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| | Omar Abdulkarim and Kavyesh Kaviraj Quartet
September 18, 2025 7:30pm
Dynamic Modern Jazz
"the essence of what jazz is." - Jazz Police
After years of sessions and casual collaborations, trumpet player Omar Abdul-Karim and pianist Kavyesh Kaviraj have forged a collaborative project. Their meeting of minds bring forth writing that brings both their respective worlds together. The quartet, which also features Dan Carpel on bass and Kevin Washington on drums.
Kavyesh Kaviraj imbues his life and stories into his music, carefully weaving his influences into a boundary-breaking modern jazz outfit. He is well-known in the Twin Cities and beyond as a pianist, composer and arranger.
Kavyesh has garnered acclaim in many musical climates, and currently calls St. Paul, MN home. Primarily a jazz pianist, he is a sought-after musician in many genres. He has performed with internationally renowned artists like Wynton Marsalis, David Sanchez, Justin Robinson, Roosevelt Collier, Steve Cole and others. Further, he has been an important member of the Twin Cities music community. He has worked with local jazz legends like Debbie Duncan, Bruce Henry, Babatunde Lea, Kevin Washington, and LA Buckner. Simultaneously he is active in hip-hop, gospel, R&B, funk scenes and many crossover acts.
Omar Abdulkarim has been playing the trumpet since he was fourteen months old. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Omar has shared the stage with Roy Hargrove, Redman, Method Man, KRS-ONE and Talib Kweli. He has also performed with Nicholas Payton’s Television Studio Orchestra and Valerie Ponomarev’s Big Band.
Omar’s versatility extends beyond live performances. He has written and recorded music with Lauryn Hill and Jose James. His influences include Fats Navarro, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, John Coltrane and Lee Morgan.
Omar’s journey reflects a dedication to his art. He continually expands his musical horizons and collaborates with a diverse range of artists. His rich experiences and influences have shaped him into a dynamic and innovative trumpet player. He makes significant contributions to both the jazz and contemporary music scenes.
LEARN MORE:
https://www.kavyeshkaviraj.com/
https://www.facebook.com/OmarAbdulkarimMusic/ | Buy Tickets |
| | Traditions: Jaerv + The OK Factor
October 23, 2025 7:30pm
Minneapolis, MN-based string duo The OK Factor, and award-winning Swedish quintet Jaerv, are excited to present their program, Traditions.
Following their joint Swedish tours in the summer of 2021, 2023, and 2025 and their US tours in the fall of 2022, 2023, and January 2024, the bands are excited to share the music and camaraderie that grew from these cultural exchanges.
In 2017, the bands’ musical worlds collided after The OK Factor opened for Jaerv at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. There was an immediate connection between them, grounded in a mutual love and respect for one anothers’ talent, rhythmic intricacies, inspiring melodic ornamentation, fascinating instrumentation, and - yes, musical traditions.
After shared performances and the study of traditional Swedish and American music throughout their tour of Sweden, a natural and organic partnership has developed between The OK Factor and Jaerv that is felt, seen, and heard by their audiences, both in Sweden and in the US.
Throughout Traditions, the bands hone the art of collaboration through unique instrumentation and sensitive musical interplay, creating a palpable joy that their audiences will carry home. And for those who can’t make it to the concert, the bands are seasoned educators, and are excited to offer community outreach in a myriad of settings, including schools. Through a respect for musical tradition paired with the desire to expand its boundaries, the bands encourage their audiences to follow it not just back in time, but into the future.
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| | 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! | Buy Tickets |
| | Mick Sterling presents "A Grand Ole Opry Christmas"
December 11, 2025 7:30pm
Songs from Cash, Orbison, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Glen Campbell along with traditional spiritual songs in this moving holiday experience that the whole family will enjoy.
Mick Sterling presents “A GRAND OLE OPRY CHRISTMAS” features the Christmas songs of the pillars and heroes of traditional Country legends at The Grand Ole Opry in a unique holiday performance. Featuring the lead vocals of Twin Cities favorites Mick Sterling, Cate Fierro and Shalo Lee, they perform songs from Cash, Orbison, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Glen Campbell along with traditional spiritual songs in this moving holiday experience that the whole family will enjoy | Buy Tickets |
| | 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. | Buy Tickets |
| | John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band
May 7, 2026 7:30pm
J2B2 is an all-star bluegrass supergroup featuring four legendary, award-winning musicians – John Jorgenson on acoustic guitar, mandolin and vocals; Herb Pedersen on banjo, acoustic guitar and vocals; Mark Fain on bass; and Patrick Sauber on acoustic guitar and vocals – delivering bluegrass like no one has ever heard it before. The band’s undeniable live shows have received stellar reviews and have the bluegrass world buzzing. The four combine forces to form a spot-on union of impeccable musicianship, incomparable songwriting, incredible harmony vocals (a fresh twist combining bluegrass with elements of West Coast folk rock) and seasoned showmanship. This is the “high lonesome sound” of American roots music at its finest. | Buy Tickets |
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