10003298-1777755600-1777762800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Al Di Meola: Guitarchitect
DESCRIPTION:VIP Meet & Greet Add-On. Click the links below for tickets!\nAl Di Meola: MAY 1 • 4:00pm VIP Meet & Greet\nAl Di Meola: MAY 2 • 4:00pm VIP Meet & Greet\n \n\n“a terrifyingly dexterous electric guitarist… a remarkable acoustic shredder.” – Premier Guitar\n  \nAl Di Meola is one of the top guitarists of our time. Here\, he has enjoyed a celebrated career that has spanned more than four decades. His fascination with complex rhythmic syncopation\, provocative lyrical melodies\, and sophisticated harmony are at the heart of his music. Among his myriad critical accolades are multiple Grammys and Grammy nominations. Additionally\, twelve awards from polls conducted by Guitar Player magazine\, which inducted Di Meola into its Gallery of Greats. \nA bona fide guitar hero and prolific composer\, Di Meola has created more than thirty albums as a leader. Furthermore\, he has collaborated on about a dozen others. These include fusion supergroup Return to Forever (with Chick Corea\, Stanley Clarke\, and Lenny White). Also\, the celebrated acoustic Guitar Trio (featuring fellow virtuosos John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucía). Further\, the Rite of Strings trio (with Clarke and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty). Here\, his dazzling technique has made him a hero to fretboard fanatics. However\, the depth of Di Meola’s writing\, along with the soulfulness and inherent lyricism of his expressive playing\, have won him a worldwide fanbase beyond the guitar aficionado set. \nRecommended for fans of Chick Corea\, John McLaughlin\, Paco de Lucia and Wayne Shorter.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/al-di-meola-guitarchitect/2026-05-02/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/700x400-AlDiMeola.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260503T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260503T210000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260312T153621Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T173632Z
UID:10003345-1777834800-1777842000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Isaiah Collier: Collier Plays Coltrane
DESCRIPTION:“heir apparent to both the Chicago lineage and the post-Coltrane sax tradition” – New York Times\n  \nOne of today’s most exciting saxophonists celebrates John Coltrane’s centennial! \nIsaiah Collier is a musical virtuoso in the truest sense of the phrase. He began playing saxophone at age eleven\, and his intuitive proficiency earned him attention early on. Ever since\, his band Isaiah Collier and The Chosen Few has been turning ears. \nIn 2025 he was featured on NPR’s “Jazz Night in America”\, and graced the cover of Downbeat Magazine. Additionally\, Chicago Tribune named him 2024’s Jazz Artist of the Year. New York Times selected his album The Almighty as one of the Top Ten Jazz Recordings of 2024. Furthermore\, The New York Times 2024 Fall Arts Preview featured him. Downbeat selected him as one of twenty-five for the future in 2024’s Ninetieth Anniversary issue. Also\, he won the Rising Star Award in Downbeat Magazine’s critics poll for tenor saxophone (2023)\, and soprano saxophone (2024). Then\, he was named a Steve Jobs Fellow. \nThere’s a regal\, elegant manner to Isaiah’s stage presence: he’s over 6 feet tall\, thin\, deep brown\, with high cheekbones. When not playing\, he is patiently waiting. Not contemplating his next move\, but listening to the musicians who accompany him\, listening to their stories. Here\, he explains that he’s never really hearing himself\, he’s hearing others play: some people have fire\, others have air. \nIsaiah Coller’s sound is a dynamic flurry of metaphors\, yet he can hold back when necessary. Thus\, he plays his influences\, which he describes as a “sonic time machine; you can’t really put a time or destination on it.” As far as he where he plans to take his music\, Collier says\, “I reach backwards\, and forwards simultaneously when creating art and what is ahead of me is the past.” \nRecommended for fans of John Coltrane\, Kamasi Washington\, Pharoah Sanders and Wayne Shorter. \n📸: Johanna Brinckmann
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/isaiah-collier-collier-plays-coltrane-may3-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/700x400-IsaiahCollier.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260505T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260505T210000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260407T212120Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T134612Z
UID:10003392-1778007600-1778014800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:The Beatles Reimagined
DESCRIPTION:“known for his (Jeff Perry) hip reimagining of songs.” – Star Tribune\n  \nJazz musicians have covered and reinterpreted songs by The Beatles for the past fifty years. With the Beatles Reimagined show\, three of Minnesota’s most prominent guitarists build on this tradition. Here\, they display their own “hip retooling” (Star Tribune) of classic songs by the Fab Four. Hear guitarists Tim Sparks\, Zacc Harris\, and show curator Jeff Perry\, with bassist Matt Blake and drummer Bob Johnston. Moreover\, the frequent rotation and pairings of the guitarists makes for an exciting\, fast-paced show. Also\, their imaginative approaches brings you Beatles classics like you’ve never heard them before. \nJeff Perry has been described as “fabulous… one of the Twin Cities’ best” by the Dakota. Furthermore\, over many years Perry developed a proven repertoire that includes beloved songs from across the musical and generational spectrum. Jeff Perry performs high-quality music that connects with people from many generations and backgrounds.  \nTim Sparks has been redefining the acoustic guitar repertoire for decades. He won the National Fingerpicking Championship in 1993 with a ground-breaking arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. Further\, Sparks’s extraordinary ability has garnered an international reputation as one of the most innovative guitarists working today. \nZacc Harris is a Minneapolis-based guitarist\, composer\, and educator known for his work with Atlantis Quartet and many other groups. A bandleader and recording artist\, his projects explore modern jazz\, original composition\, and creative improvisation. He is on the faculty at MacPhail Center for Music and directs the Dakota Jazz Ensemble. \nRecommended for fans of The Beatles.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/the-beatles-reimagined-may5-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/700x400-TheBeatlesReimagined.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260510T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260510T180000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260303T175905Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T195255Z
UID:10003327-1778428800-1778436000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Women Who Cook - A Mother’s Day Reunion
DESCRIPTION:This legendary MN band reunites for Mother’s Day!\n  \nWomen Who Cook will grace the Dakota stage this Mother’s Day\, in their first full show since 2002. Forty-four years ago\, some of the Twin Cities most accomplished women musicians were assembled for an episode on TPT‘s NightTimes Variety\, originally conceived by Marian Moore and Prudence Johnson as an all-star band of women from many genres of music. The group went on to create epic\, sold-out shows at the Guthrie\, the State\, O’Shaughnessy\, and the Ordway\, and their historic Soviet Peace Tour of 1988. \nSingers Jearlyn Steele\, Ginger Commodore\, Mary Jane Alm\, Kathy Mueller\, Gwen Matthews and Prudence Johnson come together once more. They will be backed by Women Who Cook veterans Jane Henderson on keyboards and Jane Aleckson on bass\, Laurie Glaser on trumpet\, and Sue Roberts on trombone. Coming on board for this reunion show are saxophonist Sue Orfield\, pianist Mary Louise Knutson and drummer Sheila Earley. There will be a special tribute to former members Jeanne Arland Peterson and Kathy Jensen. \nWomen Who Cook distinguishes itself with its phenomenal musicianship and intricate vocal arrangements\, and the beautiful energy and warmth that come from its all-woman lineup. This brilliant formation is known for associating themselves with social issues and they are excited to offer their genuine gift of love and peace through music as our community heals. \nRecommended for fans of Moore By Four\, Manhattan Transfer\, The Steeles and Prince.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/women-who-cook-a-mothers-day-reunion-may10-2026/2026-05-10/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/700x400-WomenWhoCook.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260510T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260510T210000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260303T175905Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T195255Z
UID:10003328-1778439600-1778446800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Women Who Cook - A Mother’s Day Reunion
DESCRIPTION:This legendary MN band reunites for Mother’s Day!\n  \nWomen Who Cook will grace the Dakota stage this Mother’s Day\, in their first full show since 2002. Forty-four years ago\, some of the Twin Cities most accomplished women musicians were assembled for an episode on TPT‘s NightTimes Variety\, originally conceived by Marian Moore and Prudence Johnson as an all-star band of women from many genres of music. The group went on to create epic\, sold-out shows at the Guthrie\, the State\, O’Shaughnessy\, and the Ordway\, and their historic Soviet Peace Tour of 1988. \nSingers Jearlyn Steele\, Ginger Commodore\, Mary Jane Alm\, Kathy Mueller\, Gwen Matthews and Prudence Johnson come together once more. They will be backed by Women Who Cook veterans Jane Henderson on keyboards and Jane Aleckson on bass\, Laurie Glaser on trumpet\, and Sue Roberts on trombone. Coming on board for this reunion show are saxophonist Sue Orfield\, pianist Mary Louise Knutson and drummer Sheila Earley. There will be a special tribute to former members Jeanne Arland Peterson and Kathy Jensen. \nWomen Who Cook distinguishes itself with its phenomenal musicianship and intricate vocal arrangements\, and the beautiful energy and warmth that come from its all-woman lineup. This brilliant formation is known for associating themselves with social issues and they are excited to offer their genuine gift of love and peace through music as our community heals. \nRecommended for fans of Moore By Four\, Manhattan Transfer\, The Steeles and Prince.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/women-who-cook-a-mothers-day-reunion-may10-2026/2026-05-10/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/700x400-WomenWhoCook.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260511T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260511T210000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260127T173759Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T153815Z
UID:10003288-1778526000-1778533200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Brad Mehldau Trio
DESCRIPTION:“Mehldau is the most influential jazz pianist of the last 20 years” – New York Times\n  \nOne of the most lyrical and intimate voices of contemporary jazz piano\, Brad Mehldau has forged a unique path. Here\, he embodies the essence of jazz exploration\, classical romanticism and pop allure. Mehldau has garnered critical acclaim as a bandleader\, and major international exposure in collaborations with Pat Metheny\, Renee Fleming\, and Joshua Redman. Furthermore\, Mehldau continues to garner numerous awards and admiration from both jazz purists and music enthusiasts alike. His forays into melding musical idioms have seen brilliant reworkings of songs by contemporary songwriters. He covers The Beatles\, Cole Porter\, Radiohead\, Paul Simon\, Gershwin and Nick Drake\, among others. Also\, he has earned recognition for the ever-evolving breadth of his own significant catalogue of original compositions. With his self-proclaimed affection for popular music and classical training\, “Mehldau is the most influential jazz pianist of the last 20 years”. (The New York Times) \nMehldau’s musical personality forms a dichotomy. He is first and foremost an improviser. He cherishes the surprise and wonder occurring from a spontaneous musical idea that is expressed directly\, in real time. But he also has a deep fascination for the formal architecture of music\, and it informs everything he plays. In his most inspired playing\, the actual structure of his musical thought serves as an expressive device. As he plays\, he listens to how ideas unwind\, and the order in which they reveal themselves. Each tune has a strongly felt narrative arch\, whether it expresses itself in a beginning\, an end\, or something left intentionally open-ended. The two sides of Mehldau’s personality—the improviser and the formalist—play off each other. Thus\, the effect is often something like controlled chaos. \nRecommended for fans of Keith Jarrett\, Chick Corea\, Herbie Hancock and Ahmad Jamal. \n📸: Yoshika Horita
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/brad-mehldau-trio/2026-05-11/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/700x400-BradMehldau2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260512T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260512T210000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260127T173759Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T153815Z
UID:10003289-1778612400-1778619600@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Brad Mehldau Trio
DESCRIPTION:“Mehldau is the most influential jazz pianist of the last 20 years” – New York Times\n  \nOne of the most lyrical and intimate voices of contemporary jazz piano\, Brad Mehldau has forged a unique path. Here\, he embodies the essence of jazz exploration\, classical romanticism and pop allure. Mehldau has garnered critical acclaim as a bandleader\, and major international exposure in collaborations with Pat Metheny\, Renee Fleming\, and Joshua Redman. Furthermore\, Mehldau continues to garner numerous awards and admiration from both jazz purists and music enthusiasts alike. His forays into melding musical idioms have seen brilliant reworkings of songs by contemporary songwriters. He covers The Beatles\, Cole Porter\, Radiohead\, Paul Simon\, Gershwin and Nick Drake\, among others. Also\, he has earned recognition for the ever-evolving breadth of his own significant catalogue of original compositions. With his self-proclaimed affection for popular music and classical training\, “Mehldau is the most influential jazz pianist of the last 20 years”. (The New York Times) \nMehldau’s musical personality forms a dichotomy. He is first and foremost an improviser. He cherishes the surprise and wonder occurring from a spontaneous musical idea that is expressed directly\, in real time. But he also has a deep fascination for the formal architecture of music\, and it informs everything he plays. In his most inspired playing\, the actual structure of his musical thought serves as an expressive device. As he plays\, he listens to how ideas unwind\, and the order in which they reveal themselves. Each tune has a strongly felt narrative arch\, whether it expresses itself in a beginning\, an end\, or something left intentionally open-ended. The two sides of Mehldau’s personality—the improviser and the formalist—play off each other. Thus\, the effect is often something like controlled chaos. \nRecommended for fans of Keith Jarrett\, Chick Corea\, Herbie Hancock and Ahmad Jamal. \n📸: Yoshika Horita
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/brad-mehldau-trio/2026-05-12/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/700x400-BradMehldau2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260513T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260513T210000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260203T172421Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T173704Z
UID:10003292-1778698800-1778706000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Artemis: Sketches Of Miles
DESCRIPTION:“an extremely cosmopolitan\, sleek\, rhythm-forward\, modern sound.” – NPR\n  \nRenee Rosnes\, piano\nIngrid Jensen\, trumpet\nNicole Glover\, saxophone\nNoriko Ueda\, bass\nAllison Miller\, drums \nIn celebration of Miles Davis’s centennial\, the award-winning Artemis explores his monumental impact. Here\, they showcase new arrangements largely drawn from the trumpeter’s signature 1960’s period. Furthermore\, from introspective moods to free interplay and dramatic shifts\, Artemis presents a fascinating look at the many moods of Miles. \nArtemis—named for the Greek goddess—is a multinational ensemble of jazz instrumental virtuosos. Pianist and composer Renee Rosnes founded the group in 2017. Now\, its current lineup includes pianist Renee Rosnes\, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen\, tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover\, bassist Noriko Ueda\, and drummer Allison Miller. Here\, each member is an accomplished bandleader with a major career and a prolific body of work. \nThe group’s third release\, 2025’s Arboresque\, features original songs by all members with fresh arrangements of classic material. Then\, The Guardian named the recording one of its Top Ten Jazz Albums of 2025. There\, they praised its “cliché-free individuality and congenial collective spirit radiantly combined.” Thus\, the band’s popularity has continued to grow through performances at major festivals and venues worldwide. Moreover\, they delivered a powerful appearance in May 2025 on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series. There\, NPR hailed Artemis as “a killer line-up of players\, composers and performers… who converge on an extremely cosmopolitan\, sleek\, rhythm-forward\, modern sound.” \nFurther\, DownBeat magazine’s Annual Readers Poll voted Artemis Jazz Group of the Year for three consecutive years (2023–2025). Additionally\, the Jazz Journalists Association named them Mid-Size Ensemble of the Year in both 2024 and 2025. \nRecommended for fans of Pat Metheny\, Maria Schneider\, Christian McBride and Amina Figarova. \n📸: John Abbott
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/artemis-may13-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/700x400-Artemis.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260514T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260514T210000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260326T195032Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T140146Z
UID:10003373-1778785200-1778792400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Joe Pulice Big Band feat. Ricky Peterson
DESCRIPTION:“Jazz is practically in [his] DNA” – Star Tribune\n  \nThe Joe Pulice Big Band is a high voltage\, all-star fifteen-piece big band from the Twin Cities.  \nThis performance will highlight the music of the most famous big bands throughout jazz history. Drummer Joe Pulice\, one of the region’s elite musicians\, is a two-time Minnesota Jazz Music Award recipient. Also\, in 1986\, Joe toured with Woody Herman and his Thundering Herd.  \nDuring the 1990’s\, Joe played vibes and percussion with world-renowned drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt’s group\, Kamanari. Joe also played with Jack McDuff and his band\, The Heatin’ System. Additionally\, Joe has been the drummer for the JazzMN Orchestra for the last twenty years. \nRicky Peterson is one of the most sought-after studio and session keyboard players and producers in America. Furthermore\, Ricky tours with Fleetwood Mac\, Bonnie Raitt\, John Mayer and currently with Stevie Nicks. \nRecommended for fans of Buddy Rich\, Stan Kenton\, Gene Krupa and Count Basie.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/joe-pulice-big-band-feat-ricky-peterson-may14-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/700x400-JoePulice.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260516T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260516T203000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260303T181120Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T133306Z
UID:10003329-1778956200-1778963400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:The New Standards
DESCRIPTION:“The DNA of the band and its members has its feet firmly rooted into punk/pop culture.” – New York Times\n  \nMinnesota stalwarts The New Standards create an intriguing blend of everything from classic cabaret to punk rock. Here\, they blend the freedom of jazz with  the soul of pop and rock. They make it work through offbeat humor and sheer musicianship. The instrumentation is simple: John Munson of Trip Shakespeare/Semisonic fame on bass; Chan Poling\, founder of the new-wave group The Suburbs on piano; and Steve Roehm on vibes. Chan and John split the singing. A footstomp here\, a shout-out there\, a fiery solo\, and it’s cooked. Simple\, elegant\, illuminating. \nThe New Standards started in 2005 as an off-shoot project. Since then\, TNS has grown into a globe-spanning adventure\, filling theaters and clubs around the world. Additionally\, they have created several albums\, videos\, cartoons\, dance/theater projects\, and ancillary gewgaws that have charmed and delighted faithful fans. \nAll three are fans of great songwriting. However\, they sensed a lack of an interesting jazz trio repertoire beyond the usual “old standards”. Thus\, they got together originally to play and sing their favorite songs from every era\, particularly post-1960s pop music. Familiar tunes in a stripped-down acoustic setting\, leaving room for solos and arrangements with the freedom of jazz. Yet\, they never fully abandon the modest soul of pop and rock. \nAnother thing: though you may associate an acoustic tango version of Britney Spears’s “Toxic” with camp\, TNS is not a lounge or novelty act. One listen to their music reveals that they take their music-making as well as their jobs as entertainers seriously. \nAnd yet\, they are very funny. \nRecommended for fans of Joe Henry\, Semisonic\, The Suburbs and Dylan Hicks.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/the-new-standards-may16-2026/2026-05-16/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/700x400-TheNewStandards.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260516T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260516T230000
DTSTAMP:20260504T214011
CREATED:20260303T181120Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T133306Z
UID:10003330-1778965200-1778972400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:The New Standards
DESCRIPTION:“The DNA of the band and its members has its feet firmly rooted into punk/pop culture.” – New York Times\n  \nMinnesota stalwarts The New Standards create an intriguing blend of everything from classic cabaret to punk rock. Here\, they blend the freedom of jazz with  the soul of pop and rock. They make it work through offbeat humor and sheer musicianship. The instrumentation is simple: John Munson of Trip Shakespeare/Semisonic fame on bass; Chan Poling\, founder of the new-wave group The Suburbs on piano; and Steve Roehm on vibes. Chan and John split the singing. A footstomp here\, a shout-out there\, a fiery solo\, and it’s cooked. Simple\, elegant\, illuminating. \nThe New Standards started in 2005 as an off-shoot project. Since then\, TNS has grown into a globe-spanning adventure\, filling theaters and clubs around the world. Additionally\, they have created several albums\, videos\, cartoons\, dance/theater projects\, and ancillary gewgaws that have charmed and delighted faithful fans. \nAll three are fans of great songwriting. However\, they sensed a lack of an interesting jazz trio repertoire beyond the usual “old standards”. Thus\, they got together originally to play and sing their favorite songs from every era\, particularly post-1960s pop music. Familiar tunes in a stripped-down acoustic setting\, leaving room for solos and arrangements with the freedom of jazz. Yet\, they never fully abandon the modest soul of pop and rock. \nAnother thing: though you may associate an acoustic tango version of Britney Spears’s “Toxic” with camp\, TNS is not a lounge or novelty act. One listen to their music reveals that they take their music-making as well as their jobs as entertainers seriously. \nAnd yet\, they are very funny. \nRecommended for fans of Joe Henry\, Semisonic\, The Suburbs and Dylan Hicks.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/the-new-standards-may16-2026/2026-05-16/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/700x400-TheNewStandards.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR