Local musicians keep live music alive in Minnesota this holiday week.
That’s a fact that I saw firsthand as Dr. Mambo’s Combo and their fans filled Bunkers with love for the late Garry “Jellybean” Johnson, who died unexpectedly last week.
This week’s edition of Jam in the Stream’s live music roundup includes Charlie Parr, the Old Town Tuesday Night Jam, International Reggae All Stars, TWINE, BZ3 Organ Trio, Akie Bermiss + Yazmin, Beat Zero, Havana Quartet, The Suburbs, Jay Bee and the Routine, Minnesota’s Last Waltz, China Rider, Shrimp Olympics, Shotgun Ragtime Band and Dr. Mambo’s Combo.
Tuesday, Nov. 25
Charlie Parr is the featured guest of the Worker’s Playtime Series at 331 Club starting at 6 p.m.
International Reggae All-Stars play their weekly Bunkers residency show starting at 9:30 p.m.
Old Town Tuesday Night Jam is an incredible open jam that happens at Whitey’s Old Fashioned Saloon in Northeast Minnesapolis every Tuesday from 10 p.m. until close.
Wednesday, Nov. 26
Two weeks ago, TWINE celebrated the year mark of their Wednesday night Bunkers residency.
It could be a big night for the residency since most folks have Thursday off for Thanksgiving.
Every week, the band plays three big sets of improvisational rock starting at 9:30 p.m. and running to about 1 a.m.
TWINE’s Bunkers residency hit the year mark a few weeks ago. The band is planning a big night this Wedesday, with the music running from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. PHOTO BY JAVIER SERNA/@jaminthestream
BZ3 Organ Trio has its monthly show at Schooner Tavern from 7 to 10 p.m.
The trio is led by Brian Ziemniak of Dr. Mambo’s Combo and also features guitarist David Feily. There is no cover.
Over at Icehouse, promoters are billing an unforgettable, genre-bending performance featuring Yazmin & Beat Zero, the Havana Quartet and Akie Bermiss (of Lake Street Dive). “Akie returns to the Icehouse stage to start the night off with his soulful keyboards, vocals and incredible original songs. Then Yazmin & Beat Zero with the Havana Quartet will serve up a rich mix of original Cuban jazz, funk, and folk rock, brought to life through lush string textures and vibrant Latin grooves. In this intimate setting, every note and rhythm will draw you in — from soulful melodies to irresistible dance beats.”
The doors are at 6 p.m., with music at 8 p.m. for this 21+ show.
Friday, Nov. 28
Minneapolis post punk band The Suburbs play the first of two consecutive shows at Turf Club with The Rodents in Saint Paul. Billed as “Turf Takeover,” it’s worth noting that tickets were moving fast for the first of these on Friday night.
If you don’t know about The Suburbs, which have been around since 1977, they are considered early purveyors of the Minneapolis Sound, which includes the likes of Prince, The Replacements and Hüsker Dü.
Jay Bee and the Routine, which have their Thursday residency off, shift to Friday this week, with the music starting at 9:30 p.m., and a $12 cover.
Saturday, Nov. 29
Minnesota’s Last Walz comes to the Parkway Theater Saturday, with the music starting at 7:30 p.m.
It’s one of two annual show that that pays tribute to The Band’s famous farewell show on November, 25, 1976, a show that featured the likes of Bob Dylan, Neal Young, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris, Ringo Starr, Joni Mitchell, and Muddy Waters, among others.
The lineup for this show includes Mango Jam’s Jon Herchert as Robbie Robertson, David J. Russ as Levon Helm, Julius Collins of Dr. Mambo’s Combon as Van Morrison, Mick Sterling as Neil Diamond, and Molly Maher as Ronnie Hawkins, to mention a few of a deep lineup.
The Suburbs play the second of two shows at Turf Club in Saint Paul.
China Rider plays Memory Lanes in South Minneapolis at 8 p.m., with a $10 cover.
Shrimp Olympics is part of a four-band lineup with time room, PALS, and million.point.million at Mortimer’s, with the doors opening at 8 p.m. and a $10 cover.
North of the Cities, Jon Sullivan Band has a show at The Listening Room in Cambridge at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 29
Shotgun Ragtime Band keeps the Dead alive at Driftwood in South Minneapolis every Sunday starting at 6:30 p.m. There’s no cov er.
Dr. Mambo’s Combo keeps the longest-running residency in the state going at Bunkers every Sunday, starting at 9:30 p.m., with a $12 cover.