A concert photo of the JazzMN Orchestra. The JazzMN Orchestra is a 17-piece jazz ensemble, formed over 20 years ago by Dr. Douglas Snapp.  Its purpose is to “Promote, Preserve and Perpetuate America’s Indigenous Art Music, Jazz.”  It plays both classical arrangements and new compositions.  It has performed with many world-famous

Jazz pianist and composer Keiko Matsui performed at The Dakota in Minneapolis, MN on May 14. Photo by Raj Naik. If you have listened to smooth jazz at any point over the last three decades, then you know the music of pianist and composer Keiko Matsui.  But don’t let the “smooth

Legendary entertainer Smokey Robinson. Smokey Robinson does not lack for lifetime honors. A member of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame, he has received a Kennedy Center Honors, the National Medal of Arts, a Grammys Living Legend Award, and an Honorary Doctorate from Howard

The faces of the Joey Alexander Trio, who performed Friday at The Dakota in Minneapolis. Joey Alexander became an international sensation at 11 years old, playing jazz standards on piano like a seasoned veteran. At 12, performing at the 2016 Grammy’s, he was the youngest ever Grammy nominee. (He would later accumulate

A promotional photo of the Irish traditional music ensemble Altan. The Irish folk band Altan will play a two-show engagement at The Dakota in Minneapolis on Saturday, October 29. Altan, which specializes in traditional music from County Donegal in Ireland, will perform with special guest Clare Friel in 6 PM and

The award-winning vocal ensemble The Manhattan Transfer. Photo by F. Scott Schafer-Gros. After 50 years of singing – and one last album, appropriately entitled Fifty, The Manhattan Transfer is on its farewell tour. This Grammy Award-winning, four-part vocal harmony group lands at the State Theatre in Minneapolis on October 12. The Manhattan Transfer –

The Doobie Brothers played Friday at the Treasure Island Ampitheater at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Welch, MN. The Doobie Brothers brought their “50th Anniversary Tour” to the Treasure Island Amphitheater Friday evening. The group – founded in 1970 and 2020 inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame –

Jazz guitarist John Scofield performed at The Dakota in Minneapolis on September 9. Like most of us, jazz guitar great John Scofield spent the COVID-19 pandemic at home. For someone who had lived on the road for half the year since 1975, this was quite a change. He used the enforced