About the Twin Cities Jazz Society
The Twin Cities Jazz Society (TCJS) is a non-profit, all volunteer organization, supported by membership donations, dedicated to promoting jazz music, especially live jazz by local musicians! Click on Membership Benefits to see why you should join the Twin Cities Jazz Society! The organization was founded in 1979 by Kyle Peterson and several other local jazz enthusiasts (among them Bob Protzman, Ken Green, and Leigh Kamman). TCJS currently has 700 members; however, your support is needed to continue its active programs. TCJS publishes the monthly newsletter “Jazz Notes” and e-mail supplement, “TCJS Coda;” produces the “Jazz from J to Z” concert series; and co-sponsors a variety of specific jazz events throughout the year: Northrop Jazz Season, Hopkins Center for the Arts jazz concerts, the JazzMN Big Band concert season and others. TCJS also sponsors education programs in area schools and has a scholarship program to help rising young local talent.
read more
About the Twin Cities Jazz Society
The Twin Cities Jazz Society (TCJS) is a non-profit, all volunteer organization, supported by membership donations, dedicated to promoting jazz music, especially live jazz by local musicians! Click on Membership Benefits to see why you should join the Twin Cities Jazz Society! The organization was founded in 1979 by Kyle Peterson and several other local jazz enthusiasts (among them Bob Protzman, Ken Green, and Leigh Kamman). TCJS currently has 700 members; however, your support is needed to continue its active programs. TCJS publishes the monthly newsletter “Jazz Notes” and e-mail supplement, “TCJS Coda;” produces the “Jazz from J to Z” concert series; and co-sponsors a variety of specific jazz events throughout the year: Northrop Jazz Season, Hopkins Center for the Arts jazz concerts, the JazzMN Big Band concert season and others. TCJS also sponsors education programs in area schools and has a scholarship program to help rising young local talent.
Much of our effort goes into publishing our monthly “Jazz Notes” newsletter. Jazz Notes is sent by first class mail to all members and keeps them informed about the local jazz scene. It includes articles about the Twin Cities jazz scene, a monthly Concert Calendar and Gigs listing, as well as other area jazz information. For a free copy of the Twin Cities Jazz Society newsletter, “Jazz Notes, and/or a membership form, please send a request to [email protected].
TCJS is proud to present our annual series of jazz concerts through the “Jazz from J to Z” series. Concerts are scheduled from September through May to give local talent a chance to perform in a concert or jazz club setting, and the public an opportunity to support and enjoy their music. The concerts are held at a variety of locations throughout the Twin Cities area. FFI, see “Jazz Notes,” or contact [email protected].
Today, believe it or not, the Twin Cities has one of the most active jazz scenes in the world. Outside of New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, more Jazz can be heard in the Twin Cities than anywhere else in the U.S. Jazz has enjoyed tremendous growth in the last twenty-five years in the Twin Cities, and the Twin Cities Jazz Society, whose main mission is to promote local live jazz, is partly responsible. Our area is blessed with a large pool of very talented jazz musicians and approximately 45 clubs offer live jazz music, including the two full-time jazz clubs, the Dakota & the Artists' Quarter. Other clubs offer jazz regularly, including Hell’s Kitchen and Honey in Minneapolis, which often feature vocalists. Café Maude in southwest Minneapolis and the Clown Lounge in St. Paul offer experimental and modern jazz at least two nights per week. Big Bands can he heard at O'Gara's, Bloomington KC Hall, & the Wabasha Street Caves. We also have some great jazz concert series at Orchestra Hall, MacPhail Center for Music, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Bloomington Center for the Arts, University of Minnesota (Northrop Jazz Season & the U of M Jazz Series), Hopkins High School Performing Arts Center (JazzMN Big Band - Minnesota's premier, professional, non-profit civic jazz orchestra), the Capri Theater, and at Century College (Century Jazz Ensemble Jazz Series).
Every summer since 1999, the Twin Cities swings at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, now located at Mears Park in Downtown St. Paul. In addition, there is the Eden Prairie Big Band “Festival of Jazz on the Prairie,” Bloomington Jazz Festival, Burnsville Jazz Festival, Freedom Jazz Festival and approximately 150 free jazz concerts (half by big bands) in local community parks. There are hundreds of jazz musicians and groups active in the Twin Cities, plus 45 big bands, 12 traditional groups, and 50-plus jazz vocalists. Over 100 local jazz artists have recorded CDs.
KBEM / Jazz 88 Radio, which adopted a 24/7 Jazz format in 1986, is now the sixth largest Jazz radio station in the country. Jazz fans around the world listen to Jazz 88 on the Internet at www.jazz88fm.com. Most of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival performances are broadcast live by Jazz 88. KFAI has been broadcasting daily jazz programs for 25 years and KLBB presents swing, big bands and vocalists.
The Twin Cities Jazz Society can be contacted by e-mailing [email protected].
show less
