The 27th annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival, formerly known as the Twin Cities Hot Summer Jazz Festival, is scheduled to take place June 20-21 in Mears Park, located in Lowertown St. Paul. As one of the largest jazz festivals in the Midwest, the event is free and open to the public, offering a celebration of jazz music and culture.
This year’s festival will feature an impressive lineup of headliners, including vocalist Catherine Russell with pianist Sean Mason and the Emmet Cohen Trio, with special guests The Four Freshmen. While the full schedule will be announced next month, several acts were unveiled on March 11.
Lineup so far:
June 20:
- 8:30 pm – Emmet Cohen Trio with The Four Freshmen
- 6 pm – Doreen Ketchens’ Jazz New Orleans
- 4 pm – Adi Yeshaya Jazz Orchestra featuring Jennifer Grimm
June 21:
- 8:30 pm – Catherine Russell with pianist Sean Mason
- 6 pm – L.A. Buckner and Big Homie
- 4 pm – Patty Peterson presents Jazz Women All Stars
- 2 pm – Society of Chemists
Additionally, other exciting performances include:
- June 20, 7:30 pm – Las Guaracheras (all-female Salsa Band) at the 5th Street Stage
- June 21, 4 pm – Leslie Parker Dance Project with a live jazz band at the Cedar Cultural Center
Headliners in focus
Russell, Mason, and Cohen represent some of the best talent in contemporary jazz. Russell and Mason’s most recent collaboration, “My Ideal,” earned them a Grammy nomination in 2024 for Best Jazz Vocal Album. It’s likely the duo will perform selections from this acclaimed release, though surprises are always possible. In October, Mason also released “Southern Suite” via Blue Engine Records.
Cohen, who resides in Harlem, is known for his popular streaming series, “Live from Emmet’s Place.” His latest release, “Vibe Provider” (Mack Avenue), continues his success and marks his return to the Twin Cities after his 2021 performance at the festival.
New release from Cyrus Chestnut
In other exciting jazz news, master pianist Cyrus Chestnut will release his highly anticipated album “Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony” on April 25 through HighNote Records. The album features his quartet — Stacy Dillard on tenor and soprano saxophones, Gerald Cannon on bass, and Chris Beck on drums — and primarily showcases Chestnut’s original compositions, along with jazz standards like “Autumn Leaves” and “Moonlight in Vermont.”
The album press release describes Chestnut’s playing as a blend of rhythmic precision, emotive touch, and improvisational brilliance, with a band that complements his artistry with both subtlety and drive. As noted by album liner notes writer Willard Jenkins, Chestnut’s mastery at the piano is shaped by his “impeccable taste in note selection” and “soulful approach derived from both his familial upbringing and Black church experience.”
Chestnut’s virtuosity can also be heard on previous HighNote recordings, including “My Father’s Hands,” “There’s a Sweet Sweet Spirit,” and “A Million Colors in Your Mind.” For fans of Chestnut, his rendition of Lionel Richie’s “Hello” remains a standout.
Upcoming shows at the Dakota
Jazz lovers can also look forward to a fantastic lineup of shows at the Dakota. Here’s a preview of some upcoming performances:
- March 22 – The Bill Charlap Trio
- April 1-2 – Joe Lovano’s Paramount
- April 8-9 – Hiromi’s Sonicwonder
- April 28 – Joey Alexander
- April 29-30 – Branford Marsalis Quartet
For tickets and more information, visit dakotacooks.com.
For additional details on the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, visit twincitiesjazzfestival.com.
Robin James welcomes reader responses at jamesonjazz@spokesman-recorder.com.