What is “Sitting-In”? Sitting in is not the same as a “jam session”. A musician’s definition of “sitting in” is to participate in a working group, as a guest, usually to play a couple of songs. This usually occurs at the invitation of someone in the band. This is how Jazz Musicians typically audition and […]

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.

Glen Helgeson guitar Gary Schulte violin Steve Pikal bass

Matteo Mancuso was born in 1996 and raised in the province of Palermo. There, people quickly recognized him as a musical prodigy. His father, Vincenzo Mancuso, a well-known guitarist and producer, guided Matteo’s introduction to the world of music. Teaming up with his father, Matteo made waves in Sicily’s jazz scene, participating in local festivals at […]

Kavyesh Kaviraj imbues his life and stories into his music, carefully weaving his influences into a boundary-breaking modern jazz outfit. He is well-known in the Twin Cities and beyond as a pianist, composer and arranger. Kavyesh has garnered acclaim in many musical climates, and currently calls St. Paul, MN home. Primarily a jazz pianist, he is […]

Twins is a Minneapolis-based trio that performs the work of Thelonious Monk. With their unconventional line-up—Brad Holden (Original Minds) on sax, Mike Wolter (Early Planets) on guitar, and Chris Hepola (The Real Chuck NORAD) on drums—they bring a new and open approach to the Monk songbook. Chris Hepola is a Minneapolis-based drummer, pianist, and composer who […]

Glen Helgeson guitar Jim Chenoweth bass Will Chenoweth drums

Brian Handeland is a musician and music educator based in Minneapolis, MN. Equally at home on all of the different saxophones, clarinets, and flutes, he regularly performs with a wide variety of ensembles including the JazzMN Orchestra, Riverside Entertainment, Jack Brass Band, the Drums of Navarone, and his jazz quartet BH4. Brian also stays busy […]

Veteran Milwaukee-area guitarist Paul Silbergleit returns to JCS, once again with fabulous Minneapolis/Wisconsin bassist Jeremey Boettcher and the Twin Cities' own Pete James Johnson on drums! There'll be original tunes and arrangements, as well as spontaneous re-interpretations of classic repertoire in this fortuitous meeting of musicians. Featuring: Paul Silbergleit - guitar Jeremy Boettcher - bass […]