Pianist and composer Rob Clearfield makes his Berlin debut in support of his new album, Voice in the Wilderness. Reconciling the creative spirit of his native Chicago with a lyricism that touches the heart, the France-based pianist presents a diverse program of original compositions, with influences ranging from the hip-hop infused production of Robert Glasper […]

Bassist Michael Gold, saxophonist Brad Holden, pianist Phil Aaron, and drummer Greg Schutte have developed a long-term, close friendship and deep musical affinity. Join them for an inspiring evening of jazz. Jazz bassist Michael Gold moved from New York to the Twin Cities in 1996. He has performed with such artists as Larry Coryell, Warne Marsh, […]

Matt Hollenberg / Dave Sewelson / Steve Hirsh unites three distinct voices from the avant-garde jazz world into a thrilling improvisational trio. Sewelson's baritone saxophone roar and freewheeling phrasing intertwine with Hollenberg’s electric surges and Hirsh’s textural drumming. The music is spontaneously composed, balancing raw energy with nuanced interplay: thunderous and cathartic one moment, exploratory and […]

Charlie Bruber and Jack Barrett, longtime friends and collaborators, will perform a duo set at Berlin. When they play their original compositions as a duo, you can hear a friendship distilled to its purest form. This show is an official Twin Cities Jazz Festival event! Jack Barrett has explored avenues of classical, progressive rock, metal, […]

The Steve Kenny Quintet will perform selections from its upcoming album release—Blue Chunks—on Friday, July 18. Blue Chunks is a compositional concept wherein bite-sized jazz situations are grouped into suites and performed as a larger work. Individually, these small ideas can be solemn or exciting or brash, but when combined, they form complete thoughts. Kenny’s 2014 […]

Pianist Patrick Adkins and trumpeter Ryan Garmoe will share duo versions of their original compositions and takes on classic standards. Patrick Adkins is an inventive, empathetic Minneapolis-based pianist and composer. An in-demand band leader and sideman all over town, Patrick has made his mark on the Twin Cities jazz scene, performing at jazz festivals across […]

Pianist Abebi Stafford, bassist Graydon Peterson, and drummer Pete James Johnson will perform two sets of songs primarily from Stafford’s most recent album, Stolen By Lies. Pete James Johnson is a drummer, composer and educator in the Twin Cities—most often seen playing jazz and improvised music but at home in a variety of musical worlds. He […]

Kenny Reichert and Ella Grace will reunite for a special guitar/trumpet duo performance. The first set will include original contemporary jazz compositions from both artists, and the second set will shift to a more ambient experience. In the second set, the duo will use experimental pedal setups to create unique, freely improvised soundscapes. This duo […]

The JuJu Exchange is a musical partnership of three childhood friends from Chicago: Nico Segal (Chance the Rapper), Julian Davis Reid (Isaiah Collier and the Chosen Few), and Nova Zaii (Vic Mensa). The group blends straight-ahead jazz sensibilities with hip-hop production to inspire the listener to participate in the kinds of exchange the world desperately […]

The Cherry Pit will keep the energy going with a special Bible Study session after The Juju Exchange tears the roof off Berlin on Thursday, July 23. The house band—Tarek Abdelqader on drums, Henry Breen (Why Not) on bass, and Marvelous on piano—will lead an open jam for musicians and music lovers till Berlin closes […]

The Ella Grace MNTET unites some of the most talented young instrumentalists with ties to the Twin Cities to perform Ella’s original contemporary jazz compositions. Having performed at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Taste of Minnesota, and many other mainstay venues in the Twin Cities in previous years, the MNTET is excited to return for […]

Join HEYARLO at Berlin on the last Thursdays of June, July, and August for their Shifting Forms series. As the summer goes on, the group will expand—shifting in size, sound, and sonic depth. The series will culminate in the release of HEYARLO’s highly anticipated debut EP. On Night 2, HEYARLO evolves into a dynamic quartet […]