Ben Sidran’s love of music has led to work as pianist, singer-songwriter, author, record producer and music journalist. Also, he has accomplished many other things in his sixty-year career. Further, he acts as his own short-order cook, juggling his own career and his projects. He has produced Steve Miller, Mose Allison, Diana Ross, Boz Scaggs, […]

The Bill Simenson Orchestra is a 17 piece big band (5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, guitar, piano, bass, and drums). Since June of 2012 the band has performed the first Tuesday of every month at Jazz Central Studios.

A Brilliant Evening of Miles Davis Experience an unforgettable evening of jazz mastery as Ahmed & The Creators pay tribute to the legendary Miles Davis. Trumpeter Ahmed Abdulkarim leads an all-star ensemble featuring Kevin Washington on drums, Dale Alexander on piano, Andrew Schwandt on tenor sax, and Ted Olsen on bass—each a celebrated force in […]

Jazz musicians have covered and reinterpreted songs by The Beatles for the past fifty years. With the Beatles Reimagined show, three of Minnesota’s most prominent guitarists build on this tradition. Here, they display their own “hip retooling” (Star Tribune) of classic songs by the Fab Four. Hear guitarists Tim Sparks, Chris Olson and show curator […]

The Cherry Pit presents an open jam for musicians and music lovers in the Twin Cities. It’s a social hub for Twin Cities creatives, a training ground to refine musicianship, and a vehicle for high-vibrational improvisation. This is not a free-form basement jam or strictly a jazz jam. Our goal is to find an equilibrium […]

Jazzy, Soulful, Experimental and Groovy A night filled with some of Kevin Gamble's favorite Jazz Fusion, Soul, and Funk tunes that everyone will enjoy. KG4 blends multiple styles and genres together, making it a show that has a little bit of something for everyone! Kevin Gamble: Piano Tarek Abdelqader: Drums Andrew Tomten: Saxophone Nick Benish: […]

Echoes of lost love and yearning from the shadowy corners of the American Songbook Dave King is one of the most celebrated drummers in modern jazz. His contributions to the Minneapolis and New York jazz scenes are incalculable. Moreover, his imagination and boundless enthusiasm behind (and around) the drum set are singular and stunning. He has […]

Pianist Hans Fuerst and saxophonist Jonah Walt play and improvise an eclectic mix of jazz, video game music, and original compositions with the intimate touch that only a duo can bring. Hans Fuerst is a Twin Cities-based pianist with a passion for video game music. Drawing inspiration from jazz legends like McCoy Tyner and iconic […]

Larry is marking his 70th birthday and 55 years of playing music professionally. He asking for song requests from his CDs that have been played around the world, as well as his popular themed shows, such as Chet Baker, Chick Corea, Tony Bennett, Bill Evans, Wayne Shorter,  Antônio Carlos Jobim, Miles Davis, Jim Hall, Dave […]

Jazz Standards, Pop and R&B Michael Buble' to Michael McDonald. Sting to SInatra. A homage to Wayne Anthony's most Influential Artists! Featuring songs by Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Eric Clapton, Frank Sinatra, and more. Plus a few great Wayne Anthony originals! Wayne Anthony: Vocals Phil Kadidlo: Piano Tony Axtell: Bass Michael Pilhofer: Drums […]

Ethiopian guitarist Selam Seyoum Woldemariam, with drummer Abinnet Berhanu, bassist Yohannes Tona and pianist Steven Hobert

An evening of music with Nils Westal and trio mates.

Vocalist Nnenna Freelon is a seven-time Grammy nominee and multiple award-winning artist. Freelon has earned a well-deserved reputation as a compelling and captivating live performer. Nnenna is also a wife, mother, and sister who has experienced life's amazing gifts, and also its heartbreak. She lost her soulmate and husband, renowned architect Phil Freelon, to ALS […]

Ethiopian guitarist Selam Seyoum Woldemariam, with drummer Abinnet Berhanu, bassist Yohannes Tona and pianist Steven Hobert.

The Pete Quirsfeld Trio returns to Jazz Central Studios with new original music. Pete's compositions draw from a wide range of musical influences and life experiences, but are rooted in jazz.   Featuring: Ethan Ostrow - piano Graydon Peterson - bass Pete Quirsfeld - drums and compositions

Enjoy Motown hits interpreted in an acoustic jazz style. Repertoire includes fresh new arrangements of songs by Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and others. The Swinging Motown group has received excellent reviews from their shows at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, the Dakota, and as the featured artists at the 2025 Iowa Jazz in […]