Saxophonist/educator Clay Pufahl has performed with the Wolverines Classic Jazz Orchestra, Cedar Avenue Big Band, Skyway Big Band, Five by Design, B4 (swing band), the Minnesota Orchestra. Clay has also been affiliated with the JazzMN Orchestra for many years, and recently launched Really Big Shoe with fellow saxman Joe Mayo. Personnel: Ted Olsen bass Mike Wolter guitar […]

Free performance in Mears Park, St. Paul

22-year-old soprano and tenor saxophonist Isaiah Collier sound and approach is drawn from the influences of jazz masters such as John Coltrane, Roscoe Mitchell, Wayne Shorter, Ari Brown and Gene Ammons. Isaiah’s newest album, Cosmic Transitions, flows with moments of stillness and others of chaos from one movement into the next.  Each part representing a […]

Arne appears frequently as a singer at the top jazz venues in the Twin Cities, and served as the opening act for Rosemary Clooney during her December 2001 appearance at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.

Bryan is one of the premier young jazz pianists in the United States and beyond, having performed at national and international festivals as well as regularly at local Twin Cities venues, like the Artists’ Quarter and the Dakota Jazz Club with his own bands as well as other musicians.

Growing up in Minneapolis, Dale' first band was a trio with Prince and Andre Cymone. He recorded with Prince on the 94 East Street CD project right before Prince signed his solo contract. Subsequently Dale was touring with Prince on the Sign ‘O the Times World tour as the drummer for Madhouse (the opening act […]

Taylor studied under Jack Oatts and Manhattan School of Music's Garry Dial. In 2001, he relocated from Des Moines to Minneapolis where he has become one of Minnesota's most sought after jazz pianists. Taylor has performed with jazz notables such as Clark Terry, Slide Hampton, Lew Tabackin, David "Fathead" Newman, Steve Turre, Wycliffe Gordon, Wes […]

Free performance in Mears Park, St. Paul

The Trio will be performing original compositions written by Jack Schabert and Zach Studdiford. Zach Studdiford, Piano Max Voda, Bass Jack Schabert, Drums

Friday night kicks off with Patty Peterson Presents Jazz Women All-Stars. In 2016, the Jazz Women All-Stars made a terrific debut at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. This ensemble celebrates the great women of jazz artists in the Twin Cities, instrumentalists as well as vocalists. Patty has, once again, organized a prestigious line-up featuring Mary […]

This internationally recognized performer, composer, author and educator has gained critical acclaim as a soloist and has performed widely with jazz greats and led his own quartet. Bergonzi’s discography includes 60+ records, most notably, Standard Gonz of Blue Note Records and has been the recipient of three NEA grants.