The Artists' Quarter

An Artists' Quarter favorite, Carole Martin was an adored nightclub chanteuse in the 1960s before taking an extended sabbatical from the stage. Describing the sublime Ms. Martin in a Star Tribune profile, Michael Anthony set this scene: “Playing to a packed house and dressed in an elegant velvet pantsuit with a gold lamé vest, she was doing tunes from her latest CD Songs From My Heart. Among them was a sexy, hard-swinging 'I Concentrate on You' propelled by her rich, resonant alto and unerring rhythmic sense.” Songs From My Heart was released in late 2005, one year following her 2004 comeback CD Pieces of Dreams (her first recording since the late 1960s and another critics' favorite). Her touchingly honest and emotional vocals, and undeniable charisma, hit home with multiple generations. Check out this video of Carole from last summer.

Thursday, October 9, Tanner Taylor Trio (9 pm, $5)

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.

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

Wednesday, October 8, Dean Granros Trio (9 pm, $5)

Guitarist Dean Granros is a musician of mind-bending skill. Whether he's composing, putting his own esoteric spin on a Monk tune or redefining a standard, his expansive musical vision, daunting precision and colorful use of harmonics make him a one-of-a-kind artist. “Granros blends the vocabulary of bebop, acid rock, and delta blues into a delightful and potent cocktail that may leave you shaken and stirred,” said Don Berryman at jazzpolice.com . From the New York band Curlew in the late 1970s to current projects like How Birds Work, Starry Eyed Lovelies and F*K*G, Dean is one of those guys who the best musicians love to work with, and he inspires each one of them. Tom Lewis (bass) and Kenny Horst (drums) will be digging in with Dean. Check out this video clip of the Dean Granros Trio.

Tuesday, October 7, SWMT&M (7 pm)/ The Tuesday Night Band (9 pm, $5)

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.

Monday, October 6, Green (7:00 pm)/ Poetry SLAM with Andrea Gibson and Tristan Silverman (8 pm, $5)

Green, featuring Rob Dewey on piano, Rich Casey on bass and Spencer McGinnis on drums, has been holding down early Monday nights at the AQ for over five years.

DOUBLE FEATURE! "The Lost Boys": The Women Of The World Poetry Slam (WOWPS) champion, ANDREA GIBSON with TRISTAN SILVERMAN are special guests.

Andrea Gibson

Rousing audiences throughout the United States and Canada with her poignant message and her genuine interest in generating change, Andrea's words are powerful, compassionate, and inspiring. She is a queer poet/activist whose work deconstructs the foundations of the current political machine, highlighting issues such as patriarchy, gender norms, white-supremacy, and capitalist culture. She is a four-time Denver Grand Slam Champion, taking 4th place out of 350 competing poets in the individual finals at the 2004 National Poetry Slam in St. Louis. In 2006 she captured 3rd place at the Individual World Poetry Slam in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2007 she captured third again at IWPS Vancouver, BC, and in 2008 was crowned champion at the fisrt Women of the World Poetry Slam.

Tristan is a two-time Chicago team member (and semi-finalist) for its team in the National Slam Poetry Competition, NPS (2007, 2008). She has performed all over the country and shared the stages with some of spoken word's strongest. "Edgy", "provocative", and "an ear for all of humanity", Tristan has inspired many with her unique mind, and rare performance style.

It's the first Slam of the '08/'09 season. So we’ve brainstormed and worked hard to make sure that not only will our audiences get a fantastic show, but they will get home at a reasonable hour. few changes have been implemented:

Search

Archive

Give the gift of jazz!