Award-winning horn player Steve Clarke leads this classic swing combo through lively and energetic renditions of the jazz-era classics as well as smartly crafted originals.
Legendary local musician Doug Otto, from Bloomington, and captivating blues singer Hilary Thavis, who hails from Italy, have come together as a duo, serving country, blues, and folk hits as well as inspiring and entertaining originals. This multi-generation crowd-pleasing duo is one you won’t want to miss!
Joel Shapira is a top performing classical and jazz guitarist based in the Twin Cities. His educational background includes studies with some of the world's greatest players and teachers including jazz legends Joe Pass, Tal Farlow and Gene Bertoncini, as well as master classical instructor Alan Johnston. A native of St. Paul, Joel attended Berklee School of Music in Boston and The Mannes School of Music in New York City where he lived, performed and taught for eight years.
Nikki Matteson and Rich Rue are a musical duo from Minnesota, based in Minneapolis. They were the core members of the group, Nikki & The RueMates. Music from the 1950s and 1960s, as well as blues music, especially country blues and female blues, inspires their songwriting and these are the sounds upon which their live performances and recordings are based. When they perform in front of an audience, Rich’s blistering slide guitar and Nikki’s melodious singing create an intimate and joyful musical experience.
Whether it's something as menial as a pair of shoes, an oddly named Missouri town or a major life change like death and divorce, this smiley and warmly voiced Twin Cities Americana singer has a knack for writing songs that are easily relatable, lightly humorous and undeniably sweet. On his new album "Too Late at Night," he also now has an ace band to lay down stylish twang behind the tunes, including two Gear Daddies members.
- (Mpls) Star Tribune
Sarah Morris has a habit of missing the forest. From the day the Minneapolis based singer-songwriter picked up a guitar, armed with the bone-deep memory of her parents’ well-loved record collection and rooted in the storytelling fire of a Mary Chapin Carpenter tune, she’s been too busy crafting love letters to the details of the trees. Sarah’s endearingly honest, expertly penned songs encourage audiences to pull away from the big picture and get caught up in the magic of our everyday minutia, the rainy day ache in her sunlit voice granting us permission to escape into stories at once hauntingly familiar and uniquely her own.
James Samuel “Cornbread” Harris Sr. is a Twin Cities legend. His earliest influences were in country music, citing Hank Williams Sr. and Gene Autry among his favorites. Cornbread began learning piano at the age of 13, but he quickly grew tired of having his hands slapped with rulers by "the nuns" and he quit. He hit the piano once again in his early twenties, but this time around it was all about the Blues and he just kept on playing.
Now in his nineties, Cornbread is more active than ever in the local music scene. He plays several regular weekly and monthly gigs, and now incorporates jazz into his vast repertoire. He can be seen solo, backed up or playing with Cadillac Kolstad or other musicians.
Jon Rodine is a singer and songwriter, based in Minnesota. Drawing on sources like Dan Penn, Doug Sahm, Bob Dylan and beyond, his music is song-driven, a blend of Americana, groove-oriented rock’n’roll, and country soul.
"Genre-blending everything from blues & soul to hoodoo-hinted rock, these songs slip stealthily past your emotional defenses and melt your heart" - ROCK & BLUES MUSE
"A mix of the growl of DR. JOHN with the silk of MARVIN GAYE" - Chicago Tribune
You can hear the nurturing root sounds of American R&B, New Orleans Rock 'n' Roll, Country-Driven Gospel and the Soul Music of the Spirit and the Church in Nicholas David aka the Feelin. The soulful bearded songsmith became known to the world in 2012 as he endured the intense scrutiny of hit-making judges and a major television audience during "The Voice".
Legendary local musician Doug Otto, from Bloomington, and captivating blues singer Hilary Thavis, who hails from Italy, have come together as a duo, serving country, blues, and folk hits as well as inspiring and entertaining originals. This multi-generation crowd-pleasing duo is one you won’t want to miss!
The Dang Ol' Tri'ole is a 5 person bohemian folk group from the Twin Cities. With nearly 15 years of playing together, they have honed their skills to demonstrate their fluency at their respective instruments through tight vocal harmonies, complex melodies, dense compositions, and improvisational soloing with a dynamic & cohesive presentation. Their unique experiences, and common bonds, have helped spawn their own sound that borrows from an array of styles including: Traditional Folk, Progressive Rock, Salsa, Blues, Ska, Gypsy, and Classic Rock.
St. Paul roots-rock singer-songwriter Mary Cutrufello has been a mainstay in the Americana scene here and in Texas for thirty years. She's performed on The Tonight Show and Austin City Limits, and toured in all 50 states and several European countries. Hailed by USA Today as "a fierce guitarist with with a blistered-throat voice," Cutrufello mixes original songs and classics of American music (think Willie Nelson and Steve Earle) into a captivating, heartland-proud musical stew at once timeless and immediate.
Musicians from the Midwest have a knack for reinventing tradition. Jeff Ray is no exception. Go to any one of his performances and you’ll hear his fans say the same thing, “his music sounds old and new at the same time”.
Born and raised in Minnesota, Ray left home at the age of 17 to cut his teeth in Memphis. It was through those travels that he developed his unmistakable “East-meets-West” Bluesy Americana sound.
“After twenty-plus years, Minneapolis singer-songwriter Dan Israel has proven himself an expert at navigating the wide-open field between power pop and roots rock....spreading his wings has led Israel to his best album yet” - Michael Toland
The Roe Family Singers are a Good-Time, Old-Time Hillbilly band from the Mississippi-headwaters community of Kirkwood Hollow, MN. Led by wife & husband Kim Roe (Best Female Vocalist, City Pages/Village Voice) and Quillan Roe (Accident Clearinghouse), the band blends characteristic old-time sound with rock & roll urgency and influence.
The Roe Family Singers are a Good-Time, Old-Time Hillbilly band from the Mississippi-headwaters community of Kirkwood Hollow, MN. Led by wife & husband Kim Roe (Best Female Vocalist, City Pages/Village Voice) and Quillan Roe (Accident Clearinghouse), the band blends characteristic old-time sound with rock & roll urgency and influence.
Jason Weismann’s smooth, smoky vocals are complemented by his breathy tenor sax work and backed by some of the swinging-est sidemen on the Twin Cities jazz scene. The Q performs a mix of well-loved standards, overlooked chestnuts and even a few well-crafted originals — featuring musicianship that will both engage the casual listener and impress the jazz aficionado.
Musicians from the Midwest have a knack for reinventing tradition. Jeff Ray is no exception. Go to any one of his performances and you’ll hear his fans say the same thing, “his music sounds old and new at the same time”.
Born and raised in Minnesota, Ray left home at the age of 17 to cut his teeth in Memphis. It was through those travels that he developed his unmistakable “East-meets-West” Bluesy Americana sound.
“After twenty-plus years, Minneapolis singer-songwriter Dan Israel has proven himself an expert at navigating the wide-open field between power pop and roots rock....spreading his wings has led Israel to his best album yet” - Michael Toland
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A funky instrumental trio consisting of three of the twin cities most seasoned musicians, Trench Size Trio has been developing a sound and a body of work for close to a decade and not showing any signs of slowing down. TST plays all original music leaning towards a back beat heavy sound with a jazz sense of improvisation.
Musicians from the Midwest have a knack for reinventing tradition. Jeff Ray is no exception. Go to any one of his performances and you’ll hear his fans say the same thing, “his music sounds old and new at the same time”.
Born and raised in Minnesota, Ray left home at the age of 17 to cut his teeth in Memphis. It was through those travels that he developed his unmistakable “East-meets-West” Bluesy Americana sound.
The Mill City Hot Club was started by founding club member and guitarist Dean Harrington. The music is based on the tradition of gypsy jazz, pioneered in the 1920s by the Belgian guitarist Django Reinhardt and French violinist Stephan Grappelli of the famous Quintet of the Hot Club of France.
Mateo is very well known as a committed flamenco guitarist. He also specializes in Argentine tango and Latin jazz. He is joined by the excellent violinist, Sophia Butler, and master percussionist, Eron Woods. Expect the Unexpected as they journey through Spanish and Latin genres with inspired music making, always true to its' roots, with plenty of virtuosity thrown in.
"Genre-blending everything from blues & soul to hoodoo-hinted rock, these songs slip stealthily past your emotional defenses and melt your heart" - ROCK & BLUES MUSE
"A mix of the growl of DR. JOHN with the silk of MARVIN GAYE" - Chicago Tribune
You can hear the nurturing root sounds of American R&B, New Orleans Rock 'n' Roll, Country-Driven Gospel and the Soul Music of the Spirit and the Church in Nicholas David (aka "the Feelin”). The soulful bearded songsmith known to the world in 2012 as he endured the intense scrutiny of hit-making judges and a major television audience during "The Voice".
Award-winning horn player Steve Clarke leads this classic swing combo through lively and energetic renditions of the jazz-era classics as well as smartly crafted originals.
Jon Rodine is a singer and songwriter, based in Minnesota. Drawing on sources like Dan Penn, Doug Sahm, Bob Dylan and beyond, his music is song-driven, a blend of Americana, groove-oriented rock’n’roll, and country soul.
James Samuel “Cornbread” Harris Sr. is a Twin Cities legend. His earliest influences were in country music, citing Hank Williams Sr. and Gene Autry among his favorites. Cornbread began learning piano at the age of 13, but he quickly grew tired of having his hands slapped with rulers by "the nuns" and he quit. He hit the piano once again in his early twenties, but this time around it was all about the Blues and he just kept on playing.
Now in his eighties, Cornbread is more active than ever in the local music scene. Don’t let his age fool you, Cornbread is full of life and is always hopeful about the future.
The Dang Ol' Tri'ole is a 5 person bohemian folk group from the Twin Cities. With nearly 15 years of playing together, they have honed their skills to demonstrate their fluency at their respective instruments through tight vocal harmonies, complex melodies, dense compositions, and improvisational soloing with a dynamic & cohesive presentation. Their unique experiences, and common bonds, have helped spawn their own sound that borrows from an array of styles including: Traditional Folk, Progressive Rock, Salsa, Blues, Ska, Gypsy, and Classic Rock.
Mateo is very well known as a committed flamenco guitarist. He also specializes in Argentine tango and Latin jazz. He is joined by the excellent violinist, Sophia Butler, and master percussionist, Eron Woods. Expect the Unexpected as they journey through Spanish and Latin genres with inspired music making, always true to its' roots, with plenty of virtuosity thrown in.
"Genre-blending everything from blues & soul to hoodoo-hinted rock, these songs slip stealthily past your emotional defenses and melt your heart" - ROCK & BLUES MUSE
"A mix of the growl of DR. JOHN with the silk of MARVIN GAYE" - Chicago Tribune
You can hear the nurturing root sounds of American R&B, New Orleans Rock 'n' Roll, Country-Driven Gospel and the Soul Music of the Spirit and the Church in Nicholas David aka the Feelin. The soulful bearded songsmith became known to the world in 2012 as he endured the intense scrutiny of hit-making judges and a major television audience during "The Voice".
Whether it's something as menial as a pair of shoes, an oddly named Missouri town or a major life change like death and divorce, this smiley and warmly voiced Twin Cities Americana singer has a knack for writing songs that are easily relatable, lightly humorous and undeniably sweet. On his new album "Too Late at Night," he also now has an ace band to lay down stylish twang behind the tunes, including two Gear Daddies members.
- (Mpls) Star Tribune
Old School Jazz With an Unforgettable, Feel-Good Vibe
Courtney Burton has been a cherished performer in the Twin Cities jazz scene for over 25 years, enchanting audiences with her rich, velvety voice and heartfelt delivery. With her band, Court's In Session, she breathes new life into jazz standards and classics from the Great American Songbook, performed in the tradition of the jazz era—with a touch of blues and a wealth of soul.
Nikki Matteson and Rich Rue are a musical duo from Minnesota, based in Minneapolis. They were the core members of the group, Nikki & The RueMates. Music from the 1950s and 1960s, as well as blues music, especially country blues and female blues, inspires their songwriting and these are the sounds upon which their live performances and recordings are based. When they perform in front of an audience, Rich’s blistering slide guitar and Nikki’s melodious singing create an intimate and joyful musical experience.
Sarah Morris has a habit of missing the forest. From the day the Minneapolis based singer-songwriter picked up a guitar, armed with the bone-deep memory of her parents’ well-loved record collection and rooted in the storytelling fire of a Mary Chapin Carpenter tune, she’s been too busy crafting love letters to the details of the trees. Sarah’s endearingly honest, expertly penned songs encourage audiences to pull away from the big picture and get caught up in the magic of our everyday minutia, the rainy day ache in her sunlit voice granting us permission to escape into stories at once hauntingly familiar and uniquely her own.
Award-winning horn player Steve Clarke leads this classic swing combo through lively and energetic renditions of the jazz-era classics as well as smartly crafted originals.
Brilliant Colors Jazz Trio features (3) experienced jazz musicians well known and respected throughout the twin-cities and region, including: Glen Helgeson - guitar, Jim Chenoweth - bass and Nathan Norman - drums
St. Paul roots-rock singer-songwriter Mary Cutrufello has been a mainstay in the Americana scene here and in Texas for thirty years. She's performed on The Tonight Show and Austin City Limits, and toured in all 50 states and several European countries. Hailed by USA Today as "a fierce guitarist with with a blistered-throat voice," Cutrufello mixes original songs and classics of American music (think Willie Nelson and Steve Earle) into a captivating, heartland-proud musical stew at once timeless and immediate.
Mark Joseph has supported and worked with Samantha Fish, Marc Brousard, Greg Koch, Robby Kreiger, Whey Jennings, The Dire Wolves, Nicholas David, The Guess Who, WAR, Shred Is Dead, Keller Williams, Robert Randolph, The Travelin' McCourys, Leftover Salmon, Sherwin Linton, Merle Haggard and countless others.
Iowa-raised, Minneapolis-based Ben Cook-Feltz is a singer, songwriter, drummer and self-taught pianist. Combining observational, sometimes quirky lyrics with melodies that hearken back to the classic sounds of the 60′s and 70′s, he has been entertaining audiences throughout the Midwest as a dynamic performer, whether playing solo, with his crackerjack band, or backing up some of the finest regional talent. His most recent record, BCF, was released in September 2018.
The Roe Family Singers are a Good-Time, Old-Time Hillbilly band from the Mississippi-headwaters community of Kirkwood Hollow, MN. Led by wife & husband Kim Roe (Best Female Vocalist, City Pages/Village Voice) and Quillan Roe (Accident Clearinghouse), the band blends characteristic old-time sound with rock & roll urgency and influence.
St. Paul roots-rock singer-songwriter Mary Cutrufello has been a mainstay in the Americana scene here and in Texas for thirty years. She's performed on The Tonight Show and Austin City Limits, and toured in all 50 states and several European countries. Hailed by USA Today as "a fierce guitarist with with a blistered-throat voice," Cutrufello mixes original songs and classics of American music (think Willie Nelson and Steve Earle) into a captivating, heartland-proud musical stew at once timeless and immediate.
The Dang Ol' Tri'ole is a 5 person bohemian folk group from the Twin Cities. With nearly 15 years of playing together, they have honed their skills to demonstrate their fluency at their respective instruments through tight vocal harmonies, complex melodies, dense compositions, and improvisational soloing with a dynamic & cohesive presentation. Their unique experiences, and common bonds, have helped spawn their own sound that borrows from an array of styles including: Traditional Folk, Progressive Rock, Salsa, Blues, Ska, Gypsy, and Classic Rock.
“After twenty-plus years, Minneapolis singer-songwriter Dan Israel has proven himself an expert at navigating the wide-open field between power pop and roots rock....spreading his wings has led Israel to his best album yet” - Michael Toland
Jon Rodine is a singer and songwriter, based in Minnesota. Drawing on sources like Dan Penn, Doug Sahm, Bob Dylan and beyond, his music is song-driven, a blend of Americana, groove-oriented rock’n’roll, and country soul.
James Samuel “Cornbread” Harris Sr. is a Twin Cities legend. His earliest influences were in country music, citing Hank Williams Sr. and Gene Autry among his favorites. Cornbread began learning piano at the age of 13, but he quickly grew tired of having his hands slapped with rulers by "the nuns" and he quit. He hit the piano once again in his early twenties, but this time around it was all about the Blues and he just kept on playing.
Now in his eighties, Cornbread is more active than ever in the local music scene. Don’t let his age fool you, Cornbread is full of life and is always hopeful about the future.
