Thu, 8/13 Bryan Sutton Band @ Dakota Jazz Club, 20-35$. Nashville’s most sought after flat picking guitarist comes to the Dakota for one night with his band that includes Sam Grisman (David Grisman’s son) on upright bass. This is a show not to be missed.
Big Wu Family Reunion (Friday & Saturday) @ Camp Maiden West Rocks, 50$ for single day 65$ for both including camping. A lot of local jam acts playing for the right price with a major New Orleans bonus of Ivan Nevilles Dumpstaphunk and Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen.
Sun, 7/26 Albert Lee and Cindy Cashdollar @ Dakota Jazz Club, 25-35$ shows at 7 and 9. Two absolutely amazing guitar players playing together at one of the Twin Cities most intimate and best sounding venues.
Mon, 7/27 Gary Louris and Friends @ Loring Park, FREE.
Thu, 7/16 Ricky Skaggs, Ry Cooder and Sharon White @ MN Zoo, 55$. Combine one of the best mandolin players of all time with one of the best roots guitar players of all time, then just in case, throw in an incredible female vocalist and you have the some of the best American music this vast land has to offer. Be sure not to miss this as Ry Cooder rarely goes on tour.
Sat, 7/18 Gail Heil Memorial Fiddle Contest @ Community Center in Lanesboro, MN. 10$ to listen and 20$ to enter. Should be an absolute hoot on the root.
Dave Koz @ MN Zoo, 48$. Sexy smooth saxophone jams.
Wed, 7/22 The Rockin’ Pinecones @ Northrop Plaza, Free. Great Local Cajun music in the afternoon.
Once again, JonO with an installment of his picks! Busy week guys. Will you find your concert of the summer on this list? Quite possible. Holy-wow!
Thu, 7/9 The Butanes @ Shaw’s Bar (this will be posted every week whether you like it or not) For those that missed it last week special guest Camille Bedouin, the lead guitarist for the legendary New Orleans band The Radiators sat in for both sets of music. It was fantastic and Free.
The Butanes @ Shaw’s in NorthEast every Thursday at 8:30PM
Fri, 7/10 Butch Thompson @ Sibley House Historic Site, 15$. Butch is a world renowned pianist and clarinetist. One of the foremost knowledgeable players of Jelly Roll Morton’s early jazz music and has played with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band many times throughout the years.
Raw Oyster Cult @ Bunker’s, 25$. (also on Saturday night) New Orleans super group with several members of the Radiators, Papa Grows Funk and Johnny and the Sketchy Notes. It will be impossible to stay off the dance floor. Butanes open both nights!
Sat, 7/11 Wilco, Jason Isbell and Jenny Lewis @ Basilica Block Party, 45$. A night of great Americana/ Rock music. I am guessing many of the people attending will need to get baby sitters…
Sun, 7/12 Patty Griffin, Mavis Staples and Amy Helm (The Band-Levon Helm’s Daughter) @ MN Zoo Weezner Amphitheater, 52$. This show will not disappoint with the sheer vocal talents of all three performers, not to mention this is at the best outdoor venue in the Twin Cities.
Mon, 7/13 Jon Cleary @ the Dakota Jazz Club, 30$. Monster piano man from New Orleans.
Tue, 7/14 Dawes and Lake Street Dive @ Cabooze outdoor plaza, 30-35$
Wed, 7/15 Dark Side of the Loon: Minnesota’s Premier Amateur Pink Floyd Cover Experience @ Nomad World Pub, 5$. If you want to know why you should attend, ask Nate Case.
On The Radar: Ry Cooder and Ricky Skaggs 7/16 @ the MN ZOO, Bryan Sutton Band 8/13 @ Dakota Jazz Club, Tinsely Ellis 8/16 @ Dakota Jazz Club, Jerry Douglas Band 8/20 @ Dakota Jazz Club and so many more… Basically everything at the Dakota Jazz Club in August and September.
With an ear for songwriting and a knack for musical recommendations, Jon O (Jon Osthus) spends his evenings and weekends traversing Minneapolis/ St. Paul seeking out some of the best Americana, Roots, Blues, Folk, R+B, Soul, Electronica, Rock and Pop the Twin Cities has to offer. Over the years his passion for music has refined his tastes and cultural competencies turning him into a living encyclopedia of great music.
JonO living the hard porch life
JonO also works for the department of Agriculture, is a co-founder of the environmental organization Brewing a Better Forest, plays mandolin and lives that hard Cribbage, gangsta, porch life.
For the week of 7/2- 7/8 JonO’s Picks:
Thu, 7/2
The Butanes @Shaws’ (1528 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413) -Free
Honestly, this weekly gig is great! Again from last week:
“The Butanes were Earl King’s backing band from NOLA for many years and played many Jazz Fests and international tours. They are the best blues band playing weekly for free in town. They used to play the Wednesday night residency at the Cabooze from ’89-’94 with their soul revue (Maurice Jacox on vocals) and every Tuesday night at the 400 bar (Chicago style blues). It is one of the best kept secrets in town.” -JonO’s picks last week
**A New Featured bit on Crabwise.net; Jon Osthus will be curating a list of upcoming concerts around Minnesota along with some insight into those shows. JonO, a seasoned purveyor of fine music, brings his years of dedication and experience with music to this new weekly feature. Watch for JonO’s Picks in the right hand navigation bar**
Dirty Dozen Brass band @ Dakota Jazz Club, 25-30$: Classic NOLA brass band at the Dakota and always a good sweaty time.
Willie Walker and Paul Metsa 5pm, Butanes 8:30pm @ Shaw’s bar every Thursday, Free!
The Butanes were Earl King’s backing band from NOLA for many years and played many Jazz Fests and international tours. They are the best blues band playing weekly for free in town. They used to play the Wednesday night residency at the Cabooze from 89-94 with their soul revue (Maurice Jacox on vocals) and every Tuesday night at the 400 bar (Chicago style blues). It is one of the best kept secrets in town.
Fri, 6/26
My Morning Jacket @ Northrup Auditorium, 45$ Great live rock show. Bringing the best of the Indie world and Jam world together.
Dale Watson @ Lee’s Liquor Lounge, 15$ Another tried and true honky tonker from Texas. Doesn’t get any more real than Dale. Plus he has a song written about Lee’s Liquor lounge
Cactus Blossoms @ Grumpy’s NE – Honkey Tonk Fest, 10$ Just a Honky Tonk kind of weekend. This one benefits lukemia