Jazz Police

13/08/2024

Can't wait! 2025 Twin Cities Jazz Festival dates announced today-- June 20-21! Mark your calendar.

06/08/2024

I am appearing on Emel Sherzad's International Jazz Conspiracy radio program on KFAI - Fresh Air Community Radio on Wednesday evening at 10:00pm. I will be on this program with Kevin E. Washington to discuss the Steve Kenny Quintet Coltrane Show and other topics on John Coltrane, being a Twin Cities based Jazz Musician, and getting to play the big room at Crooners Supper Club with a project like this. Our performance is this Saturday, August 10 at 7:00pm.
Tickets at : https://www.croonersmn.com/event/steve-kenny-quintet-coltrane-show/

06/08/2024

Most amazing show tonight at the Dakota. Victor Wooten and Wooten Brothers would be good under any circumstances but this show highlighted their professionalism and musicianship. The power went out on Nicollet Mall (and beyond) about 30 minutes into their set. Victor filled in some time with stories but it was soon clear the power was out indefinitely. We were soon treated to an all-acoustic set, Victor had an upright bass handy, electric keyboards gave way to the big acoustic Steinway, Reggi brought out an acoustic guitar, and Roy found an empty Ace hardware container that became a conga (and of course the rest of the drumkit was acoustic). There of course was very little light in the house, just candles on the tables and one spotlight (must have been via a generator or battery). And no sound enhancements! This was a terrific and very spontaneous set! And they were planning for the late set as we left. Don't know if the power came back or not. But that was one of the biggest standing ovations I've seen at The Dakota--and well deserved. Woot Woot for the Wootens. (And my new Pixel phone did a pretty decent job too.)

01/08/2024

And more jazz fest photos! The Kavyesh Kaviraj Quintet on the Jazz 88 Main Stage, a great warm up to his CD Release!

01/08/2024

August --

August EP: Epilogue, Prologue–Looking Back, Looking Ahead at Twin Cities Jazz in August Featured Festivals TCJF Twin Cities July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 Andrea Canter6 Take That Back, CD release in the Dunsmore Room, August 3 June ended with one of my favorite jazz events, the Twin Cities Jazz Festi...

26/07/2024

On Saturday (July 27) I am the subject of the Jazz Journalists' Association podcast, "Seeing Jazz." It's an extended interview and slide show about my "career" in jazz photography; JJA has been doing these podcasts now for several years with photographer members-- it was my turn! I don't know what we will talk about specifically! If interested, the podcast is free for JJA members and I think $15 for nonmembers; registration required to get the zoom info at https://members.jazzjournalists.org/event-5802197. 1 pm EDT, noon CDT, it goes on for an hour or more..... Not sure if this link works for nonmembers --https://members.jazzjournalists.org/event-5802197

Member Site and Office for the Jazz Journalists Association.

25/07/2024

More from the Twin Cities Jazz Fest! Stefon Harris and his longtime ensemble Blackout headlined the final set on the Jazz 88 Main Stage on Friday night (June 21). Good vibes!

23/07/2024

More Twin Cities Jazz Fest photos to share! It was about time that Karrin Allyson headlined the fest--she's been on stage at least every year at The Dakota, Crooners, and more. Karrin as always brought a first-class band to Mears Park and the main stage Friday (June 21st).

10/07/2024

If she had not already been a star, her performance at the Iowa City Jazz Festival would have sealed the deal for Lakecia Benjamin. (More fest photos coming soon!)

09/07/2024

RIP Jim Rotondi, marvelous trumpeter who used to come often to the old Artists Quarter. My first album cover was Jim's 2008 release 'Four of a Kind,' he liked a slow slow shutter speed photo I took in 2007 during one of his AQ gigs. Jim was only 61 and had just played a gig a night or two before he died, suddenly, no cause announced yet. Obit in online Downbeat. Here's some photos from his gigs 2006-2009 at the AQ and a much later one with David Hazeltine's quintet in the Dunsmore Room in 2019.

09/07/2024

Always a special night when Benny Green comes to town, especially for a solo gig at The Dakota!

01/07/2024

July EP: Looking back, looking ahead at Twin Cities Jazz (July); http://www.jazzpolice.com/archives/16377

22/06/2024

Don't miss day 2 of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival on Saturday (tomorrow)! Pack a rain jacket and umbrella just in case --you don't want to miss the action in Mears Park or in any of the venues throughout Lowertown St Paul and beyond. Kavy Kaviraj gives us a preview of his upcoming album, vocalist/pianist Kandace Springs makes her festival debut, and the great saxophonist Joe Lovano returns to jazzfest with an all-star quartet featuring Kenny Werner, John Lockwood and Francisco Mela. And then there's the dozens of other venues featuring great and eclectic jazz!! FREE!

21/06/2024

Come rain or shine, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival gets officially underway at Mears Park today. Bring an umbrella and remember there are many venues within a walk of the park that offer jazz indoors! (If there's lightning, check the TCJF website and KBEM to be sure the outdoor stages are open.) Hopefully we will be listening to Friday headliners Karrin Allyson and Stefon Harris' Blackout.

21/06/2024

Great opening to the Twin Cities Jazz Festival tonight at Crooners, with Steve Kenny Quartet and Le Percheron in the Dunsmore Room. Full festival launches at Mears Park and beyond tomorrow afternoon! (See www.twincitiesjazzfest.com)

20/06/2024

Twin Cities Jazz Fest Preview! Peter Kogan Quintet at the Metronome, Thursday June 20.

18/06/2024

Two terrific bands help launch the Twin Cities Jazz Festival with fest preview in the Dunsmore Room at Crooners Thursday night--the Steve Kenny Quartet opens for Le Percheron, led by Adam Linz.

13/06/2024

Photos and paintings, "Jazz N More" exhibit at The Dow through June 29, featuring paintings from Patrice Goodall Abbe and the jazz photography of Walter Griffin. Part of Twin Cities Jazz Fest! Reception today 4-8 at The Dow, 2242 University Av W, St Paul.

12/06/2024

Twin Cities Jazz Festival June 21-22 -- catch the excitement from our new Executive Director! http://www.jazzpolice.com/archives/16360

06/06/2024

At The Dakota tonight-- Bill Frisell with Thomas Morgan and Rudy Royston.

31/05/2024

June Jazz -- Epilogue and Prologue!

June EP: Epilogue and Prologue —Comings and Goings in Twin Cities Jazz Featured TCJF Twin Cities May 31, 2024May 31, 2024 Andrea Canter11 2024 Twin Cities Jazz Festival runs June 21-22 at Mears Park   Spring jazz in the Twin Cities is typically both abundant and fabulous—perhaps, intentionally ...

26/05/2024

Looking Back – Best of 2023: The Newport Jazz Festival http://jazzpolice.com/archives/16267

14/05/2024

RIP David Sanborn. Only saw him once, at the Dakota with his quartet in 2015.

13/05/2024

Some great jazz on Saturday at Casket Arts during Art-a-Whirl next weekend; live music throughout the weekend starting Friday night May 17 through Sunday afternoon May 19. Jazz on Saturday features Patrick Adkins/Alma Engebretson (12:30 pm); Chris Olson (2:30 pm); Joan Griffith (4:30 pm), and Chris Lomheim (6:30 pm). Music in the 4th Floor Lounge. Pop and blues Friday Night (6:30-10). and classical trio Sunday afternoon (1-4). Lots of art of course all weekend, food trucks, art demos, fundraiser Speakeasy and more.

29/06/2023

The Lead Sheet is back!

The Lead Sheet Returns: Twin Cities Jazz in July Featured TCJF Twin Cities June 29, 2023June 29, 2023 Andrea Canter2 Saturday Night Jazz at kj’s hideaway in downtown St Paul. Yes, the Lead Sheet is back, hoping to highlight the diversity of jazz in the Twin Cities and (maybe a little beyond) every...

20/06/2023

Twin Cities Jazz Festival celebrates 25 years, June 23-24. See http://www.jazzpolice.com/archives/15609

05/06/2023

http://jazzpolice.com/archives/15589
Nice article by Dan Emerson on the upcoming Dayna Stephens show on Saturday Night Jazz at KJ's Hideaway this coming Saturday at 8:00pm at kj's hideaway Tickets at https://kjshideaway.com/event/dayna-stephens-quartet-2/

Dayna Stephens can handle challenges Featured National Scene TCJF Twin Cities June 5, 2023June 5, 2023 Dan Emerson9 Back in 2020, when the Covid pandemic brought a halt to live music and many other activities multi-instrumentalist Dayna Stephens may have been better prepared than most to deal with t...

01/05/2023

A Look Back at 2022 – The Newport Jazz Festival – Back in Full Force!

A Look Back at 2022 – The Newport Jazz Festival – Back in Full Force! Featured Festivals National Scene April 9, 2023April 9, 2023 Sheila Horne Mason1971 Fans enjoying the Newport Jazz Festival © Kevin R. Mason This article is the first in a series that looks back at 2022 festivals, before the ...

07/04/2023

Previously Unreleased Recordings from Chet Baker, Bill Evans, Art Blakey, Shirely Scott, and Sonny Stitt Available on Vinyl for Record Store Day April 22nd, 2023

Previously Unreleased Recordings from Chet Baker, Bill Evans, Art Blakey, Shirely Scott, and Sonny Stitt Available on Vinyl for Record Store Day April 22nd, 2023 Featured National Scene Recordings Uncategorized April 7, 2023April 7, 2023 Don Berryman25 By Don Berryman, Chet Baker photo © Tom Copi Y...