Dance inspired by Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper' is guaranteed to raise a smileChoreographer Mark Morris was “an adorable child” (his words) when he first heard “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Jazz pianist and composer Ethan Iverson hadn’t been born when it was released. Decades later, they came together over the… Jan 26 20January 26, 2020Article at Star Tribune
Holiday music is a great unifier, says Minnesota-bound Wynton MarsalisIt’s been five years since the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra — the swingingest band on the planet — brought its annual holiday show to Orchestra Hall. “I always love playing there,” said Wynton Marsalis, 58, JLCO’s founder and artistic director.… Dec 11 19December 11, 2019Article at Star Tribune
His child's heartbreaking health issues led to a breakthrough for Twin Cities musicianCall it a comeback, a rebranding, or both. After four years of infrequent sightings, Chris Thomson, a highly regarded tenor saxophonist, returns to the Twin Cities music scene — as Cedar Thoms, electroacoustic artist. The photo for his new album,… Aug 23 19August 23, 2019Article at Star Tribune
Can a pipe organ be cool? Younger musicians are playing with this 'big toy box'What is old can be new again, in the right hands and under the right feet. For example, the pipe organ. With origins in ancient Greece, it is associated today mostly with church music and horror films. Pipe organs are big, expensive, and complicated.… Jun 28 19June 28, 2019Article at Star Tribune
Famed composer will expand the universe of 'America's National Parks' at Walker Art CenterA potent force in creative music for more than 40 years, trumpeter and composer Wadada Leo Smith stepped into the national spotlight in 2013. He was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for “Ten Freedom Summers,” a monumental work about the civil rights… Mar 24 19March 24, 2019Article at Star Tribune
For 20 years, Black Dog Cafe 'weathered the changes' of St. Paul's LowertownMusic The Lowertown cafe marks 20 years as an artist magnet, jazz venue and unlikely survivor. It’s a Saturday night in Lowertown, and the Black Dog Café brims with people and jazz. The tables are full, the bar stools are taken. A standing crowd… Dec 27 18December 27, 2018Article at Star Tribune
Minnesota's Threads Dance Project reaches out to deaf community with 'To Hear Like Me'Hands speak volumes in Karen L. Charles’ new dance work, “To Hear Like Me.” As the dancers bend, reach, leap and turn to songs by Algiers, Fantastic Negrito and Meshell Ndegeocello, their hands form some of the lyrics in American Sign Language… Nov 08 18November 08, 2018Article at Star Tribune
Diva Cage Match founder strives to make opera 'entertaining and accessible'In March 2015, David Lefkowich was at the University of Kentucky, directing “The Tales of Hoffmann.” It was the first time Jacques Offenbach’s opera had been presented there. “The night before,” Lefkowich recalled, “there’s a basketball game with… Oct 13 18October 13, 2018Article at Star Tribune
With new arts center, former McNally Smith president hopes to rebuild 'what we all lost'Music School's former president hopes a new arts center in St. Paul re-connects teachers and students for creative endeavors. On the Friday after July 4th, Harry Chalmiers, the former president of McNally Smith College of Music, stood in the vaulted… Jul 15 18July 15, 2018Article at Star Tribune
Minnesota's trailblazing Alzheimer's choir reminds us: 'Love Never Forgets'On Saturday afternoon at the Ordway Concert Hall, the Giving Voice Chorus, 170 voices strong, will present its spring concert. It will include nine new songs, all world premieres. Half the singers have Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. The… Jun 11 18June 11, 2018Article at Star Tribune
Ranky Tanky tops jazz charts with modern take on South Carolina's Gullah cultureRanky Tanky was supposed to be a side project among a group of friends from South Carolina. Their plan was to make a few videos, record an album, play about 15 dates a year. Meanwhile, band members Quentin Baxter, Kevin Hamilton, Quiana Parler, Clay… May 14 18May 14, 2018Article at Star Tribune
Minneapolis jazz band the Bad Plus prepares for final shows with original lineupEvery Christmas for 18 years, the internationally famed jazz band the Bad Plus — with Reid Anderson on bass, Ethan Iverson on piano, Dave King on drums — has played Minnesota’s Dakota Jazz Club. “Dave called me in 2000 and said he had two friends… Dec 14 17December 14, 2017Article at Star Tribune
Meet the Minnesota schoolteacher who became a globe-trotting jazz vocalistJazz vocalist Nancy Harms has seen the northern lights in Norway, canals in Copenhagen, the Pantheon in Rome and Cinque Terra on the Italian Riviera. She’s been sketched by artists in Montmartre and watched the sunrise spill down a Parisian street.… Dec 22 16December 22, 2016Article at Star Tribune
Minnesota Orchestra checks up with Doc SeverinsenMusic Ex-"Tonight Show" bandleader talks about another longtime love — the Minnesota Orchestra. When Doc Severinsen tells a Minnesota Orchestra story, it’s not about the first time he performed with the group, soloing on trumpet at a 1965 holiday… Dec 17 15December 17, 2015Article at Star Tribune
Jose James pays homage to the soul of Lady DayMusic Billie Holiday gets a 100th birthday tribute from Minnesota-bred singer José James, who considers her his "musical mother." Take a well-known Billie Holiday song from the 1940s, like “God Bless the Child.” Salt it with hip-hop and soul, sing it… Mar 30 15March 30, 2015Article at Star Tribune
Lightning meets thunder on new record by Magraw and GravattRed House Records is the St. Paul-based singer-songwriter label known for Greg Brown, Claudia Schmidt and the Wailin’ Jennys. Dean Magraw is a guitarist who roams the cosmos, playing everything from folk songs to John Coltrane and Jimi Hendrix; he… Oct 16 14October 16, 2014Article at Star Tribune
Double-bassist is the high priest of the low notesVirtuoso double-bassist François Rabbath tells of a moment with an airline agent on the way home from performing in Australia. Could he check his instrument? The agent phoned her manager and Rabbath overheard him say, “One bass is OK, but not… Jul 07 14July 07, 2014Article at Star Tribune
Classical Indian dance meets jazz in Ragamala's 'Song of the Jasmine'The ancient, codified forms of Indian classical dance. The in-the-moment, unpredictable sounds of modern jazz. What could they possibly say to each other? So much that “Song of the Jasmine,” a new collaboration between Minneapolis’ Ragamala Dance and… May 13 14May 13, 2014Article at Star Tribune
Fast-rising jazz singer Cécile McLorin Salvant finds new in the oldJust 24, Cécile McLorin Salvant sings really, really old songs. How old? Decades older than she is. Songs like “St. Louis Gal,” recorded 90 years ago by Bessie Smith. “You Bring Out the Savage in Me,” cut by Valaida Snow in 1935. The 1906 hit… Mar 05 14March 05, 2014Article at Star Tribune
Gregory Porter: Big voice that speaks in a whisperMusic Fresh from a Grammy triumph, soulful jazz singer Gregory Porter makes his Minneapolis debut Sunday. His warm, expressive baritone fills a small room without crowding it. That same voice expands to the farthest reaches of an open-air arena… Feb 14 14February 14, 2014Article at Star Tribune
