The Dakota is proud of our reputation for bringing the best in jazz to the Twin Cities. This month will be exceptional: truly an embarrassment of riches from all corners of the jazz world! Please join us to see some of the most exciting jazz artists working today!
Steve Smith & Vital Information – NYC Edition
June 3
Steve Smith is a monster percussionist. A perennial favorite among jazz and rock fans alike, Smith’s technical prowess is evident in every ensemble he plays with, from Journey to Hiromi to his own fusion and swing projects. This all-star fusion band will be full of fireworks!
Red Baraat – Indian Brass Funk
June 8
Described as “Brooklyn Bhangra,” this trailblazing band fuses hard driving North Indian rhythms with elements of jazz, go-go, brass funk, and hip-hop. Led by drummer/vocalist Sunny Jain, this high-energy group is making worldwide waves with their joyful music.
David Garfield w/Alex Ligertwood, Paul Peterson, Jason Peterson DeLaire
June 9
George Benson’s Musical Director gets a rare opportunity to stretch out with his own material! Garfield has been a first-call keyboard man for the likes of Boz Scaggs, Cher, Smokey Robinson, and many others. He will be joined by Santana vocalist Alex Ligertwood, as well as local luminaries Paul and Jason Peterson.
Acoustic Alchemy – Prime Instrumental Quintet
June 13
One of contemporary jazz’s early superstar acts, Acoustic Alchemy has sold millions of records over the past three decades. With their trademark blending of acoustic and electric guitars, they push the boundaries of instrumental music with stellar live shows.
Freddy Cole – Gorgeous Baritone Vocals
June 16
“Freddy has an impeccable sense of swing… he is, overall, the most maturely expressive male jazz singer of his generation, if not the best alive.” – New York Times
Nat “King” Cole’s younger brother has established himself as one of the foremost song interpreters working today. With a charming, gravely baritone voice, Freddy’s show is full of swing, swagger, and intimate moments.
Ottmar Liebert – Nouveau Flamenco Master
June 18
This guitar guru’s worldwide acclaim is nearly unmatched. Over the last two decades Liebert has amassed an enviable list of achievements: he has released 25 albums, garnering five Grammy nominations and 38 Gold and Platinum certifications in the U.S. alone, as well as certifications in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Bill Frisell Trio – Jazz Guitar Giant
June 19
With Tony Scherr, bass; Rudy Royston, drums
Bill Frisell is one of the monumental figures in jazz guitar, and one of the most accomplished artists in current American music. His trio show, featuring Tony Scherr on bass and Rudy Royston on drums, will be a celebration of all the things that make Frisell’s music so special: fluid collective ensemble playing, musical selections that encompass the whole history of American music, and plenty of space for Bill’s multifarious guitar sounds and ambient effects.
Kurt Elling – Dynamic Jazz Vocals
June 22
Elling is the standout male vocalist working today. A perennial Downbeat award winner and Grammy nominee (with a win in 2009), Elling’s gorgeous four-octave voice is one of the most exciting instruments in modern jazz, and Kurt always uses it with judicious restraint. He will be presenting selections from his latest Passion World, an exploration of love and loss from a global perspective.
Cécile McLorin Salvant – Ascendant Jazz Diva
June 23-24
In a few short years, Salvant has become the most talked-about vocalist in jazz. Cécile’s deep, velvety voice seems made for the blues, and her phrasing, while informed by classic divas like Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan, is completely unique. Salvant has been playing big stages nationwide with Wynton Marsalis’s Jazz at Lincoln Center orchestra recently, but hearing her do her own thing is a revelation the jazz world hasn’t seen in decades.
John Pizzarelli Quartet – Charming Dazzling Showman
June 28
With irrepressible charm and witty stage banter, John Pizzarelli and his longtime quartet will swing their way into your heart. A fantastic guitarist and smooth vocalist, John has become one of the biggest champions of the Great American Songbook working today. Using the vocal styles of Nat “King” Cole and Frank Sinatra as a touchstone, John has established himself as one of the most entertaining acts in jazz.
Charles Lloyd Quartet – Jazz Saxophone Titan
June 30-July 1
With Gerald Clayton, piano
Joe Sanders, bass
Kendrick Scott, drums
“Mr. Lloyd is the rare jazz artist whose every appearance qualifies as an event.” – New York Times
A giant of modern jazz returns! Lloyd has been a Dakota favorite for years, and it seems the rest of the jazz community is catching up: he was the Artist in Residence at the 2014 Monterey Jazz Festival, and he recently received the highest honor in jazz, the NEA Jazz Master Award. His quartet blew the roof off of the Jazz Tent at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in May. It’s easy to see that every time Charles Lloyd performs, it is a special event.