New Kids on the Block musical director makes a side trip from "The X" to "The AQ" for free show

Rob Lewis, musical director for New Kids on the Block for their current comeback tour, brings his Movement Orchestra to the Artists' Quarter at 7th Place and St. Peter Street in downtown St. Paul on Monday, October 20, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.  Admission is free for this very special show by one of the hottest young talents in music.  This musician, songwriter, arranger, producer and musical director works with stars including Christina Aguilera, Patti LaBelle, Babyface, Diddy, Toni Braxton and many others.  (New Kids on the Block, with musical director Rob Lewis, perform at the Xcel Energy Center the night after Lewis’s AQ performance.)

Lewis, who surrounds himself with top-shelf musicians, performed a short-notice show at the AQ in March 2007, and he fell in love with the venue.  As with that show, he is bringing in singer Sasha Allen, who is a background vocalist for Aguilera, New Kids and others.  Still in hear early 20s, Sasha Allen absolutely blew the crowd away with her talent - including some very discerning AQ regulars who came by that night.  The AQ show in 2007 was extremely spirited, featuring R&B, contemporary jazz, contemporary gospel and lots of good vibes.  Prominent Twin Cities musicians, including Ricky Peterson (keyboard player for John Mayer, David Sanborn, et al) and members of The New Congress, sat in with the band. 

In October of 1995, the Artists' Quarter re-located to the City of St. Paul.  It takes more than luck for a jazz club to survive for 13 years in St. Paul, but luck doesn't hurt.  The talent, tenacity and integrity of proprietor Kenny Horst surely tops the list of reasons the AQ keeps bringing on the best in jazz - but Kenny, himself, would no doubt rank the great jazz musicians who perform at the club as reason #1. Hard to argue with him, as the stage will be invaded by a cache of incredible talent to celebrate the "Lucky 13" Anniversary Party.

5:00 pm:  George Avaloz Quartet

6:00 pm:  The Tuesday Night Band

7:00 pm:  Pete Whitman Group

7:30 pm:  Phil Hey Quartet

8:00 pm:  Carole Martin, Debbie Duncan & Friends

8:30 pm:  How Birds Work

9:00 pm:  Dave Karr, Brian Grivna, Gary Berg and friends

10:00 pm:  Dean Magraw

Jam Session to Close the Night

Times are approximate

Peter Schimke is a world calss jazz pianist with plenty of musical ideas and the finely honed skills to express them expertly. We are lucky that he has chosen to live in the Twin Cities. Jazz Police says: "Peter is a player who who isn't afraid to push the music in new directions. When he is comping behind a soloist he is engaged in a subtle dialog, listening and responding with harmonies and rhythms that sometimes represent a suggestion or invitation to the soloist. He is a player who is never on 'autopilot' but is engaged and committed to the music he is participating in creating. No two takes will be the same. Either on piano or Fender Rhodes, Schimke is well worth seeking out." Check out this  video of Peter Schimke from December 13, 2007 www.youtube.com/watch?v=zibugaLtpr0 or this one from Feb 15, 2008 www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBZ1f1Ubvww