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© 2012 The Artists' Quarter Jazz Club: Live Music in Downtown Saint Paul, MN,
Thumbnail photos © Howard A. Gitelson
Additional AQ images © Howard A. Gitelson Don Berryman and Andrea Canter as indicated. Special thanks to Al Iverson, the original AQ webmaster. We apologize for any errors that may occur. In the event of discrepancies Davis Wilson, your host at the door, is always the final authority. |
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The Artists' Quarter's hottest night opens with the Cory Wong Quartet featuring Zachary Schmidt on drums, Cory J. Wong on guitar, Andy Schuster on bass and Dan M. Musselman or Kevin Gastonguay on piano starting at 7:00 P.M. Cory Wong has been called one of the most versatile and exciting musicians in the Twin Cities, and has been featured in several publications and websites, including NPR, MPR, and Mpls/St. Paul magazine. His song “Upstream” was the first solo guitar recording to be in the video game “Rock Band”. Cory has also recently taken over as the Production Manager for Innovative Multiemedia Studios, and Secret Stash Records. Check this recent video of the Cory Wong Quartet playing "Pass the Plate" 
A free opening performance at 7:00pm by “Steve Kenny and the Bastids”, featuring Mr. Kenny on Trumpet with Jesse Mueller on Piano, Aaron Rupar on Drums, and Adam Tucker on Bass along with some very interesting weekly special guests. Part jam session, part stand-up comedy, and part game show, the Bastids are always a rousing warm up to the evening’s festivities. 
The Black Heralds Quartet is an original jazz project. Each of their all-original compositions is based in time and rhythm, turned in a slow cooker of grooves both modern and old, upon which the colors and textures of harmony and improvisation give voice to each song’s personality. 
Their music is unafraid, democratic, beautiful, sinister, nostalgic, and honest. This is music for thinkers, and for those who fear not the back beat. The BHQ is Jay Augspurger – Drums, Kevin Gastonguay – Keys, Sten Johnson – Trumpet, and Andy Schuster – Bass. Sample their music on their myspace page 
Chris Bates has been on a lifelong journey of musical discovery. Chris spent over 15 years studying the instrument with noted classical pedagogue James Clute of the Minnesota Orchestra and renowned jazz bassist Anthony Cox. Raised on a healthy dose of big band jazz and progressive rock Chris’ chameleonic playing has evolved to encompass reggae, funk, country, folk, jazz and classical music.
As a first call bassist in the Midwest, Chris Bates has played with many wonderful musicians including Mose Allison, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, Steven Bernstein, Tony Hymas, Howard Levy, Michael Attias, Anton Fier, Bill Carrothers, Joel Harrison, Eric Alexander, Tim Sparks and Dean Magraw. During the 90’s Chris played with the Motion Poets, touring nationally and releasing three albums to wide critical acclaim. Mr. Bates received a McKnight Composers Fellowship for his compositions in 1999. Chris has played on over 30 albums and brings and unbridled joy and enthusiasm to every musical situation he plays in. Currently Chris is preparing music for his debut album and remains involved in several bands: Atlantis Quartet, Red Planet, Framework, Leisure Valley, Volcano Insurance and A Love Electric. For more about these bands and other musical adventures Chris is on go to