JazzMN Orchestra

Sit back in the comfort of your home and enjoy the sextet sound that made the legends of jazz household names.

The JazzMN Sextet, members of the larger JazzMN Orchestra, will recreate classic sextet favorites from the ’40s, ’50s and beyond.

Although the quintet was the most common instrumentation for small jazz groups since the earliest days, composers, arrangers and musicians soon embraced the sextet as an ensemble where they could expand their writing chops, as well as their improvisations. The particular instrumentation of trumpet, saxophone, trombone, piano, bass and drums yielded a rich legacy of captivating compositions and arrangements that let soloists shine. The program features favorites by Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Silver, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Art Farmer & Benny Golson’s Jazztet and more.

The JazzMN Sextet includes: JC Sanford, trombone and director; Pete Whitman, saxophones; Adam Rossmiller, trumpet; Mary Louise Knutson, piano; Jeff Bailey, bass and Phil Hey, drums. These are some of the top musicians in the Twin Cities. Two of them have played with Doc Severinsen, and JazzMN’s artistic director, JC Sanford, has been regularly recognized in Downbeat Magazine’s Critics’ Poll.

Explore the foundations of modern jazz with the JazzMN Sextet!

Experience the swing of the season with a variety of holiday-themed music. More info to come!

Grammy Award-winning Brazilian vocalist Luciana Souza will join JazzMN with her unique vocal personality and versatility. Her work as a performer transcends traditional boundaries around musical styles, offering solid roots in jazz, sophisticated lineage in world music, and an enlightened approach to new music. Ms. Souza has performed and recorded with many great artists including Herbie Hancock, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Bobby McFerrin, Maria Schneider and many others. Entertainment Weekly says, “Her voice traces a landscape of emotion that knows no boundaries”.