The Artists' Quarter

“They succeed because they’ve created a genuinely new sound that combines elements of free jazz, alt-rock, compositional ingenuity, and true improv,” says J. Dennis of Monument, CO, in a “Customer Review” of Happy Apple’s CD Youth Oriented on amazon.com. Sure, we could quote the New York Times or DownBeat for gushing reviews of Happy Apple (and we have), but The People have spoken (and that’s important). With Mike Lewis on sax, Erik Fratzke on bass and Dave King on drums, the sounds are packed with frenetic creativity and brain-tickling dynamics that energize the intrinsically melodic core. Mr. Eliot, a “Customer Reviewer” from Hopkins, MN, counsels amazon.com readers: “Seriously, if you get a chance, see them live.”

Friday, August 29 - Saturday, August 30, Happy Apple (9 pm, $15)

Friday, 29 August 2008

A 2008 booking at Joe’s Pub in NYC resulted in a New York Times review that embraced both Happy Apple’s music and their iconoclastic humor. Writer Ben Ratliff proclaimed, “Funny as the men were to watch, this was one of the most serious groups I’ve ever seen.” Their recent (and seventh) CD release, Happy Apple Back on Top (Sunnyside Records), is a first-class, category-defying platter from the Twin Cities band with the international fan base. Dave King (The Bad Plus) on drums, Michael Lewis (Fat Kid Wednesdays) on sax and Erik Fratzke (Zebulon Pike) on bass.

Check out this video of Happy Apple live at the AQ .

Thursday, August 28, Tanner Taylor Trio (9 pm, $5)

Thursday, 28 August 2008

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, August 27, How Birds Work (9 pm, $5)

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

This flock of Twin Cities jazz stars consistently mesmerizes its audiences. Doses of rock and funk can be found in the post-bop explorations, always with a sense of purpose and an intoxicating rhythmic force.

Check out their CD Live at the Artists’ Quarter for standout tracks like Coltrane's “Equinox,” Wayne Shorter's “Footprints,” and Peter Schimke's moving original “Vow.” Better yet, check them out live at the Artists’ Quarter – in person – to really feel How Birds Work. A profile in Mpls/St. Paul magazine, describing guitarist Dean Granros, enthused, “[H]e possesses an undeniable sense of gravitas. He’s the performer most difficult, even for his bandmates, not to watch.” Indeed, Dean’s standing among his peers is tall, and all the best players love to perform with him. The same can be said for each member of this magnificent crew. City Pages recently had this to say about HBW’s residency at the AQ: “[M]usic this simultaneously assured and expansive deserves a good home – and How Birds Work has found it.” Kenny Horst (drums), Peter Schimke (piano), Chris Bates (bass) and Dean Granros (guitar). Check out these videos: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYqfFJy6Fws and www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqclyuoHhCk.

Tuesday, August 26, SWMT&M (7 pm)/ The Tuesday Night Band (9 pm, $5)

Tuesday, 26 August 2008

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.

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Saturday, 04 July 2009 17:47

© 2009 The Artists' Quarter, Thumbnail photos © Howard A. Gitelson
Additional AQ images © Howard A. Gitelson Don Berryman and Andrea Canter as indicated.
Special thanks to Al Iverson, the original AQ webmaster.

We apologize for any errors that may occur. In the event of discrepancies Davis Wilson, your host at the door, is always the final authority