The Mary Louise Knutson Trio w/ Patty Peterson

Celebrated pianist, Mary Louise Knutson and award-winning vocalist, Patty Peterson have joined their talents over the years many times, performing for high profile galas, acclaimed jazz clubs, and jazz festivals. Together, they have shared the stage with the Twin Cities based Jazz Women All Stars, which was founded by Patty Peterson in 2016, along with Mary Louise Knutson as the musical director. One of their many shared highlights has been performing at the Musical Instrument Museum Theater (MIM) in Phoenix. 

On this very special evening at Dakota, they will perform original compositions along with creative arrangements of old favorites. Joining the Mary Louise Knutson Trio is Steve Pikal on bass, and Phil Hey on drums.

About Mary Louise Knutson:

Minneapolis-based jazz pianist and composer, Mary Louise Knutson has been called “one of the most exciting artists to happen to jazz piano in quite some time.” Her warm, inviting tone, broad range of emotional expression, and distinctive compositions have brought her much recognition on the national music scene.

Mary Louise’s 2011 trio album, In the Bubble, charted in Jazz Week‘s Top 10 and remained in the Top 50 for 19 weeks straight. Knutson tours regularly with her group, the Mary Louise Knutson Trio, whose music has been described by Jazz Times Magazine as “state-of-the-art piano trio finery.” And from 2010-2018, Knutson toured with trumpeter Doc Severinsen, former bandleader for The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. 

Knutson has also performed with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Dianne Reeves, Kevin Mahogany, Randy Brecker, Bobby Shew, Nicholas Payton, Terell Stafford, Terence Blanchard, Richie Cole, Ernie Watts, Peter Erskine, Billy Hart, Ed Shaughnessy, Richard Davis, Kurt Elling and many more. 

“This is timeless, classic piano trio music, right up there with Bill Evans and Bill Charlap.” –  Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune

About Patty Peterson:

Patty Peterson is a dynamic vocalist and radio personality. She is a world class jazz/ R&B vocalist, a jazz radio show host on KBEM Jazz 88 in Minneapolis, a mainstay in the jingle and voice over industry and is an inspiring presenter on the national speaking circuit, in addition as an award winning vocalist both live and in studio, 

Patty has performed the national anthem at several major venues. She is also a concert producer for shows like “Memories – The Music of Barbra Streisand,” “The Jazz Women All Stars” and for 25-plus years has produced the Peterson Family Christmas Shows

As a vocalist, Patty has performed to sold-out audiences all over the country such as Dakota, Vibrato, Catalina’s Jazz Club, The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles, California and MIM in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition, Patty received the coveted Minnesota Music Award 7 times for best vocalist as well as best jazz recording and in 2019, she was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, along with her siblings. She was also named Minnesota’s Jazz Hero of 2020 via the Jazz Journalists Association for all her contributions to the jazz community in Minnesota. Patty has released 5 solo recordings which feature luminaries Sheila E., David Hazeltine, Stokley Williams, and Ira Sullivan, as well as members of her entire family. Patty’s latest CD is entitled Count Your Blessings, which was released in time for the 2019 Holiday Season.

“She stretches her voice to accommodate wrenching emotions and brings it all off with class.” – Jazz Times

Mary Louise Knutson – piano

Steve Pikal – bass
Phil Hey – drums
Patty Peterson – vocals