This week's jazz picks and news

Tonight (Friday, Jan. 6) at the Black Dog in St. Paul’s Lowertown: George Cartwright, Pat Moriarty, and Nathan Hanson on saxophones, Pat O'Keefe on clarinets, Davu Seru on drums. What an enticing lineup. Part of the Community Pool: Deep End series of improvised music being curated by Nathan Hanson and Brian Roessler, who say, “Expect to be challenged and soothed, not necessarily in that order.” 8 p.m.-ish, tip jar.

Tonight and Saturday at the Artists’ Quarter in St. Paul: the Laura Caviani Quartet. Laura is such an elegant, tasteful pianist, and she chooses wonderful musicians to accompany her. This weekend it’s Chris Bates on bass, Phil Hey on drums, and Dave Hagedorn on vibes. They’re playing a program called “From Bach to Bop,” which Laura describes as “new arrangements inspired by classical piano works from her childhood.” If you’ve ever heard John Lewis play Bach, or Jacques Loussier, this could be similar—or not. Bach with a hint of Monk? 9 p.m., $10.

On Tuesday night, Twin Cities jazz artists and fans will pay tribute to singer Christine Rosholt, who died suddenly at the end of December. Many people who knew her and performed with her over the years will gather at the Dakota to honor her memory with music. We’re expecting Tanner Taylor, who was her most frequent accompanist on piano, and Graydon Peterson, her usual bass player, along with Mac Santiago, Dave Karr, Dave Jensen, Kevin Hall’s Pazz Band, Sophia Shorai, Nichola Miller, Arne Fogel, Katie Gearty, Five by Design, Maryann Sullivan, Doug Haining, Rhonda Laurie, Paula Lammers, and more. There’s no cover charge, but donations can be made to the Hennepin Health Foundation, Christine Rosholt Act of Kindness Fund. Starts at 7 p.m. Note: Christine’s family will hold a visitation and memorial service at Washburn-McReavy Southeast Chapel in Minneapolis earlier that day. The visitation is at 3 p.m., the service at 4 p.m.

News: The Tuesday Night Band has ended its tenure at the Artist’s Quarter after 15 years—the longest-running music gig in the Twin Cities. The band will return from time to time, but if you’ve been thinking about going on Tuesday nights, sorry, too late. Tip: Don’t think a regular gig will be around forever. Remember the Clown? The Hotel Sofitel?

On Wednesday, Jan. 11, Dean Magraw and Davu Seru deliver their unique blend of melody and meditation at the Nomad World Pub in Minneapolis. Arrive early and sit close so you don’t miss a note. P.S. The Nomad Jazz Series is now on winter hours; the music starts an hour earlier and doesn’t run quite so late. A smart move for what will one day be our usual frozen wasteland. 9 p.m., no cover.

Friday the 13th is a lucky day for Twin Cities music fans as pianist Jon Weber returns to the Artists’ Quarter. Formerly of Chicago, now based in NYC, Weber has been a regular part of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival for years. He can play almost any song in any key, plus tell you who wrote it when and mention in passing the composers’ birthdays. If that makes him sound like a sideshow act, he is most definitely not. He’s a brilliant and engaging pianist who recently began hosting a new program for NPR called “Piano Jazz Rising Stars.” 9 p.m., $10.

News: “Piano Jazz Rising Stars” has just been added to KBEM’s programming and will air on Saturday evenings at 10 p.m. beginning January 7 (tomorrow).

News: If you’re going to Jon Weber, plan to arrive by 8:30, when the headliners for the 2012 Twin Cities Jazz Festival will be announced.

On Saturday, the JazzMN Orchestra will perform at the Roseville Winter Jazz Blast with special guest, guitarist Mike Stern. Stern’s career started with Blood, Sweat, and Tears; he later performed with Miles Davis, the Brecker Brothers, and the Yellowjackets. Maranatha Hall, Northwestern College, Roseville. 7:30 p.m., $17; $15 for Twin Cities Jazz Society members, $7 for students.

Also on Saturday, pianist Richard Johnson comes to the Artists’ Quarter. Johnson was a member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in the early 2000s, He also played with Russell Malone’s quartet and Irvin Mayfield’s quintet. 9 p.m., $12.

January 13–15 is a great weekend for piano and those who love it (count me in). On Sunday, Bryan Nichols and his quintet-plus-one will play the music of Keith Jarrett’s American Quartet. Bryan will be joined by Mike Lewis and Brandon Wozniak on saxophones, James Buckley on bass, JT Bates on drums, and Jay Epstein on percussion. The Twin Cities Jazz Society is sponsoring this event, and if you’re a member, you save at the door. 7 p.m. Sunday at the Artists’ Quarter in St. Paul. $10, $7 TCJS members.

News soon about a beloved Twin Cities restaurant that’s about to start featuring jazz on a regular basis.