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© 2012 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. |
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Cosmonauts Dean Magraw (guitar), Chris Bates (bass) and Jay Epstein (drums) bring sonic samples from Red Planet to the folks back home on the recent release Space Dust (including two tunes recorded live at the AQ). A profound journey featuring original compositions & deep-space tributes to Coltrane, Hendrix, and Solomon Linda
compositions that the band has been playing live since 2003. Space Dust exemplifies the magical direction that these three experienced jazz musicians have continually created. The disc opens with the band setting fire to the Coltrane tune, “Africa," travels through the Jimi Hendrix classic, “Little Wing," Trane's “Saturn," then six original compositions and concludes with a unique interpretation of the “The Lion Sleeps Tonight." The last two selections of the disc were recorded live at the Artists' Quarter in St. Paul. 
Dean Magraw is more than a guitar virtuoso. His utter unity with the instrument creates a musical experience that emanates from the stage, but cascades over the room in sheets of rejuvenating spirit. Magraw’s many musical associations have included a long-time duo run with Peter Ostroushko, stints with Ruth McKenzie, Claudia Schmidt and Greg Brown, and an acclaimed 2006 recording with Chicago heavy hitter John Williams.