Jazz Police - Rene Marie, Karrin Allyson Highlight Jazz in July ... http://www.jazzpolice.com/index2.php?option=com_content&t... Rene Marie, Karrin Allyson Highlight Jazz in July at the Dakota Written by Andrea Canter, Contributing Editor Wednesday, 29 June 2011 Nachito Herrera©Andrea Canter Two leaders of American vocal jazz, each with a recent acclaimed recording, come to the Dakota in July, headed up a jazz calendar that also features Cuban pianist Nachito Herrera, former Twin Citian/stellar vocalist Bruce Henry, contemporary legends Ronnie Laws and The Rippingtons, and the second annual “Dakota Street Fest.” Also on the music calendar--- return visits from Brian McKnight and the Steeles. All That Jazz July 8-9, Nachito Herrera (8 pm). Since he emigrated from Cuba nearly ten years ago, Nachito Herrera has burrowed his way into the hearts of Twin Cities’ jazz fans with his monster technique, bottomless energy, and infectious enthusiasm for his homeland and its eclectic rhythms. Even fans of trad and polka now tap their Sorrel boots to montuno and clavé. As a child prodigy, Nachito studied classical music in Havana with Cuban masters Rubén González, Jorge Gomez Labraña, and Frank Fernández. He went on to serve as music director for several bands before leading Cubanismo! His travels to the US caught the eye of potential sponsors, including the Dakota’s Lowell Pickett, and with some wrangling with state department redtape, this amazing musician found himself in Minnesota. Over the past few years, Nachito’s nearly monthly performances at the Dakota have saluted the music of Earth, Wind and Fire and Duke Ellington, as well as the folk traditions of his homeland. He’s released three recordings (including two “Live at the Dakota” CDs), headlined at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, and toured coast to coast with the famed Afro-Cuban All-Stars led by Juan De Marcos. Every performance with Nachito is a party—bring your dancing shoes. July 10, Robert Everest World Ensemble (7 pm). He covers the world of music in seven languages. Guitarist/vocalist /composer Robert Everest takes you on a journey through diverse cultural traditions and rich musical heritages. July 12, Rene Marie (7 & 9 pm). Her voice has been compared to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson, her social advocacy through song to Nina Simone and Abbey Lincoln. And the story of Rene Marie is part tabloid, part fairy tale – a self-taught singer, marrying and parenting young, putting her career on hold for two decades, leaving her marriage, finally devoting fulltime to her art, leaving her native Virginia, and ultimately gaining full control of her musical choices. And while her recordings and live performances have long garnered accolades, it’s her affinity for strange musical mergers that has generated the most response, even controversy. On her 2001 Vertigo, she made the gutsy decision to sing the white South anthem “Dixie” with the Billie Holiday signature tune, “Strange Fruit,” a preview perhaps of her notorious performance in Denver when, not long before the 2008 National Democratic Convention, she chose to sing the unofficial Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” rather than the expected “Star Spangled Banner.” That song melded, with more traditional songs of American patriotism, becomes the centrifugal force of her new release, Voice of My 1 of 3 7/7/11 4:43 PM Jazz Police - Rene Marie, Karrin Allyson Highlight Jazz in July ... http://www.jazzpolice.com/index2.php?option=com_content&t... Beautiful Country, Rene’s self-described “love song to America.” Rene has visited the Dakota a few times in the past, and with the success of her latest release, this return is eagerly anticipated. July 18-19, The Rippingtons (7 & 9 pm). Under the leadership of guitarist Russ Freeman, The Rippingtons have been one of the most successful bands within contemporary jazz over the past 25 years, garnering Grammy nominations, Billboard and OASIS awards, and fans throughout the world. The Rippingtons include keyboardist Bill Heller, drummer Dave Karasony, saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, and newest member, bassist Rico Belled. July Rene Marie 20-21, Karrin Allyson (7 & 9 pm). Her smoky alto, wide-ranging repertoire from ballad to samba to blues, and a presence that nearly pulls you onstage beside her are sufficient reasons to welcome four-time Grammy nominee Karrin Allyson back to the Dakota for her annual visit. And if you need further convincing, consider that she “can swing, she can scat, she can croon the blues—and she plays one mean piano” (Gary Giddens). It’s always a homecoming when Karrin performs in the Twin Cities, with her Midwest roots, appearances on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion, and frequent associations with local pianist Laura Caviani. After graduating from the University of Nebraska with a degree in piano, she spent her early professional career in Minneapolis and Kansas City, finally moving to New York. Since her first release in the early 90s, Karrin has made 14 recordings for Concord reflecting classic American jazz roots as well as Karrin Allyson©Andrea Canter French and Brazilian influences; her love of both French and Portuguese seeps into her live performances as well as recordings, most notably on From Paris to Rio and Grammy- nominated Imagina. This spring, Karrin released a collection of introspective ballads, ‘Round Midnight. Like her 2001 homage to John Coltrane (Ballads), her latest visits dark corners and wistful musings, areas where Allyson so skillfully inhabits a lyric. And unlike her previous recordings, here Karrin handles all keyboard duties herself. Every live gig with Karrin Allyson is a revelation. July 22-23, Bruce Henry (8 pm). Perhaps the most easily identified male voice in Twin Cities Jazz, Bruce Henry relocated to his adopted home town of Chicago in 2008. Fortunately he left behind ongoing projects and gig dates that bring him back frequently, not only at the Dakota but, in recent months, also appearing at the Hopkins Center for the Arts and Hell’s Kitchen. Born in Mississippi and raised in Chicago, Bruce first sang in church, moving on to study at the Chicago Conservatory of Music where he discovered Al Jarreau, Nina Simone and John Coltrane. But his music has always been informed by social issues as well as the spirits of his musical elders. “All the way through my twenties, my music had a political/spiritual bent to it, especially my religious music…Over the years I have sought to find outlets for this expression.” And whether he is singing “Billie’s Bounce” or “Afro Blue,” his music is a full expression of all that makes up Bruce Henry. July 25-26, Ronnie Laws and Tom Browne (7 & 9 pm). Brother of the flute/sax titan Hubert Laws, saxophonist Ronnie has built a formidable career in his own right. He cut his teeth with the Jazz Crusaders and Hugh Masekela before founding Earth, Wind and Fire. Beginning in the 70s, Laws recorded a string of best-sellers for Blue Note, becoming one of the leading voices of the funk/fusion era. Trumpeter Tom Browne most notably worked with Sonny Fortune in the late 70s before moving on to solo projects that included the R&B hit, Funkin for Jamaica. Over the past two decades, Browne has split his time between working as an airline pilot and playing straight-ahead jazz. 2 of 3 7/7/11 4:43 PM Jazz Police - Rene Marie, Karrin Allyson Highlight Jazz in July ... http://www.jazzpolice.com/index2.php?option=com_content&t... Dakota StreetFest, July 16 (Noon-11:30 pm) The second annual Dakota StreetFest takes place on July 16th, featuring four stages of music on Nicollet Mall, Kidsville for family fun, and more. This free day runs from the club at 10th and Nicollet down the street to Peavy Plaza. The music line-up will be announced soon. In addition to the club stage, Main Stage outside the club, and Peavy Plaza stage, there will again be a Youth Stage sponsored by the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education and through a generous donation from Dr. Mark R. Migliori, MD PA. Bands scheduled to perform this year include Walker West Music Academy, High School for Recording Arts, Stillwater Area High School Jazz Band, Minneapolis Southwest High School Jazz Combo, and the Dakota Combo. Peavy Plaza boasts Seven Steps to Havana, Maud Hixson and more. And All That Music July 1, Mitch Woods and Rocket 88s with Johnny Reno ( 8 pm) July 2-3, Davina & the Vagabonds (8 pm) July 6-7, Brian McKnight (7 & 9 pm) July 15, Davina & the Vagabonds (8 pm) July 17, Carrie Rodriguez (7 pm) July 27, The Steeles (7 pm) Bruce Henry©Andrea Canter July 29, Keri Noble (7 & 9 pm) July 30, Ray Manzarek and the Roy Rogers Band (8 pm) Coming Soon! Watch the Dakota website for new shows. August 22, Ben Sidran with Irv Williams The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites Close Window 3 of 3 7/7/11 4:43 PM.