Piano Jazz Shows in Minneapolis–St. Paul

Doors open at 5:30 PM for Dinner and Drink Service. Andrew Walesch returns to Crooners by popular demand for a captivating evening celebrating the Great American Songbook—filled with songs of romance, wit, and unrequited love. This night is all about you, the audience, so come sip some wine, settle into the cabaret atmosphere, and enjoy the music. Known for his spontaneity, in this solo show, Andrew will be taking requests – LIVE- throughout the show, creating a uniquely engaging and entertaining experience every time. Andrew Walesch : Piano & Vocals Like many before him, singer and pianist Andrew Walesch manages to encapsulate cosmopolitan sophistication and the self-effacing charm of a country boy. Whether composing and arranging or appearing as a solo artist or with a big band, Walesch, who crisscrosses the country playing dates big and small, is as respectful of his predecessors as he is ready to leap into the unknown and chart a new course. In his sold-out shows, Walesch is both traditionalist and iconoclast. His audiences include jazz enthusiasts of a certain age as well as a y

Doors open at 4:00 PM for Dinner and Drink Service. Architect of American Musical Theater and Popular Song A celebration of one of the most important composers of the twentieth century. His groundbreaking musical Showboat, and songs such as All The Things You Are, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, and The Way You Look Tonight , revolutionized American pop music. Music is shared with stories of his collaborations with great lyricists Oscar Hammerstein II, Dorothy Fields and Johnny Mercer, among others. Maud Hixson : Vocals Rick Carlson : Piano Hailed as “gently virtuosic” (All About Jazz), Maud Hixson is a devoted exponent of great songs, ranging from the classic Great American Songbook to the often unsung or forgotten compositions awaiting rediscovery. Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Maud made her Guthrie Theater debut in the Noel Coward revue Coward’s Women, also appearing in Park Square Theater’s The Soul of Gershwin. Permanent Moonlight: Songs of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, earned a 2024 Bistro Award. Rick Carlson taught himself to play the piano by studying the vast works of Count Basie a

Doors open at 7:00 PM for Dinner and Drink Service. Video Game Music, Swing, Virtuosic, Fun Press Start and step into a world where jazz meets joystick. This electrifying trio transforms iconic video-game themes into rich, swinging arrangements—blending nostalgia, improvisation, and pure groove. From 8-bit classics to modern epics, each tune gets leveled up with lush harmonies, daring solos, and that unmistakable jazz feel. Whether you’re a lifelong gamer or a jazz lover looking for something fresh, this show is a high-score experience you won’t forget. Travis Anderson : Piano Steve Pikal : Bass Nathan Norman : Drums The Travis Anderson Trio is a nationally touring, Minneapolis-based ensemble giving modern twists to classic jazz and popular favorites. Led by pianist Travis Anderson, whose virtuosic style and playful energy drive the group’s dynamic sound, the trio infuses swing, humor, and technical brilliance into every performance. “They swing like there’s no tomorrow.” — Andrea Canter, Jazz Police TravisAndersonTrio.com

$15 (General Admission) 7:00pm Show Get Tickets Genre-flexible instrumental groups KG4 and SpectacleCase bring a unique, fun show that traverses gospel, R&B, jazz, funk, classical, experimental, and Nordic folk influences. SpectacleCase Band Members: Mikey Marget - Cello Toby Ramaswamy - Drums Willow Waters - Guitar Christian Rassmussen - Bass KG4 Band Members: Kevin Gamble - Piano/Keys Tarek Abdelqader - Drums Nick Benish - Bass Andrew Tomten - Saxophone ⊹ 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, jazz, funk, country, soul, and hip-hop shaped Kevin’s musical style. After years of sharpening his skills on piano and finishing his music education in 2018, he formed his fusion group, the Kevin Gamble Quartet, in 2019. While playing alongside some of Minnesota’s most talented musicians, Kevin infuses elements of gospel, R&B, jazz, and funk to create a unique and fun sound that everyone will enjoy. Mikey Marget’s music floats between Nordic-influenced f

$20 (General Admission) 7:00pm Show GET TICKETS Two soulful vocalists share one evening at Berlin. Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez, a frequent performer at Joe’s Pub in New York City, makes her Minneapolis debut. Recommended for fans of Kimbra and Riley Mulherkar. Opener SOLORAH the Essence (BAKKWOODDRIFT, Poetic Roots) leads an inspiring dive into R&B and jazz sounds, where audience participation and feedback are not only tolerated, but directly encouraged. She’ll be joined by Wayne Doe on piano. Band Members: Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez - Piano/Vocals Forrest Kelly - Drums Tim Seisser - Bass ⊹ Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez is a singer, composer, pianist, and music educator. Rooted in jazz, R&B, folk, and songwriter traditions, her work is known for its lyrical clarity and emotional vulnerability. Wonderland Magazine described Sokolov-Gonzalez as having a “…a seamless and sultry style that burst with vitality and vigour… delving into emotive, vulnerable songwriting and delivering stunning vocal performances.” Sokolov-Gonzalez was exposed to a wide range of artistic influences as a child and music. She g

Doors open at 6:45 for Dinner and Drink Service. Standing on the Shoulders of Giants The Explosion Big Band heats up the Belvedere Stage! The band plays many of your favorite big band chestnuts, plus some I’ll bet you’re not familiar with. Come out and enjoy an evening of big band jazz in the Belvedere room at Crooners! Doug Haining : Leader, Alto Sax Mike Benedict : Alto Sax Stephanie Wieseler : Tenor Sax Brian Handeland : Tenor Sax Connor Carroll : Bari Sax Pete Enblom : Trombone Matt Echols : Trombone Dave Graf : Trombone Brooklynne Audette : Trombone Riley Helgeson : Trumpet Jake Baldwin : Trumpet Steve Wagner : Trumpet Ryan Garmoe : Trumpet Ted Godbout : Piano Chris Olson : Guitar Matt Peterson : Bass Trevor Haining : Drums “I’ve played with a ton of big bands, and this band is right up there with the best of them.” Bijon Watson, Grammy award winning trumpeter www.explosionbigband.com

Doors open at 4:45 PM for Dinner and Drink service. Allman Brothers, Skynyrd & More! Straight out of the gate this new powerhouse show hits its stride. “Ramblin’ Man,” “Whipping Post” and “Jessica.” “ Devil Went Down to Georgia,” Orange Blossom Special,” Skynyrd’s soulful “Tuesday’s Gone,” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” Whether you grew up with these anthems or you’re discovering them for the first time, prepare to be transported. The Daisy Dillman Band’s Pat Frederick leads the way with award winning signature fiddle and vocals. He’s joined by a stellar eight piece lineup of MN’s finest as they tap into Southern rock’s grit and soul. The country, rock & roll, hillbilly blues and gospel roots of its legendary hits… alongside deep cuts and jams that honor the improvisational tradition of the genre. It’s a fiery gumbo of grooves served up with smoking twin guitar leads and reverence. The spirit of Southern rock is alive and kicking. Southbound we go. Kenny Wilson : Guitar, Pedal Steel, Banjo Matt Barry : Guitars Dr. Dave Schmalenberger : Drums Steve Jennings : Drums Jason Kraft : keys Rever

José James, saxophone (Willie & the Bees, Shangoya, Ipso Facto) Tommy Barbarella, keyboards (Prince, Greazy Meal) Tony Axtell, bass (David... Read More