Twin Cities Jazz Clubs 
| 10th annual, Twin Cities Hot Summer Jazz Festival |
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When Steve Heckler and Steve Adams put together the first “Hot Summer Jazz Festival” in 1999 at Peavey Plaza in Minneapolis, their goal was to attract a few hundred people and get some attention for their Hot Springs Record label. Thanks in large part to the drawing power of the legendary Brother Jack McDuff on the B-3 organ, over 1,000 people turned out and a new Twin Cities tradition was born. Over the ten years since its inception, the Festival has changed its name to the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Ravi Coltrane found support from generous sponsors, expanded to multiple locations (including Mears Park in St. Paul) and added tens of thousands of loyal (and casual) jazz fans to the ranks of the ever-growing crowds. The 10th annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival promises to celebrate the milestone in grand style. The return of the seminal ‘70s fusion band Return To Forever (RTF) kicks off the whole affair on June 19 at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. Featuring Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Al Di Meola, and Lenny White, the classic lineup of RTF had not shared the stage in nearly 30 years prior to their current tour. Tickets are required for the RTF show. (See article in the current TCJS Jazz Notes page 6.)
Free concerts continue to be a focal point of the Festival, and the 10th annual offerings are some of the most exciting yet. Jerry Gonzalez & the Fort Apache Band headline a night of Latin jazz on the Summit Brewing Stage in St. Paul’s Mears Park on June 20. The following night, saxophonist (and son of John) Ravi Coltrane hits the Mears Park stage. On June 20 and 21, the Artists’ Quarter will host a jam with performers from the Festival. The Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant will host Festival shows throughout the week, including a Stride Piano Night with Butch Thompson, Jon Weber and Paul Asaro on June 24. Events on the final weekend will move back to where it all began, with free concerts on the Caribou Coffee Main Stage at Peavey Plaza in downtown Minneapolis. Friday night (June 27) features B-3 organ star Tony Monaco with The Heatin’ System. This is a tip of the captain’s hat to Brother Jack McDuff, with the return of his long-time backing band. June 28 events include popular vocal group Moore By Four and the return of New Orleans vocal dynamo Charmaine Neville. Along the way, the MacPhail / Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education Stage on 10th and Nicollet will feature student groups, big bands will perform, the Jazz Vocalists of Minnesota will showcase (location, TBD), and much more. It all comes to a close on the Peavey Plaza Main Stage with Salsa del Soul on June 29. With 10 years to celebrate, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival is bound to be the biggest party so far. FFI, visit www.twincitiesjazzfestival.com or call (612) 343-5943.
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