Mississippi
November 20, 2025 7:30pm

Jazz Fusion Quintet

"....Mississippi flows with beauty and power, blending folkloric and modern jazz elements...."
- Andrea Canter, jazzpolice.com

The music of Mississippi may be described as an intense blend of colors and eclectic traditions that include modern jazz, festejo, hip hop and African influences. Wild and burnin’ one moment, soft and sweet the next…, this group has an emotional and creative range that is not to be missed! Mississippi is made up of four all-star Minneapolis/St. Paul based musicians: Pete Whitman-saxophones, Kavyesh Kaviraj-piano, Jeff Bailey-bass and Kevin Washington-drums. 

The group was formed in 2011. Originally, the personnel of the ensemble made up the Andres Prado Quintet. When Prado requested that the group come to Peru to tour performing compositions by the other members of the ensemble, Mississippi was born. Mississippi released it’s first CD in 2016 on Shifting Paradigms Records: https://shiftingparadigmrecords.bandcamp.com/album/mississippi.

The name refers to the river that runs through Minneapolis/St. Paul. The river has long facilitated connections between people, cultures, past and future. It inspires awe and introspection. It is representative of the kind of connections and resonances this group aspires to reflect!

Red Planet
February 12, 2026 7:30pm

"Creative jazz for the 21st Century, inviting you to put one ear on the launching pad of neo-bop Trane/Hendrix/Monk burn, and your other ear on the celestial weightlessness from the musical cosmos."
-- Jazz Police

Red Planet has been lighting up the Twin Cities jazz scene since 2003 with their fearless blend of originals and bold reimaginings of Coltrane, Monk, and Hendrix. Featuring guitarist Dean Magraw, bassist Chris Bates, and drummer Jay Epstein, the trio is known for its explosive creativity, soulful interplay, and a sound that stretches from deep grooves to other-worldly textures. Their recordings, including "Space Dust" and the Down Beat–praised "Red Planet with Bill Carrothers," showcase the adventurous spirit that has made them one of Minnesota's most dynamic ensembles.

Red Planet is joined by its newest member, pianist Kavyesh Kaviraj, a brilliant young artist whose music bridges jazz, gospel, and global traditions. With his vibrant touch and inventive voice at the keys, Kaviraj brings fresh energy and a new dimension to the band’s already cosmic sound. Together, they promise an unforgettable evening of music that is as imaginative as it is electrifying.