Kasidy Devlin (center) as Sir Robin in the national tour of Spamalot. Photo by Lance Evans. Nerds and geeks of a certain age grew up with the British comedy group Monty Python’s Flying Circus. The Python television shows were broadcast late at night on PBS, and by the next morning, we
Author: Brian Bix
Brian H. Bix (Guest Contributor) grew up in the Twin Cities and is currently a Professor of Law and Philosophy at the University of Minnesota. He has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues.
REVIEW: Trumpeter and Poet: Avishai Cohen at Vieux Carré
Avishai Cohen in concert. Photo by Brian Bix. The Chicago Reader describes Avishai Cohen as “arguably the most exciting Israeli jazz musician in the world.” This might initially sound like praise so faint that it risks turning into criticism – like a building being described as “the tallest one in Cokato,
REVIEW: Buddy Guy & Mavis Staples: Two Icons, Still Going Strong (Mystic Lake)
REVIEW: Captain Fantastic’s Last Trip – Elton John (Target Center)
REVIEW: The Memorable Return of Les Miserables (Orpheum/Hennepin Theatre Trust)
The cast of the national touring company of Les Miserables takes to the barricades. Photo by Matthew Murphy. In 1832 in Paris, at a time of growing inequality, the funeral procession for a popular public figure led to an eruption of violence. Hundreds died fighting at makeshift barricades with stolen weapons.
REVIEW: Spyro Gyra’s 40 Years of Music from the Heart (Dakota Jazz Club)
Spyro Gyra performing in Huntington, NY. Photo by Brian Friedman/B-Freed Photography. The band Spyro Gyra has been around for over 40 years and has performed over 5,000 shows. They have recorded over 30 albums, including two gold albums and one platinum, racked up 13 Grammy nominations, and sold 10 million albums. While
REVIEW: A BeautifulTrip to Days of Songwriting Past (Orpheum/Hennepin Theatre Trust)
The cast of the national touring company of Beautiful do the Locomotion. Photo by Joan Marcus. There was a time when singers just sang and performed, leaving the songwriting to others. Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, and Elvis Presley did not write most of their own songs. For them, and for generations
REVIEW: Wild David Sanborn in Concert (Dakota Jazz Club)
A publicity photo of alto saxophonist David Sanborn. Photo by Scott Chernis. Saxophonist David Sanborn is often associated with the sound or style know as "smooth jazz". He has, after all, been a featured artist a number of times on the annual Smooth Jazz Cruise. That cruise bills itself as The Greatest Party
REVIEW: Moving Solo Songbook Show by Kenny Barrons (Crooners)
A publicity photo of jazz master Kenny Barron. Photo by Philippe Lévy-Stab. It has been a great week in the area for jazz piano, with Cyrus Chestnut leading a trio last week at Vieux Carre and Kenny Barron giving a magnificent solo performance last night at Crooners Lounge and Supper Club's Dunsmore
REVIEW: A Sweet, Sweet Spirit with the Cyrus Chestnut Trio (Vieux Carré)
The Cyrus Chestnut Trio featuring Buster Williams and Lenny White. Photo courtesy of the AMI Agency. Some consider Cyrus Chestnut the finest jazz pianist of this generation. Without a doubt, he is one of the most entertaining; last evening at Vieux Carré, he arrived boosted by two excellent recent albums (2017's There’s