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 […]

Salsa, Percussion and Colombian Pacific Music Ensemble Workshops: Organize workshops open to the community, especially focused on the rich fusion of Afro-Caribbean and Latin American rhythms that characterize the music of Las Guaracheras.   Founded in 2014 by Geoffrey West Senn and Mac Santiago (percussionist/drum set), the Twin Cites Latin Jazz Orchestra (TCLJO) brings together […]

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 […]

Jazz pianist Jon Weber has recorded and toured all over the world, winning numerous honors for performance and composition – scoring extensively for television since 1987. Gary Burton, Roy Hargrove, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Avishai Cohen have all recorded Jon’s music, and his critically acclaimed release, SIMPLE COMPLEX, rose to #1. Jon lives in New […]

Get ready to groove at Urban Growler Brewing Company with Jazz Unplugged, the perfect warm-up for the Twin Cities Jazz Festival! Join us for an evening of smooth tunes, cold brews, and good vibes. Experience live jazz performances in an intimate setting, surrounded by fellow music lovers. Whether you’re a jazz aficionado or just looking for a […]

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.

Experience Jazz is a genre-bridging music ensemble program for instrumentalists, vocalists, rappers, DJs and other aspiring musical artists. Launched in 2017 by Minnesota Jazz Education (formerly Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education), this innovative program is an incubator for middle and high school musicians to learn, play and compose new music together.

Jazz pianist Jon Weber has recorded and toured all over the world, winning numerous honors for performance and composition – scoring extensively for television since 1987. Gary Burton, Roy Hargrove, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Avishai Cohen have all recorded Jon’s music, and his critically acclaimed release, SIMPLE COMPLEX, rose to #1. Jon lives in New […]

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.

Inspired by the concept of community, the string ensemble of Walker West was created to perform works that reflect the cultural diversity of the string students and families in our program.  Kamoinge is a Kikuyu (Kenya) word meaning a group working together, unforced and unconstrained, to do good for the community.

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, […]

Friday June 20th, Erin Livingston is joined by Mark Asche on piano and Jim Chenoweth on upright bass. Saturday June 21st, Erin Livingston will be joined by pianist Mark Asche and Gary Raynor on bass. Erin Livingston is an established jazz, blues and r&b singer, teacher and clinician and cabaret artist in the Twin Cities.  Erin […]

Jenny Klukken is a marimbist, composer, recording artist and educator based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since studying percussion performance at the University of Minnesota, Jenny has developed her career as a crossover marimbist, performing and writing music in styles including Jazz, Pop, Americana, Hip Hop, Brazilian, and more. In 2018, she received an MRAC Next Step […]

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 […]

Jazz pianist Jon Weber has recorded and toured all over the world, winning numerous honors for performance and composition – scoring extensively for television since 1987. Gary Burton, Roy Hargrove, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Avishai Cohen have all recorded Jon’s music, and his critically acclaimed release, SIMPLE COMPLEX, rose to #1. Jon lives in New […]

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 […]

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 […]

Jazz pianist Jon Weber has recorded and toured all over the world, winning numerous honors for performance and composition – scoring extensively for television since 1987. Gary Burton, Roy Hargrove, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Avishai Cohen have all recorded Jon’s music, and his critically acclaimed release, SIMPLE COMPLEX, rose to #1. Jon lives in New […]

Hanson/Hirsh/Clowser shape musical narratives in real time. With Nathan Hanson on saxophone, Steve Hirsh on drums, and Ross Clowser on guitar, the trio invites their audience into a shared experience of creation, discovery, and beauty. Nathan Hanson: “Lithe and soaring, engaging in judicious honk ‘n’ splatter” (New York City Jazz Record), Nathan Hanson makes music that invites listeners to stand outside […]

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 […]

Friday June 20th, Erin Livingston is joined by Mark Asche on piano and Jim Chenoweth on upright bass. Saturday June 21st, Erin Livingston will be joined by pianist Mark Asche and Gary Raynor on bass. Erin Livingston is an established jazz, blues and r&b singer, teacher and clinician and cabaret artist in the Twin Cities.  Erin […]

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 […]