What is “Sitting-In”? Sitting in is not the same as a “jam session”. A musician’s definition of “sitting in” is to participate in a working group, as a guest, usually to play a couple of songs. This usually occurs at the invitation of someone in the band. This is how Jazz Musicians typically audition and […]

Minneapolis-based jazz pianist and composer, Mary Louise Knutson (k’NOOT-son), 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.

The Bill Simenson Orchestra is a 17 piece big band (5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, guitar, piano, bass, and drums). Since June of 2012 the band has performed the first Tuesday of every month at Jazz Central Studios.

Come see UWEC Jazz Combo under the direction of Aaron Hedenstrom!

Peter White has become known as one of the jazz industry’s greatest icons, despite being entirely self-taught. For over forty years, he’s worked with many greats, recorded eighteen solo and collaboration albums, and performed before countless audiences. He has collaborated with Boney James, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Kirk Whalum, Dave Koz and numerous others.

The Willie August Project performs two sets of award-winning original tunes and jazz classics. Consisting of Ben Siems (guitar), Jeremy Hauer (drums), and Matt Peterson (upright bass), the group plays melodic, rhythmically intricate music with roots in the ECM progressive jazz tradition. Ben Siems (co-founder, guitarist/composer) has performed at venues across the country as a […]

Set one will find Martin Dosh playing solo—surrounded by his usual Rhodes, drumset, and samplers—constructing loops, playing new material, and reinterpreting old. Set two will be a trio collaboration with Anthony Cox on bass and Chris Thomson on saxophone, playing some loose compositions and improvisations. Martin Dosh has been making independent music out of his […]

Pianist Kent Goodroad, bassist Dan Carpel, and drummer Miguel Hurtado will perform two sets of jazz standards over the dinner hour. Dan Carpel attended Berklee College of Music, where he was in the school’s Monterey Quartet. He was a member of Jason Palmer’s band throughout his time in town, and was a mainstay in their […]

Join RetroFizz for their annual tribute to that genius of American Popular Song, Burt Bacharach. This year's all-star special guest lineup will include Maud Hixson, Curtiss A, Julius Collins, Kendra Glenn, Becky Schlegel, Nate Dungan, John Kerns and possible others! Ariel Donahue: Vocals Jimmy Kennedy: Keyboard, Vocals Joe Weismann: Bass, Vocals Mo Engel: Drums, Vocals […]

The Ana Everling Quartet’s music may sound like folklore, but they perform all original compositions, combining modern arrangements and improvised sounds. Everling and her band (i.e., Edinho Gerber on seven-string acoustic guitar; Hunter Diamond on sax, clarinet, flute, percussion; and Minnesota’s own Kenny Reichert on electric guitar) deliver complex performances that address universal themes. This […]

Houston and Minneapolis-based guitarist and composer, Will Schmid, has been performing his original music professionally for over a decade. He has led ensembles in multiple appearances at the Twin Cities and Iowa City Jazz Festivals, and at nationally renowned venues such as New York’s ShapeShifter Lab and Cleveland’s BOP STOP at The Music Settlement. As […]

Paul Harper and Phil Aaron will perform jazz standards, modern jazz works, and the occasional song from the popular music world. Expect emotion, lyricism, and reverence for the art of jazz from these two fine musicians. Mr. Harper (tenor saxophone) and Mr. Aaron (piano) have been playing for a number of years together in the Paul […]

Minneapolis-based jazz pianist and composer, Mary Louise Knutson (k’NOOT-son), 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.

ESQUINA is inspired by Miles Davis’s electric period (On the Corner, Agharta, Pangaea), featuring synths, electric bass, and processed trumpet with FX pedals as well as Armenian melodies and influences. The band will perform beautiful original tunes with space for free improvisation and group interplay. Band Members Michael Sarian - Trumpet/FX Nathan Ellman-Bell - Drums […]

A trio led by tubaist Tom Wells with Mike Cramer and Nathan Norman.   Featuring: Tom Wells - tuba Mike Cramer - guitar Nathan Norman - drums   Tom is the leader of the Selby Avenue Brass Band which performs his compositions and arrangements, appearing often with vocalist Thomasina Petrus at regional events ; Twin […]

Join us for an unforgettable evening of bold, original big band music with the Nordbill Jazz Orchestra, led by Kris Nordland and Zach Luginbill. Inspired by the genius of legends like Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Billy Strayhorn, Thelonious Monk, James Williams, and more, Nordland and Luginbill bring a fresh voice to the big band tradition. […]

Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson has traversed the globe for over fifty years. As an ambassador of Western swing music, he introduced its irresistible sound to generation after generation. More than 100 musicians have passed through the Wheel, but Benson remains the front man, the keeper of the vision. To that end, he’s amassed over […]

Saxophonist Nelson Devereaux curates Sundays at Berlin in May. This week: Sonic Bliss. Friends since a spontaneous, chaotic, and dimly lit jam in a Berklee dorm room, saxophonist Nelson Devereaux and guitarist Asher Kurtz have knit a tight bond. More than 10 years after that first jam, the joyful duo will improvise together for a […]