Dakota

Kenny Garrett
2026-11-01 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-11-01 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago)
“genre-blurring, spiritually deep sounds” – Glide

Kenny Garrett’s latest release, 2021’s Sounds from the Ancestors, is a multi-faceted album. The music, however, doesn’t lodge inside the tight confines of the jazz idiom. Here, this is not surprising: the alto saxophonist and composer acknowledges Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye as significant touchstones. Miles Davis’s seminal LP, On the Corner, subverted its main guiding lights – James Brown, Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone. Then, Davis crafted his own unique, polyrhythmic, groove-laden, improv-heavy universe. Thus, Sounds from the Ancestors occupies its own space with intellectual clarity, sonic ingenuity and emotional heft.
“The concept initially was about trying to get some of the musical sounds that I remembered as a kid growing up. Sounds that lift your spirit, like John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme”, Aretha Franklin’s “Amazing Grace”, Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”. And the spiritual side of the church,” Garrett explains. “When I started to think about them, I realized it was the spirit from my ancestors.”
Indeed, Sounds from the Ancestors reflects the rich jazz, R&B, and gospel history of his hometown of Detroit. More important though, it also reverberates with a modern cosmopolitan vibrancy. Notably the inclusion of music coming out of France, Cuba, Nigeria, and Guadeloupe.
Garrett is easily recognized as one of modern jazz’s brightest and most influential living masters. His illustrious career includes hallmark stints with Miles Davis, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Donald Byrd, and Freddie Hubbard. Also, Woody Shaw, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Moreover, he has enjoyed a heralded career as a solo artist that began more than thirty years ago. And with the marvelous Sounds from the Ancestors, the Grammy-winning Garrett shows no signs of resting on his laurels.
Recommended for fans of Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Branford Marsalis and Miguel Zenón.
📸: Hollis King

Blind Boys of Alabama Present Songs In the Key of Life
2026-11-09 19:00 - 21:00
“always hunting for – and finding – the perfect note or harmony that lifts an old tune into the sublime” – Time

Six-Time Grammy Winners
Gospel Music Hall of Fame Inductees
The legendary Blind Boys of Alabama bring their transcendent harmonies and spiritual power. Here, they celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Stevie Wonder’s iconic album Songs in the Key of Life. This special presentation pairs many of Stevie Wonder’s classic songs with beloved selections from the Blind Boys’ own celebrated repertoire. Moreover, they blend gospel, soul, and Americana in a joyful performance that honors both musical legacies.
Now, the Blind Boys have lifted spirits and moved souls for over seventy-five years. Furthermore, they continue their mission of spreading light and love through the universal language of music. In 2003, the Blind Boys earned a Grammy Award for an album that included their acclaimed cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground.” Further, this version later featured in film and television, including FX’s Fargo. In 2007, Stevie Wonder presented Blind Boys singer Jimmy Carter with a Vision Award for Lifetime Achievement. Thus, this underscores their enduring impact on music and culture.
Here, this show features classics like: “Sir Duke,” “I Wish,” “As,” and more.
Recommended for fans of Mavis Staples, The Holmes Brothers, Stevie Wonder and Taj Mahal.
📸: Cole Weber

Marcus Miller
2027-02-28 17:30 - 19:30, 2027-02-28 20:00 - 22:00
“one of the cornerstones of modern electric bass” – Premier Guitar

Get ready for an unforgettable evening with Grammy-winning bass virtuoso, Marcus Miller! Celebrating over forty-three years of musical excellence, Marcus will be performing selections from his extensive catalog. Here, he features beloved hits that have graced the careers of Miles Davis, David Sanborn, Roberta Flack, and Luther Vandross. Moreover, prepare to be captivated as Marcus infuses each piece of music with his unparalleled arranging skills. He delivers fresh and exciting interpretations of his music that keep audiences on their toes.
Marcus’ resume speaks for itself. There, he has dozens of movie scores and over 500 recording credits to his name across jazz, R&B, and opera. Also, as a UNESCO Artist for Peace and changemaker, his work on social justice projects continues to be inspiring. In 2020, Marcus created, musically produced, and posted the “Lift Every Voice” get out the vote event. There, he brought together political leaders and musical legends to encourage political participation. Additionally, he contributed to UNESCO’s United Against Racism video alongside countless industry legends. Then, Prince Albert of Monaco commissioned him to create the orchestral arrangement for in Donny Hathaway’s “Someday We’ll All Be Free” video, which he also appeared in.
The year ahead continues to look just as busy for Marcus. Further, he is a member of the Board of Directors for the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. Also, he joined Herbie for a virtual celebration of International Jazz Day on April 30th. In 2022, Marcus composed the score for the documentary film SIDNEY for Apple TV+. There, the film told the story of legendary actor, filmmaker and iconic civil rights activist, Sidney Poitier.
Recommended for fans of Miles Davis, Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke and Jaco Pastorius.
