The Artists' Quarter Jazz Club: Live Music in Downtown Saint Paul, MN

A Star Tribune review of the Ordway show “Blues in the Night” said that Debbie strikes “the earthy, gut-bucket truth of the blues.” Debbie also strikes the truth when it comes to jazz, soul, ballads and whatever other style she chooses. Her five CD releases, including I Thought About You (FS Music 2006), are the work of a complete vocalist – one who understands that bravado and vulnerability are equally potent, and often intertwined, forms of expression. She’s recorded with Jimmy McGriff, opened for Al Green (where the crowd went wild) and entranced audiences from St. Paul to Italy.

Check out these videos of Debbie at the AQ:

Thursday, February 26, Pete Whitman's X-tet (9 pm, $8)

Thursday, 26 February 2009

Saxophone maestro Pete Whitman gathers nine of his most talented friends for a monthly Thursday performance at the AQ with dazzling charts and musical telepathy.

Even with ten members performing, you find yourself pondering where all those perfectly-placed, sonorous pearls are coming from. When you review the roster of first-call pros on stand, you answer your own question.

Their 2002 release Where’s When? received a 4-star salute from Downbeat. The all-star cast includes Laura Caviani on piano, Phil Hey on drums,Gordy Johnson on bass, Dave Hagedorn on vibes, a horn section roll call of Dave Karr, Dave Milne & Pete Whitman (saxes), Dave Jensen & Kelly Rossum (trumpets), and Jeff Rinear (trombone). Videos:

Pete Whitman X-tet, "Hmmm". March 27, 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKd1ohRCUq8
Pete Whitman X-tet, March 27, 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nobm9Je1g_c

Wednesday, February 25, Tefsa Quintet (7 pm), Dave Karr Quartet (9 pm, $5)

Wednesday, 25 February 2009

An early set at 7 p.m. features "The Tesfa Quintet" with Dejen Tesfagiorgis on Saxophones, Adam Meckler on Trumpet, Jesse Mueller on Piano, Adam Tucker on Bass, and Jaky Nyberg on Drums.

For over 50 years, saxophonist/flutist/clarinetist/composer Dave Karr has been performing with many of the best national and Twin Cities jazz artists. The NYC native grew up seeing the great jazz legends like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, and he got the bug. Karr moved to the Twin Cities in his twenties, and has long established himself as one of the best-loved characters in the jazz scene. Whether he’s in the orchestra of a touring Broadway hit, providing flourishes to the shows of top Twin Cities singers, leading his Gerry Mulligan tribute band on baritone sax or fronting his own quartet, Karr is a standout. “[Dave's] fluid style is both exciting and elegant,” JazzPolice.com. Check out this video of Dave performing "Zoot Walks In", or this one of Dave playing "Oleo" at the AQ. The come down to the club and see why everybody, I mean everbody, digs Dave.

Mardi Gras Party! Tuesday, February 24, SWMP&M (7 pm)/ The 'Fat Tuesday' Night Band (9 pm, $5)

Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Mardi Gras Special: No cover all night if you show up in costume, beads or mask. Click here for printable mask. .

The Artists' Quarter's hottest night opens with an exciting band featuring Zach W. Schmidt, Cory J. Wong, Cassie Meyer, Jose Pena 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 video www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqdCItgxmAY

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: "Soulful Drums" www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGnLyYYPspE and "Rock Candy": www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcoIeG7RkAM - then come on down and join the fun. It's nothing but a party every Tuesday night. There's no stopping the groove.

Monday, February 23, Headspace (7:30 pm)/Open Poetry (9 pm)

Monday, 23 February 2009

Headspace, featuring Rob Dewey on piano, Nick Haas on guitar, Rich Casey on bass and Spencer McGinnis on drums provide 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.

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Tuesday, 16 March 2010 04:53

© 2010 The Artists' Quarter Jazz Club: Live Music in Downtown Saint Paul, MN, 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