“They succeed because they’ve created a genuinely new sound that combines elements of free jazz, alt-rock, compositional ingenuity, and true improv,” says J. Dennis of Monument, CO, in a “Customer Review” of Happy Apple’s CD Youth Oriented on amazon.com.  Sure, we could quote the New York Times or DownBeat for gushing reviews of Happy Apple (and we have), but The People have spoken (and that’s important).  With Mike Lewis on sax, Erik Fratzke on bass and Dave King on drums, the sounds are packed with frenetic creativity and brain-tickling dynamics that energize the intrinsically melodic core.   Mr. Eliot, a “Customer Reviewer” from Hopkins, MN, counsels amazon.com readers:  “Seriously, if you get a chance, see them live.”  

Check out this video of Happy Apple live at the AQ .

Guitarist Dean Magraw with Mikkel Romstead on the Hammond B3 organ and Kenny horst on Drums. Dean Magraw is more than a guitar virtuoso.  His utter unity with the instrument creates a musical experience that emanates from the stage, but cascades over the room in sheets of rejuvenating spirit.  Unseen Rain is the grinning shaman’s new release with collaborators Jim Anton (bass) and JT Bates (drums).  Recorded live in the studio over a three-day period, it captures the magical combination of performance immediacy mixed with countless hours of ensemble building preceding the sessions.  Magraw’s electric and acoustic mastery of stringed instruments and his penchant for world music sounds are wonderfully framed by the fluid sympathy of Anton’s bass and the expressive, talkative, percussion of Bates.  Magraw’s many musical associations have included a long-time duo run with Peter Ostroushko, stints with Ruth McKenzie, Claudia Schmidt and Greg Brown, and an acclaimed 2006 recording with Chicago heavy hitter John Williams.  Dean won the NAIRD 1994 Best Acoustic Instrumental Album of the Year for his solo debut, Broken Silence.

To compensate our regular customers for possible inconvenience and parking costs during the RNC, the AQ will offer free cover charge to area residents and students during the convention, just bring your ID.

The Artists' Quarter's hottest night opens with an exciting band featuring Zach W. Schmidt, Cory J. Wong, Cassie Meyer, Patricio Toledo and Dan M. Musselman starting at 7:00 P.M. These young, talented musicians provide the perfect prelude to the AQ's longest standing engagement. Check this recent video

Then, for the main event sample some 'organic cookin' with the Tuesday Night Band. Hammond B-3 organ lovers have been flocking to the AQ on Tuesday nights for over a decade to get a soulful dose of funky jazz.   The Tuesday Night Band features "Downtown" Bill Brown (Hammond B-3), Billy Franze (guitar), and Kenny Horst (drums) + guests!  Anything can happen - and frequently does.  Check out these videos: Two tunes from the TNB  or  TNB "Shotgun"  - then come on down and join the fun. It's nothing but a party every Tuesday night. There's no stopping the groove.

To compensate our regular customers for possible inconvenience and parking costs during the RNC, the AQ will offer free cover charge to area residents and students during the convention, just bring your ID.

Chicago pianist Jon Weber is a musician with flawless technique and boundless imagination.  His brilliantly crafted spontaneous orchestrations and encyclopedic musical knowledge easily place him in the rarefied company of today’s elite jazz musicians.  Jon has played all over the world and along the way has composed and arranged for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, jammed at the piano with Stevie Wonder, recorded a tribute to Jay Livingston and Ray Evans at their request, and thrilled critics and audiences with his virtuosity.  His 2004 CD Simple Complex received critical raves. Check out this video from Jon's gig at the AQ in January: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3hqnM4kKnA

To compensate our regular customers for possible inconvenience and parking costs during the RNC, the AQ will offer free cover charge to area residents and students during the convention, just bring your ID.

Pianist Tanner Taylor moved to the Twin Cities from Jefferson, Iowa, in 2001, and Minnesota jazz fans’ jaws have been dropping ever since.  Tanner is a young talent who always wows a crowd, whether he’s applying his signature simpatico accompaniment to the work of top vocalists, performing with groups like world beat artists Tickle Fight, backing greats including David “Fathead” Newman and Lew Tabackin, or leading his own trio.  Some of the Twin Cities finest jazz musicians will be sitting in with Tanner. Check out this video of Tanner performing "Waltz for Debbie" at the Bobby Peterson Tribute on Feb. 15, 2008 /www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQtDFYm8cN0

To compensate our regular customers for possible inconvenience and parking costs during the RNC, the AQ will offer free cover charge to area residents and students during the convention, just bring your ID.