Friday, October 10, 2008 at 8:00 pm

Sioux Falls Historic Orpheum Theater

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band has been up for big challenges in the past with its bracing, innovative blend of traditional New Orleans sounds and modern jazz sensibilities.  The ensemble has recorded with artists from Dizzy Gillespie (a hero and inspiration) to Elvis Costello, taken on the music of jazz inventor Jelly Roll Morton for the album Jelly and reinterpreted the hymns and parade songs of the Crescent City second-line bands for 2004's Funeral for a Friend (following the death of co-founding member Tuba Fats).  They've mixed intriguing approaches to traditional and familar material, but in a context emphasizing challenging original music composed by the Dirty Dozen members themselves.  In the course, the band resurrected, revitalized and put distinctly personal stamps on what was a dying tradition of New Orleans brass bands when the group formed in the late '70s, inspiring a full-on revival that's flourished with several new generations of young brass bands each bringing their own twists to the form.

Friday, December 5, 2008 at 8:00 pm

Sioux Falls Historic Orpheum Theater

During its 14 years together, the Tierney Sutton Band has received two Grammy Nominations for Best Vocal Jazz Album, a JazzWeek  Award for Vocalist of the Year, consecutive nominations for Jazz Journalist Association awards, recorded several CDs that made the 1 spot on jazz radio playlists, and garnered ciritical praise throughout the world.  Comprised of vocalist Tierney Sutton and instrumental virtuosos Christian Jacob, Trey Henry, Kevin Axt, and Ray Brinker, the band has headlined in recent years at Carnegie Hall, The Hollywood Bowl, and Jazz at Lincoln Center and has appeared at the Monterey, Marcaic and Umbria jazz festivals.

Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 8:00 pm

Sioux Falls Orpheum Theater

From coffeehouses to concert halls, festivals and beyond, John Hammond has spent forty years entertaining blues, folk and rock audiences around the world, performing intense solo-acoustic blues.  A Grammy Award winner and four time nominee, Hammond is also a multiple W.C. Handy Award winner who has shared the stage and /or recorded with many masters, including Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker and Howlin' Wolf.  John has recorded over thirty albums and his passionate commitment to traditional blues made him the natural choice for the BRAVO TV special and Sony Home Video, The Search for Robert Johnson.

Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 8:00 pm

Sioux Falls Historic Orpheum Theater

Virtuoso guitarist Russell Malone brings new meaning to the term versatility, whether he's playing down-home, gut-bucket blues or a lush, melodic ballad.  His first exposure to music was through his church.  As guitars began to be incorporated into the church music, Russell found himself fascinated by it.  Before he was five, his mother bought him a toy guitar and he began copying the church players.  At ten, Russell developed an interest in the blues and country music after seeing such musicians as Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, Roy Clark, B.B. King, and, especially, George Benson perform on television.  Ultimately, it was jazz Russell chose to play.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at 7:00 pm

Sioux Falls Historic Orpheum Theater

To mark the 70th anniversary of Blue Note, the premier label in jazz, an all-star band featuring some of the finest musicians today will travel the world celebrating the rich catalog of music.  The group will explore classic tunes by Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Horace Silver, Herbie Hancock, Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, and many others.  The Blue Note Records 70th Anniversary- On Tour features pianist Bill Charlap as musical director, Ravi Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Peter Bernstein playing guitar, Lewis Nash on drums, Nicholas Payton on trumpet, Peter Washington playing bass and Steve Wilson on alto saxophone.