The Phil Hey Quartet features Dave Hagedorn on vibes, Phil Aaron on piano, Tom Lewis on bass and Phil on drums and has been an Artists' Quarter favorite for the past 6 years. No surprise really. This is a no-nonsense, uncompromising band of local jazz greats regularly performing the tunes of Kenny Wheeler, Bobby Hutcherson, John Coltrane, and Wayne Shorter and others.   Over the years they have attracted a loyal following of hardcore jazz fans and students who show up on the monthly Thursday night when they perform. Check out these videos from their last performance:

• Phil Hey Quartet, March 29th, 2008 www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tg87HZPYRE
  
• Phil Hey Quartet, "Dorian", March 29th, 2008  www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyvkdZK6GQc
  
• Phil Hey Quartet, "Silence", March 29th, 2008 www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_uwTaG9xok
  

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 out a video or this more recent one . 

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.

 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.

Then, starting  at 8 PM :

** THE GRAND SLAM ** - This is the BIG ONE!

• The top eight point earning poets of the season battle it out to see who will make the (notoriously good) Soap Boxing National Slam Team.  These poets will represent St. Paul at the 2008 National Poetry Slam in Madison, WI - this August.The eight best poets in Minnesota are battling for only four spots on the team, so they will be bringing everything they have. May’s feature spot and side event will make way for four rounds of merciless poetic war.The competition will be ugly – the poetry will be beautiful.This is the ONE Slam that no one should miss.