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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260811T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260811T210000
DTSTAMP:20260724T191826Z
CREATED:20260526T182224Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T191826Z
UID:10003495-1786474800-1786482000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Stanley Clarke N•4EVER
DESCRIPTION:“the baddest bassist on the planet” – All About Jazz \n  \nStanley Clarke has attained “living legend” status during his over fifty-year career as a bass virtuoso. He is an NEA Jazz Master and four-time Grammy winner. Also\, he is the first bassist in history who doubles on acoustic and electric bass with equal ferocity. Moreover\, he is the first jazz-fusion bassist ever to headline tours\, selling out shows worldwide. A veteran of over forty albums\, he won the 2011 Best Contemporary Jazz Album Grammy for The Stanley Clarke Band. Clarke co-founded the seminal fusion group Return to Forever with Chick Corea and Lenny White. Then\, in 2012 Return to Forever won a Grammy Award and Latin Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album\, Forever. \nIn definitive innovator fashion\, jazz legend Stanley Clarke reimagines the genre with his 2025 double album Last Train to Sanity. Here\, he created this album as a gift for his fans. Last Train to Sanity encompasses music Clarke has been sharing around the world with his newest band Stanley Clarke N•4EVER. \nThis new band was originally formed out of a desire to honor Clarke’s longtime friend and collaborator Chick Corea. However\, 4EVER has quickly become a fusion force all its own\, furthering the tradition of cultivating the cutting edge. True to the evolution of jazz fusion\, 4EVER brings a powerful combination of jazz harmony and improvisation with rock\, funk\, R&B\, hip-hop and electronic music influences. \nClarke will release Last Train to Sanity as a double-CD/vinyl package. Also\, he will release a deluxe package that features collectors‘ items. He will also release the record in conjunction with an exclusive coffee-table book. This is filled with rare clippings\, photographs\, and stories from Stanley’s illustrious journey in music to date. \nRecommended for Fans of Jaco Pastorius\, Marcus Miller\, Victor Wooten and John Patitucci. \n📸: Matt Lorentzen
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/stanley-clarke-n4ever-aug11-2026/2026-08-11/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/700x400-StanleyClarkeN4EVER.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260811T213000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260811T233000
DTSTAMP:20260724T191826Z
CREATED:20260526T182224Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T191826Z
UID:10003496-1786483800-1786491000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Stanley Clarke N•4EVER
DESCRIPTION:“the baddest bassist on the planet” – All About Jazz \n  \nStanley Clarke has attained “living legend” status during his over fifty-year career as a bass virtuoso. He is an NEA Jazz Master and four-time Grammy winner. Also\, he is the first bassist in history who doubles on acoustic and electric bass with equal ferocity. Moreover\, he is the first jazz-fusion bassist ever to headline tours\, selling out shows worldwide. A veteran of over forty albums\, he won the 2011 Best Contemporary Jazz Album Grammy for The Stanley Clarke Band. Clarke co-founded the seminal fusion group Return to Forever with Chick Corea and Lenny White. Then\, in 2012 Return to Forever won a Grammy Award and Latin Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album\, Forever. \nIn definitive innovator fashion\, jazz legend Stanley Clarke reimagines the genre with his 2025 double album Last Train to Sanity. Here\, he created this album as a gift for his fans. Last Train to Sanity encompasses music Clarke has been sharing around the world with his newest band Stanley Clarke N•4EVER. \nThis new band was originally formed out of a desire to honor Clarke’s longtime friend and collaborator Chick Corea. However\, 4EVER has quickly become a fusion force all its own\, furthering the tradition of cultivating the cutting edge. True to the evolution of jazz fusion\, 4EVER brings a powerful combination of jazz harmony and improvisation with rock\, funk\, R&B\, hip-hop and electronic music influences. \nClarke will release Last Train to Sanity as a double-CD/vinyl package. Also\, he will release a deluxe package that features collectors‘ items. He will also release the record in conjunction with an exclusive coffee-table book. This is filled with rare clippings\, photographs\, and stories from Stanley’s illustrious journey in music to date. \nRecommended for Fans of Jaco Pastorius\, Marcus Miller\, Victor Wooten and John Patitucci. \n📸: Matt Lorentzen
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/stanley-clarke-n4ever-aug11-2026/2026-08-11/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/700x400-StanleyClarkeN4EVER.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260812T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260812T210000
DTSTAMP:20260724T191822Z
CREATED:20260430T185535Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T191822Z
UID:10003447-1786561200-1786568400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Braxton Cook
DESCRIPTION:“Cook’s newest record… is another kaleidoscopic vignette” – Downbeat\n  \nWhen the vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Braxton Cook first started working on the album that would become 2025’s Not Everyone Can Go\, he was going through several transitions that he just couldn’t ignore. Last year\, Cook spent lots of time on the road — in Europe and Asia\, along with two United States tours. “I was just very busy\, and trying to juggle that with family\, it was a lot to manage\,” Cook said. Then\, in a moment of self-reflection\, he looked back on the past year\, noticed a theme emerging. Thus\, he came to this conclusion: It was OK to let go of things that weren’t serving him any longer. Transitions were natural as he stepped into fatherhood. “It was only pushing me more in that direction of understanding\,” he continued. “There’s grief that comes along with having to let certain things go to make time for the things I truly value.”  \nOne can hear Cook breaking through on Not Everyone Can Go. Here\, his signature mix of jazz and R&B feels indebted to similar hybrids of yesteryear. Musically\, the album conjures images of bright evening sunshine\, when the temperature begins to cool. Not quite Quiet Storm\, instead\, the album dabbles between the margins\, which won’t surprise Cook’s fans. He’s released acclaimed albums like Somewhere In Between\, No Doubt and Who Are You When No One Is Watching?. There\, he’s made a career of blurring the lines between genres\, landing on a sound that isn’t just one thing. Moreover\, while that’s made his music tough to pin down\, that also makes it all the more intriguing. Additionally\, the fact that you can’t label it just R&B or just jazz lends to the music’s attraction. \nRecommended for fans of Robert Glasper\, Hiatus Kaiyote\, Kamasi Washington and Thundercat. \n📸: Ricardo Nagaoka
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/braxton-cook-aug12-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/700x400-BraxtonCook.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260814T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260814T220000
DTSTAMP:20260724T191816Z
CREATED:20260630T170130Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T191816Z
UID:10003534-1786734000-1786744800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Davina and The Vagabonds
DESCRIPTION:“This music\, as retro as it may be at times\, feels fun\, frisky and alive.” – American Songwriter\nDavina Sowers and the Vagabonds have created a stir on the national music scene. Their high-energy live shows feature level-A musicianship\, sharp-dressed professionalism and Sowers’ commanding stage presence. Also\, their influences range from Fats Domino and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Aretha Franklin and Tom Waits. Moreover\, the band is converting audiences one show at a time\, from Vancouver to Miami and across Europe. \nMuch like the music\, the story spurns era\, expectation and classification. The often unbelievable\, sometimes harrowing\, and wholly inspiring journey of Davina Sowers gave birth to her eponymous band in 2004. As the tale goes\, she grew up in the economically depressed Allegheny town of Altoona\, PA. She now describes the town as “awesome in the industrial era\, but horrible for high school.” Then\, she was adopted by her stepfather when he was in his 80s; he passed when she was just 13. Through him and his Edison phonograph\, she first heard the music that would start her journey. For example\, The Ink Spots\, Sidney Bechet\, Louis Armstrong\, Louis Prima\, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and many others. “Great man. He was my angel and still is\,” she says. \nOn her own\, she vividly recalls hours in front of the record player at home. There\, she religiously spun Led Zeppelin\, Black Sabbath and Simon and Garfunkel records belonging to her folk singer mom. \nTo this day\, Davina still refers to music as “my first and eternal love.” Despite early dalliances with classical piano and guitar\, she developed a heavy drug habit in high school. Further\, this morphed into heroin dependency\, left her homeless\, sent her in and out of jail and brought on all manner of trouble. Kicking dope on the streets\, she “got clean\, started the band and worked [her] ass off every day since.” \nRecommended for fans of Pokey LaFarge\, Preservation Hall Jazz Band\, The Hot Sardines and Squirrel Nut Zippers.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/davina-and-the-vagabonds-aug14-2026/
CATEGORIES:Blues,Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/700x400-Davina.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T203000
DTSTAMP:20260724T191814Z
CREATED:20260703T163854Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T191814Z
UID:10003547-1786818600-1786825800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Mohini Dey
DESCRIPTION:“Dey is a phenomenon” – Steve Vai\n\n\nMohini Dey is an Indian bass guitarist\, arranger\, producer & vocalist with unique style and impeccable technique. She has gained international recognition for her extraordinary talent and versatility. Also\, she has collaborated with numerous renowned artists and performed on prestigious stages around the world. \nForbes India has described her as the “most successful musician under thirty”. Moreover\, she has been working professionally in the music industry for the past nineteen years. She is the only female bassist on Music Radar’s Top Ten Bassists of the twenty-first century. Further\, she has over 20 million YouTube views with 200k subscribers\, 500k Instagram followers\, and 200k Facebook followers. \nShe released her debut album\, Mohini Dey\, in 2023. Then\, it met with rave reviews from fans and critics worldwide. Mohini has recently appeared on NPR’s Tiny Desk\, the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon\, and a North American tour with singer Willow Smith. Mohini also recently did an intensive one-on-one interview with famous YouTuber Rick Beato. There\, she discussed her techniques on bass\, equipment and more. Mohini was also invited to record at the legendary Sweetwater studio A in Fort Wayne\, Indiana. There\, she recorded two tracks and gave an interview. BET.com also recently featured her. \nShe has worked with artists like Steve Vai\, Zakir Hussain\, Quincy Jones\, Vinnie Colauita\, Stanley Clarke\, and Jordan Rudess. Also\, Mike Stern\, Dean Brown\, Marco Minneman\, Stu Hamm\, Plini\, Louiz Banks\, Ranjit Barot\, Chad Wackerman\, Chad Smith\, and Simon Phillips. \nRecommended for fans of Stanley Clarke\, Tal Wilkenfield\, Matteo Mancuso and Stanley Jordan.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/mohini-dey-aug15-2026/2026-08-15/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Rock
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/700x400-MohiniDey.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T230000
DTSTAMP:20260724T191814Z
CREATED:20260703T163854Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T191814Z
UID:10003548-1786827600-1786834800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Mohini Dey
DESCRIPTION:“Dey is a phenomenon” – Steve Vai\n\n\nMohini Dey is an Indian bass guitarist\, arranger\, producer & vocalist with unique style and impeccable technique. She has gained international recognition for her extraordinary talent and versatility. Also\, she has collaborated with numerous renowned artists and performed on prestigious stages around the world. \nForbes India has described her as the “most successful musician under thirty”. Moreover\, she has been working professionally in the music industry for the past nineteen years. She is the only female bassist on Music Radar’s Top Ten Bassists of the twenty-first century. Further\, she has over 20 million YouTube views with 200k subscribers\, 500k Instagram followers\, and 200k Facebook followers. \nShe released her debut album\, Mohini Dey\, in 2023. Then\, it met with rave reviews from fans and critics worldwide. Mohini has recently appeared on NPR’s Tiny Desk\, the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon\, and a North American tour with singer Willow Smith. Mohini also recently did an intensive one-on-one interview with famous YouTuber Rick Beato. There\, she discussed her techniques on bass\, equipment and more. Mohini was also invited to record at the legendary Sweetwater studio A in Fort Wayne\, Indiana. There\, she recorded two tracks and gave an interview. BET.com also recently featured her. \nShe has worked with artists like Steve Vai\, Zakir Hussain\, Quincy Jones\, Vinnie Colauita\, Stanley Clarke\, and Jordan Rudess. Also\, Mike Stern\, Dean Brown\, Marco Minneman\, Stu Hamm\, Plini\, Louiz Banks\, Ranjit Barot\, Chad Wackerman\, Chad Smith\, and Simon Phillips. \nRecommended for fans of Stanley Clarke\, Tal Wilkenfield\, Matteo Mancuso and Stanley Jordan.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/mohini-dey-aug15-2026/2026-08-15/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Rock
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/700x400-MohiniDey.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260817T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260817T210000
DTSTAMP:20260724T191958Z
CREATED:20260527T191947Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T191958Z
UID:10003499-1786993200-1787000400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Ben Sidran
DESCRIPTION:“Inspirational\, entertaining\, life-affirming and swinging like crazy.” – London Jazz News\n  \nBen Sidran’s love of music has led to work as pianist\, singer-songwriter\, author\, record producer and music journalist. Also\, he has accomplished many other things in his sixty-year career. Further\, he acts as his own short-order cook\, juggling his own career and his projects. He has produced Steve Miller\, Mose Allison\, Diana Ross\, Boz Scaggs\, Phil Upchurch\, Tony Williams\, Jon Hendricks\, Richie Cole and Van Morrison. He recorded his most recent solo album\, 2024’s Rainmaker\, in France and features a collection of original songs. He channels today’s complexities through his “hipster” filter and demonstrates why he is indeed the “first ever existential jazz rapper”.  \nIt’s been a long and varied journey for Sidran. As a six-year-old in Racine\, Wisconsin\, he played boogie-woogie piano\, leaning into his jazz records\, “literally like an Eskimo huddled around a fire”. Then\, he would grow up to play boogie-woogie piano around the world. He may be better known in Europe and Japan than in America. Also\, this is a fact of life for most jazz musicians. Despite that\, Ben Sidran is an American success story. \nHe’s a jazz pianist of international renown\, lyricist of a rock classic\, award-winning national broadcaster\, record and video producer. Also\, he’s a scholar\, author\, journalist\, and father to a second-generation musical prodigy. Sidran makes your average Renaissance man look like a slacker. \nHe is joined by his longtime bandmates and collaborators\, Billy Peterson on bass and Leo Sidran (his son) on drums. Also\, featuring special guest Ricky Peterson on organ. \nRecommended for fans of Mose Allison\, Marcia Ball\, Dan Hicks and Joey DeFrancesco. \n📸: Jean-Baptiste Millot
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/ben-sidran-aug17-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/700x400-BenSidran-qIIPJx.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260818T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260818T220000
DTSTAMP:20260724T192001Z
CREATED:20260520T153408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T192001Z
UID:10003482-1787079600-1787090400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Grace Kelly
DESCRIPTION:“tenacious… clearly in possession of virtuoso talents” – New York Times\n  \nGrace Kelly is an unequivocal musical prodigy: a singer-saxophonist-songwriter-composer and bandleader. Also\, she has rocked the jazz world through sold-out concerts and fifteen acclaimed albums. Further\, her resume includes performing at the Hollywood Bowl and joining the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – all before reaching her mid-twenties. In 2022\, Berklee College of Music’s Board of Trustees named her its youngest member.  \nGrace’s early career highlights include performing at Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration at age sixteen. Additionally\, at fourteen she performed as a soloist with the Boston Pops\, playing an original composition with the legendary orchestra. Since then\, she has led her band in over 1\,000 shows across thirty-five countries. Moreover\, she’s performed at venues such as the Kennedy Center\, Moscow Symphony Hall\, and international jazz festivals. Critics tout her scorching saxophone stylings and purring vocals\, and she has performed and recorded with renowned artists. Here\, these include Lin Manuel-Miranda\, Dave Brubeck\, Lee Konitz\, Phil Woods\, Huey Lewis\, Harry Connick Jr.\, and Jon Batiste. Also\, Gloria Estefan\, Questlove\, and Wynton Marsalis. \nGrace’s latest release\, 2024’s At The Movies: Grace Kelly with Strings\, was inspired by Charlie Parker with Strings. This remains one of Grace’s all-time favorite albums. Additionally\, the album reflects her love of classic and contemporary movies. Here\, she reimagines some of her favorite movie music as well as songs by legendary film composers. Furthermore\, fresh arrangements showcase her signature sound.  \n“Grace Kelly plays with intelligence\, wit and feeling. She has a great amount of natural ability and the ability to adapt. That is the hallmark of a first-class jazz musician.” – Wynton Marsalis  \n“A highly accomplished musician with a charismatic and contagiously uplifting stage presence.” – Jon Batiste \nRecommended for fans of Joshua Redman\, Emmet Cohen\, Christian McBride and Branford Marsalis.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/grace-kelly-aug18-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/700x400-GraceKelly.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T210000
DTSTAMP:20260724T192004Z
CREATED:20260505T191429Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T192004Z
UID:10003450-1787166000-1787173200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Spyro Gyra
DESCRIPTION:“these… grooves are state-of-the-art” – All About Jazz\n  \nIn 2024\, Jay Beckenstein and band started its observation of the fiftieth anniversary of the band. What started as a diversion\, something that was just for fun (and twenty-five cents at the door) continues its evolution into 2025. It began inauspiciously when Beckenstein and a few musician friends in Buffalo\, NY organized a get together on their shared night off from working in bands that actually made money. It was a simple\, humble idea with a name that was likewise simple and humble\, “Tuesday Night Jazz Jam”.  \nFast forward fifty years and this jazz super-group has released over thirty albums\, garnering gold and platinum along the way. They’ve played over 10\,000 concerts on six continents. Further\, Spyro Gyra has maintained its standards of excellence. Thus\, these standards have sustained them on the “A list” of live attractions in jazz for fifty years. Renowned bass player Will Lee once referred to the ensemble as a “well-oiled road machine” as a tribute to their daunting schedule\, bringing their music to fans around the globe. \nFans of the band are familiar with the group’s rise to international prominence from humble beginnings in Buffalo\, New York. That’s when a few area musicians arranged for a weekly gig of playing less commercial music on everyone’s night off. Soon the word got around; the core group was joined by many musicians to come and have fun. And customers started showing up\, too\, prompting the club owner to press Beckenstein for a band name. Beckenstein offered up this late night\, tipsy answer\, “You can call it ‘spirogyra’”\, algae he had studied once. The next week\, he came back and there it was\, misspelling and all\, and so it began in 1974. \nRecommended for fans of Return to Forever\, Yellowjackets\, David Sanborn and Brecker Brothers. \n📸: David White
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/spyro-gyra-aug19-2026/2026-08-19/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/700x400-SpyroGyra.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T230000
DTSTAMP:20260724T192004Z
CREATED:20260505T191429Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T192004Z
UID:10003451-1787173200-1787180400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Spyro Gyra
DESCRIPTION:“these… grooves are state-of-the-art” – All About Jazz\n  \nIn 2024\, Jay Beckenstein and band started its observation of the fiftieth anniversary of the band. What started as a diversion\, something that was just for fun (and twenty-five cents at the door) continues its evolution into 2025. It began inauspiciously when Beckenstein and a few musician friends in Buffalo\, NY organized a get together on their shared night off from working in bands that actually made money. It was a simple\, humble idea with a name that was likewise simple and humble\, “Tuesday Night Jazz Jam”.  \nFast forward fifty years and this jazz super-group has released over thirty albums\, garnering gold and platinum along the way. They’ve played over 10\,000 concerts on six continents. Further\, Spyro Gyra has maintained its standards of excellence. Thus\, these standards have sustained them on the “A list” of live attractions in jazz for fifty years. Renowned bass player Will Lee once referred to the ensemble as a “well-oiled road machine” as a tribute to their daunting schedule\, bringing their music to fans around the globe. \nFans of the band are familiar with the group’s rise to international prominence from humble beginnings in Buffalo\, New York. That’s when a few area musicians arranged for a weekly gig of playing less commercial music on everyone’s night off. Soon the word got around; the core group was joined by many musicians to come and have fun. And customers started showing up\, too\, prompting the club owner to press Beckenstein for a band name. Beckenstein offered up this late night\, tipsy answer\, “You can call it ‘spirogyra’”\, algae he had studied once. The next week\, he came back and there it was\, misspelling and all\, and so it began in 1974. \nRecommended for fans of Return to Forever\, Yellowjackets\, David Sanborn and Brecker Brothers. \n📸: David White
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/spyro-gyra-aug19-2026/2026-08-19/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/700x400-SpyroGyra.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260824T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260824T210000
DTSTAMP:20260724T192125Z
CREATED:20260717T150241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T192125Z
UID:10003567-1787598000-1787605200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:The New Bluebloods
DESCRIPTION:Minneapolis’s Up-and-Coming Guitar Heroes\n  \nGet ready to experience the next generation of Twin Cities talent! The New Bluebloods: Minneapolis’s Up-and-Coming Guitar Heroes shines a spotlight on some of the city’s most exciting young guitarists\, rising artists who are pushing musical boundaries while carrying on Minneapolis’s rich musical legacy. From soulful blues and jazz to rock\, funk\, and beyond\, this is your chance to discover the future of the Minneapolis music scene before everyone else does. \nPlayers:\nFeaturing an all-star Twin Cities lineup: \nGuitarists –\nDavid Feily\nKray Klaas\nNate Walker\nDemitri Rallis\n+ More \nRhythm Section –\nTony Axtell\, bass\nMatthew Mwangi\, drums\nJordan Hedlund\, keyboards
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/the-new-bluebloods-aug24-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Rock
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/700x400-TheNewBluebloods.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260831T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260831T210000
DTSTAMP:20260727T131815Z
CREATED:20260721T171527Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260727T131815Z
UID:10003571-1788202800-1788210000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Chopin's Heart
DESCRIPTION:Original music inspired by the cabarets of Europe circa 1939.\n  \n“Chopin’s Heart (music) is brilliant. Vocals and lyrics really affecting.” – audience member\n  \nSingers Jennifer Grimm\, Maud Hixson and Prudence Johnson deliver composer Gary Rue’s beautiful songs. Here\, these are inspired by the cabaret music of pre-World War II Warsaw\, an artistic hotbed rivaling that of Berlin and Paris. Further\, as Europe stands on the precipice in 1939\, the past\, present and future collide in these songs. Additionally\, they cover emotions like longing\, lust\, betrayal\, fear\, hope\, redemption\, and of course\, love. \nThe show is titled “Chopin’s Heart” after the famous composer Frederic Chopin. Also\, he asked that\, upon his death in Paris\, his heart be removed and taken back to his beloved Warsaw. Nearly a religious icon\, Chopin’s heart became a rallying cry for partisans during the war. There\, they secreted it into the countryside until peace returned. \nHere\, the show features pianist extraordinaire Dan Chouinard and the vibrant violin of Randy Sabien. Additionally\, Chopin’s Heart composer and lyricist Gary Rue\, co-creator of nearly 100 scores for musical theatre. \nRecommended for fans of Melomani\, Henryk Wars\, Kurt Weill and George Gershwin.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/chopins-heart-aug31-2026/
CATEGORIES:Cabaret,Jazz,Torch Songs
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/700x400-ChopinsHeart.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260902T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260902T210000
DTSTAMP:20260724T192259Z
CREATED:20260520T153902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T192259Z
UID:10003483-1788375600-1788382800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Bob James
DESCRIPTION:“one of the biggest stars of smooth jazz” – Jazz Times \n  \nGrammy winner and Fourplay founder Bob James is a legend in the world of jazz. There\, he is revered for his discography of more than fifty-eight albums. Moreover\, he pioneered the sounds and style that came to be known as contemporary jazz. Thus\, Bob’s shadow looms large over the music world of the last fifty-plus years. \nDiscovered by Quincy Jones in 1963\, Bob briefly played piano for Sarah Vaughan\, before becoming a solo artist in 1974. Then\, many solo projects followed\, as well as collaborations with such artists as Roberta Flack\, David Sanborn\, and Earl Klugh. Furthermore\, smooth jazz supergroup Fourplay brought improvised music to the mainstream in exciting new ways. And he’s still going as strong as ever. \nHe also recorded Touchdown\, which included his composition\, “Angela\,” the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi. Here\, this remains possibly James’ best-known work. Additionally\, Bob composed all the original music used in that television series for its entire run. \nJames is recognized as one of the progenitors of smooth jazz. However\, his music has also had a profound effect on the history of hip hop having been sampled often. Two of James’ songs –“Nautilus” from 1974’s One and “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” from 1975’s Two – are among the most sampled in hip-hop history. \nRecommended for fans of David Sanborn\, Ramsey Lewis\, Larry Carlton and Jeff Lorber.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/bob-james-sep-2026/2026-09-02/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/700x400-BobJames-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260903T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260903T210000
DTSTAMP:20260724T192259Z
CREATED:20260520T153902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T192259Z
UID:10003484-1788462000-1788469200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Bob James
DESCRIPTION:“one of the biggest stars of smooth jazz” – Jazz Times \n  \nGrammy winner and Fourplay founder Bob James is a legend in the world of jazz. There\, he is revered for his discography of more than fifty-eight albums. Moreover\, he pioneered the sounds and style that came to be known as contemporary jazz. Thus\, Bob’s shadow looms large over the music world of the last fifty-plus years. \nDiscovered by Quincy Jones in 1963\, Bob briefly played piano for Sarah Vaughan\, before becoming a solo artist in 1974. Then\, many solo projects followed\, as well as collaborations with such artists as Roberta Flack\, David Sanborn\, and Earl Klugh. Furthermore\, smooth jazz supergroup Fourplay brought improvised music to the mainstream in exciting new ways. And he’s still going as strong as ever. \nHe also recorded Touchdown\, which included his composition\, “Angela\,” the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi. Here\, this remains possibly James’ best-known work. Additionally\, Bob composed all the original music used in that television series for its entire run. \nJames is recognized as one of the progenitors of smooth jazz. However\, his music has also had a profound effect on the history of hip hop having been sampled often. Two of James’ songs –“Nautilus” from 1974’s One and “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” from 1975’s Two – are among the most sampled in hip-hop history. \nRecommended for fans of David Sanborn\, Ramsey Lewis\, Larry Carlton and Jeff Lorber.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/bob-james-sep-2026/2026-09-03/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/700x400-BobJames-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260904T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260904T210000
DTSTAMP:20260724T192256Z
CREATED:20260520T161007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T192256Z
UID:10003486-1788548400-1788555600@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Cécile McLorin Salvant
DESCRIPTION:“She is a modern jazz marvel.” – Star Tribune\n  \nCécile McLorin Salvant is a composer\, singer\, and visual artist. The Late Jessye Norman described Salvant as “a unique voice supported by an intelligence and full-fledged musicality\, which light up every note she sings.” Here\, Salvant has developed a passion for storytelling. She finds connections between vaudeville\, blues\, folk traditions from around the world\, theater\, jazz\, and baroque music. Moreover\, Salvant is an eclectic curator\, unearthing rarely recorded songs with strong narratives\, interesting power dynamics\, unexpected twists\, and humor.  \nSalvant won the Thelonius Monk competition in 2010. Also\, she received Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album for three consecutive albums. Here\, these include 2018’s The Window\, 2017’s Dreams and Daggers\, and 2015’s For One To Love. Additionally\, she earned a Grammy nomination for 2014’s WomanChild. Then\, in 2020 Salvant received the MacArthur fellowship and the Doris Duke Artist Award. Her 2022 recording Ghost Song garnered two more Grammy nominations and wide critical acclaim.  \nSalvant released her latest album\, Oh Snap\, in 2025. Here\, this album features twelve very personal songs by Salvant. Further\, she mostly recorded it outside of a traditional studio environment and it showcases her genre-spanning tastes and influences.  \nFor this album\, Salvant wrote these short\, intimate songs as part of a creative quest. Here\, she sought to place spontaneity and joy at the center of her writing process. She originally recorded them alone\, at home\, never intending for them to be released. Moreover\, the songs reflect Salvant’s wide-ranging musical influences from her 1990s childhood in Miami. There\, sounds from boy bands to grunge to classical to folk are present. Additionally\, there are party tracks with beats\, samba grooves\, and quiet folk songs. \nRecommended for fans of Lizz Wright\, Kandace Springs\, Cassandra Wilson and Veronica Swift.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/cecile-mclorin-salvant-sep4-2026/2026-09-04/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/700x400-CecileMcLorinSalvant.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260904T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260904T230000
DTSTAMP:20260724T192256Z
CREATED:20260520T161007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T192256Z
UID:10003487-1788555600-1788562800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Cécile McLorin Salvant
DESCRIPTION:“She is a modern jazz marvel.” – Star Tribune\n  \nCécile McLorin Salvant is a composer\, singer\, and visual artist. The Late Jessye Norman described Salvant as “a unique voice supported by an intelligence and full-fledged musicality\, which light up every note she sings.” Here\, Salvant has developed a passion for storytelling. She finds connections between vaudeville\, blues\, folk traditions from around the world\, theater\, jazz\, and baroque music. Moreover\, Salvant is an eclectic curator\, unearthing rarely recorded songs with strong narratives\, interesting power dynamics\, unexpected twists\, and humor.  \nSalvant won the Thelonius Monk competition in 2010. Also\, she received Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album for three consecutive albums. Here\, these include 2018’s The Window\, 2017’s Dreams and Daggers\, and 2015’s For One To Love. Additionally\, she earned a Grammy nomination for 2014’s WomanChild. Then\, in 2020 Salvant received the MacArthur fellowship and the Doris Duke Artist Award. Her 2022 recording Ghost Song garnered two more Grammy nominations and wide critical acclaim.  \nSalvant released her latest album\, Oh Snap\, in 2025. Here\, this album features twelve very personal songs by Salvant. Further\, she mostly recorded it outside of a traditional studio environment and it showcases her genre-spanning tastes and influences.  \nFor this album\, Salvant wrote these short\, intimate songs as part of a creative quest. Here\, she sought to place spontaneity and joy at the center of her writing process. She originally recorded them alone\, at home\, never intending for them to be released. Moreover\, the songs reflect Salvant’s wide-ranging musical influences from her 1990s childhood in Miami. There\, sounds from boy bands to grunge to classical to folk are present. Additionally\, there are party tracks with beats\, samba grooves\, and quiet folk songs. \nRecommended for fans of Lizz Wright\, Kandace Springs\, Cassandra Wilson and Veronica Swift.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/cecile-mclorin-salvant-sep4-2026/2026-09-04/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/700x400-CecileMcLorinSalvant.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260909T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260909T210000
DTSTAMP:20260724T192654Z
CREATED:20260506T173340Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T192654Z
UID:10003453-1788980400-1788987600@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Madeleine Peyroux
DESCRIPTION:“It’s rare to find someone capable of injecting such life into every single lyric.” – London Jazz News\n  \n“We Are America is a celebration of great Americans and American music. I want to remind us all of who we are.” \nThis is a celebration of American composers and performers who deeply influenced American culture. Here\, all of whom are the children of immigrants\, or descendants of our formerly enslaved Black American brethren. “My music and these performances are part of a dialogue. That’s what art is. It’s engagement\, community. I believe more than anything in getting together with people and listening to music and conversing. Music is the only way I’ve ever built community.” \nMuch like songbird Edith Piaf\, Madeleine Peyroux spent her teenage years busking the busy streets of Paris. Just like the ‘little sparrow’\, Madeleine befriended the city’s street musicians and made its Latin quarter her first stage. Years later\, Peyroux would cite iconic Piaf as an influence on her music. There\, her rendition of Piaf’s classic “La Vie En Rose”\, soulfully captures the tune’s romanticism and melancholy. \nMadeleine “grew up in a house filled with music” and from an early age “instinctively realized music’s soothing power”. Then\, young Madeleine moved to Paris with her mother in 1987 following her parents’ divorce. “To soothe me during the upheaval”\, she recalls\, “I was given a guitar and took to playing in the streets almost immediately.”  \nThirty years after her formative busking days Peyroux is the proud curator of nine beguiling albums. The soundtrack of Oscar-winner The Shape of Water features her atmospheric version of Serge Gainsbourg’s “La Javanaise”. Additionally\, her countless accolades include the coveted BBC International Artist of the Year honor. \nRecommended for fans of Norah Jones\, Melody Gardot\, Diana Krall and Stacey Kent.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/madeleine-peyroux-sep-2026/2026-09-09/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/700x400-MadeleinePeyroux.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260910T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260910T210000
DTSTAMP:20260724T192654Z
CREATED:20260506T173340Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T192654Z
UID:10003454-1789066800-1789074000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Madeleine Peyroux
DESCRIPTION:“It’s rare to find someone capable of injecting such life into every single lyric.” – London Jazz News\n  \n“We Are America is a celebration of great Americans and American music. I want to remind us all of who we are.” \nThis is a celebration of American composers and performers who deeply influenced American culture. Here\, all of whom are the children of immigrants\, or descendants of our formerly enslaved Black American brethren. “My music and these performances are part of a dialogue. That’s what art is. It’s engagement\, community. I believe more than anything in getting together with people and listening to music and conversing. Music is the only way I’ve ever built community.” \nMuch like songbird Edith Piaf\, Madeleine Peyroux spent her teenage years busking the busy streets of Paris. Just like the ‘little sparrow’\, Madeleine befriended the city’s street musicians and made its Latin quarter her first stage. Years later\, Peyroux would cite iconic Piaf as an influence on her music. There\, her rendition of Piaf’s classic “La Vie En Rose”\, soulfully captures the tune’s romanticism and melancholy. \nMadeleine “grew up in a house filled with music” and from an early age “instinctively realized music’s soothing power”. Then\, young Madeleine moved to Paris with her mother in 1987 following her parents’ divorce. “To soothe me during the upheaval”\, she recalls\, “I was given a guitar and took to playing in the streets almost immediately.”  \nThirty years after her formative busking days Peyroux is the proud curator of nine beguiling albums. The soundtrack of Oscar-winner The Shape of Water features her atmospheric version of Serge Gainsbourg’s “La Javanaise”. Additionally\, her countless accolades include the coveted BBC International Artist of the Year honor. \nRecommended for fans of Norah Jones\, Melody Gardot\, Diana Krall and Stacey Kent.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/madeleine-peyroux-sep-2026/2026-09-10/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/700x400-MadeleinePeyroux.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260913T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260913T230000
DTSTAMP:20260724T192936Z
CREATED:20260528T151231Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T192936Z
UID:10003500-1789326000-1789340400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Dominique Fils-Aimé
DESCRIPTION:“so much soul… unmistakably sunlit style” – Spin\n  \nDominique Fils-Aimé has established herself as one of today’s leading voices in vocal jazz. Also\, the Montreal singer-songwriter has won two Juno Awards. Her latest album\, Our Roots Run Deep (2023)\, earned the 2024 JUNO Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. Additionally\, it received the 2024 Félix Award for Best Jazz Album at ADISQ. There\, this affirms the importance of her artistic vision at the crossroads of jazz\, soul\, and blues. \nIn February 2026\, she unveiled the second chapter of her sophomore trilogy with new album My World Is The Sun. With this project\, Fils-Aimé continues her exploration of sonic\, creative\, and spiritual freedom. \nOn stage\, she offers an immersive performance that invites audiences to delve into the roots of their soul. Moreover\, she is guided by a profound quest for connection. She released her first live album Live at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 2025. Here\, it stands as a testament to the strength of her stage presence and her ability to forge an intimate bond with her audience. \nIn recent years\, she has performed on many prestigious stages. For example\, Blue Note New York\, Blue Note Los Angeles\, Monterey Jazz Festival and North Sea Jazz Festival. Additionally\, she has opened for Melody Gardot\, Diana Krall\, and Jamie Cullum in many European theaters. \nIn 2026\, Dominique Fils-Aimé will bring her new album to the stage on a world tour. Thus\, she has announced concerts in Europe at La Maroquinerie (Paris) and Le Botanique (Brussels). Further\, dates in Canada at the Montreal International Jazz Festival\, and across the United States. \nRecommended for fans of Erykah Badu\, Gregory Porter\, Lianne La Havas and José James. \n📸: Vladim Vilain
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/dominique-fils-aime-sep13-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/700x400-DominiqueFilsAime.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260914T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260914T210000
DTSTAMP:20260724T192932Z
CREATED:20260611T151246Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T192932Z
UID:10003512-1789412400-1789419600@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Lucía
DESCRIPTION:“rich kaleidoscope of references… unique voice” – DownBeat\n  \nLucía is a 24-year-old vocalist from Veracruz\, México. Her singular artistic vision bridges the gaps between jazz\, Latin and pop music. Lucía Gutierrez Rebolloso started her musical career at the age of two. There\, she sang and danced in her parents’ son jarocho band\, Son de Madera. Then\, she began studying voice at the age of thirteen at Universidad Veracruzana. Additionally\, she received a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies there. In 2022\, she became the first Mexican artist to enter the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition\, which she won. \nLucía has already collaborated with several world-renowned artists and musicians. Here\, these include Natalia Lafourcade\, Aloe Blacc\, La Santa Cecilia\, Quetzal\, Son de Madera\, Alex Mercado and the National Jazz Orchestra of Mexico (ONJMX in Spanish). She has performed on notable stages worldwide\, including Carnegie Hall and Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Also\, Royce Hall at UCLA\, the ASU Gammage in Arizona\, and El Cantoral. Additionally\, the National Center for the Arts and the Teatro de la Ciudad Esperanza Iris in Mexico City. She has also performed in renowned festivals like the Vancouver Folk Festival and the International Cervantino Festival in Guanajuato\, Mexico. \nLucía released her first full album in 2025. Here\, it presents Lucía’s interpretations of jazz standards (“What a Difference a Day Makes\,” “You Must Believe in Spring\,”). Also\, classic Spanish songs (“Silencio\,” “La Llorona\,” “Como Fue”) and current pop songs (by Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo). Furthermore\, the album featuring an extraordinary group of musicians including Edward Simon\, David Sanchez\, Larry Grenadier and Antonio Sánchez. \nRecommended for fans of Bria Skonberg\, Emma Smith\, Rachael & Vilray and Stella Cole. \n📸: Shervin Lainez
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/lucia-sep14-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/700x400-Lucia.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260915T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260915T203000
DTSTAMP:20260724T192929Z
CREATED:20260715T160329Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T192929Z
UID:10003561-1789498800-1789504200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Mike Stern Band
DESCRIPTION:“an amazing ear for harmony and endlessly creative… exhilarating” – PopMatters\n  \nMike Stern is one of the true guitar greats of his generation. There\, he plays with remarkable facility\, and his searing lines draw mainly on bebop and the blues. Additionally\, he carries a rock-tinged intensity. He uniquely combines the finesse and lyricism of Jim Hall\, the driving swing of Wes Montgomery and the turbulent\, overdriven attack of Jimi Hendrix. \nStern made his mark with Miles Davis in the early ‘80s before launching his solo career in 1985. Since then\, he has released seventeen recordings as a leader\, six of which received Grammy nominations. Moreover\, his latest recording\, 2024’s Echoes and Other Songs\, features an all-star cast. \nMusicians\, critics and fans hail drummer Dennis Chambers for his technique and speed. Furthermore\, they particularly praise his ability to play “in the pocket”. Thus\, he has worked with John Scofield\, George Duke\, Brecker Brothers\, Steely Dan\, Santana\, Parliament/Funkadelic\, John McLaughlin\, and more. \nBassist Noam Tanzer moves among a diverse world of styles. There\, these vary from improvised music to hardcore metal\, from indie rock in Spanish to the music of Billy Strayhorn. Noam has worked with Paquito D’Rivera\, Miguel Zenon\, Julieta Rada and others. \nRegarded as the First Lady of jazz guitar\, Leni Stern has become a respected force on the global music scene. Also\, she has led her own groups for over three decades. Additionally\, Guitar Player once described her work as “a case study in the interactive properties of composition and improvisation.” \nSaxophonist Bob Franceschini ranks among the most in-demand players in New York. There\, he has worked with George Benson\, Eddie Palmieri\, Woody Shaw\, Kenny Kirkland\, Chris Botti\, Chaka Khan and many others. \nRecommended for fans of John Scofield\, Miles Davis\, Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorius. \n📸: Sandrine Lee
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/mike-stern-band-sep15-2026/2026-09-15/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/700x400-MikeStern.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260915T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260915T230000
DTSTAMP:20260724T192929Z
CREATED:20260715T160329Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T192929Z
UID:10003562-1789506000-1789513200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Mike Stern Band
DESCRIPTION:“an amazing ear for harmony and endlessly creative… exhilarating” – PopMatters\n  \nMike Stern is one of the true guitar greats of his generation. There\, he plays with remarkable facility\, and his searing lines draw mainly on bebop and the blues. Additionally\, he carries a rock-tinged intensity. He uniquely combines the finesse and lyricism of Jim Hall\, the driving swing of Wes Montgomery and the turbulent\, overdriven attack of Jimi Hendrix. \nStern made his mark with Miles Davis in the early ‘80s before launching his solo career in 1985. Since then\, he has released seventeen recordings as a leader\, six of which received Grammy nominations. Moreover\, his latest recording\, 2024’s Echoes and Other Songs\, features an all-star cast. \nMusicians\, critics and fans hail drummer Dennis Chambers for his technique and speed. Furthermore\, they particularly praise his ability to play “in the pocket”. Thus\, he has worked with John Scofield\, George Duke\, Brecker Brothers\, Steely Dan\, Santana\, Parliament/Funkadelic\, John McLaughlin\, and more. \nBassist Noam Tanzer moves among a diverse world of styles. There\, these vary from improvised music to hardcore metal\, from indie rock in Spanish to the music of Billy Strayhorn. Noam has worked with Paquito D’Rivera\, Miguel Zenon\, Julieta Rada and others. \nRegarded as the First Lady of jazz guitar\, Leni Stern has become a respected force on the global music scene. Also\, she has led her own groups for over three decades. Additionally\, Guitar Player once described her work as “a case study in the interactive properties of composition and improvisation.” \nSaxophonist Bob Franceschini ranks among the most in-demand players in New York. There\, he has worked with George Benson\, Eddie Palmieri\, Woody Shaw\, Kenny Kirkland\, Chris Botti\, Chaka Khan and many others. \nRecommended for fans of John Scofield\, Miles Davis\, Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorius. \n📸: Sandrine Lee
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/mike-stern-band-sep15-2026/2026-09-15/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/700x400-MikeStern.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260920T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260920T210000
DTSTAMP:20260724T193137Z
CREATED:20260224T181030Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T193137Z
UID:10003322-1789930800-1789938000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass & Other Delights at Orchestra Hall
DESCRIPTION:“He’s the only individual artist to top the Hot 100 with both a vocal hit and an instrumental hit.” – Billboard\n  \nGet ready for a very special evening with Herb Alpert and his brand-new Tijuana Brass. Herb along with his six great musicians will be playing all your favorite TJB hit songs just as you remember. The band includes Bill Cantos (piano & marimba)\, Kerry Marx (guitar)\, Ryan Dragon (trombone)\, Kris Bergh (trumpet)\, Ray Brinker (drums) and Hussain Jiffry (bass). \n2025 marked the sixtieth anniversary of the iconic album Whipped Cream & Other Delights. Herb and the band will be performing many of those great songs in addition to many other hit songs. “The Lonely Bull”\, “Spanish Flea”\, “Taste of Honey”\, “Mexican Shuffle”\, “Tijuana Taxi”\, “This Guy’s In Love With You”\, “What Now My Love”\, “Zorba the Greek”\, “Ladyfingers”\, “Rise” and many other delights. Further\, the show features a giant video screen. There\, hundreds of classic photos\, videos\, art and various memorabilia from Herb’s music career will be displayed.  \nA legendary trumpet player\, Herb Alpert’s extraordinary musicianship has earned him five Number One hits. Additionally\, he has nine Grammy Awards\, fifteen Gold albums\, fourteen Platinum albums and has sold over 72 million records worldwide. Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass propelled his sound into the limelight\, at one point outselling The Beatles two to one. In 1966\, they achieved the remarkable feat of simultaneously having four albums in the Billboard Top Ten. Furthermore\, they had five in the Top Twenty. Alpert is also the only artist who has had a Number One instrumental (“Rise”) and a Number One vocal record (“This Guy’s In Love With You”). \nRecommended for fans of Chris Botti\, Andy Williams\, Sergio Mendez & Brasil ’66 and Chuck Mangione. \n📸: Dewey Nicks\n \nThis performance excludes A-Train membership benefits\, except for early access.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/herb-alpert-the-tijuana-brass-other-delights-sep20-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/700x400-offsite-Herb-Alpert.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260927T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260927T173000
DTSTAMP:20260724T193304Z
CREATED:20260612T192958Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T193304Z
UID:10003516-1790526600-1790530200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:VIP Event: Alicia Witt: Album Release
DESCRIPTION:Click the link below for show tickets!\nAlicia Witt: Album Release – SEP 27 • 7:00pm performance \n\nAlicia Witt VIP Meet & Greet Upgrade – $50 \nIMPORTANT: This is not a ticket to the show.\nYou must have a concert ticket in order to purchase this VIP Meet & Greet upgrade. \nJoin Alicia Witt for an exclusive pre-show VIP experience!\nYour VIP upgrade includes: \n\nPre-show Meet & Greet with Alicia Witt\nPhoto Opportunity\nAutographs (Bring your own items or purchase merchandise at the merch table)\n\nCheck-in Time: Please arrive at the venue by 4:30 PM.\nAfter check-in\, you’ll be escorted to the VIP area for the meet & greet\, which takes place before doors open at 5:30 PM. \n\n“Her melodic and buoyant sound harkens back to the works of Elton John\, Billy Joel and Carole King” – Popmatters\n  \nBetween Heaven and Earth\, the haunting and deeply personal new album from Alicia Witt\, arrives in August 2026. This album was recorded live in New York City with producer Joe Henry and a band assembled specifically for the project. Here\, the album exists in a space suspended between transcendence and intimacy\, channeling what Witt describes as “eternal unconditional love”. Further\, she describes is as “the place suspended between heaven and earth.” \nThe album was profoundly shaped by the influence and memory of David Lynch. There\, his impact on Witt stretches back to her first film role as Alia in Dune at age seven. “I can’t imagine who I would be without David Lynch\,” Witt reflects. “He is weaved throughout the fabric of my life.” Throughout Between Heaven and Earth\, Witt explores what she learned from Lynch “regarding love. The eternal nature of it\, the idea that only love is real.” Moreover\, she describes his presence as palpable throughout the making of the record. “David was with us every day in the studio. All six of us in the band felt his presence.” \nWitt is widely recognized for her acclaimed acting career spanning film\, television\, and stage. However\, music has remained a constant throughline in her life. She is a classically trained pianist who supported herself as a musician when she first moved to Los Angeles. Additionally\, Witt has long integrated music into her creative identity\, both through her own songwriting and in many of the roles she has portrayed onscreen. She’s released multiple full-length albums\, including Revisionary History (2015)\, The Conduit (2021)\, and I Think I’m Spending Christmas With You (2024). Thus\, Between Heaven and Earth represents the latest chapter in that ongoing musical journey. \nRecommended for fans of Patty Griffin\, Over the Rhine\, Shawn Colvin and Natalie Merchant.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/vip-event-alicia-witt-album-release-sep27-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/700x400-VIP-AliciaWittAR-VIP.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260927T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260927T210000
DTSTAMP:20260724T193306Z
CREATED:20260612T192607Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T193306Z
UID:10003515-1790535600-1790542800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Alicia Witt: Album Release
DESCRIPTION:VIP Meet & Greet Add-On. Click the links below for tickets!\nAlicia Witt: Album Release – SEP 27 • 4:30pm VIP Meet & Greet \n\n“Her melodic and buoyant sound harkens back to the works of Elton John\, Billy Joel and Carole King” – Popmatters\n  \nBetween Heaven and Earth\, the haunting and deeply personal new album from Alicia Witt\, arrives in August 2026. This album was recorded live in New York City with producer Joe Henry and a band assembled specifically for the project. Here\, the album exists in a space suspended between transcendence and intimacy\, channeling what Witt describes as “eternal unconditional love”. Further\, she describes is as “the place suspended between heaven and earth.” \nThe album was profoundly shaped by the influence and memory of David Lynch. There\, his impact on Witt stretches back to her first film role as Alia in Dune at age seven. “I can’t imagine who I would be without David Lynch\,” Witt reflects. “He is weaved throughout the fabric of my life.” Throughout Between Heaven and Earth\, Witt explores what she learned from Lynch “regarding love. The eternal nature of it\, the idea that only love is real.” Moreover\, she describes his presence as palpable throughout the making of the record. “David was with us every day in the studio. All six of us in the band felt his presence.” \nWitt is widely recognized for her acclaimed acting career spanning film\, television\, and stage. However\, music has remained a constant throughline in her life. She is a classically trained pianist who supported herself as a musician when she first moved to Los Angeles. Additionally\, Witt has long integrated music into her creative identity\, both through her own songwriting and in many of the roles she has portrayed onscreen. She’s released multiple full-length albums\, including Revisionary History (2015)\, The Conduit (2021)\, and I Think I’m Spending Christmas With You (2024). Thus\, Between Heaven and Earth represents the latest chapter in that ongoing musical journey. \nRecommended for fans of Patty Griffin\, Over the Rhine\, Shawn Colvin and Natalie Merchant.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/alicia-witt-album-release-sep27-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/700x400-AliciaWittAlbumRelease.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261001T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261001T210000
DTSTAMP:20260724T193312Z
CREATED:20251119T193017Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T193312Z
UID:10003196-1790881200-1790888400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Alfredo Rodriguez & Pedrito Martinez
DESCRIPTION:“Alfredo\, one of the greatest piano players of all time!” – Quincy Jones\n  \n“[Martinez is] an incomparable performer… a traditional Afro-Cuban music superstar” – New York Times\n  \nPainted in the broadest of strokes\, the stories of Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez may seem similar. Both started life in Havana\, discovered their gifts and passions for music and headed to the United States. There\, they melded the music of their homeland with a wide variety of influences\, each in their own deeply personal way. \nRodriguez was born into a musical family\, his father a popular singer and TV host. Martinez\, on the other hand\, honed his craft on the streets of Havana\, learning the deeply rooted percussion and vocal style of Afro-Cuban folkloric and religious music. \n“What makes this duo completely different is that I came from the folkloric side and Alfredo came from the classical side. You put those things together and you come out with an extraordinary and different sound.” – Pedrito Martinez \nPianist Alfredo Rodriguez’s sound embodies the collective sound of Miami\, blending Latin pop\, timba\, salsa\, bachata\, tango\, reggaeton\, and bolero. It’s a musical fusion that encompasses the diverse Latin community while celebrating individuality and fostering unity. It calls upon Rodriguez’s roots just as much as his newly learned experiences\, representing a new phase of life.  \nPedrito Martinez is a consummate master of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and the batá drum. Since settling in New York in 1998\, Pedrito has recorded or performed with Paul Simon\, Wynton Marsalis\, and Paquito D’Rivera. He has also worked with Bruce Springsteen\, Ruben Blades\, Eddie Palmieri\, Dave Matthews\, and Sting. Moreover\, he has contributed to over seventy-five albums. \nFurthermore\, he is also the world’s first-call rumbero—playing\, singing\, and dancing with dozens of Cuban rumba groups. Pedrito was a founding member of the highly successful Afro-Cuban/Afro-Beat band Yerba Buena. \nRecommended for fans of Poncho Sanchez\, Chucho Valdés\, Afro-Cuban All Stars and Eddie Palmieri. \n📸: Anna Webber
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/alfredo-rodriguez-pedrito-martinez-oct1-2026/
CATEGORIES:Global,Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-AlfredoRodriguezPedritoMarti.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261004T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261004T193000
DTSTAMP:20260724T193426Z
CREATED:20260707T172726Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T193426Z
UID:10003551-1791135000-1791142200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Don Was & The Pan-Detroit Ensemble
DESCRIPTION:“One of America’s most prolific and successful pop and rock producers” – All Music\n  \nThe timeless classic\, Grateful Dead’s Blues for Allah was released fifty years ago. Don Was and The Pan-Detroit Ensemble will be hitting the road in 2026. There\, they will play the album in its entirety to celebrate its profound influence. \nYou could fill both a record store and a hat store with the albums Don Was has touched and the lids he’s donned. On the way\, he’s earned six Grammys\, an Emmy\, a BAFTA\, and the respect of musicians and fans worldwide. In nearly fifty years in the music business\, Was has collaborated with an astonishing list of top-flight artists. Further\, he works in pursuit of making a truthful\, transcendent\, healing and joyful noise. Here\, he is producer\, songwriter\, recording artist\, music supervisor\, documentarian\, musical director\, radio host\, multi-instrumentalist\, and Blue Note Records President. Moreover\, Was is enthusiastically and fearlessly genre fluid\, moving freely across rock\, pop\, jazz\, country\, reggae\, R&B\, and world music. \nThose sessions and shows have taken him all over the globe. There\, he works with everyone from Gregg Allman to John Mayer to Zucchero and every letter in between. Furthermore\, he brings out the best in Hall of Fame names like the Rolling Stones\, Willie Nelson\, Bonnie Raitt\, and scores more. \nThe Pan-Detroit Ensemble includes long-time collaborators Dave McMurray on sax and Eminem’s Oscar-winning collaborator\, keyboardist Luis Resto. Additionally\, musicians include trombonist Vincent Chandler\, trumpeter John Douglas\, drummer Jeff Canaday\, and percussionist Mahindi Masai. Also\, guitarist Wayne Gerard\, and powerhouse vocalist Steffanie Christi’an. \nRecommended for fans of Grateful Dead\, Was (Not Was)\, The Rolling Stones and Willie Nelson.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/don-was-the-pan-detroit-ensemble-oct4-2026/2026-10-04/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Rock
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/700x400-DonWas-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261004T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261004T220000
DTSTAMP:20260724T193426Z
CREATED:20260707T172726Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T193426Z
UID:10003552-1791144000-1791151200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Don Was & The Pan-Detroit Ensemble
DESCRIPTION:“One of America’s most prolific and successful pop and rock producers” – All Music\n  \nThe timeless classic\, Grateful Dead’s Blues for Allah was released fifty years ago. Don Was and The Pan-Detroit Ensemble will be hitting the road in 2026. There\, they will play the album in its entirety to celebrate its profound influence. \nYou could fill both a record store and a hat store with the albums Don Was has touched and the lids he’s donned. On the way\, he’s earned six Grammys\, an Emmy\, a BAFTA\, and the respect of musicians and fans worldwide. In nearly fifty years in the music business\, Was has collaborated with an astonishing list of top-flight artists. Further\, he works in pursuit of making a truthful\, transcendent\, healing and joyful noise. Here\, he is producer\, songwriter\, recording artist\, music supervisor\, documentarian\, musical director\, radio host\, multi-instrumentalist\, and Blue Note Records President. Moreover\, Was is enthusiastically and fearlessly genre fluid\, moving freely across rock\, pop\, jazz\, country\, reggae\, R&B\, and world music. \nThose sessions and shows have taken him all over the globe. There\, he works with everyone from Gregg Allman to John Mayer to Zucchero and every letter in between. Furthermore\, he brings out the best in Hall of Fame names like the Rolling Stones\, Willie Nelson\, Bonnie Raitt\, and scores more. \nThe Pan-Detroit Ensemble includes long-time collaborators Dave McMurray on sax and Eminem’s Oscar-winning collaborator\, keyboardist Luis Resto. Additionally\, musicians include trombonist Vincent Chandler\, trumpeter John Douglas\, drummer Jeff Canaday\, and percussionist Mahindi Masai. Also\, guitarist Wayne Gerard\, and powerhouse vocalist Steffanie Christi’an. \nRecommended for fans of Grateful Dead\, Was (Not Was)\, The Rolling Stones and Willie Nelson.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/don-was-the-pan-detroit-ensemble-oct4-2026/2026-10-04/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Rock
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/700x400-DonWas-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261012T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261012T203000
DTSTAMP:20260724T193601Z
CREATED:20260604T203023Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T193601Z
UID:10003506-1791829800-1791837000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Hiromi: The Trio Project
DESCRIPTION:“One of jazz piano’s most brazenly virtuosic players.” – New York Times\n  \nHiromi brings back her Trio Project in Fall 2026\, with a new recording and new tour. Here\, she reunites with English drummer Simon Phillips (Jeff Beck\, Judas Priest\, Tears for Fears\, Toto\, The Who). “It is always an amazing experience to be able to work with Simon\,” says Hiromi. Joining them onstage is bassist James Genus (Herbie Hancock\, Whitney Houston\, Roy Haynes\, Chick Corea\, Daft Punk\, SNL). \nHiromi has enjoyed a fruitful twenty-plus year career as a recording artist. Moreover\, the jazz piano phenomenon has shifted seamlessly from one spellbinding project to the next. In the process\, she’s earned a reputation as one of the most explosive live performers in jazz history. Further\, she has become a global ambassador for the artform. Her many triumphs include an NPR Tiny Desk Concert that has racked up 2 million views. \nAdditionally\, she represented her native Japan with a performance at the 2021 Summer Olympicsin Tokyo. Also\, in 2024 the Japanese Academy awarded her Best Music Score for the animated feature film Blue Giant. Then\, she won a Grammy Award for a collaboration with fusion hero Stanley Clarke. Her artistry is—to borrow a descriptor the New Yorker favored —“dazzling.” \nHere\, Hiromi’s monumental success lies in her rare ability to deliver not only show-stopping virtuosity but also sheer joy. \nRecommended for fans of Chick Corea\, Keith Jarrett\, Herbie Hancock and Ahmad Jamal. \n📸: Mitsuru Nishimura
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/hiromi-the-trio-project-oct12-2026/2026-10-12/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/700x400-HiromiTrio.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261012T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261012T230000
DTSTAMP:20260724T193601Z
CREATED:20260604T203023Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T193601Z
UID:10003507-1791838800-1791846000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Hiromi: The Trio Project
DESCRIPTION:“One of jazz piano’s most brazenly virtuosic players.” – New York Times\n  \nHiromi brings back her Trio Project in Fall 2026\, with a new recording and new tour. Here\, she reunites with English drummer Simon Phillips (Jeff Beck\, Judas Priest\, Tears for Fears\, Toto\, The Who). “It is always an amazing experience to be able to work with Simon\,” says Hiromi. Joining them onstage is bassist James Genus (Herbie Hancock\, Whitney Houston\, Roy Haynes\, Chick Corea\, Daft Punk\, SNL). \nHiromi has enjoyed a fruitful twenty-plus year career as a recording artist. Moreover\, the jazz piano phenomenon has shifted seamlessly from one spellbinding project to the next. In the process\, she’s earned a reputation as one of the most explosive live performers in jazz history. Further\, she has become a global ambassador for the artform. Her many triumphs include an NPR Tiny Desk Concert that has racked up 2 million views. \nAdditionally\, she represented her native Japan with a performance at the 2021 Summer Olympicsin Tokyo. Also\, in 2024 the Japanese Academy awarded her Best Music Score for the animated feature film Blue Giant. Then\, she won a Grammy Award for a collaboration with fusion hero Stanley Clarke. Her artistry is—to borrow a descriptor the New Yorker favored —“dazzling.” \nHere\, Hiromi’s monumental success lies in her rare ability to deliver not only show-stopping virtuosity but also sheer joy. \nRecommended for fans of Chick Corea\, Keith Jarrett\, Herbie Hancock and Ahmad Jamal. \n📸: Mitsuru Nishimura
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/hiromi-the-trio-project-oct12-2026/2026-10-12/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/700x400-HiromiTrio.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR