Rebirth Brass Band
2026-07-12 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-07-12 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago)
“there is not a band on earth that is better. Stunning.” – Flea, Red Hot Chili Peppers

For almost four decades, the Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band has been “stunning” fans. Further, they are loved worldwide for their fiery live shows and rich musical catalog. Their trademark sound pays homage to the New Orleans brass band tradition. Also, they weave a tapestry that combines elements of jazz, funk, soul, R&B. Then, they incorporate more of the sounds from the streets they grew up on. Their sound has traveled from their legendary twenty-five-year run of Tuesday nights at the Maple Leaf to stages all over the world. Rebirth is the soundtrack of the Crescent City and her premier musical ambassador.
Rebirth was founded by brothers Phil and Keith Frazier over thirty-five years ago. They began their career playing on the sidewalks of the French Quarter and quickly landed gigs at second line parades. Those auspicious beginnings have led to thousands of shows to music aficionados everywhere, including heads of state and royalty.
The band’s unique “soundtrack of New Orleans” has also garnered admiration from artists of all genres. They’ve shared the stage and collaborated with everyone from the Grateful Dead to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Also, Maceo Parker, Green Day, U2, James Brown, 311, G-Love, MuteMath, Juvenile, Train, Big Freedia, Ani DiFranco, and Galactic. Further, Allen Toussaint, Neville Brothers, Quincy Jones and Trombone Shorty.
Recommended for fans of Trombone Shorty, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins and Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Southside Aces Album Release
2026-07-16 19:00 - 21:00
“flawlessly replicate the sound of classic New Orleans” — Prairie Uprising

Southside Aces vinyl release party!
It’s a special night at the Dakota, as Southside Aces proudly release their tenth album, The Big Beat. Here, this will be their first ever album on vinyl. Ten tracks showcasing their obvious love of New Orleans music. Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Kid Ory, and Fats Domino are all represented here. Additionally, a little Amy Winehouse, Butch Thompson, and Duke Ellington thrown in for good measure. It’s a New Orleans party on a record. If you can’t hire the Aces for your next seafood boil, then all you’d have to do is pull The Big Beat off your shelf and give it a spin!
The band will perform all the songs from the record, and be available to sign your personal copy.
For over two decades Southside Aces have been playing the repertoire of the Jazz Age greats and beyond. From the early New Orleans of Jelly Roll Morton to the Chicago joys of Louis Armstrong. The evocative compositions of the young Duke Ellington to the barrel house sounds of Preservation Hall. Even the early rock and roll of Fats Domino! Their belief in the contemporary vitality of New Orleans music can be heard on their eighth album, 2022’s Minneapolis Bump. Here, this album contains fifteen originals in the traditional style. March 2026 saw the release Les Oignons, the band’s spotlight on the music of Sidney Bechet. Also, now their tenth album, The Big Beat. You hear it all when you’re in front of the Aces. Moreover, treat yourself to a century’s worth of New Orleans Jazz.
Recommended for fans of Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Tuba Skinny, Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller.

Tim Sparks & Tom Lieberman
2026-07-20 19:00 - 22:00
“He’s one of the best musicians I know” – Leo Kottke

Tim Sparks has been redefining the acoustic guitar repertoire since he won the National Fingerpicking Championship in 1993 with a ground-breaking arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. Equally at home with country, blues, jazz or World music, Sparks’s extraordinary ability has earned him an international reputation as one of the most innovative guitarists working today.
As creative director and producer, Tom Lieberman contributed to productions that received numerous awards of distinction. Moreover, as a guitarist, Tom has performed all over the country. For example, he enjoyed a ten-year run on A Prairie Home Companion; Chet Atkins replaced him. Tom is part of acclaimed trio Rio Nido, with Tim Sparks and vocalist Prudence Johnson. Additionally, Tom performs both as a solo artist and with his group, Tommy & The Liebermen. Then, his 2013 album, Common Denominator, made Star Tribune’s Top Ten list for the year. Furthermore, they described it as “bluesy, simmering, profoundly philosophical” and “a charming, eclectic album of original songs.”
Recommended for fans of Leo Kottke, Marc Ribot, Bill Frisell and Rio Nido.

Just the Two of Us: Celebrating Grover Washington, Jr. & Bill Withers
2026-07-24 19:00 - 22:00
José James, saxophone (Willie & the Bees, Shangoya, Ipso Facto)
Tommy Barbarella, keyboards (Prince, Greazy Meal)
Tony Axtell, bass (David Sanborn)
LaMont Keten, vocals (MFellas)
Brian Kendrick, drums
Geoff LeCrone, guitar
Chico Harris, percussion
Grover Washington Jr. was a legendary jazz-funk and soul-jazz saxophonist and Grammy Award winner. He is considered by many to be one of the founders of the smooth jazz genre. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Washington made some of the genre’s most memorable hits. There, these include “Mister Magic”, “Reed Seed”, “Black Frost”, “Winelight”, and “Inner City Blues”. Additionally, “Let it Flow (For ‘Dr. J’)” and “The Best is Yet to Come”.
Bill Withers was an American singer-songwriter, known for his soulful voice. Also, he wrote legendary hits like “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean on Me,” and “Lovely Day.” There, Withers was born in a small West Virginia coal-mining town, Then, he served in the Navy before launching his music career in the 1970s. Despite a relatively short period of active recording (1970-1985), his influence on soul and R&B music is profound and enduring.
Recommended for fans of Bill Withers, Grover Washington, Jr., Stevie Wonder and George Benson.

Keiko Matsui
2026-07-26 19:00 - 21:00
“A musician of depth, range, grace and talent.” – All About Jazz

Acclaimed pianist, composer and humanitarian Keiko Matsui’s transcendent and haunting melodies have long sought to build bridges. Her sonic cultural exchange has reached the hearts and minds of fans throughout the world. Also, it has fostered collaborations with icons like Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Hugh Masekela and Bob James.
“I have this dream where we can each cherish our own happiness and learn to accept and care for one another.” This declaration is a tall order but if anyone can pull it off, Matsui can. There is a reason why the stunning, soft-spoken, and petite powerhouse with such a commanding presence at the piano has amassed a devout following through the years. “When I tour around the world and witness how my music cuts through our differences and connects everyone, it makes me feel euphoric!” exclaims Keiko. Furthermore, she has lent her voice to raise awareness for causes like The Daniel Pearl and Susan G. Komen Foundations.
Keiko harnesses this joy on her thirtieth recording, 2023’s Euphoria. Keiko is joined by her touring band, bassist Rico Belled, guitarist JP Mourao and drummer Jimmy Branly. Then, she credits them for making the rigors of touring bearable. However, Euphoria promises to be a watershed moment for Keiko. Here, she has poured her heart and soul into this project and the result is an utterly inspiring, epic statement. Keiko declares, “At the core of this album are beauty, strength, energy, love, and hope. These are all the things in life that we need to move forward on a new path. This music is dedicated to a new era.”
Recommended for fans of David Sanborn, Oleta Adams, Brian Culbertson and Bob James.
📸: Raj Naik

Kavyesh Kaviraj & Omar Abdulkarim
2026-07-27 19:00 - 22:00
“the essence of what jazz is.” – Jazz Police

Kavyesh Kaviraj imbues his life and stories into his music, carefully weaving his influences into a boundary-breaking modern jazz outfit. He is well-known in the Twin Cities and beyond as a pianist, composer and arranger.
Kavyesh has garnered acclaim in many musical climates, and currently calls St. Paul, MN home. Primarily a jazz pianist, he is a sought-after musician in many genres. He has performed with internationally renowned artists like Wynton Marsalis, David Sanchez, Justin Robinson, Roosevelt Collier, Steve Cole and others. Further, he has been an important member of the Twin Cities music community. He has worked with local jazz legends like Debbie Duncan, Bruce Henry, Babatunde Lea, Kevin Washington, and LA Buckner. Simultaneously he is active in hip-hop, gospel, R&B, funk scenes and many crossover acts.
Omar Abdulkarim has been playing the trumpet since he was fourteen months old. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Omar has shared the stage with Roy Hargrove, Redman, Method Man, KRS-ONE and Talib Kweli. He has also performed with Nicholas Payton’s Television Studio Orchestra and Valerie Ponomarev’s Big Band.
Omar’s versatility extends beyond live performances. He has written and recorded music with Lauryn Hill and Jose James. His influences include Fats Navarro, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, John Coltrane and Lee Morgan.
Omar’s journey reflects a dedication to his art. He continually expands his musical horizons and collaborates with a diverse range of artists. His rich experiences and influences have shaped him into a dynamic and innovative trumpet player. He makes significant contributions to both the jazz and contemporary music scenes.
Recommended for fans of Roy Hargrove, Ahmad Jamal, Woody Shaw and Keith Jarrett.

Larry McDonough: Conversations with Bill Evans Live - CD Release
2026-08-04 19:00 - 21:00
“McDonough’s piano stylings are intimate and innovative.” – Jazz Review

Award-winning pianist, composer, and singer Larry McDonough brings the legendary pianist and composer Bill Evans back to life. Here, he does this in a live solo recording covering Evans’s music and personal life.
After some solo piano songs from the CD, Larry will be joined by his trio with Greg Stinson, bass, and Dean White, drums, to perform June 25, 1961 – Bill Evans Trio at the Village Vanguard.
Jazz curator Steve Kenny calls pianist Larry McDonough the Bill Evans scholar of Minnesota. Also, Larry grew up listening to and transcribing Evans’ music, having seen his live performances in the 1970s. Further, Larry has become friends with Evans’s widow Nenette, who supports Larry’s projects. Moreover, Larry is the only Minnesotan invited to study the Bill Evans Archival Collection at Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies. Additionally, director Bruce Spiegel chose Larry to host Minnesota showings of his documentary film Bill Evans Time Remembered.
“The Evans family is so grateful that Larry McDonough has chosen to remember my late husband Bill Evans. I like what Max Gordon said about Bill Evans in his book concerning his experiences as owner of the famed Village Vanguard club, where Bill eventually became a regular: ‘The first time Bill Evans played the Village Vanguard, he was the intermission pianist for the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ). The room was quiet when they played. When Bill Evans played, the MJQ fans wondered, ‘Who the hell was that?’ They’d never heard of him. He was filling space in between for the star attraction. Today Bill is the star attraction. When Bill Evans plays, the Village Vanguard becomes Town Hall.'” – Nenette Evans
Recommended for fans of Bill Evans, Chet Baker, Ron Carter and Vince Guaraldi.

I Am In Love: Jane Monheit Sings Cole Porter
2026-08-06 19:00 - 21:00
“Monheit continues to dazzle… intoxicating” – Downbeat

Jane Monheit, one of today’s most celebrated voices, honors Great American Songbook icon Cole Porter with a long-awaited tribute. With a stellar ensemble backing her and stylish new arrangements, Monheit brings new life to Porter’s classics. “Easy to Love”, “From This Moment On”, “Night and Day” and more. Here, she reimagines golden-era standards with passion, charm, and modern sophistication. A must-see for jazz lovers and fans of the Songbook, Monheit and Porter combine to create a glamorous celebration of wit, melody, and swing.
Jane Monheit sings jazz and adult contemporary music with a deep passion for the Great American Songbook. Additionally, she released many highly acclaimed solo albums, won countless awards and accolades, and toured internationally for over two decades. Here, Jane established herself as an extremely successful bandleader. Also, she has enjoyed the privilege of making music with some of the greatest musicians, arrangers, and producers in jazz.
By 22, Jane worked with legends such as Tommy Flanagan, Ron Carter, and Kenny Barron. Then, she recorded her first albums and toured the planet. Those projects led her to collaborate with jazz luminaries such as Terence Blanchard, Ivan Lins, John Pizzarelli, Christian McBride, and many more. Countless television appearances followed, including David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, CBS Sunday Morning, and Good Morning America. She also appeared on The Tonight Show, The View, and many popular international talk shows.
Monheit has continued to tour the world nearly nonstop, playing iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall and The Hollywood Bowl. Also, she has headlined nearly every legendary jazz club on the planet. These include, most notably, NY stalwarts the Village Vanguard and Birdland.
Recommended for fans of Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Tierney Sutton and Stacey Kent.

Django Festival Allstars
2026-08-10 19:00 - 21:00
“Buoyant rhythm, blinding technique, solid entertainment!” – New York Times

Django Reinhardt’s unmistakable cool and jumpin’ joie de vivre made him an icon for an unlikely range of luminaries. There, guitar greats from Carlos Santana to Eric Clapton cite Django as an influence. Furthermore, Jimi Hendrix named his Band of Gypsies in tribute, and Willie Nelson adopted his influence in country-swing.
The Django Festival Allstars have grown into a brilliantly cohesive group of star musicians who’ve taken America by storm. Here, they perform at top concert halls and festivals to standing ovations.
The music speaks of Paris in the 20s and 30s when “gitane” music filled the air. There, it was in the cafés, the streets, in the countryside, a romantic Paris with lovers, campfires. Also, a time of Montmartre, la belle époque, le Boudon café, café au lait, luscious pastry, and a great glass of wine. Django was “king”. He teamed with jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli and made musical history.
The Django Festival Allstars bring this music to today… combining known standards and original music to intoxicating effect!! Now, they swing like crazy and will break your heart with a ballad.
“The highpoint of the entire weekend of the Playboy Festival at The Hollywood Bowl was The Django Festival Allstars” – LA Scene Magazine
“Some of the greatest musicians in the world” – Leonardo DiCaprio
“Sensational” – George Benson
Recommended for fans of Django Reinhardt, Sidney Bechet, Paco de Lucia and Astor Piazzolla.

Stanley Clarke N•4EVER
2026-08-11 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-08-11 21:30 - 23:30
“the baddest bassist on the planet” – All About Jazz

Stanley 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.
In 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.
This 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.
Clarke 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.
Recommended for Fans of Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten and John Patitucci.
📸: Matt Lorentzen

Braxton Cook
2026-08-12 19:00 - 21:00
“Cook’s newest record… is another kaleidoscopic vignette” – Downbeat

When 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.”
One 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.
Recommended for fans of Robert Glasper, Hiatus Kaiyote, Kamasi Washington and Thundercat.
📸: Ricardo Nagaoka

Davina and The Vagabonds
2026-08-14 19:00 - 22:00
“This music, as retro as it may be at times, feels fun, frisky and alive.” – American Songwriter
Davina 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.
Much 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.
On 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.
To 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.”
Recommended for fans of Pokey LaFarge, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Hot Sardines and Squirrel Nut Zippers.

Mohini Dey
2026-08-15 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-08-15 21:00 - 23:00
“Dey is a phenomenon” – Steve Vai

Mohini 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.
Forbes 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.
She 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.
She 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.
Recommended for fans of Stanley Clarke, Tal Wilkenfield, Matteo Mancuso and Stanley Jordan.

Ben Sidran
2026-08-17 19:00 - 21:00
“Inspirational, entertaining, life-affirming and swinging like crazy.” – London Jazz News

Ben 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”.
It’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.
He’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.
He 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.
Recommended for fans of Mose Allison, Marcia Ball, Dan Hicks and Joey DeFrancesco.
📸: Jean-Baptiste Millot

Grace Kelly
2026-08-18 19:00 - 22:00
“tenacious… clearly in possession of virtuoso talents” – New York Times

Grace 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.
Grace’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.
Grace’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.
“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
“A highly accomplished musician with a charismatic and contagiously uplifting stage presence.” – Jon Batiste
Recommended for fans of Joshua Redman, Emmet Cohen, Christian McBride and Branford Marsalis.

Spyro Gyra
2026-08-19 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-08-19 21:00 - 23:00
“these… grooves are state-of-the-art” – All About Jazz

In 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”.
Fast 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.
Fans 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.
Recommended for fans of Return to Forever, Yellowjackets, David Sanborn and Brecker Brothers.
📸: David White

The New Bluebloods
2026-08-24 19:00 - 21:00
Minneapolis’s Up-and-Coming Guitar Heroes

Get 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.
Players:
Featuring an all-star Twin Cities lineup:
Guitarists –
David Feily
Kray Klaas
Nate Walker
Demitri Rallis
+ More
Rhythm Section –
Tony Axtell, bass
Matthew Mwangi, drums
Jordan Hedlund, keyboards

Chopin's Heart
2026-08-31 19:00 - 21:00
Original music inspired by the cabarets of Europe circa 1939.

“Chopin’s Heart (music) is brilliant. Vocals and lyrics really affecting.” – audience member

Singers 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.
The 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.
Here, 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.
Recommended for fans of Melomani, Henryk Wars, Kurt Weill and George Gershwin.

Bob James
2026-09-02 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-09-03 19:00 - 21:00
“one of the biggest stars of smooth jazz” – Jazz Times

Grammy 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.
Discovered 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.
He 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.
James 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.
Recommended for fans of David Sanborn, Ramsey Lewis, Larry Carlton and Jeff Lorber.

Cécile McLorin Salvant
2026-09-04 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-09-04 21:00 - 23:00
“She is a modern jazz marvel.” – Star Tribune

Cécile 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.
Salvant 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.
Salvant 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.
For 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.
Recommended for fans of Lizz Wright, Kandace Springs, Cassandra Wilson and Veronica Swift.

Madeleine Peyroux
2026-09-09 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-09-10 19:00 - 21:00
“It’s rare to find someone capable of injecting such life into every single lyric.” – London Jazz News

“We Are America is a celebration of great Americans and American music. I want to remind us all of who we are.”
This 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.”
Much 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.
Madeleine “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.”
Thirty 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.
Recommended for fans of Norah Jones, Melody Gardot, Diana Krall and Stacey Kent.

Dominique Fils-Aimé
2026-09-13 19:00 - 23:00
“so much soul… unmistakably sunlit style” – Spin

Dominique 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.
In 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.
On 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.
In 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.
In 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.
Recommended for fans of Erykah Badu, Gregory Porter, Lianne La Havas and José James.
📸: Vladim Vilain

Lucía
2026-09-14 19:00 - 21:00
“rich kaleidoscope of references… unique voice” – DownBeat

Lucía 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.
Lucía 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.
Lucía 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.
Recommended for fans of Bria Skonberg, Emma Smith, Rachael & Vilray and Stella Cole.
📸: Shervin Lainez
