Debbie Duncan was one of the greatest jazz vocalists in the Twin Cities. She performed with many local and national acts. The Wolverines Jazz Quartet, featuring Rick Carlson, Jendeen Forberg, and Steve Pikal, leads this tribute to the legendary Ms. Duncan. Also, featured vocalists Judi Vinar and Dennis Spears will share songs and stories. Dennis Spears was […]

Home Grown All-Stars play Soul and Funk Infused Jazz Before Prince and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, “The Minneapolis Sound” had Bobby Lyle, whose legendary career included touring with Sly & The Family Stone and Young-Holt Unlimited, being Music Director for George Benson, Anita Baker and Bette Midler, and recording with Pharaoh Sanders. Shortly before Jimi […]

Before Prince and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, “The Minneapolis Sound” had Bobby Lyle, whose legendary career included touring with Sly & The Family Stone and Young-Holt Unlimited, being Music Director for George Benson, Anita Baker and Bette Midler, and recording with Pharaoh Sanders. Shortly before Jimi Hendix passed away, he was planning a jazz-rock quartet […]

Over the past five decades, the voice of Janis Siegel has been an undeniable force in The Manhattan Transfer's musical catalogue. To that end, Siegel is a ten-time Grammy winner and eighteen-time nominee. Alongside her career as a founding member of this musical institution, Siegel has also sustained a solo career. Here, she has released almost a […]

Saxophonist Steve Cole is one of the most celebrated players in contemporary jazz. The Chicago native exploded onto the scene with 1998’s Stay Awhile, which fellow Chicagoan Brian Culbertson produced. The disc scored multiple Number One hits and earned Cole the Oasis Smooth Jazz Award for best new artist. Cole's latest, 2023's Without a Doubt landed four singles on the […]

The Shaun Johnson Trio turns originality on its head with gospel, country and traditional pop rooted in a big band sensibility. These three are not famous yet. And this is not a tribute group. But you can expect them to honor an eclectic mix of Sinatra, Bruno Mars, Johnny Cash, Bobby Darin and others in […]

Kavyesh Kaviraj imbues his life and stories into his music, carefully weaving his influences into a boundary-breaking modern jazz outfit. He is well-known in the Twin Cities and beyond as a pianist, composer and arranger. Kavyesh has garnered acclaim in many musical climates, and currently calls St. Paul, MN home. Primarily a jazz pianist, he is […]

Matteo Mancuso was born in 1996 and raised in the province of Palermo. There, people quickly recognized him as a musical prodigy. His father, Vincenzo Mancuso, a well-known guitarist and producer, guided Matteo’s introduction to the world of music. Teaming up with his father, Matteo made waves in Sicily’s jazz scene, participating in local festivals at […]

Natania Kamin is a charismatic vocalist, songwriter and dancer who is passionate about sharing the music of her native Brazil with American audiences. Ticket To Brasil is a bossa nova, samba and Brazilian jazz project founded by contemporary jazz guitarist and composer Pavel Jany. The group has performed at many national and international jazz events and […]

Ignacio “Nachito” Herrera has garnered acclaim as one of the world’s greatest Cuban pianists. Also, he completely commands traditional classical and contemporary musical idioms. Further, Nachito brings astounding technique and natural talent to compose explosive music that overwhelms the Dakota with powerful energy. Herrera stunned Cuban audiences at the age of 12, performing Rachmaninoff s Concerto […]

A special show of duos, celebrating the versatility and dynamic range of the acoustic guitar! Guitar guru Tim Sparks will play a set with jazz and flamenco rising star Ben Abrahamson. Then, he will play a set with folk blues guitarist and longtime Rio Nido bandmate Tom Lieberman.  Tim Sparks has been redefining the acoustic guitar […]

Dakota favorites, Jay Young and The Lyric Factory started as a father/son duo in the mid-90s that has grown into a multi-faceted family of Minneapolis’ “first call” musicians who’ve been performing for sold-out audiences around the Twin Cities since 2005.