The Artists' Quarter

Since 1978, Astral Project has been New Orleans' most exciting, inventive and respected morden jazz group. It¹s a co-op band comprised of world-class improvisers, hailed by fans and critics around the world.

Their sound is heralded for it’s unique mix of funky street rhythms, exotic melodies and brilliant improvisation.... Saxophonist Tony Dagradi, a devoted student of Eastern philosophy, coined the band name as a reflection of the group's quest for a higher plane. As anyone who has seen the band in concert knows, every performance finds the band members reaching for the stars. “All of my life what I’ve enjoyed most is that I get to play all kinds of different gigs with different people,” says John Vidacovich, the undisputed master of modern New Orleans drumming. “But this is what we do. What makes us cool as a group is that when we get together – for so long over so many years – we bring these other little trips we’ve been on.” In addition to Dagradi and Vidacovich, the stellar group features guitar god Steve Masakowski and the great James Singleton on bass. This is Astral Project’s first AQ visit, and it promises to be one of the highlights of the year.Read More

Sunday, August 30, (7:00 pm, $10).

Jeanne Arland Peterson celebrates her new CD “88 Grand” in honor of her 88th birthday. This two CD set covers Jeanne’s past (recordings from the 1940’s and 1950’s) and present. Recent recordings feature some of her talented offspring; Billy Peterson on bass and Paul Peterson on drums. ...A singer, pianist, and charmer nonpareil, Jeanne Arland Peterson is the matriarch of Minnesota’s First Family of Music. This amazing talent spent 22 years as a staff vocalist and pianist on WCCO, the Twin Cities largest radio station, all the while playing nightclubs and recording in studios. Jeanne's career has many highlights, including performances with Bob Hope, Sonny Stitt and George Benson, just to name a few. She was one of the first two women inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame (the other being Judy Garland)Read More

Alto sax man Jim Snidero is known for his masterful blend of composition, arrangement and improvisation in his ebullient playing. Based in NYC, Jim has been called upon to add his alto touch to the Frank Sinatra Orchestra (for four years), the Akiyoshi Orchestra (for 20 years) and extensive tours with the Mingus Big B...and. (Rock-jazzer Sting, the piano men – Billy Joel & Elton John – and many other big stars have gotten in on the sound as well.) On his own, the New York Times considers him “dazzling,” Downbeat dubbed him “a master musician” and Japan’s #1 jazz magazine called his release Strings “a masterpiece.” A rare Twin Cities headlining stop for one of jazz’s premier alto sax players.Read More

Alto sax man Jim Snidero is known for his masterful blend of composition, arrangement and improvisation in his ebullient playing. Based in NYC, Jim has been called upon to add his alto touch to the Frank Sinatra Orchestra (for four years), the Akiyoshi Orchestra (for 20 years) and extensive tours with the Mingus Big B...and. (Rock-jazzer Sting, the piano men – Billy Joel & Elton John – and many other big stars have gotten in on the sound as well.) On his own, the New York Times considers him “dazzling,” Downbeat dubbed him “a master musician” and Japan’s #1 jazz magazine called his release Strings “a masterpiece.” A rare Twin Cities headlining stop for one of jazz’s premier alto sax players.Read More

Living on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Bill Carrothers likes to get away to warmer climates in the winter. The Twin Cities (where Bill grew up) is one of those balmy destinations. Carrothers has been playing piano professionally for over 20 years, racking up an impressive résumé. He has performed at top venues and ev...ents like the Village Gate (NYC), the Knitting Factory (NYC), New Morning (Paris), and the Montreal Jazz Festival. His sound has earned him gigs with Joe Beck, Curtis Fuller, Eric Kamau Gravatt, Lee Konitz, Matt “Guitar” Murphy and Dewey Redman, to name a few. Billy's CDs as band leader display a sensitive and idiosyncratic style that is entirely absorbing.Read More

Guitar guru's trio also boasts drummer Alphonse Mouzon and B-3 organist Joe Bagg for first-ever Artists' Quarter appearance.

Larry Coryell, one of the most influential guitarists in jazz and jazz/rock fusion, is making his Artists' Quarter debut at the St. Paul jazz club on Saturday, December 6, 2008. Show times are 8:...00 and 10:30 pm and the cover charge is $25. The Artists' Quarter is located at 7th Place & St. Peter Street in downtown St. Paul. Contact is (651) 292-1359 or www.artistsquarter.com.
Coryell will be joined by drumming great Alphonse Mouzon (of Weather Report, McCoy Tyner, Coryell's The Eleventh House and other fame) and Joe Bagg on B-3 organ.Read More