Dakota

Tina Schlieske Sextet
2026-03-22 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
“one of the most potent singers to ever come out of the Twin Cities.” – Star Tribune

Tina Schlieske, a Midwestern rock mainstay, commands a dedicated and passionate following, especially in her hometown of Minneapolis. She’s best known for fronting the band Tina and the B-Sides. Her inaugural jazz recording, 2024’s The Good Life, sees Schlieske embarking on a transformative jazz odyssey. Here, this is her homage to the greats that have paved the way for voices like Tina’s to celebrate. Further, she celebrates giants like Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra. Much like the influential rockers she has emulated, David Bowie, Tina Turner, Tina’s reverence for these giants shines through.
A luminary in the Minneapolis rock and Americana music circuit, Schlieske’s illustrious career spans over four decades. There, she has garnered numerous accolades, including a prestigious star adorning First Avenue’s legendary star wall. Also, she is renowned for her impassioned vocal delivery and magnetic stage presence. Thus, Schlieske’s pivot into the realm of jazz signifies a poignant milestone in her already illustrious career. Her transition into this new territory is a testament to her enduring artistic evolution and an exciting progression for her dedicated audience.
Schlieske has long held an affinity for jazz, but she left it unexplored until recent years. Here, this stemmed from an unanticipated desire to delve into the allure of classic standards within the contemporary musical landscape. “There is a certain simplicity in these complicated songs,” she reflects. “Singing jazz offers me the chance to push the boundaries of my vocal capabilities. It’s a whole new world compared to rock. Here, the voice becomes another instrument. Maintaining the essence of the melody while infusing personal interpretation presents a thrilling challenge that I find truly exhilarating.”
Recommended for fans of Indigo Girls, Etta James, Lucinda Williams and Melissa Etheridge.

Morgan James VIP Experience
2026-03-24 17:00 - 17:30
Morgan James is hosting VIP events prior to the show, giving a chance for fans to get together and celebrate good music in an intimate setting.
VIP attendees will be treated to an exclusive performance, story telling, a question and answer session with Morgan, photo and autograph sessions and everyone will walk away with an exclusive piece of merchandise only available to VIPs at each show.
VIP Experiences include:

Early entrance and crowd-free merchandise shopping
A commemorative piece of merchandise
Individual photo opportunity with Morgan James
Autograph session with Morgan James
Group question and answer session with Morgan James — ask your most burning question!
Private performance by Morgan James

IMPORTANT: This is not a ticket to the show.
You must have a concert ticket in order to purchase this VIP Meet & Greet.

Check-in Time: Please arrive at the venue by 4:45 PM.
After check-in, you’ll be escorted to the VIP area for the meet & greet.

“A phenomenal talent whose feel for classic soul music is bone deep… This woman is on fire.” – New York Times

Morgan James has a voice that needs to be heard. After her grandmother heard her sing, the matriarch paid for James’ voice lessons, positive that her granddaughter had talent. However, despite the often-treacherous terrain of the music industry, James has never tired in her quest. There, she has tussled with unimaginative label executives, covered and owned Beatles songs, and cast a woman as Jesus. Through it all, James has carved out an enviable career, always on her own terms.
James has a particular taste for inserting herself into men’s spaces. Here, she twists hyper-masculine songs to her will, changing their meanings in the process. Furthermore, she brings that feminist lens to the forefront in her most recent project, 2025’s Soul Remains the Same. Moreover, she reinterprets tracks from AC/DC, Stone Temple Pilots, and Pearl Jam. “Something I’ve always loved, and I’ve done throughout my career, is sing songs that are not just written by men, but especially made for men,” she says. “And make them my own.”
Here, Soul Remains the Same transforms testosterone-soaked ‘80s and ‘90s radio classics of her youth into poignant, soulful, deeply personal covers. “I don’t try to change something to be clever. I don’t want to change something that’s already great,” James says. “But sometimes I’ll hear a song and think to myself, ‘This would be amazing with horns, or what would this sound like with a choir or a B3?’” James picked which tracks to cover after a road trip on which she and her husband belted along to some old favorites. Then, she created sexy, bold versions of cuts like Whitesnake’s “Is This Love”. Also, a deliciously moody version of Smashing Pumpkins’ “Tonight, Tonight.”
Recommended for fans of Nina Simone, Postmodern Jukebox, Pink Martini and Aretha Franklin.

Morgan James
2026-03-24 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-03-24 21:00 - 23:00
“A phenomenal talent whose feel for classic soul music is bone deep… This woman is on fire.” – New York Times

Morgan James has a voice that needs to be heard. After her grandmother heard her sing, the matriarch paid for James’ voice lessons, positive that her granddaughter had talent. However, despite the often-treacherous terrain of the music industry, James has never tired in her quest. There, she has tussled with unimaginative label executives, covered and owned Beatles songs, and cast a woman as Jesus. Through it all, James has carved out an enviable career, always on her own terms.
James has a particular taste for inserting herself into men’s spaces. Here, she twists hyper-masculine songs to her will, changing their meanings in the process. Furthermore, she brings that feminist lens to the forefront in her most recent project, 2025’s Soul Remains the Same. Moreover, she reinterprets tracks from AC/DC, Stone Temple Pilots, and Pearl Jam. “Something I’ve always loved, and I’ve done throughout my career, is sing songs that are not just written by men, but especially made for men,” she says. “And make them my own.”
Here, Soul Remains the Same transforms testosterone-soaked ‘80s and ‘90s radio classics of her youth into poignant, soulful, deeply personal covers. “I don’t try to change something to be clever. I don’t want to change something that’s already great,” James says. “But sometimes I’ll hear a song and think to myself, ‘This would be amazing with horns, or what would this sound like with a choir or a B3?’” James picked which tracks to cover after a road trip on which she and her husband belted along to some old favorites. Then, she created sexy, bold versions of cuts like Whitesnake’s “Is This Love”. Also, a deliciously moody version of Smashing Pumpkins’ “Tonight, Tonight.”
Recommended for fans of Nina Simone, Postmodern Jukebox, Pink Martini and Aretha Franklin.

Louisiana Calling
2026-03-25 19:00 - 21:00
“fusing blues, Latin, classic R&B, zydeco, Cajun, Tex-Mex, and roots rock” – AllMusic

New frontiers fit nicely atop the boundary-breaking career of singer songwriter and slide guitar icon Sonny Landreth. He has performed live with Buddy Guy and John Hiatt in theaters and arenas around the United States. Also, post-New Orleans Jazz Fest jamming on bayou rhythms with Oteil Burbridge and Johnny Vidacovich. Further, he has recorded and played live with ukulele phenom Jake Shimabukuro at The Blue Note in Hawaii. Thus, it has been a noteworthy couple of years for the two time Grammy nominee. And those are just his side projects.
Landreth explains his continually expanding musical horizons. “One of the things I love about collaborations with other artists is the element of surprise. When the chemistry is there, it is always inspiring to find new twists and turns that up the game creatively.”
What if Americana actually encompassed ALL of North America? You’d have the Franco-Acadian inflections of Canada, as best exemplified by the accordion. Then, you’d have blues and jazz, the U.S.’s most original art form. Also, the lilting grace and fiery passion of the music of Mexico. You’d also have New Orleans’ premiere distillers of this continental musical mélange, The Iguanas.
Their three-decade ride has taken them all over the map musically and geographically. However, the inescapable patina of their hometown infuses every note they play. They have produced eight studio albums among countless tours and Jazz Fest appearances. They survived a flood that did its best to take their adopted city with it. Therefore, it’s a testament to the band’s endurance that the same four guys that started playing in the early 1990s are still together.
Recommended for fans of The Radiators, Paul Thorn, Tab Benoit and Los Lobos.
📸: Robley Dupleix

Bria Skonberg
2026-03-26 19:00 - 21:00
“If Louis Armstrong and Doris Day could somehow be the same person, they’d be Bria Skonberg” –Wall Street Journal

Bria Skonberg is a Juno-award winning artist, ten-time Downbeat Rising Star, and a Jazz at Lincoln Center Swing! Awardee. Also, she won the 2022 “Legend” Award by the Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook. The trumpeter, vocalist, and composer has been called the “shining hope of hot jazz” (New York Times). Also, she is considered “one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation.” (Wall Street Journal)
Bria has stormed onto the jazz scene with her smoky vocals, blistering trumpet, and compelling compositions and arrangements. The Juno Award winner has sung the music of Aretha Franklin alongside Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child. Also, she played with U2 at the iconic Apollo Theater and sat in with the Dave Matthews Band. Additionally, Bria was a featured guest with Jon Batiste and performed as part of The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour.
Bria continues to solidify her artistry, mastering her signature style as one of the most distinctive artists in jazz. 2024’s What It Means Is a career-defining album, inspired by the sounds of New Orleans jazz. “Pure sonic ebullience is in full display on Skonberg’s latest album What It Means, which mashes traditional jazz sounds and tunes with more modern jazz and even pop styles,” wrote Lee Mergner for WBGO.
Bria has a multitude of new and exciting music in store for audiences, releasing a holiday EP in 2025. Additionally, she will release two albums out in 2026: one trumpet-focused and one vocal-forward. Here, she brings all her new music to the stage with her quintet.
Recommended for fans of Ingrid Jensen, Jeremy Pelt, Stella Cole and Emmet Cohen.
📸: Shervin Lainez

Maruja Límon
2026-03-27 19:00 - 21:00
“breathing new life into flamenco with a captivating fusion.” – Billboard Latin

Maruja Limón is a female sextet from Barcelona known for their vibrant music that blends flamenco, pop, and Latin rhythms. They formed in 2014, and the group composes and arranges their own songs. Moreover, they have performed at festivals and venues across Europe, Morocco, and Spain, including Festival Cruilla and Pirineos Sur.
On their 2024 EP Te Como La Cara, they explore Catalan, flamenco, and Latin rumba. Then, they fuse those traditional forms with experimental electronic sounds, dembow, salsa, and pop. Thus, they deliver explosive music with lyrics that balance sensitivity and irony.
They gained recognition in Billboard’s On the Radar Latin section after their debut in the Latin Alternative Music Conference. Maruja Limón made their first U.S. tour In January 2025, captivating audiences and filling venues. For example, they played Lincoln Center in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, and made a splash in Philadelphia. There, their energy and unique sound left a lasting impression.
Recommended for fans of Las Migas, Ozomatli, María Peláe and Ojos de Brujo.

VIP Event: Isaac Slade (Formerly of the Fray)
2026-03-28 16:30 - 18:30
Isaac Slade (Formerly of The Fray) VIP Meet & Greet
Invitation to pre-show experience with Isaac Slade, including:
· Pre-show Meet & Greet and Photo Opportunity with Isaac
· Solo, unplugged performance of one song
· Commemorative VIP Laminate and Lanyard, signed by Isaac
· Early merchandise shopping opportunity before doors open to the public
IMPORTANT: This is not a ticket to the show.
You must have a concert ticket in order to purchase this VIP Meet & Greet.

“A stew of angsty earnestness, piano melancholy and anthemic melodies” – BBC

Isaac Slade is best known as the former frontman of the Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum band The Fray. Here, he steps back onto the stage after four years with his first-ever solo tour in 2026. The Songs I Know tour will take audiences through his emotionally resonant songwriting and the life journey that shaped his music. Slade’s performances bring listeners into his intimate, cinematic vocal style. The show features formative songs and stories, his genre-defining hits, and the music that inspired him through the years. With new music releases on the horizon, Slade will share his latest work. This will reflect a powerful evolution that invites listeners into something honest, timeless, and evocative.
Recommended for fans of The Fray, Coldplay, John Mayer and Oasis.
📸: Ross Bustin

Isaac Slade (Formerly of the Fray)
2026-03-28 19:00 - 21:00
“A stew of angsty earnestness, piano melancholy and anthemic melodies” – BBC

Isaac Slade is best known as the former frontman of the Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum band The Fray. Here, he steps back onto the stage after four years with his first-ever solo tour in 2026. The Songs I Know tour will take audiences through his emotionally resonant songwriting and the life journey that shaped his music. Slade’s performances bring listeners into his intimate, cinematic vocal style. The show features formative songs and stories, his genre-defining hits, and the music that inspired him through the years. With new music releases on the horizon, Slade will share his latest work. This will reflect a powerful evolution that invites listeners into something honest, timeless, and evocative.
Recommended for fans of The Fray, Coldplay, John Mayer and Oasis.
📸: Ross Bustin

Savion Glover Presents: Project 9
2026-03-29 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-03-30 19:00 - 21:00
“Savion is to tap what Charlie Parker is to jazz” – Herb Alpert

Savion Glover brings his revolutionary Project 9 back to the venue he premiered it at, in October 2024! Glover combines live jazz music and percussive movement for an expressive celebration of sound. Here, Glover acts as lead dancer and drummer! At this performance, he’ll push the boundaries of dance, taking you on an entertaining journey inspired by mythological and ancestral codes of sound.
Savion Glover began as a prodigious student of the great Honi Coles and the late Gregory Hines. It was Hines who called him “possibly the best tap dancer that ever lived.” Glover has been boldly breaking new ground for over a quarter century.
Glover was only eleven when he made his Broadway debut. There, he played the title character in 1984’s The Tap Dance Kid. Then, he received his first Tony nomination at fifteen for 1989’s Black and Blue. Also that year, he appeared alongside Hines and Sammy Davis Jr. in Tap.
By the turn of the 1990s Glover was moving freely between stage and screen. He appeared in Hines’ PBS special Gregory Hines’ Tap Dance in America. Also, he was featured in over forty episodes of the iconic children’s series Sesame Street. Furthermore, he received a 1992 Drama Desk nomination for Jelly’s Last Jam on Broadway.
Glover built on the momentum from this award-winning celebration of Jelly Roll Morton. Then, he became a cultural phenomenon at twenty-three when he co-conceived and starred in the wildly successful 1996 musical Bring in ‘Da Noise/Bring in ‘Da Funk. This was a landmark production tracing the history of Black life in America through tap. The show earned Glover a Tony Award for Best Choreography. Bring in ‘Da Noise/Bring in ‘Da Funk ran for three years at Broadway’s historic Ambassador Theatre, totaling 1,130 performances.
Recommended for fans of Gregory Hines, John Coltrane, Jimmy Slyde and Bunny Briggs.

Mark Lettieri Group
2026-04-01 19:00 - 21:00
“groundbreaking, genre-bending innovative group” – Jazz Guitar Today

Mark Lettieri is a six-time nominated, five-time Grammy winning guitarist, composer, producer, and instructor. He creates acclaimed guitar-based instrumental music and is a member of leading instrumental bands Snarky Puppy and The Fearless Flyers. Also, he is a session musician proficient in a multitude of styles. Thus, he has recorded and performed in virtually every genre of popular music with both independent and major-label artists.
In 2024 Lettieri released his highly anticipated new album, Can I Tell You Something? Here, Lettieri explores the world of instrumental music, blending elements of jazz, funk, rock, and soul. Further, he creates a sound that is distinctly his own. On display is his trademark intricate guitar work, infectious funk, and a range of dynamic compositions that highlight his versatility and creativity.
Mark joined Snarky Puppy in 2008, and his work with the group has resulted in five Grammy Awards. Then in 2018, Lettieri helped form The Fearless Flyers, with Cory Wong, Nate Smith, and Joe Dart. The Vulfpeck-adjacent quartet has four releases to date.
As a sideman, Lettieri has performed and/or recorded with a myriad of artists including Erykah Badu and David Crosby. Also, Kirk Franklin, The Jacksons, Fred Hammond, Tori Kelly, 50 Cent, Ledisi, Tamela Mann, Lecrae, Lupe Fiasco, and Keyshia Cole. Additionally, Xzibit, Anthony Evans, Phillip Phillips, Nelly, Chrisette Michele, Myron Butler, and even alongside comedians Dave Chappelle and Harry Shearer.
Recommended for fans of Snarky Puppy, Cory Wong, Nate Smith and Lettuce.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo
2026-04-06 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-06 21:00 - 23:00
“sheer joy and love” – Paul Simon

Ladysmith Black Mambazo has performed for millions of people, singing a message of peace, love and harmony. With their 2024 release, Soothe My Soul… Songs From Our South African Church, the group puts their spin on gospel music.
The year 2025 marks the sixty-fifth anniversary of Joseph Shabalala forming Ladysmith Black Mambazo. His group conquered all of South Africa and would become a worldwide phenomenon. Further, they won more Grammy Awards (five) and have received more nominations (nineteen) than any World music group.
During the dark years of South African Apartheid, Ladysmith Black Mambazo followed a path of peaceful protest. Here, they did this through songs of hope and love. When Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990, he said he listened to their music while in jail. Additionally, he was inspired by their powerful message of peace. Thus, when Mandela won the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, he asked the group to join him at the ceremony. It was Mandela who called Ladysmith Black Mambazo “South Africa’s Cultural Ambassadors to the World.”
In the mid-1980s, American singer/songwriter Paul Simon famously visited South Africa. There, he incorporated the group’s rich harmonies into his renowned Graceland album. This became a landmark recording, considered seminal in introducing World music to mainstream audiences. Furthermore, this brought the group to the attention of music lovers all over the world.
After leading his group for over fifty years and approaching his seventy-fifth birthday, Joseph Shabalala retired in 2014, handing the leadership to his three sons, Thulani, Sibongiseni and Thamsanqa Shabalala.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is Thulani Shabalala, Sibongiseni Shabalala, Thamsanqa Shabalala, Msizi Shabalala, Albert Mazibuko, Abednego Mazibuko, Mfanafuthi Dlamini, Pius Shezi and Sabelo Mthembu.
Recommended for fans of Paul Simon, The Soweto Gospel Choir, Oliver Mtukudzi and Mafikizolo.

Takuya Kuroda
2026-04-09 19:00 - 21:00
“inspired amalgamation of jazz, funk, hip-hop and neo-soul” – All About Jazz

Kobe-born, Brooklyn-based trumpeter Takuya Kuroda is dedicated, and his eighth studio record, 2025’s Everyday, is proof of that. Kuroda has not missed a beat since the release of 2022’s Midnight Crisp –– a record PopMatters called a “future classic”. Now, the 45-year-old musician desires to achieve the “perfect blend of production and organic performance”. It’s why he continues to throw himself into his daily practice, nearly thirty years into his musical life.
Everyday builds on and dives ever deeper into the hip hop and neo-soul elements of his previous work. Here, it is a deliciously rhythmic enterprise and a triumph of genre-blending modern jazz. Moreover, Kuroda’s playing is sure-footed and pure –– whether on the horn, synth, or Rhodes. He virtuosically dances among infectious rhythms of his own creation.
Kuroda’s twenty-one years in the United States have been fruitful. After studying composition at The New School, he threw himself into work. There, he played with DJ Premier’s Badder Band and Akoya Afrobeat and recorded as a sideman and bandleader. But as Kuroda himself says, “the only way to make the music that I want to make is to work hard, every day.” And so we have Everyday, a title which reflects, as Kuroda puts it, “that simple message.”
Everyday is hyperaware of a panoply of old ideas and a pantheon of old gods. However, as Kuroda engages these tropes and personalities day in and day out, he turns it all around in a style that’s undeniably cool and personal. As Pitchfork put it, “Kuroda’s skill is not drawing influence from so many different forms, it’s radiating joy in doing so.” It’s this sterling dedication that makes Takuya Kuroda and Everyday anything but commonplace.
Recommended for fans of Theo Croker, Kamasi Washington, Karriem Riggins and Robert Glasper.

Arturo Sandoval
2026-04-10 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-10 21:00 - 23:00
“one of the best ever” – Barack Obama

2024 Kennedy Center Honoree
2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient
10-time Grammy Award winner
Emmy Award recipient
Six-time Billboard Award winner
A protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie, Arturo Sandoval was born just outside Havana, Cuba in 1949. Just two years prior, Gillespie became the first musician to bring Latin influences into American jazz. Arturo began studying classical trumpet at the age of twelve, but it didn’t take him long to catch the excitement of the jazz world.
With dazzling technique and near-limitless range, he has evolved into one of the world’s most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn. He is also a renowned classical artist, pianist and composer.
Sandoval is one of the most dynamic and vivacious live performers of our time. He has been seen by millions at the Oscars, at the Grammy Awards, and the Billboard Awards.
Arturo can be heard on recordings from Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Woody Shaw, Michel Legrand, Josh Groban, and Tony Bennett. He has also performed with Stan Getz, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka, Rod Stewart, and Alicia Keys, among many others. He has performed with John Williams with the Boston Pops, and at the Super Bowl with Tony Bennett and Patti LaBelle.
Arturo Sandoval reaches beyond the scope of mere effort. His struggles while in Cuba and since his defection have given him more energy and strength. His inner drive urges him to accomplish and surpass his childhood dreams. Filled with a virtuoso capability, he desires nothing more than to share his gift with others.
Recommended for fans of Wynton Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Chucho Valdés.
📸: Jeremy Lock

Take 6
2026-04-11 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-11 20:30 - 22:30
“baddest vocal cats on the planet!” – Quincy Jones

10 Grammy Awards
10 Dove Awards
Gospel Music Hall of Fame
Take 6 is Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea and Khristian Dentley. Here, they are the quintessential a cappella group and the model for vocal genius. Moreover, they are the preeminent and best a capella group in the world.
Their illustrious career has garnered ten Grammy Awards, ten Dove Awards, a Soul Train Award, and membership in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. A true musical phenomenon, the ensemble features six virtuosic voices united in crystal clear harmony. Further, this is set against a backdrop of syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements, and funky grooves. Together, this bubbles into an intoxicating brew of gospel, jazz, R&B, and pop.
They’ve earned collaborations and praise from such luminaries as Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald and Whitney Houston. Additionally, the multi-platinum selling sextet has toured across the globe and collaborated across genres. Thus, they are recognized as the greatest a cappella group in the world.
Take 6 has come a long way from their days at Huntsville, Alabama’s Oakwood College. There, McKnight formed the group as The Gentleman’s Estate Quartet in 1980. The group eventually became known as Alliance but they found that there was another group with the same name. Then, they became Take 6. Their self-titled debut CD won over jazz and pop critics and they’ve never slowed down.
Recommended for fans of Naturally 7, Boyz II Men, New Edition and Manhattan Transfer.

Dobet Gnahoré
2026-04-12 19:00 - 21:00
“Take the energy of Lauryn Hill, the consciousness of India.Arie, and the mystique of Erykah Badu, and you got Dobet Gnahoré.” –St. Louis American

Dobet Gnahoré is a renowned African singer, dancer, songwriter, and percussionist. She is known for her dynamic performances and ability to blend various musical styles from across the African continent. Furthermore, her work emphasizes cultural preservation and advocacy for women’s rights and empowerment.
Dobet Gnahoré was born in Côte d’Ivoire to a musical family. Her father, Boni Gnahoré, played percussion and was a founding member of the renowned Ivorian cultural organization, Ki-Yi M’Bock. That is where Dobet’s training began. There, she learned various African musical traditions, including dance and percussion. This comprehensive training helped her develop a deep appreciation for African cultural heritage and artistic expression.
Dobet started performing with Ki-Yi M’Bock in her teens, beginning her career as a professional artist. Her performances were characterized by energetic dance routines, intricate rhythms, and soulful singing. Then, these quickly drew attention both locally and internationally. Dobet’s music is a vibrant blend of traditional African rhythms and contemporary styles. Additionally, she sings in various African languages, but recently has written mostly in the Bété language, one of the many regional languages of Côte d’Ivoire. Here, her powerful voice and stage presence are complemented by her mastery of many traditional African instruments.
Dobet’s work is influenced by her desire to promote African cultural heritage and address social issues such as gender equality, poverty, and environmental sustainability. Her lyrics often touch on themes of empowerment, resilience, and unity.
In 2010, Dobet earned further renown when her collaboration with American singer India.Arie. Then, their song “Pearls” earned them a Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. That same year, the UK’s Guardian newspaper crowned her with the “best performance” accolade at the prestigious WOMAD festival.
Recommended for fans of India.Arie, Angelique Kidjo, Richard Bona and Sona Jobarteh.

Fred Hersch Trio
2026-04-15 19:00 - 21:00
“A pristine pianist with a poet’s soul… truly transcendent.” – Boston Globe

Fred Hersch belongs to jazz’s piano pantheon. He has been an influential creative force for decades as an improviser, composer, educator, bandleader, collaborator, and recording artist. Here, he has been proclaimed “the most arrestingly innovative pianist in jazz over the last decade” by Vanity Fair. Also, he is hailed as “a living legend” by The New Yorker. A seventeen-time Grammy nominee, Hersch has garnered jazz’s most prestigious awards. Here, these include a Doris Duke Artist (2016), Jazz Pianist of the Year from the Jazz Journalists Association (2011, 2016, 2018), and the Jazz Magazine (France) International Artist of the Year (2021). Furthermore, the Fred Hersch Trio was voted the #1 Jazz Group in the 2019 Downbeat Critics Poll.
Hersch is an acclaimed and influential solo pianist. There, he has twelve solo recordings in his catalog including the 2024 release, Silent, Listening. All About Jazz has remarked that “when it comes to the art of solo piano in jazz, there are two classes of performers: Fred Hersch and everybody else”. Also, New York Times simply calls him “a master who plays it his way”.
The Fred Hersch Trio has remained at the pinnacle of modern jazz, venerated for embodying thrilling interplay and dynamic spontaneity. The Wall Street Journal calls the trio “one of the major ensembles of our time.” Also, the New Yorker has applauded it for playing with “high lyricism and high danger.” The Trio has appeared at major jazz festivals throughout Europe and the U.S. Additionally, they have regularly headlined the legendary Village Vanguard since 1977.
Recommended for fans of Brad Mehldau, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea and Julian Lage.

Pat Metheny
2026-04-18 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-18 21:00 - 23:00, 2026-04-19 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-04-19 20:00 - 22:00
“That liquid, crystalline tone; those airborne, searching melodies.” – NPR

Pat Metheny was born in Lee’s Summit, MO on August 12, 1954 into a musical family. He started on trumpet at the age of eight, then switched to guitar at age twelve. By fifteen, he worked regularly with the best jazz musicians in Kansas City, receiving valuable on-the-bandstand experience. Then, Metheny burst onto the international jazz scene in 1974. Over his three-year stint with vibraphone great Gary Burton, the young player already displayed his soon-to-become trademarked playing style. Here, he blended the loose and flexible articulation customarily reserved for horn players with an advanced rhythmic and harmonic sensibility. Moreover, this way of playing and improvising was modern in conception but grounded deeply in the jazz tradition of melody, swing, and the blues. With his first album, Bright Size Life (1975), he reinvented the traditional “jazz guitar” sound for a new generation.
Metheny’s versatility is nearly without peer on any instrument. He has performed with Steve Reich, Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock, Jim Hall, Milton Nascimento, and David Bowie. Metheny’s body of work includes compositions for solo guitar, small ensembles, electric and acoustic instruments, large orchestras, and ballet pieces and even the robotic instruments of his Orchestrion project, while always sidestepping the limits of any one genre.
Pat Metheny has won twenty Grammy Awards spread out over a variety of different categories. Once, he won seven consecutive Grammys for seven consecutive albums. In 2015 he was inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame, becoming only the fourth guitarist to be included. In 2018 he was named an NEA Jazz Master, the nation’s highest honor in jazz.
Recommended for fans of Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Wes Montgomery and Bill Frisell.
These tickets do not qualify for the A-Train discount.

Urban Classic Presents REVELATION:
2026-04-20 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-20 21:00 - 23:00
“Revelation” brings the music of Prince and the legendary MPLS Sound to life.

This show features the songs of Prince, New Power Generation, The Time, Jesse Johnson, Vanity 6, Wendy & Lisa, Alexander O’Neal, Janet Jackson, and more. Additionally, this extraordinary lineup includes former members of the Original NPG, Mint Condition, The Time, Mazarati, Sounds of Blackness, and the Jesse Johnson Revue. Moreover, these artists helped shape the very movement being celebrated. Here, “Revelation” honors the visionaries who transformed Minneapolis’ musical heartbeat into a global phenomenon.
Michael Bland was born in Minneapolis and is one of the most revered drummers in the world. He is best known as the drummer for Prince’s New Power Generation from 1989 to 1996. He has worked with Mandy Moore, Clay Aiken, Backstreet Boys, and Miley Cyrus. Also, George Benson, Mavis Staples, Chaka Khan, and Maxwell. Additionally, Bland performed with Paul Westerberg, The Chicks, David Crosby, Jonny Lang, and Soul Asylum.
Liv Warfield’s music career took off in 2009 after Prince selected her as the newest member of New Power Generation. There, he mentored her, helping hone her stage presence and studio arrangement of her music. Then, she toured with the band for five years. Also, he Executive Produced her second solo album, 2014’s The Unexpected.
Featuring:
Michael Bland, MD/drums (Prince, NPG, Soul Asylum, Sounds Of Blackness, Cory Wong)
Special Guest – Liv Warfield, vocals (America’s Got Talent, NPG)
Tommy Barbarella, keyboards (Prince, NPG, MN Orchestra, Greazy Meal)
O’Dell, guitar (Mint Condition, NPG)
Bobby G, guitar (Sheila E., The Time, Jesse Johnson, EWF)
Ashley Commodore, vocals (Sounds Of Blackness, MPLS, Dr. Mambo’s Combo, Stokley)
G Sharp, vocals (The Bizness, Mazarati)
Jay Bee, vocals (The Routine, LTD)
Cory Eischen, keyboards (Mayda, E.L.No)
Ron Long, bass (Dr. Mambo’s Combo)
Recommended for fans of Prince, The Time, Greazy Meal and Mint Condition.

Ana Popovic
2026-04-21 19:00 - 21:00
“one helluva guitar player” – Bruce Springsteen

Los Angeles-based, critically acclaimed guitarist and singer Ana Popovic released her latest album, Dance To The Rhythm, in 2025. Here, the album showcases a groundbreaking fusion of groove, blues, funk, and soul.
Building on the success of her previous work, Dance To The Rhythm pushes boundaries. There, she seamlessly blends infectious dance grooves with raw blues guitar and powerful lyrics. The album weaves a rich tapestry of musical styles, reflecting Popovic’s masterful versatility.
Ana says: “One of my biggest strengths on stage is my ability to make people dance. Music should take you to a place where you can let go, feel the groove, and move. You want music to grab you, to have a pocket that you can’t resist. Everything else revolves around it. Blues guitar has never really been part of dance music before, and in that way, it’s revolutionary. Guitar plays a central role in these tracks, breaking down the boundaries created by time, culture, and musical traditions. With this album, I’m pushing those boundaries.” For Ana, blues guitar is the foundation of everything in her music. Yet, she masterfully blends genres, effortlessly shifting from blues to dance, jam band, funk, pop, and even gospel. Thus, it’s all part of her evolving sound.
A true pioneer, Ana combines her blues guitar roots with bold experimentation, redefining the intersection of blues and dance music. Her live performances are electrifying, blending fierce guitar work with irresistible rhythms that compel audiences to move.
She’s received seven Blues Music Awards nominations, and her latest album, 2023’s Power, hit Number One on the Billboard Blues Chart. Additionally, Ana has shared stages with legends like B.B. King, Joe Bonamassa, Warren Haynes, Robert Plant, and Gary Clark Jr.
Recommended for fans of Joe Bonamassa, Gary Clark Jr., Buddy Guy and Eric Gales.

Jorma Kaukonen & John Hurlbut
2026-04-22 19:00 - 21:00
“a pioneer of San Francisco psychedelia” – Rolling Stone

Jorma Kaukonen is one of the most highly respected interpreters of American roots music, blues, and rock. His storied career has already spanned a half-century. Moreover, he is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy recipient. Jorma was at the forefront of popular rock and roll, one of the founders of the San Francisco sound and a progenitor of Psychedelic Rock. Thus, he is a founding member of two legendary bands, Jefferson Airplane and the still-touring Hot Tuna.
Jorma Kaukonen is a music legend and one of the finest singer-songwriters in his field. He continues to tour, bringing his unique styling to old blues tunes while presenting new songs of weight and dimension. Here, his secret is in playing spontaneous, unfiltered music, with an individual expression of personality. In 2016, Jorma, Jack Casady and the other members of Jefferson Airplane received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. There, this was to recognize their contributions to American music.
In 2019 St. Martin’s Press published Jorma‘s autobiography, Been So Long: My Life and Music, Furthermore, he wrote this to express his life both in and out of the music world. As Kaukonen describes, “My story is my story. Having told bits and pieces of it over my lifetime to a treasured few, it was time to tell all to a bigger audience… From rehearsals and jams in small apartments and tiny back rooms to Monterey, Woodstock, Altamont, the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, the world of the Grammys and beyond… this is part of the road I live on. This is my embryonic journey and much, much more!”
Recommended for fans of Hot Tuna, Jefferson Airplane, Leo Kottke and Doc Watson.

VIP Event: Black Violin: Full Circle Tour
2026-04-23 16:30 - 17:30
Invitation to pre-show experience with Black Violin, including:

Access to view a portion of soundcheck
Q&A session
Photo opportunity with Kev and Wil
Commemorative VIP laminate
VIP access to the merchandise booth and a 20% discount on any available item

IMPORTANT: This is not a ticket to the show.
You must have a concert ticket in order to purchase this VIP Meet & Greet.

“fusion of classical, hip-hop, blues, and R&B” – Glide

Step into Black Violin’s Full Circle Tour! Here, Grammy-nominated duo Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus redefine the possibilities of music by merging classical depth with hip-hop’s pulse. Also, this tour captures the essence of returning to where it all began—transformed and reimagined. Each powerful performance invites audiences to reflect on their own journeys, discovering that even as we evolve, we’re often drawn back to our roots with renewed purpose.
From high school orchestra classmates to groundbreaking artists, Black Violin’s path reflects resilience, creativity, and the courage to challenge expectations. Furthermore, their Black Violin Foundation reaches over 100,000 students each year, building a legacy that transcends the stage. Join them for an unforgettable night that celebrates growth, music, and the beauty of coming full circle.
The members of Black Violin met on the first day of orchestra class in 1996. There, they both attended Dillard High School of the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale. (Baptiste originally wanted to play saxophone in the band. However, the orchestra teacher assigned him to his class after winning a golf bet with the band instructor.) Classically trained by day, they faithfully put on their headphones and listened to the hottest rap records each night. Then, after attending different colleges, they reconvened, moved into an apartment together, and started trying to produce other musicians.
They developed an act covering hip-hop songs on their violins, which became popular in local clubs. Two years after sending in a tape to Showtime at the Apollo, the show invited to appear— which they won, and kept winning. Since then, they’ve worked with Alicia Keys, Alessia Cara, 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne, Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park), and more.
Recommended for fans of 2Cellos, Lindsey Stirling, The String Queens and Damien Escobar.
