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© 2009 The Artists' Quarter,
Thumbnail photos © Howard A. Gitelson
Additional AQ images © Howard A. Gitelson Don Berryman and Andrea Canter as indicated. Special thanks to Al Iverson, the original AQ webmaster. We apologize for any errors that may occur. In the event of discrepancies Davis Wilson, your host at the door, is always the final authority |
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Pianist Tanner Taylor moved to the Twin Cities from Jefferson, Iowa, in 2001, and Minnesota jazz fans’ jaws have been dropping ever since. Tanner is a young talent who always wows a crowd, whether he’s applying his signature simpatico accompaniment to the work of top vocalists, performing with groups like world beat artists Tickle Fight, backing greats including David “Fathead” Newman and Lew Tabackin, or leading his own trio. 
How Birds work at 9 pm. This flock of Twin Cities jazz stars consistently mesmerizes its audiences. Doses of rock and funk can be found in the post-bop explorations, always with a sense of purpose and an intoxicating rhythmic force. Check out their CD Live at the Artists’ Quarter for standout tracks like Coltrane's “Equinox,” Wayne Shorter's “Footprints,” and Peter Schimke's moving original “Vow.” Better yet, check them out live at the Artists’ Quarter – in person – to really feel How Birds Work. 
A profile in Mpls/St. Paul magazine, describing guitarist Dean Granros, enthused, “[H]e possesses an undeniable sense of gravitas. He’s the performer most difficult, even for his bandmates, not to watch.” Indeed, Dean’s standing among his peers is tall, and all the best players love to perform with him. The same can be said for each member of this magnificent crew. City Pages recently had this to say about HBW’s residency at the AQ: “[M]usic this simultaneously assured and expansive deserves a good home – and How Birds Work has found it.” Kenny Horst (drums), Peter Schimke (piano), Chris Bates (bass) and Dean Granros (guitar). Check out these videos: 
Eric Kamau Gravatt is known around the globe for his incredible drumming work with Weather Report, Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner and many others. Eric was raised in Philadelphia, and has lived in the Twin Cities for several years. 
(His local performances, however, are as rare as his talent. Road work with McCoy and other musical ventures keep him off Twin Cities stages for the most part.) The great Wayne Shorter said, “Eric was the one. Miles wanted him, but he came to us in Weather Report.” 
The powerful Source Code interprets the works of artists like John Coltrane and Jackie McLean. In addition to Eric Kamau Gravatt on drums, Source Code reads Jim Marentic and David Wright on saxes, Ron Evaniuk on bass, and Dave Hagedorn on vibes.
Headspace, featuring Rob Dewey on piano, Nick Haas on guitar, Rich Casey on bass and Spencer McGinnis on drums provide