Henry Berberi is a saxophonist and composer originally from Morris, Minnesota, but currently studying at the Manhattan School of Music, pursuing an undergraduate degree in Jazz Saxophone. The trio will play some original compositions with an emphasis on open improvisation.   Featuring: Henry Berberi - alto saxophone Chet Carlson - bass Tarek Abdelqader - drums

Strategic Mice performs original, modern improvisational music with a focus on groove, and features London native Fred Flowerday on keyboards, Minnesota-born Andrew Schwandt on tenor saxophone, and from Latvia, Haralds Bondaris on drums.   In this performance, we’ll be presenting “The Moving Suite”, a series of tunes that commemorate a formative shared experience.

The Bill Simenson Orchestra is a 17 piece big band (5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, guitar, piano, bass, and drums). Since June of 2012 the band has performed the first Tuesday of every month at Jazz Central Studios.

Aaron O’Connor is a trumpet player and composer from the Twin Cities area. He moved to Duluth to continue his education and quickly became a part of the growing jazz scene in the Twin Ports area.    His sextet includes some of the best jazz musicians in Duluth, and they will be performing all original […]

Minneapolis-based drummer Nolan Mancl-Saxon presents an evening of music from their upcoming album, Music of a Moment.  Steeped in a variety of influences, Mancl-Saxon's compositions embody what it means to play Black American Music.  Their set is a celebration of community and collaboration built on a foundation of love.   Featuring: Nolan Mancl-Saxon - bandleader/drums Blake Krapfl - saxophone […]

This 16 piece band boosts having been on-going for the last 35 years . Originally under the musical direction of arranger/ composer Steve Devich, they have built a library of big band music containing over 450 charts!

Led by chief detonators Doug Haining, sax, and Scott Agster, trombone, the Explosion Big Band draws from the area’s finest musicians. The EXPLOSION is ready to detonate with the classic sounds of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and more modern sounds of Thad Jones, Clare Fischer, Pat Metheny & others.

Saxophonist, Gus Sandberg, comes to jazz central with this quartet.   Featuring: Gus Sandberg - woodwinds Sean Turner - piano Matt McIntyre - bass Reid Kennedy - drums

Allweather is the long-running modern jazz project of bassist and composer Max Johnk. Featuring a richly orchestrated horn frontline and a shapeshifting rhythm section, Allweather exclusively perform Max’s original music- a stack of grooving, unpredictable jazz tunes that are rooted in the classic Blue Note and ECM sounds, but often gesture at the composer’s love […]

Founded in 2014 by Geoffrey West Senn and Mac Santiago (percussionist/drum set), the Twin Cites Latin Jazz Orchestra (TCLJO) brings together the drama of big band jazz, the rhythmic intensity of Latin music, and the virtuosity of eighteen of the Twin Cities’ most accomplished musicians.

Colonel Mustard's Mechanical Orchestra is a New Orleans and Balkans styled brass band playing the music of Paul Fonfara. Our repertoire includes cinematic avant spy jazz, tango, klezmer, modern modal takes on traditional Balkans sounds and vintage-esque big band arrangements. Think John Zorn polka, Duke Ellington in an episode of Twin Peaks, the Johnny Quest theme […]

A r/evolving jazz combo led by vocalist Sophie Javna, playing reimagined standards, soul and improvisation.   Featuring: Sophie Javna - vocals Pete Quirsfeld - drums Steven Hobert - piano Calvin Caron - bass