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Sometimes I wonder if I am just fooling myself (and anyone who asks) that jazz is really alive in the Twin Cities. When I am at Jazz Central, the Artists Quarter, Black Dog or Studio Z, for example, the vitality of the music is beyond question. Veterans like Donald Washington, George Cartwright, Peter Schimke, Milo Fine, Dave Karr, Pete Whitman, Dean Magraw (and so many more) lead ensembles of all jazz leanings in performing new music and reinventing the innovative music of past generations. And young monsters like Adam Meckler, Nelson Devereaux, Miguel Hurtado and Brian Courage keep rising to the top, guaranteeing the longevity of the local scene.
But when I am at these and other venues, typically on a week night, I am often one of a small handful of listeners. Sometimes I can count the audience on one hand. This holds true for mainstream vocalists, not just the more “out" instrumental ensembles. Clearly the art of making jazz music is alive and well in the Twin Cities. But what about the audience?
And then comes the weekend and things perk up. The Dakota is generally packed on Friday and Saturday, although one might argue that the crowd is there to have a good time, not necessarily pay much attention to the music. The Artists Quarter, if not routinely sold out, typically boasts a strong weekend crowd, and at least those sitting from the front of the bar forward are generally listening intently. And just this past Saturday night, when it seemed there were too many conflicts for any one event to draw well, the presence of top national as well as local talents seemed to feed itself - Randy Brecker with the JazzMN Orchestra sold out the Hopkins High School Performing Arts Center; McCoy Tyner had similar success at the Hopkins Center for the Arts; Dave King Trio filled the house at the AQ; Jazz at Studio Z, boasting Fat Kid Wednesdays, had one of its best crowds; even the relatively small series, Jazz @St. Barneys in Plymouth, drew at least its usual 50-60 for the Travis Anderson Trio. I am confident Nachito Herrera drew a full house at the Dakota, so throw in another 200. By my rough, conservative estimate, those shows alone drew at least 1600. That's probably a good 1500 more than the total metro jazz audience on a Monday or Tuesday.
Read more: http://news.allaboutjazz.com/news.php?id=103255#.UUYzdqXhEhQ
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