A vital element of jazz education has always been the direct transfer of knowledge between generations of musicians where students could “sit-in” to directly learn the craft from their professional […]

Naomi Uyama was an international swing dance champion searching for the perfect band – original but authentic – in the pocket and bringing the party. After searching the world over […]

Hanson/Hirsh/Clowser shape musical narratives in real time. With Nathan Hanson on saxophone, Steve Hirsh on drums, and Ross Clowser on guitar, the trio invites their audience into a shared experience of creation, discovery, and beauty. Nathan […]

The Avant Garde is a Twin Cities based music and entertainment production company that puts on curated events featuring urban eclectic entertainment. They also do consulting and provide artist development […]

Brian Grivna began performing at age 12 as Young Artist clarinet soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra.  He added saxophone and flute the following year, and by age 15 was subbing […]

The Jazz Women All Stars were created by Minnesota Music Hall of Fame vocalist and KBEM jazz radio personality Patty Peterson. In 2016, the Jazz Women All-Stars made a terrific […]

Abebi Stafford, a Twin Cities native, began playing piano at age nine. It wouldn’t be until he was seventeen years old when he would begin his jazz journey. Since that […]

Virginia transplant Abinnet Berhanu started his fascination with Black American Music on the trumpet but later fell in love with the sheer power of drums.  Having a reputation for being […]

Doug Haining is one of the most swinging sax and clarinet players, citing the influence of Johnny Hodges. Doug has been delighting audiences for over three decades, working in Minneapolis, […]

This two-set show will feature the formidable trio of Ahndenet bandleader Abinnet Berhanu, new-to-town saxophonist Ryan Freitas, and Kennedy Center resident Lasse Corson. It’s an official Twin Cities Jazz Festival […]