Over the past five decades, the voice of Janis Siegel has been an undeniable force in The Manhattan Transfer's musical catalogue. To that end, Siegel is a ten-time Grammy winner and eighteen-time nominee. Alongside her career as a founding member of this musical institution, Siegel has also sustained a solo career. Here, she has released almost a […]

Usually our night off, Blue Tuesday is a rare night when Berlin opens its doors for an intimate gathering — this is not your ordinary dinner and a show. Our third Blue Tuesday is performed by the Adam Linz Quartet, and pays tribute to jazz legend Charles Mingus. Be a part of an exclusive experience […]

Before Prince and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, “The Minneapolis Sound” had Bobby Lyle, whose legendary career included touring with Sly & The Family Stone and Young-Holt Unlimited, being Music Director for George Benson, Anita Baker and Bette Midler, and recording with Pharaoh Sanders. Shortly before Jimi Hendix passed away, he was planning a jazz-rock quartet […]

Home Grown All-Stars play Soul and Funk Infused Jazz Before Prince and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, “The Minneapolis Sound” had Bobby Lyle, whose legendary career included touring with Sly & The Family Stone and Young-Holt Unlimited, being Music Director for George Benson, Anita Baker and Bette Midler, and recording with Pharaoh Sanders. Shortly before Jimi […]

Tina Schlieske is Midwestern rock mainstay, commanding a dedicated and passionate following, especially in her hometown of Minneapolis. She’s best known for fronting the band Tina and the B-Sides (AKA Tina & the B-Side Movement). Schlieske grew up inspired by the diverse Minneapolis music scene, and you can hear and see the many influences in […]

Formed in 2005 as an off-shoot project between three Minneapolis-based musicians and friends, The New Standards has grown into a globe-spanning adventure—filling theaters and clubs around the world and spawning several CDs, videos, cartoons, and dance and theater projects that have charmed and delighted an ever-multiplying legion of faithful fans.

MacPhail’s elite Dakota Combo features some of the top high school talent in the state.  This group is an audition-based jazz combo made up of the region’s top high school jazz musicians. Additionally, musicians are offered scholarships for a year of serious extra-curricular jazz study and performance.

When the artistry of vocalist Jennifer Grimm met the mastery of composer-arranger Adi Yeshaya, a new sound was born. Don’t miss this thirteen-piece jazz orchestra in a night of compositions and new arrangements of jazz and pop favorites. Composer, arranger and jazz pianist Adi Yeshaya was born and raised in Israel. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, […]

Dorothy Doring is a seasoned Minnesota jazz vocalist. Doring’s professional singing career has developed over several decades producing three award winning jazz albums. Dorothy has past experience in everything from country to rock to blues and jazz. Dorothy adds the freedom of jazz improvisation plus the intimacy of cabaret into every performance. Dorothy Doring and […]

Doreen’s Jazz brings the best of New Orleans to every performance. This group has performed their joyful, energetic original and soulful New Orleans jazz in (47) states and (24) countries.  Doreen’s Jazz has represented the United States on several occasions by teaching and performing for Dignitaries and Royalty, including (4) US Presidents.  Doreen’s Jazz, and its representatives, can […]

A songwriter, vocalist, producer, teacher, charismatic and engaging performer with a lush, powerful voice.  Colleen Raye began winning vocal awards in classical music as a teenager in Ellsworth, WI and at age 15 she began performing professionally in musicals and nightclubs. Raye was a Music Major in college where she sang opera and choral music with […]

Emmet Cohen: Multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen has emerged as one of his generation’s pivotal figures in music and the related arts. A recognized prodigy, Cohen began Suzuki method piano instruction at age three, and his playing quickly became a mature melding of musicality, technique, and concept. Downbeat observed that his “nimble […]

Abinnet Berhanu’s Ahndenet (Unity) pays respect to Ethiopian folk, fusion and pop music by exploring the rich instrumental and vocal across different regions of Ethiopia. Inspired by his culturally rich upbringing in everything Ethiopian history, music and politics, composer and drummer Abinnet Berhanu created Ahndenet as a modern take on Ethiopian ‘culture house’ music groups that represent […]

Debbie Briggs Vintage Jazz features professional Twin Cities vocalist Debbie Briggs, best known for her rich resonant vocals and warm interpretations of The Great American Songbook, shining a light on the music 1920s-1960s. Tim Kirchhof – guitar/piano Steve Pikal – bass

Atlantis Quartet has been a driving force in the Twin Cities’ modern jazz scene since its formation in 2006. Featuring four of Minnesota’s most dynamic improvisers—saxophonist Brandon Wozniak, guitarist Zacc Harris, bassist Chris Bates, and drummer Pete Hennig—the group crafts an adventurous yet accessible sound that pushes the boundaries of the jazz idiom. Their collective synergy results in a […]

Dave Graf started playing trombone in the 4th grade and just kept going with it. One of the most versatile and in-demand trombonists in the Twin Cities, Dave has worked in a wide range of musical settings. His jazz resume includes performances with Slide Hampton, Herbie Lewis, Jack McDuff, Charli Persip and Superband, the Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabackin Orchestra, and […]

Brian Grivna began performing at age 12 as Young Artist clarinet soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra.  He added saxophone and flute the following year, and by age 15 was subbing for his teacher in commercial dance bands.  After receiving his BA in English Literature from Dartmouth College, he worked in jazz, commercial and theater music […]

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 […]