deep sonic explorations, probing the farthest reaches with finely tuned instruments. Two sets, beginning at 7:30pm. No cover. Every Monday - except the first Monday of the month.

Open mic is really open. Come do your thing - read your poetry, sing, tell jokes whatever. Your 15 minutes of fame awaits. No cover charge.

The Phil Hey Quartet was originally assembled around the year 2000 when Artists' Quarter owner (and fellow drummer) Kenny Horst suggested to Hey that the four jazz veterans perform a "one off" gig.  Needing to print the AQ's monthly calendar, Horst listed the band as the Phil Hey Quartet.  Finding that they shared a chemistry and love for the hard bop material, the PHQ dug in with monthly AQ gigs and regular rehearsals to hone their unique sound.  Performing a songbook usually driven by a horn player, the PHQ features piano (Aaron) and vibes (Hagedorn) on the lead lines with the equally expressive rhythm section of Tom Lewis (bass) and Phil Hey (drums).  Whether by virtue of the band's "assigned" name or otherwise, Hey took on the role of leader.  Phil is quick to point out, however, that "this is a real band.  Everyone in the group is a band leader in his own right and we have really come together as an ensemble."  

Now the Phil Hey Quartet has been an Artists' Quarter favorite for the past 8 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.
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There will be an early show at 7 with the Alternates, an amalgam of talented high school jazz musicians from the Twin Cities.  They all have rich musical backgrounds and are prime players in their age group.  Their set includes tasty originals, fresh arrangements, and standards played from the perspective of the next generation. The players: Caleb McMahon (Perpich Center for Arts Education), trumpet; Peter Nyberg (St Paul Central HS), sax; Chris Misa (Perpich Center for Arts Education), piano; Cory Grindberg (Minneapolis South HS), bass; and Rob Fletcher (Eden Prairie HS), drums.

Pianist Phil Aaron is a beloved musician at the core of the Twin Cities jazz scene. Drawing inspiration from Bill Evans, Cedar Walton, Tommy Flanagan, Keith Jarrett, and many others, he has built a deep repertoire of original & classic jazz tunes that highlight a swinging approach to jazz classics and standards.  Phil Aaron attended the Berklee School of Music and the University of Illinois. Aaron served as music director in the dance department at UCLA and also taught music at Santa Monica College. He is a preferred pianist among vocalists and national touring acts, including Frank Morgan, Byron Stripling, Bob Sheppard, Lee Konitz, Sammy Davis Jr., John Patitucci, Scott Colley, Jeff Clayton, Ray Drummond, Barbara Morrison and Jackie Allen. Phil has five CD releases as leader. Check out this video of Phil from April 2007: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm7pNdIFl1o