Jazz

“fantastic Django Reinhardt-inspired melodies” – Baby Blue Arts   The Red Hot Django Peppers are a fiery Twin Cities–based hot club band. They are devoted to keeping the spirit of Django Reinhardt alive while adding their own spark to the tradition. Also, the group is led by guitarist Ryan Picone, an acolyte of world-renowned guitarist Stéphane Wrembel. Also, they feature the dynamic interplay of guitarist Ian Stenlund, the soaring violin of Daniel Lentz, and the driving pulse of bassist Sean Roderick. Together, they create a sound that’s at once timeless and fresh, blending dazzling virtuosity with irresistible swing. In 2024, The Peppers made history as one of the first hot club bands to play the legendary Blue Ox Festival. There, they quickly became the talk of the festival. Their momentum continues in 2025 as they join an international lineup of world-class players at the prestigious Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest. The Red Hot Django Peppers’ audience grows with each performance. Here, they are not just torchbearers of Django’s legacy, but innovators bringing new energy and excitement to hot club jazz. Hot Club Mania features an exceptional stylistic dimension with prodigious improvisation – a group not to be missed. Experience a spontaneous, vivid performance by some of Minnesota’s most stellar artists played in the Django Reinhardt French swing tradition. The ensemble includes the unmistakable mastery of jazz violinist Gary Schulte, plus the diverse guitar styling of Glen Helgeson. Also, tasty, refined bass work by acoustic bassist Steve Pikal and accomplished jazz drummer Jay Epstein.  Hot Club Mania is the creation of longtime bandleader and guitar stylist Glen Helgeson. Helgeson is a true jazz ambassador, bringing diverse styles to people, and manifesting an unusual ability to write in those genres. Recommended for fans of Django Reinhardt, Stephane Wrembel, Dorado Schmitt and Bireli Lagrene.

“One of jazz piano’s most brazenly virtuosic players.” – New York Times   Jazz piano phenomenon Hiromi has seamlessly shifted from one spellbinding project to the next in her two decade-plus recording career. In the process, she’s earned a reputation as one of the most explosive live performers in jazz history. Furthermore, she has become a global ambassador for the art form. Her many triumphs include an NPR Tiny Desk Concert that has racked up 2 million views. She also had the opportunity to represent her native Japan with a performance at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. She won the 2024 Best Music Score for the animated feature film Blue Giant (Award of the Japanese Academy). Finally, a Grammy award for a collaboration with fusion hero Stanley Clarke. Her artistry is — to borrow a descriptor The New Yorker favored — “dazzling.” She released Sonicwonderland in 2023, debuting perhaps the most expressive, dynamic and versatile working band of her career. Featuring Hadrien Feraud on bass, Gene Coye on drums and trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, the group furthered Hiromi’s distinctive musical alchemy. Here, she melds the spirit of classic jazz-rock fusion with classically rooted virtuosity, entrancing funk, pop flourishes and, through O’Farrill’s trumpet, acoustic jazz’s state of the art. The album also did a remarkable job of capturing Hiromi’s mastery as a live entertainer. As The Guardian noted, “Sonicwonderland is perhaps the closest thing to Hiromi’s onstage exuberance.” But that was only the beginning. Sonicwonder has continued to tour and work together consistently, advancing their deep chemistry and fearless sense of interplay. The results can be heard on Hiromi’s new album, 2025’s Out There. Here, the group’s powerful rapport meets the pianist’s astonishing abilities as a composer on equal footing. Recommended for fans of Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock and Weather Report. 📸: Mitsuru Nishimura

“One of jazz piano’s most brazenly virtuosic players.” – New York Times   Jazz piano phenomenon Hiromi has seamlessly shifted from one spellbinding project to the next in her two decade-plus recording career. In the process, she’s earned a reputation as one of the most explosive live performers in jazz history. Furthermore, she has become a global ambassador for the art form. Her many triumphs include an NPR Tiny Desk Concert that has racked up 2 million views. She also had the opportunity to represent her native Japan with a performance at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. She won the 2024 Best Music Score for the animated feature film Blue Giant (Award of the Japanese Academy). Finally, a Grammy award for a collaboration with fusion hero Stanley Clarke. Her artistry is — to borrow a descriptor The New Yorker favored — “dazzling.” She released Sonicwonderland in 2023, debuting perhaps the most expressive, dynamic and versatile working band of her career. Featuring Hadrien Feraud on bass, Gene Coye on drums and trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, the group furthered Hiromi’s distinctive musical alchemy. Here, she melds the spirit of classic jazz-rock fusion with classically rooted virtuosity, entrancing funk, pop flourishes and, through O’Farrill’s trumpet, acoustic jazz’s state of the art. The album also did a remarkable job of capturing Hiromi’s mastery as a live entertainer. As The Guardian noted, “Sonicwonderland is perhaps the closest thing to Hiromi’s onstage exuberance.” But that was only the beginning. Sonicwonder has continued to tour and work together consistently, advancing their deep chemistry and fearless sense of interplay. The results can be heard on Hiromi’s new album, 2025’s Out There. Here, the group’s powerful rapport meets the pianist’s astonishing abilities as a composer on equal footing. Recommended for fans of Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock and Weather Report. 📸: Mitsuru Nishimura