Davina and The Vagabonds at Dakota
2025-10-19 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | The Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States
“Davina and the Vagabonds combat heartache with sugar and sass.” – Downbeat

Davina Sowers and the Vagabonds have created a stir on the national music scene. Their high-energy live shows feature level-A musicianship, sharp-dressed professionalism and Sowers’ commanding stage presence. Also, their influences range from Fats Domino and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Aretha Franklin and Tom Waits. Moreover, the band is converting audiences one show at a time, from Vancouver to Miami and across Europe.
Much like the music, the story spurns era, expectation and classification. The often unbelievable, sometimes harrowing, and wholly inspiring journey of Davina Sowers gave birth to her eponymous band in 2004. As the tale goes, she grew up in the economically depressed Allegheny town of Altoona, PA. She now describes the town as “awesome in the industrial era, but horrible for high school.” Then, she was adopted by her stepfather when he was in his 80s; he passed when she was just 13. Through him and his Edison phonograph, she first heard the music that would start her journey. For example, The Ink Spots, Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and many others. “Great man. He was my angel and still is,” she says.
On her own, she vividly recalls hours in front of the record player at home. There, she religiously spun Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Simon and Garfunkel records belonging to her folk singer mom.
To this day, Davina still refers to music as “my first and eternal love.” Despite early dalliances with classical piano and guitar, she developed a heavy drug habit in high school. Further, this morphed into heroin dependency, left her homeless, sent her in and out of jail and brought on all manner of trouble. Kicking dope on the streets, she “got clean, started the band and worked [her] ass off every day since.”
Recommended for fans of Pokey LaFarge, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Hot Sardines and Squirrel Nut Zippers.

Pat Donohue & Prairie All-Stars
2025-10-21 19:00 - 21:00
“one of the greatest fingerpickers in the world.” – Chet Atkins

From swing to jazz to bottleneck blues to folk, Grammy-winning acoustic guitarist Pat Donohue plays it all. He does this with a flourish of artistry and melodic inspiration. Chet Atkins called Pat one of the greatest finger pickers in the world today; Leo Kottke called his playing “haunting.”
Pat is certainly one of the most listened-to finger pickers in the world. He was the guitarist for the Guys All-Star Shoe Band of Minnesota Public Radio’s A Prairie Home Companion. There, Pat got to show off his savvy licks and distinctive original songs to millions of listeners each week.
His decade-long association with Prairie Home Companion led to some unusual gigs. There was the after-show club date in Berlin when Wynton Marsalis showed up to sit in with Pat and the Prairie Home band. Or playing music on camera for the Prairie Home Companion movie with director Robert Altman and stars Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Kline, John C. Reilly, Woody Harrelson and Tommy Lee Jones. Additionally, Pat plays nationwide and teaches at such popular music camps as Augusta Heritage Center and Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp.
Pat’s musical tastes are eclectic. Though he considers himself foremost a folk guitarist, Pat’s influences are rooted in bluesmen Blind Blake, Robert Johnson, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Muddy Waters and Miles Davis. He manages to blend jazz and blues with folk, and the mix is seamless.
Honors include a 2005 Grammy for his participation on Pink Guitar, a compilation of Henry Mancini tunes on acoustic guitar. Also, several Minnesota Music Awards, and the title of 1983 National Finger Picking Guitar Champion. His original tunes have been recorded by Chet Atkins, Suzy Bogguss and Kenny Rogers.
Recommended for fans of Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, Michael Johnson and A Prairie Home Companion.

An Evening with Herbie Hancock
2025-10-22 19:00 - 21:00
“Herbie Hancock stands as our greatest living jazz artist.” – Washington Post

Herbie Hancock – Keys
Terence Blanchard – Trumpet
James Genus – Bass
Lionel Loueke – Guitar & vocals
Jaylen Petinaud – Drums

Now in the seventh decade of his professional life, Herbie Hancock remains where he has always been: at the forefront of world culture, technology, business and music. Herbie Hancock has been an integral part of every popular music movement since the 1960s. As a member of the Miles Davis Quintet that pioneered a groundbreaking sound in jazz, he also developed new approaches on his own recordings, followed by his work in the 70s — with record-breaking albums such as Headhunters — that combined electric jazz with funk and rock in an innovative style that continues to influence contemporary music. Rockit and Future Shock marked Hancock’s foray into electronic dance sounds; during the same period, he also continued to work in an acoustic setting with V.S.O.P.
Hancock received an Academy Award for his Round Midnight film score and 14 Grammy Awards, including Album Of The Year for River: The Joni Letters, and two 2011 Grammy Awards for the globally collaborative album The Imagine Project.
Hancock serves as Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and as Institute Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. In 2011 Hancock was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, and in December of 2013, received a Kennedy Center Honor. His memoirs, Herbie Hancock: Possibilities, were published by Viking in 2014, and in February 2016 he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Hancock is currently in the studio at work on a new album.
Recommended for Fans of Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins and Miles Davis.
📸: Danny Clinch

MILK at Fingals Cave
2025-10-25 19:30 - 21:30 | Fingal’s Cave, 385 Broadway St, St Paul, MN 55101, St. Paul, MN, 55101
Jazz; Funk: Punk; Youth. MILK plays Fingal’s Cave.

“SIT – IN” PERFORMANCE SERIES w/t MN HARD BOP COLLECTIVE
2025-10-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Fingal’s Cave, 385 Broadway St, St Paul, MN 55101, St. Paul, MN, 55101
The MNHBC Jazz Student “SIT-IN” Performance Series
is funded by a grant from the
Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and the St. Paul Cultural Star.

What is “Sitting-In”?
Sitting in is not the same as a “jam session”. A musician’s definition of “sitting in” is to participate in a working group, as a guest, usually to play a couple of songs. This usually occurs at the invitation of someone in the band. This is how Jazz Musicians typically audition and introduce one another. Every working musician has a story about when they “sat in” and either got or didn’t get a gig. It is an essential skill for anyone pursuing a career as a Jazz Musician.

The mission of this performance series is to provide a formal opportunity for music students to sit in with professional Jazz Musicians, which aims to help teach students performance skills and confidence building that is not available in the classroom or open mic jam sessions. Students can just show up with their instruments although we prefer some advanced notice via our online signup sheet.

All concerts are free, ADA Accessible, and open to the public!

North Star Jazz Workshops Performance – FREE! at Metronome
2025-10-28 19:00 - 21:00 | MetroNOME Brewery, 385 Broadway St, Saint Paul, MN, United States
North Star Jazz Workshops and Metronome Brewing Present:
The North Star Jazz Workshops Fall Concert series.

North Star Jazz Workshops is excited to present a series of four concert nights over two months featuring our current lineup of adult jazz combos. These groups have been playing together for most of 2025 and are growing and learning with our teachers Chris Bates and Joe Hartnett. Each night will feature 4-5 groups performing repertoire from across the jazz canon. North Star Jazz Workshops launched at the beginning of 2025 and has really taken off. There are now over 100 people involved in combos and classes, learning about and performing Americas original art form – Jazz.
These concerts are free and open to the public and you will be surprised by the level and variety of songs these groups will present.
SO come to Metronome, grab a beer, head down to Fingal’s Cave, and hear some great music on
October 29th and 30th at 7pm
November 28th and 29th at 2pm

North Star Jazz Workshops Performance – FREE!
2025-10-29 19:00 - 21:00 | MetroNOME Brewery, 385 Broadway St, Saint Paul, MN, United States

Kenni Holmen
2025-11-03 19:00 - 21:00
“Kenni Holmen is a musical freak of nature” –Vulfpeck

Kenni Holmen is one of the most active recording and touring musicians from the Twin Cities area. He performed and recorded with many local, national and international artists over his thirty-year career.

Kenni has performed with Prince, Cory Wong, Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett, T.C. Monk, and Dizzy Gillespie. Also, Donny Osmond, The Rev. Billy Graham Crusade, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Doc Severinsen, and Garrison Keillor. Additionally, The Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, just to name a few. Kenni has recorded with Janet Jackson, Rod Stewart, Prince, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Ben Sidran, Babyface, Mandy Moore, and more.

Holmen remains busy recording album projects and jingles. Also, he writes, co-produces and performs with New Age artist Lorie Line, a role he has held since 1993. This includes a performance at The White House in the fall of 2000. Twin Cities Reader magazine voted Kenni Best Tenor Sax Player. Moreover, Kenni is also featured with Prince’s long-running horn section, The HornHeads. With them, he has toured throughout the United States and Europe since 1992.
Recommended for fans of Dave Koz, Cory Wong, The Hornheads and Prince.

L.A. Buckner & BiG HOMiE at Dakota
2025-11-08 19:00 - 21:00 | The Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States
“brassy, smooth, and syncopated with perfect finesse.” – Mpls.St.Paul

Arthur “L.A.” Buckner is one of the Twin Cities’ most creative drummers. He also took iTunes by storm with the release of his project BiG HOMiE. Here, his August 2020 release reached Number One on the iTunes jazz charts within twenty-four hours.
Buckner’s music is a fusion of his influences: Gospel, R&B, hip hop, African rhythms, and jazz. Then, on BiG HOMiE his music explodes in a fiery journey of syncopation and truth. He has earned the respect of the most trained musical ear to the everyday music lover that appreciates a good “bop.” Here, Buckner serves as executive producer, collaborating with some of the finest musicians in Minnesota. Also, the album included a feature by Mint Condition’s Stokely Williams. Further, the original single “Ooowee” solidifies L.A. as a writer/producer to be reckoned with. Additionally, the album includes a creative rendition of “Deja Vu” and a jolting take on “Human Nature”.
BiG HOMiE is a dynamic and electrifying band based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band leader is Arthur “L.A.” Buckner on drums; Jamani Buckner, percussion; David Feily, guitar; David Smith, keyboards; Jovon Williams, woodwinds; and Ethan Yeshaya, bass. Together, they create a powerful fusion of musical styles, incorporating elements of funk, rock, hip-hop, Gospel and jazz. With captivating performances and catchy melodies, BiG HOMiE has been winning over audiences and gaining recognition for their spiritual sound.
Recommended for fans of Robert Glasper, Snarky Puppy, Nate Smith and Butcher Brown.

Joshua Redman Quartet
2025-11-09 17:30 - 20:00, 2025-11-09 20:00 - 22:00
“a swinging, expressive improviser… masterpiece” – All Music

Joshua Redman is one of the most acclaimed and charismatic jazz artists working today. Joshua was born in Berkeley, California, and he is the son of legendary saxophonist Dewey Redman and dancer Renee Shedroff. He was exposed at an early age to a variety of music (jazz, classical, rock, soul, Indian, Indonesian, Middle-Eastern, African). Also, a wide range of instruments (recorder, piano, guitar, gatham, gamelan). Then, Redman began playing clarinet at age nine before switching to the tenor saxophone one year later.
John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Cannonball Adderley and his father, Dewey Redman influenced Redman early on. Also, The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, Earth, Wind and Fire, Prince, The Police and Led Zeppelin drew Joshua more deeply into music. Joshua loved playing saxophone and was a member of the award-winning Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble and Combo from 1983-86. However, he always put academics first, and he never seriously considered becoming a professional musician.
In 1991 Redman graduated from Harvard College summa cum laude, with a B.A. in Social Studies. He had already been accepted by Yale Law School, but deferred entrance for what he believed was only going to be one year. Then, Redman won the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition, propelling him to near-certain stardom.
Over the past three decades, the saxophonist, composer, and bandleader has consistently demonstrated how to honor music’s verities while expanding its reach in contemporary settings. Redman’s latest, 2025’s Words Fall Short, is an organic next step. Thus, inspiring new collaborators bring this new collection of previously unheard originals to life.
Joshua Redman – tenor saxophone
Paul Cornish – piano
Philip Norris – bass
Nazir Ebo – drums
Recommended for fans of Cannonball Adderley, Roy Hargrove, Christian McBride and Chris Potter.

John Scofield’s Combo 73
2025-11-12 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-12 21:00 - 23:00
“Scofield is one of the most prolific and admired jazz musicians of his generation” – NPR

Aside from being one of the principal innovators of modern jazz guitar, John Scofield is a rare creative artist. He is a stylistic chameleon who has forged a consistent, rock-solid aesthetic identity. Looking to commemorate his seventy-third year, Scofield has penned a collection of new compositions. Also, he reformed his swinging group, formerly Combo 66, to tour the music.
Rising star Gerald Clayton is an obvious choice on piano, an instrument central to the tunes. The connection between Scofield and drummer Bill Stewart strengthens as the decades pass. It was Stewart who introduced bassist Vicente Archer to the project eight years ago. Scofield is thrilled with the group and in addition to the musical combustion, especially enjoys the inter-generational quality. Here, seventies, fifties and forties are represented! Scofield will close 2025 with this band on tour.
Scofield is a triple Grammy award winning artist with fan bases in many camps and over fifty recordings as leader. Here, he has expressed himself in the vernacular of bebop, blues, jazz-funk, organ jazz, acoustic chamber jazz, electronically tinged groove music, jam band style and orchestral ensembles with ease and enthusiasm. Also, he has earned multiple Grammy nominations and is an Officier dans L’Ordre des Arts and Lettres by France. Moreover, Scofield tours the world approximately 200 days per year with his own groups. He has shared stages and studios with Miles Davis, Tony Williams, Jim Hall, Ron Carter, and Herbie Hancock. Also, Joe Henderson, Dave Holland, Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette, Joe Lovano, Brad Mehldau, Eddie Harris, and John Mayer. Furthermore, Phil Lesh, Aaron Neville, Mavis Staples and Medeski, Martin & Wood among many music legends.
Recommended for fans of Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Robert Glasper and Miles Davis.

Django Festival Allstars
2025-11-16 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-16 20:00 - 22:00
“buoyant rhythm, blinding technique, solid entertainment!” – New York Times

“a jazz lioness with a pure tone… and sure swing style.” — JazzTimes

Django Reinhardt’s unmistakable cool and jumping joie de vivre have made him an icon. Many guitar luminaries cite his inspiration, including guitar greats Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton. Moreover, Jimi Hendrix named his Band of Gypsys in tribute to Reinhardt. Willie Nelson adopted his influence in playing country swing.
The star musicians of the Django Festival Allstars have grown into a brilliantly cohesive group. They have performed at top concert halls and festivals to standing ovations. Also, they have wowed audiences in venues across North America.
The group’s music transports listeners to Paris in the 1920s and ’30s. Here, the All-stars bring Reinhardt’s music into the 21st century. They honor traditions and standards while adding their own interpretations, arrangements, and original compositions. They swing like crazy and will break your heart with a ballad.
Led for years by guitar master Dorado Schmitt, the Allstars are now fronted by Dorado’s son, Samson. Samson has been playing professionally since he was twelve years old and has several recordings to his credit. Flanked by the other superb musicians in this group, the future of Django’s music is in good hands indeed!
Veronica Swift has made her mark on the international jazz scene as one of the star vocalists of her era. Now, Swift expands her style, establishing herself as a skilled rock and soul singer as well as a dynamic performer. Here, she transcends styles, and fully embodies them with authenticity to tell a story. This makes her one of the most skillful singers in any genre and displays her theatrical approach.
Veronica Swift, vocals
Samson Schmitt, lead guitar, vocals
Pierre Blanchard, violin
Ludovic Beier, accordion and accordina
Antonio Licusati, bass
Francko Mehrstein, rhythm guitar
Recommended for fans of Django Reinhardt, John Jorgenson, Stephane Wrembel and Biréli Lagrène.

Kavyesh Kaviraj & Omar Abdulkarim – In Harmony A Tribute to Roy Hargrove & Mulgrew Miller
2025-11-17 19:00 - 21:00
“the essence of what jazz is.” – Jazz Police

Kavyesh Kaviraj imbues his life and stories into his music, carefully weaving his influences into a boundary-breaking modern jazz outfit. He is well-known in the Twin Cities and beyond as a pianist, composer and arranger.
Kavyesh has garnered acclaim in many musical climates, and currently calls St. Paul, MN home. Primarily a jazz pianist, he is a sought-after musician in many genres. He has performed with internationally renowned artists like Wynton Marsalis, David Sanchez, Justin Robinson, Roosevelt Collier, Steve Cole and others. Further, he has been an important member of the Twin Cities music community. He has worked with local jazz legends like Debbie Duncan, Bruce Henry, Babatunde Lea, Kevin Washington, and LA Buckner. Simultaneously he is active in hip-hop, gospel, R&B, funk scenes and many crossover acts.
Omar Abdulkarim has been playing the trumpet since he was fourteen months old. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Omar has shared the stage with Roy Hargrove, Redman, Method Man, KRS-ONE and Talib Kweli. He has also performed with Nicholas Payton’s Television Studio Orchestra and Valerie Ponomarev’s Big Band.
Omar’s versatility extends beyond live performances. He has written and recorded music with Lauryn Hill and Jose James. His influences include Fats Navarro, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, John Coltrane and Lee Morgan.
Omar’s journey reflects a dedication to his art. He continually expands his musical horizons and collaborates with a diverse range of artists. His rich experiences and influences have shaped him into a dynamic and innovative trumpet player. He makes significant contributions to both the jazz and contemporary music scenes.
Recommended for fans of Roy Hargrove, Ahmad Jamal, Woody Shaw and Keith Jarrett.

Let it Be Jazz – Connie Evingson Sings the Beatles
2025-11-20 19:00 - 21:00
“Evingson [is] among the first-rank of today’s jazz vocalists.” – AllMusic

Connie Evingson reprises her Beatles CD “Let it Je Jazz,” featuring fresh, unusual treatments of Lennon and McCartney favorites, putting a new spin on songs you thought you knew.
Minnesota born-and-raised, Connie Evingson has a catalog of acclaimed albums that cover a wide range within the jazz genre. The Twin Cities-based singer possesses an adventurous spirit that, like her music, knows no boundaries. Thus, her albums span jazz to Broadway standards, to covering Peggy Lee or The Beatles. Her ten albums released through Minnehaha Music have all charted in the Top 50 in the United States and Canada. Additionally, listeners can hear them on radio stations around the globe.
Evingson has toured worldwide, with appearances at concert halls, theaters and festivals in the U.S., Europe and Japan. For example, memorable performances include Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis, Michael Feinstein, and Vince Giordano. She has made multiple performances on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. Also, she has collaborated with the Minnesota Orchestra and Toronto Symphony conducted by Doc Severinsen. Additionally, she’s performed with JazzMN Orchestra and Vocalessence. Moreover, Evingson is a two-time recipient of both the McKnight Fellowship for Performing Musicians as well as the Minnesota State Arts Board Artist’s Initiative Grant.
“it was sheer pleasure to realize the success that Minnesota-reared vocalist and arranger Connie Evingson had when preparing Let It Be Jazz… I was dumbfounded by the style and grace exuded from this recording… Evingson applies bossa nova to “From Me to You,” tango to “When I’m 64,” and swing to “Blackbird.” What is offered is a real mixed bag in the best way. Almost every jazz subgenre is represented.” – All About Jazz, review of Let it Be Jazz
Recommended for fans of Karrin Allyson, Stacey Kent, John Pizzarelli and Jane Monheit.

Boney James – Slow Burn Tour
2025-11-22 18:30 - 21:00
“R&B-inflected saxophone… lyrical and intimate” – Jazz Times

Boney James’s latest, 2024’s Slow Burn is a new high point in a remarkable career that now spans more than three decades. He has earned a long list of accolades: four Grammy nominations and three NAACP Image Award nominations. Also, a Soul Train Award for Best Jazz Album and four RIAA Gold Record certifications. In 2009, Billboard named James one of the Top 3 Contemporary Jazz Artists of the decade. In 2024, Boney became the first ever artist to score twenty Number One singles on the Billboard Smooth Jazz chart.
But James has never been one to look backwards and Slow Burn, which the artist produced, marks several firsts. These begin with the album’s opening track, “Arcadia”. Here, the very first notes on the album are the acoustic bass playing of the legendary Marcus Miller. It’s one of the few times that Miller, known for his electric bass guitar work, has committed his standup bass playing to a recording. Furthermore, it is the first time that James has incorporated an upright bass into his own music.
Next is James’ intriguing interpretation of the classic “Butterfly,” co-written by master keyboardist Herbie Hancock and Bennie Maupin. Then, the track features Marcus Miller again as well as young lion Cory Henry’s inspired electric piano. “This beautiful melody got stuck in my head,” explains James. “I have never covered a tune by a legend like Herbie before and I hope we did him justice.”
Rising star R&B vocalist October London is featured on the first single from the album, “All I Want Is You”. James says, “It’s one of the most exciting vocal collaborations I’ve ever recorded.”
Recommended for fans of Rick Braun, Brian Culbertson, Kirk Whalum and Jeffrey Osborne.
