The Jazz Women All Stars were created by Minnesota Music Hall of Fame vocalist and KBEM jazz radio personality Patty Peterson. In 2016, the Jazz Women All-Stars made a terrific debut at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival in Mears Park. This ensemble celebrates the great women of jazz artists in the Twin Cities, instrumentalists as […]

Abebi Stafford, a Twin Cities native, began playing piano at age nine. It wouldn’t be until he was seventeen years old when he would begin his jazz journey. Since that time, he has performed and recorded modern jazz, to fusion, to straight ahead jazz. He is an award-winning jazz pianist who plays with artistry, heart […]

Virginia transplant Abinnet Berhanu started his fascination with Black American Music on the trumpet but later fell in love with the sheer power of drums.  Having a reputation for being a passionate, explosive drummer, Abinnet has had the opportunity to work with Steve Wilson, The Minnesota Orchestra, JD Allen, Michael Cain, Byron Stripling, Bruce Harris, Russ […]

CONNIE EVINGSON is known for exploring a wide variety of musical styles. Her recorded catalog of acclaimed CD’s ranging from jazz and Broadway standards to the music of Peggy Lee, Dave Frishberg, the Beatles, bossa nova, gypsy jazz and more reflects an adventurous spirit that knows no boundaries. Connie appears regularly at Crooners, the Dakota, […]

Get ready to move to the infectious grooves of Drums of Navarone! This powerhouse 8-piece band blends sizzling Latin rhythms with the smooth vibes of jazz, R&B, and funk to create a sound that’s impossible to resist. With danceable beats, catchy hooks, and a show that’s as interactive as it is electrifying, Drums of Navarone […]

Arthur “L.A.” Buckner, one of the Twin Cities’ most creative drummers, has taken iTunes by storm with the release of his project BiG HOMiE, which reached the #1 Jazz position within 24 hours of its August, 2020 release. A fusion of his musical influences of Gospel, R&B, HipHop, African Rhythm, and Jazz explodes in a […]

Cody Steinmann has been performing and teaching professionally for over 10 years. He attended Milwaukee Area Technical College where he completed an Associate’s degree in Music Occupations and later won a Rita Tallent Picken scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin – Parkside. Cody has studied extensively with Steve Peplin, Russ Johnson, Solomon Parham, JD […]

Descending from a cantor lineage and a member of the Levy ancient tribe of spiritually elated musicians, Daphna grew up with a deep passion for music. Recent performances include: Bansko jazzfest, Bulgaria; Royal Albert Hall, London; New Cultural Center, Paris; Baku jazzfest, Azerbaijan; Chamber orchestra project, Jerusalem; Zrinski Art Festival, Croatia, to name a few. Daphna […]

Saxophonist Andrew Schwandt was born and raised in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and has been playing professionally since the age of 19, when he got his start performing on board various cruise ships. After returning to land in 2001, he began working with several different bands, and worked in the Twin […]

Catherine Russell: Grammy Award winning vocalist Catherine Russell is a native New Yorker, born into musical royalty. Her father, the late Luis Russell, was a legendary pianist/composer/bandleader, and Louis Armstrong’s long-time musical director. Her mother, Carline Ray, was a pioneering vocalist/guitarist/bassist who performed with International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Mary Lou Williams, and Sy Oliver. A […]

This trio delivers a diverse palette of modern jazz guitar melodies, backed by dynamic acoustic bass and finely textured drum rhythms. Together, they explore original compositions by Helgeson, and catchy arrangements by Django Reinhardt, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell and others. Glen Helgeson – leader and guitarist, Glen has released eight albums throughout his career, won a […]