Naturally 7 is unlike any vocal ensemble you’ve ever heard. No less than Quincy Jones has called them “the best a cappella group in the world”! They are known worldwide for their extensive tours with Michael Bublé and as guests with Coldplay and Diana Ross. Moreover, the New York-based septet is a band in the classic […]

The MNHBC Jazz Student “SIT-IN” Performance Series is funded by a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and the St. Paul Cultural Star.   What is “Sitting-In”?  Sitting in is not the same as a “jam session”. A musician’s definition of “sitting in” is to participate in a working group, as a guest, usually […]

With energy and chops to burn, The Travis Anderson Trio brings fresh interpretations to standards and more – from Chopin to Mario Bros – they swing like there’s no tomorrow while saluting the great trios of yesterday. From Pixar to Disney to Studio Ghibli, The Travis Anderson Trio celebrates the music of the greatest animated films ever […]

Led by chief detonators Doug Haining, sax, and Scott Agster, trombone, the Explosion Big Band draws from the area’s finest musicians. The EXPLOSION is ready to detonate with the classic sounds of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and more modern sounds of Thad Jones, Clare Fischer, Pat Metheny & others.

The Steve Kenny Quintet celebrates the release of their latest recording, Blue Chunks. The album is a compositional concept where bite-sized jazz situations are grouped into suites and performed as a larger work. Each suite is a charcuterie of small ideas, where individually, they can be solemn or exciting or brash. However, when combined, they form complete […]

From NYC, an Evening of Creative Jazz This quartet is a special group of musicians based in New York City. The Sophia Kickhofel Quartet creates intriguing sounds and textures that combine jazz traditions with the avante-garde. The group uses original compositions as a vehicle for spreading warmth. The band consists of musicians who have performed […]

Lila Ammons with StableMates: Dale Alexander, Gary Raynor, Jay Epstein

Horn player Jake Baldwin and vocalist Tommy Boynton will celebrate the August releases of their latest albums—Vanishing Point and Tommy Tunes II: Too Casual, respectively—with a charming, cozy, and fun co-headlined show. ◊ Vanishing Point is Jake Baldwin’s third release on Shifting Paradigm Records. Featuring Baldwin on trumpet and cornet, Cody McKinney on bass, Adam […]

Trumpeter Jake Baldwin and vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Tommy Boynton double album release

Join us for an intimate evening with Atlantis Quartet, one of the Twin Cities’ most celebrated modern jazz ensembles, performing in the atmospheric Starlight Room at Icehouse. Known for their fearless improvisation, dynamic interplay, and genre-defying compositions, Atlantis Quartet has carved out a distinct voice in contemporary jazz since their formation in 2006. This special […]

Deano (guitar) & Suwal (tabla) bring their music to the early sets at Berlin. This fortuitous collaboration presents a fresh expression of the dramatically playful interplay between strings and percussion—featuring the sonic cornucopia of tabla weaving into the colorful vibrations of guitar—melodies, grooves, laughter, tears, heart—hear it, heal it... Dean Magraw studied at the University […]

Uplifting New Orleans Brass Band Music The Jack Brass band is bringing their brand of 'Feel Good Music' to the Dunsmore Room for an evening of traditional New Orleans jazz from the Louis Armstrong's era to modern second line Mardi Gras anthems made famous by the Rebirth Brass Band...Preservation Hall to Bourbon Street! Josh May: Trumpet Brian Handeland: Woodwinds Matt […]

Grammy-nominated Aloe Blacc has long been a voice for the people. He is a globally recognized singer, songwriter, and changemaker whose music uplifts, empowers, and unites. Best known for genre-defying anthems, Blacc continues to inspire through sound and purpose. Hits include the international smash “Wake Me Up” with Avicii, anthemic “The Man”, and the timeless […]

Sophia Kickhofel will be bringing her NYC-based quartet to Berlin to perform a selection of original compositions and jazz standards. The band takes inspiration from nature and the joy in creating art to provide audiences with a sense of comfort and community. Band Members: Sophia Kickhofel - Alto Saxophone Esteban Castro - Piano Jayla Chee […]

Tenor Saxophonist Sophia Kickhofel and her quartet

Led by dynamic drummer and vocalist Ataa Mensah, Half Past Midnight is a up-and-coming jazz quintet born out of Walker West Music Academy. Mensah, a proud graduate, draws on the influence of Twin Cities jazz greats like Kavy Kaviraj, Kevin Washington, and Jack Breen—whose influence shows up in the groups repertoire and playing. The group […]

Grammy-nominated Aloe Blacc has long been a voice for the people. He is a globally recognized singer, songwriter, and changemaker whose music uplifts, empowers, and unites. Best known for genre-defying anthems, Blacc continues to inspire through sound and purpose. Hits include the international smash “Wake Me Up” with Avicii, anthemic “The Man”, and the timeless […]

Classic Parisian Jazz

Acousitc Guitar Virtuoso Emmy Award winner and acoustic guitar vanguard. If you don’t know Billy’s music, or what he’s been through to keep making it, this show is a must-see. Acoustic guitar that defies gravity. New solo compositions and exceptionally funny improv dialogue with violin/mandolin maestro Nathan Wilson. Billy McLaughlin: Acoustic Guitar Nathan Wilson: Mandolin […]

Grammy-nominated Aloe Blacc has long been a voice for the people. He is a globally recognized singer, songwriter, and changemaker whose music uplifts, empowers, and unites. Best known for genre-defying anthems, Blacc continues to inspire through sound and purpose. Hits include the international smash “Wake Me Up” with Avicii, anthemic “The Man”, and the timeless […]

PRINTS is a trio of electric wizards comprised of Eric Carranza on guitar/pedals/drum machine, Dave Power on drums/sample pad, and Andrew Thoreen on bass/pedals. This mystical menagerie is regularly responsible for the best set of unrehearsed material you’ve ever not heard. File under: post-looping improvisatory electronic doom jazz with an affinity for downtempo disco jungle […]

Bossa Soul | Brazilian Jazz

Saxophonist and composer Doug Little and his Group Havana Highlife

Doug Little & Havana Highlife is a quintet that combines the sizzle of salsa with the harmonic richness of jazz. This project swims the seas between musical genres, showcasing intriguing, entrancing, Latin jazz at its best. The group is led by saxophonist, flutist, and composer Doug Little. Little has studied in Brazil and Cuba, performed […]

Sophia Kickhofel is a 20 year old multi-instrumentalist and composer from Apple Valley, Minnesota. She has performed around the world at venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai, Carnegie Hall, the Library of Congress, Dizzy’s Club, the Dakota and New World Center for the Arts. Furthermore, Sophia studies jazz performance at the Juilliard School under […]

Grammy-nominated Aloe Blacc has long been a voice for the people. He is a globally recognized singer, songwriter, and changemaker whose music uplifts, empowers, and unites. Best known for genre-defying anthems, Blacc continues to inspire through sound and purpose. Hits include the international smash “Wake Me Up” with Avicii, anthemic “The Man”, and the timeless […]

Guitar Trio

The Twin Cities Reed Quintet brings together top musicians in the classical, jazz, world, and contemporary music scenes to present music from the new and ever-growing repertoire of the reed quintet. These five reed instruments (oboe, saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, and bassoon) create a wonderfully rich and vibrant ensemble sonority that is well-suited to works of many […]

Louis Armstrong, New Orleans Jazz The Boat Note Five is dedicated to Louis Armstrong, celebrating the genius and ebullience of the man who changed music forever. The name of the band is drawn from one of Louis' many nicknames, and their repertoire is taken from his recording career spanning nearly fifty years, starting with the […]

Pianist, composer, and sideman Javier Santiago is one of the most promising voices in the international music scene today. He is also an accomplished producer/beatmaker, arranger and educator. Further, Santiago has become a notable force in both the beat and hip-hop scenes as well as in jazz. Santiago is an alumnus of the Herbie Hancock Institute of […]

Ted Olsen will be joined by longtime rhythm section colleagues Joe Strachan and Miguel Hurtado for a night of explorative, emotive modern jazz. Featuring original compositions, arrangements, and standards, the first set will feature NYC-based young lion Sophia Kickhofel on alto saxophone. The second set will feature the outstanding vocalist and songwriter Aby Wolf. Band […]

Bring Your Horn!