Hey everyone! Winter is cruising along and I hope this message finds you healthy and happy! There are many shows in this first 10 days of February. It is certainly a lot to keep together both musically and promotionally. I hope that instead of seeing this and saying ‘ope’ he plays so much, we’ll catch that Chris guy another time, please take the time and consider the musical approaches each of these groups takes, pick one that fits your taste, buy tickets, and attend. Your support means so much to each of these groups and it is truly appreciated! Follow the links below for tickets and more info about each group and I’ll see you out and about!

Thursday, January 30th, 7:00 pm Crooners Lounge $15 All Ages

Sam Miltich Quartet plays Gershwin – This will be a wonderfully swinging affair with Dave Karr on saxophone, Sam on guitar, Jay Epstein on drums and CB on bass.

Saturday, February 1st, 7:00 pm Saturday Night Jazz @ Black Dog $10

Chris Bates Curates the Black Dog. For three nights in February, I’ve put together some groups I think you should hear. I’ll play the opening set each night with my trio feat. Joe Strachan on piano and Miguel Hurtado (2/3) and George Marich (2/15 & 22) on drums. TONIGHT we feature the long-standing AQ favorites the Phil Hey Quartet w/ Phil Aaron, Tom Lewis and Dave Hagedorn. These guys do not mess around and you should come to check them out! From Bebop to Free-bop their book is deep and the interplay and musical camaraderie is spectacular!

Wednesday, February 5th, 7:00 pm The Dakota $15 All Ages

Atlantis Quartet! We’ve played at the Dakota in the past but it sure has been a while. We are happy to return and we hope we’ll pack the place so click thru and grab a ticket or two. As a band, we’re currently exploring our robust back catalog of tunes and we’re excited to bust out some older material for you at this show. It is true that friendship deepens over time and having played with these guys since 2008 I can honestly tell you we are playing better than ever! If you like original, modern jazz music this is the show for you.

Saturday, February 8th, 7:00 pm Jazz at Studio Z $15 All Ages

Laura Caviani Trio w/ Dave Schmalenberger and CB. Jazz at Studio Z is another important outlet for creative improvisers in the Twin Cities and has been providing high-quality concerts and workshops for years. Laura and Dave and I have been playing as a trio now for 4 years and we’ve made a couple of albums in that time. Tonight we’ll focus on the music of Thelonious Monk. Laura is an exceptional musician, composer, and arranger and I hope you’ll check out this show. We have such a fun time exploring together.

Monday, February 10th, 7:30 pm Crooners Lounge $15 All Ages

Red Planet with Bill Carrothers. This quartet released an album in 2017 that features a mixture of jazz standards and originals that received 4 stars in Down Beat magazine. Bill Carrothers and Dean Magraw are two genius musicians whose collaborative energy exudes patient and subtle interplay coupled with ferocious technique and musicality. All Jay and I have to do are pay attention and listen to the magic unfold. This is a rare treat for us to play together so we hope you will join us! Here is an unreleased video we found of Dean’s song ‘La Luna’ – enjoy!

Wednesday, February 12th, 8:30 pm Jazz Central Studios $10 All Ages

Chris Bates presents: A Sound Decision. Very happy and excited to have a return engagement on the books for this band. Our previous two performances have been filled with improvisational wonder and surprise. We’re very excited to welcome drummer Kismat Shrestha back from LA and we are going to try and document this group in the studio before he leaves again. Feat: CB basses, Krissy Bergmark tablas, Thomas Nordlund guitar, and Joe Strachan keyboards. I posted the complete audio of our first show from September 2018 here: A Sound Decision.

Saturday, February 15th, 7:00 pm Saturday Night Jazz @ Black Dog $10

Chris Bates Curates the Black Dog. For three nights in February, I’ve put together some groups I think you should hear. I’ll play the opening set each night with my trio feat. Joe Strachan on piano and George Marich (2/15 & 22) on drums. TONIGHT Davu Seru’s Motherless Dollar. Davu is a great friend and a true force on our music scene, carving out that most precious territory between composition and improvisation as only he can. This quartet features Davu on drums, Marc Anderson on percussion, Josh Granowski on bass and Scott Fultz on saxophone. Check. It. Out.

Monday, February 17th, 7:00 pm Black Dog $10 All Ages

Red Planet 3rd Monday residency. We are ALL Red Planet. Orbiting the globe and gathering the positive vibrations. Churning through the malaise of modernity by tapping into the spirit of improvisation. Coltrane, Monk, Hendrix, Motown, Strayhorn, Ellington. It’s all on the menu. Please join Dean, Jay, and CB for our monthly offering. Here is a little promo video put together by Paul Gregerson at KAXE in Grand Rapids, MN.

Saturday, February 22nd, 7:00 pm Saturday Night Jazz @ Black Dog $10

Chris Bates Curates the Black Dog. For three nights in February, I’ve put together some groups I think you should hear. I’ll play the opening set each night with my trio feat. Joe Strachan on piano and George Marich (2/15 & 22) on drums. TONIGHT Ylvisaker | Bates | Lewis in trio. Commonly known as the rock outfit Alpha Consumer, Jeremy, JT, and Mike have started playing trio performances that echo their deep friendship and empathy for musical beauty. This show will be one for the ages so mark it, dude.

Friday, February 28th, 6:30 pm Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Inatnas Orchestra led by Asuka Kakitani and JC Sanford. The finest, most forward-leaning large ensemble in the region plays at the Anoka-Ramsey C.C. Jazz Fest.

WHEW! Have a great February everyone and we’ll see you around! – see bee