Dakota

Vienna Teng
2026-02-22 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
“thoughtful songwriting and her exquisite, soulful soprano.” – Slant

Songwriter Vienna Teng re-emerged in 2024 with her mashup song pair We’ve Got You. There, she released her first new music in over a decade. However, her fans have been here the whole time. They’ve packed concert venues even in years between releases, and crowdfunded an ambitious music video in hours. Additionally, they joined by the hundreds when she launched her “music x climate action” Patreon in 2022.
That kind of devotion has poured forth since 2002’s Waking Hour. That album earned coverage on NPR’s Weekend Edition, The Late Show with David Letterman, and the top of Amazon’s music charts. She grew across four more studio albums that followed – the chamber folk of Warm Strangers. Then, the jazz-inflected Dreaming Through the Noise, the indie epic Inland Territory, and the bright electro-pop in Aims. Here, Vienna has paid homage to her genre-bending heroes like Paul Simon and Tori Amos, while carving a path all her own. Together with her captivating live performances and thoughtful online presence, her work builds a loyal following across generations and continents.
Vienna’s new mini-EP We’ve Got You reflects the complexity of her life over the past decade. This includes climate change work, community building, and parenthood. Two songs, each titled “We’ve Got You,” act like fraternal twins. One is an indie-pop tribute to inspiring leaders, the other a chamber-folk paean to unsung caregivers. Played simultaneously, they reveal a new intricate whole: a mashup by design, and a love letter to social movements.
Recommended for fans of Tori Amos, Paul Simon, Imogen Heap and Kate Bush.

esperanza spalding
2026-02-21 19:00 - 21:00
“one of the most fruitful and strikingly original careers in contemporary pop.” – Rolling Stone

Here, esperanza performs songs from all eight of her previous albums, songs from current releases, plus a special preview of her forthcoming project. She emphasizes simplicity and intimacy of voice, bass, and songs in this special trio configuration.
Born in 1984 in Portland, Oregon, esperanza spalding is an eaabibacliitoti* artist. She trained and initiated in the North American (masculine) jazz lineage and tradition. Her work interweaves through various combinations of instrumental music, bass playing, improvisation, singing, composition, poetry, dance, and therapeutic research. She also engages in storytelling, teaching, regenerative agriculture, urban land & artist-sanctuary custodianship. Moreover, through her art she grows in love as a daughter, sister, cousin, niece, auntie, great-auntie, friend. She collaborates with her hometown community to decolonize within and through that community.
2024’s Milton + esperanza is spalding’s first new album since she released 2021’s songwrights apothecary lab. That album, and 2019’s 12 Little Spells, both won Grammy Awards (Best Jazz Vocal Album). spalding released a protest song in 2024 entitled “Não Ao Marco Temporal” that was recorded in Rio. A five-time Grammy winner and eleven-time nominee, spalding has previously released eight full length albums. She has worked with her heroes, including Milton Nascimento and Wayne Shorter. Furthermore, she has collaborated with Q-Tip, Janelle Monae, Robert Glasper, Terri Lyne Carrington and many others.
She also co-leads workshops and therapeutic-arts research residencies. She does this through her dance project “Off Brand gOdds” and her therapeutic music incubator “Songwrights Apothecary Lab”. In 2024, she received the Doris Duke Foundation Artist Award and was a 2016 Ford Foundation “Art of Change” Fellow.
*European-African ancestored being influenced by American cultures living in Indigenous Territories of Turtle Island.
Recommended for fans of Stevie Wonder, Robert Glasper, D’Angelo and Cécile McLorin Salvant.
These tickets do not qualify for the A-Train discount.

Marc Ribot: Hurry Red Telephone
2026-02-20 19:00 - 21:00
“Ribot’s style [is] embedded in jazz vocabulary, but angular and gritty” – Sound of Boston

Marc Ribot, guitar
Sebastian Steinberg, bass (Soul Coughing)
Chad Taylor, drums
Briggan Krauss, saxophone (Sexmob)
Marc Ribot was never suited to play straight jazz. Ribot realized that in his 20s while trying to bop with veteran organist Jack McDuff. But Ribot soon found his calling—and the core of his mission, really—both in the city’s melting pot and in its no-holds-barred No Wave scene. There, he threw out the rules he was trying to ace and joined the Lounge Lizards. Then, he accepted Tom Waits’ invitation to play on Rain Dogs. Ribot stopped trying to sound like the guitarist he was supposed to be and became, instead, the guitar player he was.
For over four decades, he has been an indispensable collaborator to the likes of Waits, Robert Plant, and John Zorn. Additionally, so many others that his list of credits reads like a library’s card catalog. But Ribot has also been a great bandleader, from his renegade bunch Ceramic Dog to his committed Latin band, Los Cubanos Postizos.
Twenty years ago, Ribot convened a glorious quartet, Spiritual Unity, to tackle the songbook of Albert Ayler. Then, Roy Campbell died and Henry Grimes had to step away for health concerns. However, Ribot and drummer Chad Taylor wanted to maintain the exploratory energy of that band with a new lineup. Ribot called on Sebastian Steinberg, a collaborator and confidant since the ‘80s and an anchor of his great Shrek.
The new group is Hurry Red Telephone. During the quartet’s 2025 tours, guitarist Ava Mendoza added the combustible extra ingredient. Here, her chemistry with Ribot seemed to push each of them to play a bit harder, meaner, wilder. For 2026, saxophonist Briggan Krauss will step into that role with Hurry Red Telephone. Thus begins yet another chapter in Ribot’s ever-unfolding quest to find new ways to play.
Recommended for fans of Fred Frith, Arto Lindsay, Tim Berne and John Zorn.
📸: Eric van den Brulle

Masters of Hawaiian Music
2026-02-19 19:00 - 21:00
“Virtuosic keepers of a cultural flame.” – New York Times

Three Masters, who regularly perform at Maui’s renowned Slack Key Show, share the uniquely Hawaiian styles of slack key guitar and ‘ukulele. These styles originated in the early 19th century when Portuguese immigrants introduced the ‘ukulele to Hawai‘i and Mexican cowboys brought guitars along with their ranching knowledge. Ever since, Hawaiians have made these instruments their own.
Four-time Grammy-winner, master slack key guitarist George Kahumoku Jr., is known as “Hawai‘i’s Renaissance Man”. Further, he has received multiple Na Hōkū Hanohano (Hawaiian Grammy) Awards. Additionally, he works as a vocalist, storyteller, songwriter & author, teacher, sculptor, farmer, and chef. He received a Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. Also, he earned a place in the Maui Nui Hall of Fame in 2024.
Led Kaapana has influenced Hawaii’s music scene for four decades. Here, he is a master of the slack key guitar and holds the title of National Heritage Fellow. His mastery of stringed instruments and his extraordinary baritone to leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) vocal range, have made him a legend. Additionally, he has earned multiple Na Hōkū Awards.
Sonny Lim is a renowned Slack Key guitarist, Hawaiian Steel guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer. He developed his guitar & vocal styles performing with his famous Lim Family of the Big Island. Lim also became one of the early members of the renowned Makaha Sons of Ni‘ihau, playing lap steel guitar at age fifteen. He performed on the first Grammy-winning CD in Hawaiian music and has won multiple Na Hoku Awards on his solo CDs.
Recommended for fans of Herb Ohta, Jr., Jake Shimabukuro, Don Ho and HAPA.

Rogue Valley
2026-02-18 19:00 - 21:00
“Koza is a rare talent… the band around him occupies similar rarefied air.” –No Depression

Rogue Valley is an Americana band based in the Twin Cities. Here, the blend of urban development and natural landscape converge along the shores of the Mississippi River. The band raced onto the local scene a little over a decade ago, with four full-length albums in a single year. Then, in 2016 the band followed up with the anthemic, twangy surf-rock collection radiate/dissolve. However, since then it’s been mostly sporadic social media posts claiming, “Coming Soon.”
Individually, the band members have all remained occupied. Vocalist Linnea Mohn shares the stage with singer-songwriters Aby Wolf and Jonatha Brooke. Drummer Luke Anderson and guitarist Peter Sieve have joined up with the Iowa-based Lissie. Also, bassist Cody McKinney continues to push boundaries with his compositions and collaborations. Since Rogue Valley’s last release, songwriter-vocalist Chris Koza has released three solo albums (Sleepwalkers Part 1 & 2, and the instrumental On Horseshoe Lake). Additionally, in 2022 he joined the legendary Gordon Lightfoot on a run that would become his final Midwest tour.
Now the hum of optimism surrounding new music is beginning its tangible crescendo. The new album, 2023’s Shell Game, is a nod to natural and created structures that both contain and obscure.
A cocoon yields a butterfly; a riverbed holds a story; a body houses a soul. A shell mirrors the meditative drone of an ocean crashing onto itself. For every journey, there are moments and minutiae in between as bright or dark as any greater narrative. Shell Game roams familiar territory and also furthers the idea of Americana and the Rogue Valley aesthetic.

Pianist Stephen Wallack has always been drawn to instrumental music. Inspired by the grandiose feelings of George Winston’s music and the rich imagery within film scores, Wallack has released six albums of original music. His latest, 2025’s Open, is his journey to connect with a deeper self-awareness and a greater hope that we can all find inner peace.
Recommended for fans of Lissie, Jeremy Messersmith, Jenny Lewis and Birds of Chicago.

Kandace Springs
2026-02-17 21:00 - 22:00, 2026-02-17 19:00 - 21:00
“a voice that could melt snow” – Prince

Pianist and singer Kandace Springs is one of the premier female artists of the jazz/soul genre. Her natural gifts for lyricism and soulfulness have earned her recognition worldwide. Further, her late mentor Prince described her as having “a voice that could melt snow”.
The Nashville native has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments. Here, she has made several national TV appearances, and headlines major jazz festivals. Moreover, she has collaborated with such luminaries as Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, David Sanborn and Norah Jones. The Washington Post exclaims, “Kandace Springs’s voice is undeniable. It’s one of those generational voices; from the first note, you know it’s special.”
She embodies the same spirit and soul of the great vocalists of the past on whose shoulders she stands. She simultaneously draws on jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald and Carmen McRae and multi-genre masters like Nina Simone and Roberta Flack. To that end, Springs recently released an orchestral reimagining of Billie Holiday’s Lady in Satin. Kandace looks forward to releasing a new album in Spring 2026 and hitting the road backed by her ace all-female rhythm section.
Kandace’s 2024 release, Run Your Race, was a tribute to her late father, legendary Nashville soul singer Scat Springs. Here, it is the first album of hers to feature almost all original songs. Every song was written by Kandace both solo and with some stellar collaborators. Prior to that in 2020, Kandace released The Women Who Raised Me. There, the album garnered five-star reviews from DownBeat and The New Yorker. Additionally, it won the Deutscher JazzPreis for best vocal album of the year.
Recommended for fans of Lizz Wright, Gregory Porter, Cassandra Wilson and Prince.

Songstress - A Tribute to Anita Baker
2026-02-16 19:00 - 21:00
“intensely, passionately romantic… sophisticated pop-soul” – New York Times

With her classy, refined brand of romantic soul, Anita Baker was one of the definitive voices of R&B in the 1980s. She is often associated with the “quiet storm” sub-genre. However, Baker’s sound incorporates not only R&B, but also elements of jazz, gospel, and pop. In this new show, an all-star collection of Twin Cities talent celebrates her biggest hits and her enduring sound.
A member of the Midwest music scene for many years, Ginger Commodore is a regular visitor to the Dakota stage. Classically trained, gospel influenced, and jazz inspired, Ginger’s musical foundation is a true amalgam of musical styles. Further, Ginger presents her sound with her own unique delivery.
Originally from Chicago, Kendra Glenn realized her gift of singing at age 10 in church choir. Then, Kendra moved to the Twin Cities in the early 90’s and has made herself a household name. Furthermore, she has worked with Nicholas David, R Factor, Scott Holt, and many others.
Aimee K. Bryant’s work has always revolved around a well-told story. A longtime member of the Twin Cities theater scene, she performs on some of the nation’s most acclaimed stages. For example, The Guthrie Theatre, Ten Thousand Things, Penumbra Theatre and the Children’s Theatre Company. Furthermore, she is a Founding Ensemble Member of Congo Square Theatre. McKnight Theatre selected her as an Artist Fellow, and City Pages named her Actress of the Year.
Band:
Deevo Dee, guitar
Brian Ziemniak, keyboards
Tony Axtell, bass
Brian Kendrick, drums
Daryl Boudreaux, percussion
Recommended for fans of Vanessa Williams, Luther Vandross, Peabo Bryson and Patti LaBelle.

Cory Henry Duo Feat. Robert "Sput" Searight
2026-02-15 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-02-15 17:30 - 19:30
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 5:30pm Show
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 8pm Show
*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.

“joyfully mixes gospel harmony, R&B hooks, and jazz” – All About Jazz

Grammy-winning artist Cory Henry has made a significant mark in the music industry. He recently won the award for Best Roots Gospel Album in 2025 for his deeply personal project, Church. This album reflects the rich musical heritage that has shaped his artistry and resonated with audiences worldwide. Additionally, PBS aired a documentary on the making of Church, providing an intimate look at his creative process.
Henry’s versatility as a musician has led him to work with a diverse array of artists. These include Bruce Springsteen, Imagine Dragons, Kanye West, Stevie Wonder & more.
Originally hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Cory was a key member of the Grammy-winning group Snarky Puppy. Then, he launched his solo career in 2018 with his debut, Art of Love. His sophomore project, Something to Say, was Grammy-nominated for Best Progressive R&B Album in 2022. Here, this showcased his growth as an artist. He followed up with Operation Funk in 2023, and his live album, Live at the Piano, received a nomination in 2024.
In 2024, while touring with the legendary Stevie Wonder, Henry recorded a holiday album titled A Wonderful Holiday. He collaborated with members of Wonder’s band, recording during his days off. This project showcases his ability to blend his unique style, further highlighting his musical versatility. Additionally, Cory made a memorable appearance as a guest performer with Jon Batiste at Coachella in 2024.
Cory Henry’s journey from the vibrant streets of Brooklyn to international stages is a testament to his extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication to his craft. As he continues to explore new musical territories and push boundaries, Henry remains an influential figure in contemporary music.
Recommended for fans of Snarky Puppy, Jon Batiste, Stevie Wonder and Anderson.Paak.

All Sweet Things: A Celebration of Black Love
2026-02-14 21:30 - 23:30
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 9:30pm Show
*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.

Exploring the passion, emotions, social depictions and challenges of modern relationships.

“All Sweet Things: A Celebration of Black Love” explores the passion, emotions, social depictions and challenges of modern relationships. Here, they achieve this through the diverse sonic landscapes of R&B, neo-soul, folk and pop music. This celebratory experience showcases the extraordinary vocal, songwriting and arranging prowess of some of the Twin Cities’ most soulful singers!!
From Houston TX, Traiveon brings a southern, soulful vibe to the Twin Cities music scene. He gained respect on drums and vocals while supporting Mayyadda, Black Velvet Punks, Joe Davis & The Poetic Diaspora and Bluehound. Also, he composes for his band Traiveon and Candi. Here, he crafts vocal arrangements that seamlessly blend the classic sounds of Motown with modern R&B & neo-soul.

Learn More: https://traiveon.com/

Jackson Hurst emerges as a solo artist with a different sound than he’s known for in the Twin Cities. Furthermore, the church kid forges a congruent and individual music career in the genres of R&B/soul and pop, drawing influence from his roots in Gospel. Here, Hurst is just at the beginning of a new legacy built as an artist.
Recommended for fans of Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild.

Valentine's Day w/ Sophia Shorai & Tommy Barbarella
2026-02-14 18:30 - 20:30
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 6:30pm Show
*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.

“abundant joy… the prominence of her enthusiasm is hard to ignore.” – All About Jazz

Sophia Shorai is a vocalist driven by an intuitive hunger for the “great song.” As a mainstay of Minneapolis music since 2010, she possesses the rare, chameleonic ability to inhabit any genre. Here, she handles the complex architecture of the Great American Songbook with ease. Equally, she evokes the raw grit of soul, funk, and R&B.
Her precision was forged early. There, she mimicked jazz legends from her father’s record collection and began classical training at age five. Shorai bypassed prestigious conservatories to dive straight into the Twin Cities’ live and commercial recording circuits. There, she turned her voice into a versatile powerhouse. She has contributed to international films, TV shows, and major advertising campaigns since the late 1990s.
While renowned for her mastery of the jazz idiom, Shorai currently explores the lean, emotive landscapes of contemporary soul and pop. Collaborating with producer Bryan Hanna, she strips away the decorative to focus on the bone-deep impact of her original songwriting. Her new album, TIME, arrives in Spring 2026—a testament to a career spent proving she can sing anything, and a soul that won’t settle for anything less than a classic.
Tommy Barbarella is one of the most active keyboard players in Minneapolis and beyond. His work with Prince’s New Power Generation (1991-96) put him on the map, and his playing with regional funk/soul favorites Greazy Meal cemented his reputation as a go-to funk and pop keyboardist. Recently he has performed with Miley Cyrus, Nick Jonas, and a reunited NPG.
“Sophia has everything a singer could want: soul, versatility… a unique style, and visceral love of music and performance. Whether she’s belting or crooning, she breaks hearts.” Adam Levy, guitarist, singer/songwriter for The Honeydogs.
Recommended for fans of Karrin Allyson, Stacey Kent, Ingrid Michaelson and Lennon Stella.

Steely Dane
2026-02-13 21:00 - 23:00, 2026-02-13 18:30 - 20:30
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 6:30pm Show
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 9pm Show
*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.

“the band is energetic and sounds amazing” – Milwaukee Magazine

In 2010, co-founders David Adler and David Stoler (The Steely Daves) put together a tribute show for Steely Dan. There, they would feature the best musicians in the Madison, WI music scene. Madison is located in Dane County, WI, thus the name.
The first Steely Dane show featured over thirty of Madison’s best rock and jazz musicians, and it sold out. Not ones to waste a herculean effort of arranging a full night’s worth of the Dan’s best stuff, the crew decided to do it again, and again… and oops, now it’s no longer a show, it’s a BAND.
Since then, the band has trimmed down to the current fourteen-piece family. Now, that features a four-piece horn section, two female backup singers, two guitars, two keyboards, vibes, and percussion. Here, they have all the instruments necessary to recreate the amazing mixes of the Dan’s albums and live performances. Moreover, the band has won multiple awards for best tribute band and sold out theaters from Chicago to Minneapolis. Additionally, they are a perennial favorite at summer festivals as well.
Their songbook features over fifty songs from both Steely Dan and Donald Fagen’s solo career. This allows them to play different shows night after night. Furthermore, they have even performed complete album shows for The Royal Scam, Aja, and Gaucho.
Recommended for fans of Steely Dan, Donald Fagen, Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles.

Our Neighbor: A Benefit Concert
2026-02-12 19:00 - 21:00
A Night of Music and Solidarity for our Community
*THIS SHOW IS SOLD OUT*
To keep the love and solidarity going, we will be hosting a FREE livestream on the day of the show (see link below).

SHAREABLE LIVESTREAM LINK

Plus, the donation link is live for anyone who wants to support!
Please note: This is a donation link only. Donations do not include admission to the show.
Donate via Givebutter:
https://givebutter.com/ZCsc1C
﻿﻿
Funds raised will be going to:
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
Community Aid Network MN
American Civil Liberties Union
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
Groundwork Legal
Show Lineup
The New Standards will be joined by Special Guests including:

Jeremy Messersmith
Aby Wolf & Eric Mayson
Dave Pirner and Ryan Smith
Matt Wilson
Dylan Hicks & Small Screens
Lucy Michelle
John Fields
Ken Chastain
Tina Schlieske
Curtiss A
& More

Our city has felt the fracturing Federal efforts in many ways. Tonight, we come together as a community to celebrate the things that make us great: diversity, inclusion, and love.
Throughout the month of February, MN Music venues will be raising their voices and raising money in solidarity with our community.
*Valentine’s Menu is Not Available for this show.

C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band
2026-02-11 19:00 - 21:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show
*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.

“contemporary, turbo-charged dance music” – Boston Globe

Clayton Joseph Chenier is Creole music royalty. His father, the legendary Clifton Chenier, invented the style of music we know today as Zydeco. Moreover, Clifton is the first Creole musician to be recognized with a Grammy Award.
Raised in this indigenous American culture with its own distinctive language, cuisine and music, C.J. delivers soulful vocals along with jaw-dropping masterful accordion-driven rock, Zydeco and blues.
C.J. spent his childhood in the tough tenement housing projects of Port Arthur, Texas. C.J. joined his father’s band on his twenty-first birthday. His first gig was playing for the opening of the now world-renowned Antone’s in Austin, Texas.
On the road, his father showed him how to front a world class touring band. He taught C.J. how to run the family business and how to develop his lifelong passion for music into a career. When Clifton died in 1987 his son, C.J., adopted the Red Hot Louisiana Band. Moreover, he recorded his debut album for the great American independent label Arhoolie Records.
C.J. has also played with John Mayall, The Gin Blossoms, Ray Parker, Jr., Joe Sample, Jimmie Vaughan, Sonny Landreth and Buckwheat Zydeco. Also, The Jon Stewart Show and CNN have featured him. Additionally, he has performed at numerous music festivals around the world. Further, he is a consistent crowd pleaser for The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Attending a C.J. Chenier show is a transformative experience. You may come in tired and beat up just from living in this world – but you will leave renewed and happy. And that is the promise C.J. makes. “You can’t come to my show and stay unhappy. You’re going to break a smile before too long. This is happy music.”
Recommended for fans of Terrance Simien, Buckwheat Zydeco, Queen Ida and Chubby Carrier.

Matteo Mancuso
2026-02-10 21:00 - 23:00, 2026-02-10 19:00 - 21:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 9pm Show
*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.

“Matteo is the evolution of fusion guitar… breathtaking” – Steve Vai

Matteo Mancuso was born in 1996 and raised in the province of Palermo. There, people quickly recognized him as a musical prodigy. His father, Vincenzo Mancuso, a well-known guitarist and producer, guided Matteo’s introduction to the world of music.
Teaming up with his father, Matteo made waves in Sicily’s jazz scene, participating in local festivals at just eleven years old. The duo explored a diverse repertoire, spanning from Django Reinhardt to contemporary jazz. Then, as a teenager, Matteo pursued his passion by enrolling in a music high school, specializing in classical guitar.
After he earned his high school diploma, he founded the Snips trio, gaining widespread acclaim for their fusion take on classic standards. As a collaborator with Yamaha Guitars, Matteo showcased his expertise at NAMM 2019 in Los Angeles. Additionally, he participated as a judge at the “Young Guitar Festival” in Bangkok. 2019 also marked his venture into Russia, conducting masterclasses in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Perm.
Mancuso graduated from the Conservatory of Palermo in 2022 with a degree in jazz guitar. Then, he immediately resumed touring and shared the stage with Al Di Meola during the Eddie Lang Jazz Festival. In 2023, the legendary PFM invited Matteo as a guest for their new live album.
Later in 2023, Mancuso joined Tommy Emmanuel on stage at the Teatro Golden in Palermo. Then, he embarked on a summer headlining tour, featuring previews of songs from Matteo’s eagerly anticipated debut solo album.
“He’s a beautiful player and he is so versatile, he plays any style, he plays rock, he plays Django, pretty amazing.” – Eric Johnson
Recommended for fans of Steve Vai, John Scofield, Eric Johnson and Al Di Meola.

Meshell Ndegeocello
2026-02-09 21:00 - 23:00, 2026-02-09 19:00 - 21:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 9pm Show
*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.

“The world needs more musicians like her, creatively restless and ambitious” – NPR

Meshell Ndegeocello has survived the best and the worst of what a career in music has to offer. She eschewed genre for originality, celebrity for longevity, and musical trends for musical truths. Fans have come to expect the unexpected and follow her journey. Then, she delves into soul, R&B, jazz, hip-hop, rock, all bound by the search for love, justice, respect and resolution. Thus, these sonic investigations have defied and redefined expectations for women, for queer artists, and for black music for over thirty years. Additionally, she remains one of few women who write the music, sing the songs, and lead the band.
A bass player above all else, Meshell brings her warm, fat, and melodic groove to everything she does. She has earned a Grammy award among numerous nominations. Moreover, she has played alongside the Rolling Stones, Madonna, Alanis Morrisette, James Blood Ulmer, and The Blind Boys of Alabama. Also, Tony Allen, John Medeski, Billy Preston, and Chaka Khan. As for her own bass-playing influences, she credits Sting, Jaco Pastorius, Family Man Barrett, and Stevie Wonder. Meshell is always grateful to share the stage and believes music is a fellowship. Here, she looks to spread that gospel with every creation and collaboration.
Ndegeocello says that she tries to create music that musicians enjoy playing. “I really love the musical interaction – the playing off of each other,” she says. “It’s such a divine experience. Playing music is one of the few spaces where I feel genderless and raceless. And when the audience can dance, move, and experience transcendence while we are playing live, it feels like I have purpose.”

Eric Gales – A Special Evening of Acoustic Blues
2026-02-08 19:00 - 21:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show
*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.

“One of the best if not the best, guitarist in the world today.” – Joe Bonamassa

A rare and special acoustic show! For one night only, Eric Gales sets his blistering electric guitar work aside for his equally brilliant acoustic playing. Here, Gales retains his trademark intensity and dynamism, allowing his virtuosic playing to shine in a different way.
Eric Gales is a blues firebrand whose passion, power, and virtuosity have shaped one of the most inspiring careers in modern music. Gales has redefined the blues with raw emotion, fearless creativity, and a sound that bridges genres and generations. Here, he has accomplished this in a career spanning over three decades and eighteen albums. Often hailed as the modern-day heir to Jimi Hendrix, Memphis-born Gales commands the stage with electrifying intensity and soulful authenticity.
His acclaimed 2022 album Crown showcases his finest work to date, melding extraordinary guitar mastery with deeply personal songwriting. Additionally, Gales has performed alongside legends like Carlos Santana, Eric Johnson, and Zakk Wylde. Moreover, he has earned praise from Joe Bonamassa and Dave Navarro.
Gales stands as one of the most dynamic and expressive guitarists of his generation. Here, he is an artist whose music continues to inspire and ignite audiences around the world.
Recommended for fans of Jimi Hendrix, Joe Bonamassa, Luther Allison and Walter Trout.
📸: Jim Arbogast

Mason Jennings
2026-02-07 21:00 - 23:00, 2026-02-07 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-02-06 19:00 - 21:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – FEB 6: 7pm Show
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – FEB 7: 6:30pm Show
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – FEB 7: 9pm Show
*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.

“ragged, intimate voice and simple ruminations” – Rolling Stone

Minneapolis songwriter Mason Jennings recently released a new video for the single, “Only Lovers Welcome” from his brand-new album. Now, 2023’s Underneath the Roses is available.
Here, Jennings writes that the songs from Underneath the Roses were “written in an unprecedented burst.” This followed the birth of his son, Western, in March 2022. Jennings explains, “I hadn’t written any songs in about a year. I had been dealing with the psychological after-effects of the pandemic as well as the loss of my dad. So, when Western was born, I didn’t expect to be writing much. But immediately he was responding to music in a very intense way. For this album, between May and November 2022, I wrote forty-eight songs! They certainly uplifted me and connected me with the creative spirit, and spirit in general, again. They cover all kinds of ground but, when I listen back, I think the central theme is overcoming fear with love.”
Jennings also released a video for “No Ordinary Friend,” which he explains “Depicts two of the most important decisions a person can make. One, whether or not they believe in a loving higher power and two, who they decide to choose as a lifelong romantic partner. This song is referring to both of those and the choices I’ve made.”
“Stone Gossard and Regan Hagar from Loosegroove Records helped me edit the forty-eight down to eleven. I then enlisted the help of my Painted Shield bandmates to record the songs.”
Jennings and Gossard are ongoing collaborators in the band Painted Shield, who released their debut album in 2021. Their album was also released on Loosegroove, the influential indie label that Gossard founded back in 1994.
Recommended for fans of Charlie Parr, M. Ward, G. Love & Special Sauce and Jack Johnson.

Avery*Sunshine
2026-02-05 19:00 - 21:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show
*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.

“her playful charisma and those heavenly vocals” – NPR

Chester, PA native Avery*Sunshine has established herself as a musical powerhouse. Here she seamlessly blends her roles as a pianist, singer, songwriter, and producer. A proud graduate of Spelman College, she moved from the academic halls to the global stage. Her journey is a testament to her talent, dedication, and passion for music. Together with her husband and Grammy-nominated partner, Dana Johnson, Avery has made Atlanta her stronghold. There, they nurture and expand their creative and entrepreneurial ventures.
Avery’s career is marked by significant achievements, including four top twenty hits on the Billboard charts. Moreover, her song “Call My Name” reached the coveted #1 spot, affirming her place in the music industry. Beyond her personal successes, Avery is a committed advocate for artists. As a Board Governor for the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy, she contributes to shaping the music landscape. Additionally, her entrepreneurial spirit shines through her co-founding and partnership in BigShine Recordings, a label dedicated to empowering independent artists.
Avery*Sunshine’s influence extends across the globe through her international tours. There, she touches audiences in Asia, Europe, UK and Australia with her soulful music and dynamic performances. Currently, she is captivating fans with her musical web series “So Glad To Know You.” This provides an intimate look at her creative journey and connection with music.
Sunshine’s biography encapsulates not just her musical achievements but her role as a luminary in the industry. Here, she shines a light on the power of independence, creativity, and the unifying force of music. With Atlanta as her backdrop, she continues to inspire and captivate, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who witness her artistry.
Recommended for fans of Ledisi, Lalah Hathaway, Leela James and Musiq Soulchild.

The Headhunters
2026-02-04 19:00 - 21:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show
*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.

“Remarkably masterful, fresh-sounding, and creatively restless” – AllMusic

The Headhunters form one of the foundations of jazz and funk music. They formed in 1973 and are known for their iconic best-selling recordings released in the mid-1970s. Furthermore, the ensemble continues to impress audiences at their live shows and with their album releases today. While Herbie Hancock has not regularly joined them during fifty years of recording and touring, they always feel his influence. Here, Headhunters co-leaders and best friends Mike Clark and Bill Summers carry forward the legacy with timeless, paradigm-shifting classics. Hits like “Watermelon Man,” “Chameleon,” “Butterfly,” “Sly” and “Palm Grease” are just a few examples.
The Headhunters’ latest recording, 2025’s Live at Garcia’s Chicago, is a reflection of the band’s fifty-year breadth, depth and innovation. The album captures an electric live performance at the new state-of-the-art listening room with Clark and Summers at the helm.
The album’s A side opens with the band’s perennial jam “4 String Drive”. Then, they play the 2024 original composition “The Stunt Man”. There, tracks “Warrior Suite” and “Watermelon Man” root the album in the spirituality that “Baba Bill” has infused in The Headhunters since day one in 1973. Side B includes a modern funk rendition of Bob Marley’s classic “I Shot the Sheriff”. Then, they perform covers of Thelonious Monk’s “Monk’s Dream” and Chick Corea’s “Humpty Dumpty”. Finally, an extended drum and percussion conversation called “Headhunters Drums” rounds out the eight song LP.
Catch the band on the road in 2026 featuring co-leaders Summers and Clark. There, New Orleans veterans Chris Severin (bass), Clarence Johnson (saxophone) and Shea Pierre (keyboards) will join them.
Recommended for fans of Herbie Hancock, Spyro Gyra, Weather Report and Galactic.
📸: Rick Swig

Southside Aces: A Night in New Orleans
2026-02-03 19:00 - 21:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show

“flawlessly replicate the sound of classic New Orleans” — Prairie Uprising

For over two decades, Southside Aces have been playing the repertoire of the Jazz Age greats and beyond. Here, they play the early New Orleans of Jelly Roll Morton and 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 in their eighth album, 2022’s Minneapolis Bump. Here, this album contains fifteen originals in the traditional style. The Aces will release two more albums in 2026, including Les Oignons, featuring the music of Sidney Bechet. You hear it all when you’re in front of the Aces. Moreover, treat yourself to a century’s worth of New Orleans jazz.
In New Orleans, the jazz tradition thrives off a wide array of styles. Here, the Aces possess a diverse repertoire, with a roll call that includes jazz giants. For example, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington, and Bix Beiderbecke. Additionally, Crescent City classics like “Bourbon Street Parade”, “Just A Closer Walk With Thee”, and “St. James Infirmary”. Also, they cover the funky rhythms of brass band powerhouses like “Mardi Gras in New Orleans” and “Palm Court Strut”!
“Some 1500 miles from New Orleans and the Mardi Gras, and what do you think? It’s bouncing around the Mississippi River up here close to the Northern Star.” — Leigh Kamman, The Jazz Image
“The performers are virtuosi and flawlessly replicate the sound of classic New Orleans… The concert was wonderful and demonstrates the continued vitality of this sort of music.” — John Beckmann, Prairie Uprising
Recommended for fans of Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Tuba Skinny, Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller.
📸: Paul Udstrand

Cafe Accordion Orchestra w/Prudence Johnson
2026-02-02 19:00 - 21:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show

“a guaranteed good time… A local treasure” – MinnPost

Dan Newton, accordion and vocals
Eric Mohring, mandolin, fiddle and vocals
Brian Barnes, guitar and vocals
Erik Lillestol, bass
Joe Steinger, percussion
Elizabeth Rowan, percussion
Prudence Johnson, vocals
Dan Newton’s Café Accordion Orchestra (CAO) performs an eclectic mix full of French flair, Latin heat and Bohemian attitude. The heart of the CAO repertoire is the romantic, gypsy-influenced valse-musette. Then, the group complements the musettes with swing, ballads, tangos, cha-chas, rumbas, and cumbias to create a wonderfully varied show. Moreover, they inject their music with good humor and expressive abandon.
CAO is led by Dan Newton on accordion and vocals, with Eric Mohring on mandolin, violin and vocals. Also, Brian Barnes on guitar and vocals, Erik Lillestol on bass and vocals, and Joe Steinger on percussion. CAO has been delighting audiences and dancers alike since 1995.
One might wonder how a group of musicians in Minnesota end up forming a band that plays French musette. Additionally, hot club swing, Tin Pan Alley, Latin music and cinematic themes. There, it all started with a tune composed in 1992 by Newton. Dan had been introduced to the Parisian sidewalk cafe accordion sound while teaching at a music camp. Then, a friend commented that one of the tunes in particular sounded like “cafe accordion” music.
Prudence Johnson’s career has taken her from honky-tonks to Carnegie Hall, from the theater stage to the Silver Screen, from the Midwest to the Middle East. Also, with her roots in folk and country music, Prudence developed a passion for jazz.
Recommended for fans of Paris Combo, Pearl Django, Rio Nido and A Prairie Home Companion.

The Cookers
2026-02-01 19:00 - 21:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show

“A dream team of forward-leaning hard-bop” – The New York Times

Donald Harrison, saxophone
Azar Lawrence, saxophone
Cecil McBee, bass
George Cables, piano
Eddie Henderson, trumpet
David Weiss, trumpet
Billy Hart, drums
Experience counts, especially in jazz. The more time musicians spend interpreting tunes and interacting with others, the more articulation an audience can expect. You can hear the fruits of such work in the expressive language The Cookers bring to the bandstand. This exciting all-star septet summons an aggressive mid ‘60s spirit with a potent collection of expansive post-bop originals. Additionally, they have the requisite killer instincts and pyrotechnic playing expected of some of the heaviest hitters today.
Cecil McBee, George Cables, Eddie Henderson, and Billy Hart started in the heady era of the mid ‘60s. There, that period found the dimensions of hard bop morphing from their original designs. Furthermore, each artist helped facilitate the process as members of some of the most important bands of the era. Hart and Henderson were members of Herbie Hancock’s groundbreaking Mwandishi group. And, Cecil McBee anchored Charles Lloyd’s great ’60s quartet alongside Keith Jarrett and Jack DeJohnette. Billy Harper was part of Lee Morgan’s last group, and also Max Roach’s Quartet and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Further, George Cables was featured in groups led by Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Dexter Gordon and Art Pepper.
David Weiss, Azar Lawrence and Donald Harrison are from a more recent generation and are the youngest members of the band. There, they gained experience performing with Art Blakey, Bobby Hutcherson, Freddie Hubbard, Charles Tolliver, Roy Haynes and Herbie Hancock.
Recommended for fans of the Jazz Messengers, Lee Morgan, Herbie Hancock and the SFJazz Collective.

Chastity Brown
2026-01-31 19:00 - 21:00
“brooding soul eloquence… and folk-infected naturalness.” – NPR

Gospel and blues, melodic sensibility, and honest emotion…
Based in Minnesota, with roots in Tennessee, Chastity Brown grew up surrounded by country and soul music. In the gospel church of her childhood, she played saxophone and drums. Also, she found her singing voice and a passion for music. NPR’s “Favorite Sessions,” CMT, American Songwriter, the London Times and Paste Magazine have all featured her.
Like so many artists who endured the uncertainty of the 2020 lockdown, Chastity instinctively turned inward. At first, she did this out of self-preservation, and then the new songs kept coming and coming. Since finishing her last album, 2017’s Silhouette Of Sirens, she estimates she’s written nearly 100 new songs. Ten of these found their way onto her latest, 2022’s Sing To The Walls.
Sing To The Walls is a sonically expansive album, mining the roots of Americana, folk, and soul music. However, Chastity delivers her stories in a style that feels remarkably timely, modern, and forward-thinking. Here, these songs unfold with Chastity’s expressive voice and expansive melodies, leading the listener through intertwining tendrils of atmospheric sounds.
Between writing sessions she’s been vibing to chilled-out, forward thinking artists like Leon Bridges, H.E.R., SZA, and Daniel Caesar. Like them, she expands beyond genre and her folk/roots history to encompass her appreciation of all Black American musical art forms. “I also want to poke at what the blues is,” Chastity reflects. “It has a lot of stereotypes, like it’s mostly only played by blue-eyed white guys now. But what about Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey? I feel so closely connected, in a pure, undeviating lineage, to the heritage of being a Black, queer blues woman.”
Recommended for fans of H.E.R., Rhiannon Giddens, Valerie June and Brittany Howard.
