Live Music

Patty and The Buttons preach the gospel of hot rhythm and happy feet. The band is similar to what you would find in a dance hall, cafe or nightclub anywhere around the world between 1920-1940. Despite being an ensemble firmly rooted in tradition, the band presents their music without being shackled to history. They play their own compositions as well as takes on music of the era. Patty’s eclectic taste gives the band diverse influences including New Orleans Traditional Jazz, Western Swing, Gypsy Melodies, Ragtime Piano Blues, Jug Music and 1930′s Popular Song. The core instrumentation of accordion, clarinet, guitar and bass is light and swift, but also melancholic and lush when it needs to be. Patty, mostly known as an accordionist doubles as the bands vocalist. His voice is inspired most by the old time hollers and croons from the dawn of recording once described as “Tom Waits meets Rudy Vallee.” More than anything, The Buttons is a group that is always enjoying themselves… Which seems to give audiences permission to do the same.

Get ready for dancing at Devil Dodger’s gig with Country Two-Step dance lessons! Lessons: 5-6, Music 6-9.

Todd Albright is a country blues, twelve string guitar player and vocalist based in Detroit, Michigan. Grounded in the pre-war era of the blues tradition (1880-1939), Todd is a mindful purveyor of blues history. His repertoire upholds musical pillars such as Blind Willie McTell, George Carter, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Leadbelly. His life’s work continues the distinguished tradition of the very roots of American music as told by the African American musicians who created it.   Todd’s vigorous, gritty and soulful performances are accompanied by stories of the masters and a deep intuitive sense of respect for craft, providing audiences with a meaningful experience while creating a transcendent moment. One of the top blues guitarists in the world, Todd is the only contemporary twelve string player in his genre. Todd began playing the blues while still a teenager, some twenty-five years ago. Initially, he was drawn to the sound of the finger-picked style and has since immersed himself in the foundational music and narratives of American culture. Over the years, Todd has shared the stage with artists such as Roy Book Binder, Charlie Parr, Paul Geremia, and Dakota Dave Hull.  Todd’s first full-length LP, Fourth Floor Visitor, was released by Jett Plastic Recordings out of Detroit, Michigan (2017). His latest album, Detroit Twelve String: Blues & Rags, is out now on Third Man Records (2017). 

Lars-Erik Larson, Nick Salisbury, Blair Krivanek with special guests

The Monday Club Six Piece Traditional Jazz Band

Squirrel’s first pop up Vintage market of the season

Scott Hefte and the Bury ‘em Deep Emma Jeanne

Driftless Revelers will be outside playing the Magnolia Band Shell The Driftless Revelers formed in the second spring of the first global pandemic of the 21st century, with one ear turned toward the shellac platters and Victrola virtuosos of the early to mid 20th century, and the other ear glued to the soundscapes of the 1960’s & 1970’s American freak-folk scene. ​ Since their debut tour in 2021, the band has billed with Grammy winning bluegrass legends like Tim O’Brien, toured extensively throughout the Upper Midwest, and had breakout performances at several festivals and events (Mile of Music in Appleton, WI. featured in Rolling Stone Magazine). These Eau Claire, Wisconsin based weirdos have earned a cult following of devoted fans from Minnesota to Michigan who appreciate their irreverent, highly original, and sometimes slightly psychedelic interpretation of American roots music with a Midwest twist. Their live show banter and thoroughly entertaining sets have earned them comparisons to Ween,  Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, Tenacious D, and the Holy Modal Rounders. Their debut record, American Fork Standards (2022), was well received by their family members, and a few other people who said nice things about it.  ​ Featuring the original songwriting of Ben Nelson, Matthew R. Sayles, and Jerod Kaszynski, the Driftless Revelers will pleasure a crowd with plectral wah pedal banjo tones, the mournful wailing of resophonic steel guitars, and the up-right bass bellows of an era that can’t quite be defined, but revels in the timeless ephemera of weird old-time American music. ​ With influences as varied and eccentric as a proper musty smelling thrift store record collection, the band grooves merrily through early roots blues and jazz music, to hillbilly and string band howlers, all the way into the not-quite folk but not-quite psychedelic realms of their own creation. ​ A Driftless Revelers show will lure you in with their joy–keep you dancing with their search for the cosmic groove in the confines of stringed instruments–and will send you on your way with flashbacks of the Driftless Revelry found only in the essence of the intangible reaches of notes once played– that then fall silent

Patty and The Buttons preach the gospel of hot rhythm and happy feet. The band is similar to what you would find in a dance hall, cafe or nightclub anywhere around the world between 1920-1940. Despite being an ensemble firmly rooted in tradition, the band presents their music without being shackled to history. They play their own compositions as well as takes on music of the era. Patty’s eclectic taste gives the band diverse influences including New Orleans Traditional Jazz, Western Swing, Gypsy Melodies, Ragtime Piano Blues, Jug Music and 1930′s Popular Song. The core instrumentation of accordion, clarinet, guitar and bass is light and swift, but also melancholic and lush when it needs to be. Patty, mostly known as an accordionist doubles as the bands vocalist. His voice is inspired most by the old time hollers and croons from the dawn of recording once described as “Tom Waits meets Rudy Vallee.” More than anything, The Buttons is a group that is always enjoying themselves… Which seems to give audiences permission to do the same.

Sun June 9 Molly Maher & Jeff Ray, 1pm https://mollymaher.com/ https://jeffraymusic.com/ Molly Maher resides on the border between the lands of Americana and the Blues and moves beautifully between them, blending simmer and cool with kick-ass guitar playing. Molly has traveled the roads of the American music tradition and returned to sing about it with an authentic and sage voice. To see her perform live is an unforgettable experience.  An incomparable singer and songwriter with compelling depth and soul and cutting lyrics draws from the deep roots of Americana music. Writing songs that ring true her singing is a fine balance of deep and soulful, somewhere between Lucinda Williams and Bonnie Raitt. Twangy and lament-filled spirit, guitar driven country-folk-jam with a blues swagger. Molly will be joined by Minnesota resonator slide-guitarist and songwriter Jeff Ray. Ray‘s music is rooted in the traditions of acoustic blues and American primitive fingerstyle guitar while also integrating Indian classical and world music styles under the cryptic guise of alternate guitar tunings. His music recalls early blues and rock, fingerstyle-folk, and Indian Carnatic music – sounding equal parts Ry Cooder, Grateful Dead and RL Burnside. Jeff has shared the stage with Chris Smither, Justin Townes Earl, Indigenous, Spider John Koerner, Earl Greyhound, Black Diamond Heavies, Pat Donohue, Retribution Gospel Choir, Dawes, and Charlie Parr, among others. He has earned recognition as a first-place winner of the Minnesota Blues Society “Road to Memphis” competition and placed second in the Trocadero’s Spotlight Songwriter Competition. JEFF RAY hosts the “Roots & Resophonics” concert series at the White Squirrel Bar on the 2nd Sunday of every month, 1-3pm, featuring a unique duo performance of the most talented local and regional musicians in the American roots genre.        

Dinner and cocktail seating and service begins 1 hour before showtimes. I Am Woman …. Presented by Lori Dokken coming back to Crooners Join us for a concert event celebrating some of the greatest women singers and songwriters ever! Music Director and pianist Lori Dokken is joined by three of the finest Twin Cities’ vocalists – Judi Vinar, Patty Peterson and Rachel Holder – and they combine forces to turn the stage into a celebration of some of the monumental matriarchs of music. Every time these great friends take the stage, it promises to be a fantastic afternoon of hearing these women “roar” as only they can! Sit back and enjoy the vibrant vocal harmonies these women put to tunes made famous by divas like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Joni Mitchell, Annie Lennox, Carole King, Barbra Streisand, Bonnie Raitt, Tina Turner, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, The Andrews Sisters, Sara Bareilles, Helen Reddy, Gladys Knight, Alicia Keys and several others. Their set list changes with every show so come back and check them out often! Lori Dokken vocals Patty Peterson vocals Rachel Holder vocals Judi Vinar vocals Over the past four decades, Lori Dokken has performed at every major venue in the Twin Cities from The Dakota to The Guthrie to The Ordway. A sought after accompanist, she is also a successful concert producer, educator, vocal coach, arranger, and vocalist. Currently the Music Director at Unity Minneapolis, she has also been the MD for everything from ensembles at McNally Smith College of Music to acts at the Bryant Lake Bowl and recently was the Music Director for Disenchanted during its successful run at The Illusion Theatre in November 2014. She has produced headline shows for cruise ships as well as local cabaret acts and has opened for legends like Eartha Kitt, Carole King and Tony Bennett. Lori has sung backups for Kenny Loggins and shared the stage with Beatrice Arthur. LoriDokken.com

Get ready for dancing at Devil Dodger’s gig with Country Two-Step dance lessons! Lessons: 5-6, Music 6-9.

Crooners Classics – every Wednesday at 5PM we will celebrate the beloved musical treasures of yesterday. Wednesday’s Crooners Classics Buddy Holly Tribute All the Holly Hits, from “That’ll Be the Day” to “Rave On!” Nicholas Freeman and THE BIG BAND (Guitars, bass, drums) A STELLAR TRIBUTE to the music of American rock and roll icon Buddy Holly , featuring original cast members (Nicholas Freeman, Blake Foster and Zach Spicer) from History Theatre’s IVEY-award-winning production of Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story. Endorsed by Sonny Curtis and Jerry Allison of The Crickets! Music direction by Gary Rue, produced by *Gary Rue. “…congratulations on an absolutely stellar show on Saturday night, you and the band brought an amazing experience to The Palace. I’ve been hearing chatter all over town about it and everyone agrees that it was phenomenal. Please extend my congratulations and thanks to the rest of the band. It was spectacular!” ~Shawn Kinsinger, Historic Palace Theatre, Luverne MN www.GaryRue.com

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. Originals And Jazz Classics Playing tunes from Peter’s CDs and their favorite jazz standards. Ryan Garmoe trumpet Joe Mayo tenor sax Abebi Stafford piano Kameron Markworth bass Peter Kogan drums The Peter Kogan Quintet has been playing around the Twin Cities since 2016. The current aggregation has been together since last July. Peter Kogan backed up Blues masters Lightnin’ Hopkins, Floyd Jones and Honeyboy Edwards, appeared with the Larry Elgart Big Band and played with jazz, rock and blues bands in New York City before joining The Minnesota Orchestra as Principal Timpanist from 1986 – 2015. “Peter Kogan mixes and matches hard bop ensembles of various sizes on this comfort food collection of jazz standards and originals. Eternal sounds for the ages.” –Jazz Weekly PeterKoganMusic.com

We’re a group of musicians in the Twin Cities that likes to focus on the music found on Harry Smith’s Anthology of American Folk Music. Mikkel Beckmen (percussion), Jillian Rae (fiddle and vocals), Adam Kiesling (guitar, banjo and vocals).

Patty and The Buttons preach the gospel of hot rhythm and happy feet. The band is similar to what you would find in a dance hall, cafe or nightclub anywhere around the world between 1920-1940. Despite being an ensemble firmly rooted in tradition, the band presents their music without being shackled to history. They play their own compositions as well as takes on music of the era. Patty’s eclectic taste gives the band diverse influences including New Orleans Traditional Jazz, Western Swing, Gypsy Melodies, Ragtime Piano Blues, Jug Music and 1930′s Popular Song. The core instrumentation of accordion, clarinet, guitar and bass is light and swift, but also melancholic and lush when it needs to be. Patty, mostly known as an accordionist doubles as the bands vocalist. His voice is inspired most by the old time hollers and croons from the dawn of recording once described as “Tom Waits meets Rudy Vallee.” More than anything, The Buttons is a group that is always enjoying themselves… Which seems to give audiences permission to do the same.

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. Gospel Roots Music A mix of traditional hymns, Southern gospel, blues, and mountain music, intertwining story and song to chronicle the evolution of gospel music from its roots in slavery continuing up through the vocal groups of the 1960’s as it transitioned into modern R&B. Joyann Parker guitar, vocalsMark Lamoine guitar, vocalsChris Bates upright bass American roots singer-songwriter Joyann Parker is an international touring artist, twice nominated for Tribute Act of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year by the Midwest Country Music Association. “Joyann Parker knows her way around a song. She climbs inside it, dwells in it, lives with every note and phrase, delivering performances that seize our emotions and capture the ragged despair and heightened joy of life.” –Living Blues Magazine JoyannParker.com

Get ready for dancing at Devil Dodger’s gig with Country Two-Step dance lessons! Lessons: 5-6, Music 6-9.

Welcome to Crooners Classics – every Wednesday will have a 5 PM show highlighting a classic act from music history! Wednesday’s Crooners Classics R&B /Soul Join Kijana to celebrate Juneteenth, and A Change is Gonna Come! This show will feature the music of Sam Cooke, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, and other soulful greats of their time with a four piece band and smooth vocals of Kijana. Kijana Gant, Vocals Taylor Hamilton, Keys Keandre Mack, Drums Ben Thomas, Bass Spencer Bradley, Lead Guitar Jordan Advant, Background Vocals Kijana “KJ” Gant is a captivating R&B artist hailing from the vibrant music scene of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rooted in Chicago but raised in Gary, Indiana, KJ’s profound connection with music was forged at the tender age of 12. His musical journey centers around crafting mellifluous tunes that delve into the tapestry of life, love, and human connections to enhance all three facets. www.kjgant.com

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. Modern Original Jazz A double header with an opening set by the Steve Kenny Quartet followed by a set by the ensemble, Le Percheron. The popular Jazz Trumpeter and his quartet open for Minnesota’s very best and longest running Avant-Guard Jazz band to kick off the 2024 Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Bryan Murray saxophonesNoah Ophoven-Baldwin cornetLevi Schwartzberg vibes Adam Linz bass Cory Healey drums The Steve Kenny Quartet is a flexible membership ensemble that focuses on select Original Compositions by Steve Kenny and a number of crowd-pleasing innovative arrangements of Jazz standards. The group has been performing on Twin Cities Jazz Club stages for 10 years and has toured the Midwest and appeared on the music series at Drake University, the Eau Clair Jazz festival, and the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Steve Kenny is active in the Minnesota Jazz community as a Performer, Composer, and Curator. Steve is a founding member of ‘the illicit sextet’, “Group 47”, “What Would Monk Do?” and his own “Quartets”. Steve was the curator of a weekly Saturday Jazz series at kj’s hideaway, and before that the Black Dog Cafe, producing over 400 Saturday Night Jazz shows. His latest recording, “Quartets”, includes original compositions played by 4 separate ensembles of Twin Cities Jazz musicians, including a Live version of Steve Kenny’s Ghost Suite. in 2019 the national Jazz Journalists Association named Steve as a “Minnesota Jazz Hero” for his work in the Jazz community and lifelong devotion to the Idiom. Le Percheron is a long-standing creative project led by Adam Linz (Fat Kid Wednesdays) says “I love being able to have vibes, cornet, bass, drums. I’m a huge Don Cherry fan. One of my favorite Don Cherry groups is that European quartet with Karl Berger. I love that sound. So that’s kind of where the group started. It is an outlet for me to compose. My goal with Le Percheron is to continue to play with those guys. I don’t believe in overnight success. We’ve been a band for 8 years now, and I think we’re just getting comfortable. My goal is to keep developing the group. I love that those guys are so willing to go with me down this road. I’m not trying to push it, so we need to play all the time, either. I like to give things a lot of breathing room, so that when we do play, we have something to play about.” And now, with the addition of Bryan Murray, this group is really world-class and must be heard to be believed. The Steve Kenny Quartet

Join Socktopus for an afternoon of antics. Help kick off their summer tour!

Dinner and cocktail seating and service begins 75 minutes before showtimes. Jazz and Swing Celebrating 89 years of Basie Swing CONDUCTOR/TRUMPET: Scotty Barnhart GUEST VOCALIST: *Carmen Bradford TRUMPETS: Frank Greene, Lead Trumpet Shawn Edmonds Brandon Lee Endre Rice TROMBONES: * Clarence Banks Isrea Butler, Lead Ron Wilkins, Bass Trombone Mark Williams SAXOPHONES: Josh Lee, Baritone Doug Miller, Tenor Dave Glasser, Lead Alto & Flute Stantawn Kendrick, Alto & Flute Doug Lawrence, Tenor RHYTHM SECTION: Robert Boone, Drums Trevor Ware, Bass Will Matthews, Guitar Reggie Thomas, Piano MANAGER: * Dee Askew *Indicates worked or performed with Count Basie In the history of Jazz music, there is only one bandleader that has the distinction of having his orchestra still performing sold out concerts all over the world, with members personally chosen by him, for nearly 40 years after his passing. Pianist and bandleader William James “Count” Basie was and still is an American institution that personifies the grandeur and excellence of Jazz. The Count Basie Orchestra, today directed by Scotty Barnhart, has won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, won 18 Grammy Awards, performed for Kings, Queens, and other world Royalty, appeared in several movies, television shows, at every major jazz festival and major concert hall in the world. The most recent honor is a 2024 Grammy Win of Best Large Jazz Ensemble for “Basie Swings the Blues”! Current members include musicians hired by Basie himself: Frequent guest vocalist Carmen Bradford (joined in 1983) and trombonist Clarence Banks (1984). Long-time members include Doug Miller (1989, formerly w/Lionel Hampton), guitarist Will Matthews from Kansas City (1996), and members who have 15-25 years of service; trombonist Mark Williams, trumpeters Shawn Edmonds and Endre Rice, saxophonists Doug Lawrence (formerly w/Benny Goodman) and returning on lead alto, David Glasser. Newer members include bassist Trevor Ware, lead trumpeter Frank Greene III and trumpeter Brandon Lee, pianist Reginald Thomas, lead trombonist Isrea Butler, bass trombonist Ronald Wilkins, alto sax and flute Stantawn Kendrick and the youngest members, drummer Robert Boone and baritone saxophonist Josh Lee. The Count Basie Orchestra