Abinnet Berhanu is an expressive, explosive composer and drummer rooted in the canon of Black American music. Joining him are Dan Carpel on bass and Ted Godbout on piano. His trio draws on the legacies of American, Brazilian, and West African music. Virginia transplant Abinnet Berhanu started his fascination with music on the trumpet but […]

The Joel Shapira Trio Joel Shapira- Guitar Phil Aaron- Piano Tom Lewis- Bass

JC Sanford's EQ (Electric Quartet)   A new "plugged-in" version of a quartet led by trombonist/composer JC Sanford performs mostly Sanford's compositions and explores sonic adventures and deep grooves.   JC Sanford - trombone/effects Toivo Hannigan - electric guitar/effects Erik Fratzke - electric bass Ben Ehrlich - drumset

Miles Davis Tribute Join Solomon Parham as he pays homage to the master trumpeter, Miles Davis. Experience the music, the history, and the joy of listening to the music of Mr.Davis' legacy! Solomon Parham: Trumpet Trumpet Player Solomon Parham from Detroit, MI has established a substantial music education and community pathway in the Twin Cities. […]

Jam Session: Ben Ehrlich

Nathan Hanson and Erik Fratzke will explore the nooks and crannies of post-structuralist and restructuralist melodies and grooves. Jazz tunes, folk songs, and classic skronk will inform the proceedings. Join us and become familiar with the unfamiliar. Erik Fratzke is a composer/performer/educator based in St. Paul, Minn. Best known as the bassist of Happy Apple, […]

A member of the Midwest music scene for many years, Ginger Commodore is a regular visitor to the Dakota stage. Classically trained, gospel-influenced, and jazz-inspired, Ginger’s musical foundation is a true amalgam of musical styles presented with her unique delivery.

The Cherry Pit presents an open jam for musicians and music lovers in the Twin Cities. It’s a social hub for Twin Cities creatives, a training ground to refine musicianship, and a vehicle for high-vibrational improvisation. This is not a free-form basement jam or strictly a jazz jam. Our goal is to find an equilibrium […]

Twin Talk is the longstanding Chicago trio of Dustin Laurenzi (saxophone), Katie Ernst (bass/voice), and Andrew Green (drums). The band will play two freewheeling sets of original music that blur the boundaries between near-telepathic collective improvisation and highly composed songs. Since forming in 2012, Chicago’s Twin Talk has steadily drifted from the conventions of the saxophone […]

The Willie August Project Ben Siems- Guitar Matt Peterson- Upright Bass Jeremy Hauer- Drums

Brad Holden & Twins

Saxophonist Joan Hutton and pianist Tyler Lustek will perform two sets of melodic, inviting improvised music featuring jazz standards and their original compositions. Canadian native Joan Hutton is a performer, composer, and educator residing in Minneapolis. Joan’s diverse interests have taken her from jazz, free improv, and funk to classical, chamber music, and pit orchestras. […]

The Pete Snell Quartet Pete Snell- Saxophone Abebi Stafford- Piano Jim Chenoweth- Bass Jesse Simon- Drums

Stablemates

Jam Session: Ethan Ostrow

Blue Tuesday No. 2: A Tribute to Roy Hargrove Usually our night off, Blue Tuesday is a rare night when Berlin opens its doors for an intimate gathering — this is not your ordinary dinner and a show. The Omar Abdulkarim Quartet Our second Blue Tuesday is performed by The Omar Abdulkarim Quartet, and pays tribute to Roy Hargrove, […]

The Cherry Pit presents an open jam for musicians and music lovers in the Twin Cities. It’s a social hub for Twin Cities creatives, a training ground to refine musicianship, and a vehicle for high-vibrational improvisation. This is not a free-form basement jam or strictly a jazz jam. Our goal is to find an equilibrium […]

The Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio (with Natto Maki on bass and Oden on drums) will play the original music that pianist Satoko Fujii composed for this trio. Critics and fans alike have hailed Fujii as one of the most original voices in jazz today. She’s “a virtuoso piano improviser, an original composer and a bandleader […]

Celebrated pianist Dale Alexander will perform two sets of solo piano. Growing up in Minneapolis, Dale Alexander's first band was a trio with Prince and André Cymone. He recorded with Prince on the 94 East Street CD project right before Prince signed his solo contract. He then toured with Prince on the Sign ‘O the […]

Kansas City’s ShiP Duo is an innovative young pair of musicians flowing between free improvisation and jazz standards. Alto saxophone and vibraphone will meld their complementary voices to bring richness and warmth to Berlin. Henry Scamurra and Isaiah Petrie have been musical counterparts for years and have a singular sound you won't want to miss. […]

Debbie Briggs Vintage Jazz Debbie Briggs- Vocals

The Mercer Patterson Quintet, hailing from Michigan, will perform new contemporary originals as well as post-bop favorites. The Mercer Patterson Quintet is a contemporary jazz ensemble originating in the Metro Detroit area. They play originals written by all members of the band, and they are influenced by a wide range of styles and artists, including […]

For as long as he can remember, music has been a part of Kevin Gamble's life. One of his first experiences with music was playing the piano at his uncle's church as a kid. Gospel—along with jazz, funk, country, soul, and hip-hop—shaped Kevin’s musical style as an artist. After years of sharpening his skills on […]

The Reid Kennedy Trio Phil Aaron- Piano Jeremy Boettcher- Bass Reid Kennedy- Drums

JC Sanford

Davina 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 […]

Jam Session: Ted Olsen

The Cherry Pit presents an open jam for musicians and music lovers in the Twin Cities. It’s a social hub for Twin Cities creatives, a training ground to refine musicianship, and a vehicle for high-vibrational improvisation. This is not a free-form basement jam or strictly a jazz jam. Our goal is to find an equilibrium […]

The Phil Hey Trio Phil Hey on Drums Tom Lewis on Bass Chris Lomheim on Piano

Ahmed Abdulkarim has been performing music his entire life. He began on the piano, then moved to the bugle to the trombone before finally settling on the trumpet in 1956. Trumpet jazz is where he truly found his voice. Ahmed studied under Manny Laureano of the Minnesota Symphony and has performed at legendary venues including […]

Pianist Abebi Stafford and guitarist Ian Duerr will perform two sets of Abebi's originals and jazz standards. Ian Duerr is a jazz guitarist with a deeply expressive style. He is currently based in St. Paul, MN. A 2004 graduate of Cardinal Stritch University with a BFA in jazz performance, he spent five years honing his craft aboard […]

Trumpeter Omar Abdulkarim, pianist Dale Alexander, bassist Dan Carpel, drummer Joe Mason III, and saxophonist Laeton Olaleye will perform an exciting two-set tribute to Cannonball and Nat Adderley: brothers who changed the world of jazz. This excellent Twin Cities–based band will embody the same soulful, innovative, and engaging spirit that the Adderley brothers brought to […]

Benny Benack III is a fiery trumpet player and singer performing standards and his own astute compositions with a thrilling sense of showmanship. Join the Benny Benack III Quartet during The Midwest Jazz Collective Tour at Crooners! Benny Benack III: Trumpet, Vocals Tyler Henderson: Piano Caleb Tobocman: Bass Charles Goold: Drums A graduate of The Manhattan […]