Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble. Photo by Gemma Corfield. The legendary musician Don Was will be bringing his new Pan-Detroit Ensemble, as well as his many lifetimes of musical experience, to The Dakota for two shows (6:30 pm and 8:30 pm) on May 21. Most of us came across Was for

The award-winning French jazz singer Cyrille Aimée, who performs at The Dakota on March 19. Photo by Viktor Hlavatovic. Cyrille Aimée often talks about her childhood, growing up in a little village on the outskirts of Paris (Samois sur Seine), near where jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt used to live. Her

Saxophonist Joshua Redman. The story is often recounted how the leading saxophonist Joshua Redman, son of free-jazz saxophonist Dewey Redman and dancer Renee Shedroff, seemed once to have been on quite a different life path. Redman won a full scholarship to Harvard, graduated there with highest honors, and was accepted to

Blues musician Keb' Mo'. Photo by Jeremy Cowart. Keb’ Mo’ (full name: Kevin Roosevelt Moore) effortlessly crosses genres (blues, country, folk, Americana/roots) and has gained many honors along the way.  Adding to his five Grammy awards (and a total of 13 nominations), the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi recently gave him the Crossroads

The JazzMN Orchestra in concert. The JazzMN Orchestra is a 17-piece jazz ensemble that performs regularly at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Back in early October, it gave a fabulous show at the Chanhassen, featuring superstar trumpeter, Randy Brecker. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj09mvRn2KM The Orchestra’s next performance at the Chanhassen is a holiday event on Monday, December

American singer-songwriter and guitarist Don McLean. Everyone of a certain age (and quite a few younger than that) knows Don McLean’s song, “American Pie”, and can sing a surprising portion of its verses – even if they disagree about what it means. “American Pie” was selected 5th the songs of the 20th

Multi-genre musician John Oates, who played at The Dakota in Minneapolis, MN on November 6. Photo by David McLister. Hall and Oates are, as the publicity states, “The most successful duo in rock history...ten #1 records...over twenty Top 40 hits”. They are enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The

Genre-bending trumpeter Chris Botti in concert. Chris Botti has been at this for a very long time: the pure trumpet sound, performing a variety of genres: soft jazz, pop, classical, and more. He was already famous for his work with Paul Simon and, especially, with Sting, before starting his solo career. By one

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