Rick Germanson is a highly in-demand jazz pianist in his hometown of New York City and beyond.  Raised in Milwaukee, Rick moved to NYC shortly after winning the Grand Prize in the American Pianist Association Jazz Piano Competition in 1996.  He has performed and/or recorded with greats like Elvin Jones, Wynton Marsalis and Marlena Shaw.  “He's blessed by tons of technique, taste and a clarity of right-hand runs, an appreciation for complex rhythms and a love for Latin.”  JazzTimes review of the CD Heights (Feb. 2004).  His 2005 release You Tell Me was lauded by Downbeat magazine, which called him “a connoisseur of mainstream piano styles” while adding that “the tradition is no ball and chain.”  Rick appears on many recordings by others, including Maximum Firepower by Louis Hayes and the Cannonball Legacy Band.

CHeck out these videos from his last night:

Gary Berg is well known to AQ fans as the master of the saxes. A soulful and hard bopping horn man, Gary is also known to take a moving turn on the chromatic harmonica.  Mr. Berg can also be heard playing on a slew of current local recordings including Pieces of Dreams by Carole Maritn, This is Organ Night by Billy Holloman, Blanket of Blue by Paula Lammers, Deja Vu by Francine Roche, and The Highest Mountain by George Avaloz.   Jonathan Francis of The MAC Weekly states:"... Gary Bergs solos are masterpieces of wit and charm, bop-driven and infused with soul ... Charlie Parker meets old school rhythm-and-blues meets 60's hard bop." Come hear Gary as he leads his quartet through the musical landscape of bebop, hard bop, and soul-jazz.  It’s always a rewarding ride when Gary takes the wheel and drives that jazz bus through his own headlining gigs. Check out:

• Gary Berg "The Song is You" 8/28/09 www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C3uV0K8Orc
• Gary Berg  on chromatic harmonica at 70th Birthday gig 2/19/2009 www.youtube.com/watch?v=geEV0_CItis
• Gary Berg 70th Birthday gig "Beatrice" 2/19/2009 www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFS4qY92fmQ
• Gary Berg Quartet, "Simone". September 28th, 2007 www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWjPH-1CJKs
• The Tuesday NIght Band with Gary Berg, Feb, 2007 on "Bye Bye Blackbird" www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk2b0KDra3w

The Twin Cities Dean of Percussion Marv Dahlgren is the irrepressible drummer and vibe master is as fiery as ever. His 47 years with the Minnesota Orchestra, and his instructional books that are considered beat-keeping bibles around the world, are just a few of the many accomplishments of this fascinating and endearing gentleman. Marv has played under the musical direction of such greats as Leonard Bernstein, Herbert von Karian, Igor Stravinsky and Aaron Copland, and remains very active as a jazz musician.

"Dahlgren is still the master! ... These infrequent performances are always full of surprises—don’t miss it". -Andrea Canter, Jazz Police

An free opening set at 7 p.m. features the Tesfa Combo and an open jam session. The Tesfa Combo features Dejen Tesfagiorgis on Saxophones, Steve Kenny on Trumpet, David Feily on Guitar/Trumpet, Jesse Mueller on Piano, Adam Tucker on Bass, and Aaron Rupar/Scorry Horey on Drums.

Dejen Tesfagiorgis also leads these weekly jam sessions, bring your axe and sit it! www.youtube.com/watch?v=4khzBPcgo24

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: "April in Paris" www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqn2eCvvO3A and "Soulful Drums" www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGnLyYYPspE   - then come on down and join the fun. It's nothing but a party every Tuesday night. There's no stopping the groove.

The Artists' Quarter's hottest night opens with the Cory Wong Quartet featuring Zach W. Schmidt on drums, Cory J. Wong on guitar, Andy Schuster on bass and Dan M. Musselman on piano  starting at 7:00 P.M. These young, talented musicians provide the perfect prelude to the AQ's longest standing engagement. Check this video of the Cory Wong Quartet /www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrBd4wMzjGU

Tuesday night drink specials from 11 p.m. until midnight!