This month, alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw releases his 2nd CD as bandleader – Optimism.  This fiery and expressive horn man will be performing many of the new tunes on his trip to the AQ.  Jaleel was among the burning young players in Roy Haynes’ Fountain of Youth Band (who recorded the live disc Whereas at the AQ in 2006).  Jaleel has performed with artists including the Charles Mingus Big Band, Haynes’ group, Roy Hargrove, Arturo Sandoval, and many others.  This Philadelphia native counts Grover Washington, Jr. among his early mentors, and continues the creative and adventurous spirit of influences such as Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and Jackie McLean.  His 2005 CD release Perspective includes his composition “Heavyweight Champion,” a tribute to Coltrane and winner of the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award.  Jaleel is joined by Chris Lomheim (piano), Billy Peterson (bass) and Kenny Horst (drums).

 Check out Pamela Espeland's MinnPost article on Jaleel at MinnPost. Also read Andrea Cante's preview of the show on Jazz Police.

“Some 68 years ago the broadcaster Ed Morrow bridged time to introduce all of us to The Hot Club of France with Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. Now, at this moment, you can bridge that time and space with the Twin Cities Hot Club. Their passion, scholarship and skilled musicianship take you back to those days at Bricktop’s Cabaret in Paris. Listen and listen again, this is Minnesota calling the spirit of Django and Stephane.” - Leigh Kaman, fThe Jazz Image ©, Minnesota Public Radio.

The Twin Cities Hot Club performs gypsy Jazz in the tradition of Django and Stephane played by four of Minnesota's hottest string jazz masters: Robert Bell, Reynold Philipsek, Gary Schulte, and Matt Senjem.

The Artists' Quarter's hottest night opens with an exciting band featuring Zach W. Schmidt, Cory J. Wong, Cassie Meyer, 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 out the 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.