Dakota

Mason Jennings
2026-02-06 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-07 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-02-07 21:00 - 23:00 (America/Chicago)
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

“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.

Eric Gales – A Special Evening of Acoustic Blues
2026-02-08 19:00 - 21:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show

“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

Meshell Ndegeocello
2026-02-09 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-09 21:00 - 23:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 9pm Show

“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.”

Matteo Mancuso
2026-02-10 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-10 21:00 - 23:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 9pm Show

“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.

C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band
2026-02-11 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-11 21:00 - 23:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 9pm Show

“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.

Steely Dane
2026-02-13 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-02-13 21:00 - 23:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 6:30pm Show
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 9pm Show

“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.

Valentine's Day w/ Sophia Shorai & Tommy Barbarella
2026-02-14 18:30 - 20:30
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 6:30pm Show

“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.

All Sweet Things: A Celebration of Black Love
2026-02-14 21:30 - 23:30
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 9:30pm Show

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.

Cory Henry: Music From The Heart
2026-02-15 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-15 20:00 - 22:00
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 5:30pm Show
Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 8pm Show

“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.

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.

Kandace Springs
2026-02-17 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-17 21:00 - 22:00
“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.

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.
Recommended for fans of Lissie, Jeremy Messersmith, Jenny Lewis and Birds of Chicago.

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.

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

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 configuration of two musicians and two dancers.
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.

Vienna Teng
2026-02-22 19:00 - 21:00
“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.

Glen Phillips (of Toad the Wet Sprocket)
2026-02-23 19:00 - 21:00
“a decidedly melodic approach, an effortlessly engaging sound” – American Songwriter

Glen Phillips has spent almost forty years as lead singer and main songwriter of Toad the Wet Sprocket. There, he helped create the band’s elegant folk/pop sound with honest, introspective lyrics that forged a close bond with fans. Alongside his work with Toad, Glen has released acclaimed solo albums and collaborated on side projects. For example, Mutual Admiration Society (with members of Nickel Creek) and the experimental Remote Tree Children.
“I’ve been playing a songwriting game with Texas folk singer Matt The Electrician for about ten years,” Glen says. “Every Friday, he sends out a title. We have a week to write a song that includes it. The process allows me to write songs I wouldn’t write on my own. I’m always surprised at what comes out.” That sense of curiosity and play continues to fuel his creative life.
2025 was a very full year of music. Glen played to packed solo shows across the U.S. and toured the Rockies with John Craigie. Then, he hit the road with Toad the Wet Sprocket for a massive summer tour. This fall he toured the UK with Colin Hay. Also, in October he hosted his first-ever European river cruise on the Danube, traveling from Budapest to Nuremberg.
Looking ahead, Glen plans to begin work on a new solo album in 2026. “I’ll be spending this year writing new material for both Toad and solo projects. There’s also an acoustic Toad album coming out, as well as a side project solo collection of songs. Between that and touring, I’ll be plenty busy.”
Recommended for fans of Toad the Wet Sprocket, Edwin McCain, Gin Blossoms and Better Than Ezra.
📸: Chris Orwig

Tinsley Ellis: Labor of Love Tour
2026-02-24 19:00 - 21:00
“A potent set of fierce folk blues… joyous and triumphant” – Living Blues

According to Atlanta-based blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Tinsley Ellis, his new, first-ever solo acoustic album, 2024’s Naked Truth is both “a departure and an arrival.” Ellis has recorded and traveled the world for over four decades. There, he delivers his feral, guitar-fueled, original electric blues-rock to ever-growing audiences at concert halls, festivals, and clubs. Naked Truth is steeped in the folk-blues traditions of Muddy Waters, Skip James, Son House, Robert Johnson and Leo Kottke.
To the casual fan, this might seem to be a new direction. But for Ellis, it’s an extension of his music, as he taps into the raw essence of the blues. “This is a record I’ve always wanted to make and one that my longtime fans have been asking for.” Also, he notes that he’s included an acoustic mini-set in his concert performances for years.
On Naked Truth, Ellis swaps his blistering, guitar-fueled full-band workouts for equally passionate, soul-searching acoustic folk blues. His famed guitar chops and musical creativity are on full display throughout the album’s twelve songs, including nine originals.
Ellis has brought his music to fans live in person to all fifty United States. Additionally, he has performed in Canada, across Europe, Australia and South America. He’s earned the love and respect of many of his fellow musicians. Thus, he shares stages with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, The Allman Brothers, Warren Haynes, Oliver Wood, Buddy Guy, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Gov’t Mule, Widespread Panic, and more. Also, legends including Otis Rush, James Cotton, Gregg Allman, Jimmy Buffett, Son Seals, Koko Taylor and Albert Collins. Furthermore, mega-star guitarist Joe Bonamassa calls Ellis “a national treasure.”
Recommended for fans of Coco Montoya, Tommy Castro, Albert Cummings and Walter Trout.

Shemekia Copeland
2026-02-25 19:00 - 21:00
“Copeland is the greatest blues singer of her generation.” – Washington Post

Shemekia Copeland possesses one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time. The multi-Grammy nominee is beloved and honored worldwide for the fearlessness, honesty and humor of her revelatory songs. Additionally, she is celebrated for her winning, engaging personality. The Chicago Tribune says, “Copeland is the greatest female blues vocalist working today. There’s no mistaking the majesty of her instrument, nor the ferocity of her delivery.”
On Copeland’s latest album, 2024’s Blame It On Eve, the songs all hit hard. Here, jaw-dropping performances instantly take hold and command repeated listening. “There’s serious business on the new album,” Copeland says. “But there are a lot of smiles here too, a lot of joyous moments. It’s my blues for sure but it’s the brighter side. Issues are always important to me, but so is rocking, dancing and just having fun. And that’s something we all can all agree on.”
With Blame It On Eve, Copeland embarks on what she calls “a vacation from all the heaviness.” It features twelve new songs that tackle subjects as important as a woman’s right to choose and climate change. However, it also leaves space for Copeland to have fun and unwind. Here, Copeland is inspired throughout.
Forbes declared, “Shemekia is fearless, honest and hopeful…she holds back nothing as she delivers hard-hitting musical truths.” Further, John Prine paid her a huge compliment when he said, “She simply doesn’t sound like anybody else.” And none other than Copeland’s friend, the legendary Mavis Staples, announced, “I am so happy Shemekia is delivering these songs that the world needs to hear. Her voice is strong and soulful, and her message comes from her heart.”
Recommended for fans of Koko Taylor, Bettye LaVette, Ruthie Foster and Buddy Guy.

Holly Bowling
2026-02-26 19:00 - 21:00
“heady, layered improv-rock excursions distilled into crystalline solo piano pieces” – Rolling Stone

Solo pianist Holly Bowling is an artist who repeatedly defies convention, breaks ceilings, and eludes simplistic labels. Here, she does this while bringing virtuosic playing, emotional immersion, and a thirst for invention to everything that she does. She’s been acclaimed by Rolling Stone and has jammed with a long list of impressive company. This includes Bob Weir, Jim James, Warren Haynes, John Scofield, Branford Marsalis, and many more. Moreover, Holly has established herself as a virtuoso pianist with her own musical voice.
Holly has fostered a strong sense of identity while musically shapeshifting to the task at hand. She’s gone from joining Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh for extended explorations of “Dark Star,” to recording dance tracks with LP Giobbi. She is a frequent guest of Greensky Bluegrass. With them, she recorded 2023’s The Iceland Sessions EP, and appeared 2022’s Stress Dreams. Her solo piano arrangements span across genres, featuring songs from The National and Nine Inch Nails to Phish and the Grateful Dead. Additionally, they have been featured in several independent films, and led to performances from Carnegie Hall to Red Rocks.
Holly arrived as an exciting outlier on 2015’s Distillation Of A Dream: The Music Of Phish Reimagined For Solo Piano. Then, 2016’s Better Left Unsung, featuring the music of the Grateful Dead, landed in Billboard’s Top 25 Classical Albums.
During the pandemic, Holly toured national parks, recording audience-less performances against the backdrop of some of America’s most breathtaking landscapes. As she does with her live-audience performances, Holly played to the room.
Bowling reimagined more Grateful Dead staples on 2020’s Seeking All That’s Still Unsung. Holly looks to flip the script once more with an upcoming album of original compositions.
Recommended for fans of Phish, The Grateful Dead, Greensky Bluegrass and The National.

The Pharcyde
2026-02-27 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-02-27 21:00 - 23:00
“self-conscious rap smarts and postmodern pop-cult potpourri” – Pitchfork

In the early 90’s, gangsta rap consumed the airwaves, and the majority of West Coast rappers strapped on their Locs, Chuck Taylor’s & Ben Davis’. However, The Pharcyde decidedly maintained a willfully weird vision, staying true to themselves. There, with their left field but still South-Central sensibility, rap had seen few groups so self-deprecating and so smart. Moreover, they featured four visionary rappers adroitly able to split the difference between helium-voiced and hard-core.
Listening to Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde two full decades after its release, its sense of timeliness is unmistakable. Every song on the album inverts a hoary hip-hop cliché. The album features classics like “Oh Shit,” “Otha Fish”, “Ya’ Mama,” and hit single, “Passing Me By”. Thus, it’s not surprising that it went Platinum and garnered comparisons to De La Soul and Tribe Called Quest. Everyone from Pitchfork Media to The Source has hailed it as one of the greatest albums ever made.
Speaking on the passage of time, their second release, LabCabInCalifornia, has revealed exactly how far-reaching The Pharcyde’s vision was. There, they enlisted a young, unknown James Yancey aka J DILLA to produce beats, including the classic “Runnin”. Then, they collaborated with director Spike Jonze (“Being John Malkovich” “Adaptation”) on the groundbreaking video for “Drop”. The album consistently reinforced their steadfast refusal to tread familiar artistic grounds.
Today, The Pharcyde is still performing and touring the globe. They continue to hone their individual abilities yet carry on the name & legacy in its original fashion. They still seduce their audience with the same boyish charm that founded them at the beginning. The Pharcyde is still influencing the hip-hop artists and sounds of today and will continue to for years to come.
Recommended for fans of A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Digital Underground and Beastie Boys.
