Live Music
Joe Cruz: Sounds of Santana at Dakota
The Dakota 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN, United StatesGuitarist Joe Cruz leads an electrifying 7-piece band playing Carlos Santana’s best-known hits. Here, he does this amidst guitar shredding and storytelling about Santana’s life and legacy. The authentically passionate Joe Cruz and his pyrotechnic playing are a wonder to watch. Moreover, he displays his love of his own Mexican heritage and lifelong Latin-infused musical style. The dynamic Sounds of Santana band is made up of lead electric guitar, electric bass, drums, and organ. Also, two Latin percussionists and Spanish/English vocal performances. Groove along with classics including “Black Magic Woman,” “Evil Ways,” and “Oye Como Va.” Additionally, radio hits including Santana’s collaborations with Michelle Branch “The Game Of Love” and the Rob Thomas summer smash, “Smooth.” Joe Cruz is regarded as one of the most versatile and energetic multi-stringed instrumentalists on the Twin Cities music scene. Throughout his thirty-year career, this passionate musician has been involved with numerous groups and recording projects. Here, he has developed a vast array of styles. On any given night he can be found playing anything from solo acoustic guitar to screaming electric or swinging with a jazz combo. Also, picking mandolin in a bluegrass band or exploring Latin music on Cuban trés and Puerto Rican cuatro. He currently performs solo, as well as with his trio, Scenic Roots. He also plays regularly with fiddler Brian Wicklund & The Barley Jacks and with blues piano man Scottie “Bones” Miller. Recommended for fans of Santana, Eric Clapton, The Eagles and Jimi Hendrix.
Mattie and Mia
The Dubliner Pub 2162 University Avenue, St. Paul, United StatesMattie Rynkiewicz (piano) and Mia Burgstede (accordion) will play an excellent set of Irish and irish-adjacent tunes for a fun night of ceilidh dancing.
Geoff Jones and Rick Carlson at Crooners
Crooners Supper Club 6161 State Hwy 65, Fridley, MN, United StatesNo cover. Bar and table seating offered – NO RESERVATIONS. Geoff Jones: Vocals Rick Carlson: Piano Maggie’s Piano Lounge is a warm, relaxed and inviting space featuring a variety of seasoned singers and piano players. No cover. Order all of your favorite Crooners drinks and dinner items, experience superb service, and enjoy the great music!
Dedicated To You: Aja Parham Sings the Songs of Sarah Vaughan!
Dunsmore Jazz Room 6161 Hwy 65 NE, Minneapolis, MN, United StatesDinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. An Evening of Sarah Vaughan Songs Bringing her love of Sarah back to the stage, Aja embodies the spirit of Sarah, Sassy and Divine all in one night! The Divine one. Ms. Sassy Sarah Vaughan. One of the defining voices of Jazz, Sarah Vaughan performed for almost 50 years, winning awards and accolades and working with high-profile musicians. Sarah was known for her beautiful, rich and expressive voice, most notably her range and unique vibrato. Paying homage to her influence, Aja takes Sarah Vaughan’s voice from the recordings and brings it to you live. Singing such songs as “Make Comfortable”, “Misty”, and “What is this thing called Love?,” if you have never heard Sarah before, you will go leave wanting to listen to her and fall in love. Aja Parham: Vocals Adi Yeshaya: Piano Nathan Norman: Drums Butchy Austin: Trumpet Brandon Clayton: Sax Keith Nance: Sax, Flute Aja Parham has performed with the Minnesota Opera, Skylark Opera, Penumbra Theatre and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. After a time, Aja rekindled her love of Jazz, R&B, Funk and Motown, and started performing as a freelance vocalist throughout the Twin Cities. In 2018, due to her love of all things Sarah Vaughan, she studied the recordings of Sarah down to each note, slide, and placement of vibrato to construct a Sarah Vaughan Tribute show. Since being a 2024 Ordway GreenRoom Fellow, Aja has been seen performing with Bebe Zahara Benet of Drag Race, Johnnie Brown with his tribute shows, performing duets with her 9 year old son with the Capri Big Band, performing as one of the Staples singers in the Last Waltz Tribute, singing BGVs for the Snapped Open Mic at the Green Room, sitting in with Jaybee and the Routine, or in musical theatre and cabaret style settings with James Rocco and Raymond Berg. Someone once said her voice is like a warm blanket and her presence on stage makes you feel like a concert with a good friend. She is an act not to be missed. “Aja Parham is one of the Twin Cities’ most well-versed singers, with a wide vocal range and a deep knowledge of music. You can find her singing anything from jazz standards to pop tunes, R&B, gospel, and Motown.” – The Current www.ajaparham.com