This flock of Twin Cities jazz stars consistently mesmerises its audiences.  Doses of rock and funk can be found in the post-bop explorations, always with a sense of purpose and an intoxicating rhythmic force. Check out their CD Live at the Artists’ Quarter for standout tracks like Coltrane's “Equinox,” Wayne Shorter's “Footprints,” and Peter Schimke's moving original “Vow.”  Better yet, check them out live at the Artists’ Quarter – in person – to really feel How Birds Work.  A profile in Mpls/St. Paul magazine, describing guitarist Dean Granros, enthused, “[H]e possesses an undeniable sense of gravitas.  He’s the performer most difficult, even for his bandmates, not to watch.”  Indeed, Dean’s standing among his peers is tall, and all the best players love to perform with him.  The same can be said for each member of this magnificent crew.  City Pages recently had this to say about HBW’s residency at the AQ:  “[M]usic this simultaneously assured and expansive deserves a good home – and How Birds Work has found it.”  Kenny Horst (drums), Peter Schimke (piano), Chris Bates (bass) and Dean Granros (guitar).

A free opening set at 7 p.m. features the Tesfa Combo and an open jam session. The Tesfa Combo features Dejen Tesfagiorgis on Saxophones, Steve Kenny on Trumpet, David Feily on Guitar/Trumpet, Jesse Mueller on Piano, Adam Tucker on Bass, and Aaron Rupar/Scorry Horey on Drums.

Dejen Tesfagiorgis also leads these weekly jam sessions, bring your axe and sit it! www.youtube.com/watch?v=4khzBPcgo24

Formed in 2005, Snowblind is one of the finest collections of young and inspired talent on the Twin Cities jazz scene. Each group member possesses extensive musical training and professional accolades, but together they chase the communal ideal of the jazz ensemble: a group in which all members are equal and pursue common musical goals through relentless rehearsal. Music in the tradition of jazz masters such as Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, and Art Blakey serve as a foundation for the group. Ventures into Afro-Cuban and groove-oriented material further augment this horn-fueled jazz group’s sound. Snowblind features Scott Agster (trombone), Reid Kennedy (drums), Graydon Peterson (bass), Adam Rosmiller (trumpet) and Shilad Sen (sax).

Check out these videos:

• Snowblind second set 4/25/2010 www.youtube.com/watch?v=B61Da7PIq1A
  
• Snowblind 4/25/2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frNw6UnWX0I
  
• Snowblind 4/25/2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15MY0PnRByI

Ben Thomas is one of the most in-demand vibists in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to leading jazz and tango ensembles, he performs as a sideman on mallets, percussion and bandoneon with a wide variety of groups, including Tangabrazo, More Zero and the Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto. He currently has three albums of original compositions available on Origin Records: "Triskaidekaphobia", "The Mystagogue" and "The Madman's Difference".

Thomas completed his Doctor of Musical Art in Percussion Performance at the University of Washington in 2007. His dissertation was on the development of Cal Tjader's early Latin Jazz vibraphone style. Thomas received his Master of Music with Honors in Improvisation from the University of Michigan in 1994. While in graduate school, he directed the University of Michigan's Jazz Composers Orchestra and worked with composer Stephen Rush. Thomas also graduated from Swarthmore College, where he majored in mathematics and music.

In the last few years, Thomas has performed at the Bumbershoot Arts Festival, Ballard Jazz Festival, Earshot Jazz Festival, Detroit-Montreaux Jazz Festival, Issaquah Jazz Festival, Anacortes Arts Festival, Ellensburg Jazz in the Valley Festival, Tacoma Maritime Festival, Bellingham Art of Jazz Series, and the Juneau Jazz and Classics Festival.

Twin Cities-based pianist Laura Caviani's 2006 CD release Going There, which spotlights her talents as a composer and trio leader, enjoyed a long run on the JazzWeek national radio charts. Music critic Bob Protzman described the CD as "full of warmth and a swinging sense of fun." Her previous CDs have received notices such as "stunningly fresh" from JazzTimes magazine. Caviani has appeared on three Karrin Allyson releases and has toured extensively with the Grammy-nominated singer. Performances with other jazz luminaries include Toots Thielemans, Stan Getz and Diane Schuur.

Laura has recently produced and led trhilling tributes to Mary Lou WIlliams and Thelonious Mon. She is also a headliner in the Twin Cities Jazz Society's "Jazz from J to Z" concert series for the 2010-2011 season.