Guitar star Stanley Jordan, master of two-hand tapping, is back at the Dakota.
STANLEY JORDAN
DEC 19 • 7PM
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4. Rachael & Vilray: You have to appreciate the dedication of this duo, not just for cleverly crafting original material in the style of ‘30s and ‘40s jazz. They were supposed to entertain at the Dakota in February, but Rachael Price took ill at the last moment, so guitarist/singer Vilray Bolles gallantly performed without her. Now Price, whose main gig is with Lake Street Dive, and Bolles will make good, squeezing in a two-night Minneapolis stand before going home for the holidays. Then they take to the road again in January to showcase material from their two albums, 2019′s “Rachael & Vilray” and 2023′s “I Love a Love Song” featuring the striking “Hate Is the Basis (of Love).”
RACHAEL & VILRAY
DEC 20-21 • 6:30 & 8:30PM
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Ever-suave crooner and bandleader Andrew Walesch has landed from Phoenix for his swinging big-band holiday show.
A SWINGIN’ CHRISTMAS w/THE ANDREW WALESCH BIG BAND
DEC 22 • 5 & 7:30PM
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9. Alicia Witt: If you watch Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel, you know Alicia Witt. She’s starred in 10 of those oh-so-predictable holiday romances. Or maybe you know Witt from this year’s thriller “Longlegs” or her recurring roles on the TV series “Cybill” and “Nashville” or her stint last year on “The Masked Singer.” The piano-playing actor has maintained a music career on the side. Ben Folds produced her first album and Jacquire King helmed her sophomore effort. This year, Witt self-released “I Think I’m Spending Christmas with You” featuring seasonal chestnuts and a few originals including the playful “Weird Time of Year,” the dreamy “You’re Gonna See This Tree” and the artificial “Soaps Suds Snow.” She concludes her 12-city holiday tour in Minneapolis.
SPENDING CHRISTMAS WITH ALICIA WITT
DEC 23 • 7PM
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10. The Bad Plus: This modern jazz group has a holiday tradition like no other. TBP performs on Christmas evening in the Twin Cities (their original home base) and for three additional nights. This year’s run at the Dakota should be extra exciting because the quartet released a new album, “Complex Emotions,” their first on the Mack Avenue label. This is the Bad Plus’ second effort with its revamped piano-less lineup. With guitarist Ben Monder and saxophonist Chris Speed feeling more integrated with cofounders Dave King on drums and Reid Anderson on bass, this record feels not only less tentative but more experimental than 2022′s “The Bad Plus.” On their 16th studio project, TBP incorporates synthesizers for the first time and takes more of an out-there approach without losing accessibility, notably on the rollercoaster ride “Cupcakes One.”