L.A. Buckner’s Monday night residency at the newly opened Brownstone Jazz Club in Uptown at 2756 Hennepin Ave. tops my weekly roundup.
Buckner is joined by the Homework House Band and the flyer for the residency promises special guests sitting in.
Local musicians keep the live music alive in Minnesota this week, and read on below for more including the likes of Saltydog, Skarlett Woods, International Reggae All Stars, Gavin St. Clair, Bruce Woodman, Poliça, TWINE, Jay Bee & the Routine, Grateful Gals, Dead Guys, Bigfoot County, Debbie Center, Erik Koskinen, Amy LaVere, Will Sexton, Efmi, The Black Atlantics, Obi Original, Shotgun Ragtime Band, and Dr. Mambo’s Combo.
Monday, Feb. 16
Saltydog continues their Hi-Key Mondays residency at Bent Paddle in Duluth tonight. Skarlett Woods opens the music, starting at 6 p.m.; Saltydog has generally been playing from about 7 to 9:30 p.m. There’s no cover.
The band played a 20-plus minute “Done and Done” last Monday and seems to be intentionally reaching for new improvisational heights.
The aforementioned L.A. Buckner residency at Brownstone runs from 8 to 11 p.m. on Mondays, and there’s a $10 cover.
Tuesday, Feb. 18
International Reggae All Stars continue their long-time Bunkers residency starting at 9:30 p.m.
Graydon Peterson’s jazz-forward Old Town Tuesday Night Jam at Whitey’s Old Town Saloon in Northeast Minneapolis is a great late-night option for live music. There’s no cover and the music goes from 10 pm. to about 1 a.m.
Up in downtown Duluth, Saltydog’s Gavin St. Clair continues his Tuesday night residency this month at the Zeitgeist Atrium, with music from 5 to 7 p.m. Nikki Lemire will be joining St. Clair this week.
Just down Superior Street, Bruce Woodman’s open jam starts at 8 p.m. and runs sometimes close to bar close at 2 a.m. There’s no cover.
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Minneapolis synth-pop project Poliça wraps up a three-show residency at Icehouse. The band is actually creating a new album at these shows, and opens their show with a collection of songs from their catalog before writing out in the public sphere. Audience participation is encouraged. The doors are at 6 p.m., and music starts at 8 p.m.
Minneapolis jam band TWINE continues its Wednesday night residency at Bunkers, with the music starting at 9 p.m. The band, currently operating as a five-piece, has been conducting high-level improvisation in each of three sets every Wednesday night.
Thursday, Feb. 19
Jay Bee & the Routine have their weekly show at Bunkers from 9:30 p.m. to about 1 a.m.
Will Effertz’ WE Collective has a lineup of saxophonist Brian “Snowman” Powers, guitarist/singer Joe Dunn, bassist Joe Barron and drummer Connor McRae Hammergren, who is part of the Last Waltz Tribute at The Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul March 14.
Friday, Feb. 20
Dead of Winter Festival, which had been rescheduled due to the Jan. 23 Ice Out protest and economic strike, is finally taking place at The Hook and Ladder in South Minneapolis.
The bands include Grateful Gals, Dead Guys, Bigfoot County and Debbie Center, with doors at 7 p.m., and show 7:30 p.m.
Singer-guitarist Erik Koskinen continues his Icehouse residency with Amy LaVere and Will Sexton, with doors at 6 p.m., and music at 8 p.m.
Erik Koskinen, left, sat in with Saltydog last March at the Zen Arcade. He’s got his own residency going this month at Icehouse on Fridays. PHOTO BY JAVIER SERNA/@jaminthestream
Saturday, Feb. 21
Young local jam band Efmi is releasing an EP at the curling event known as Bonspiel at Sociable Cider Works in Northeast Minneapolis. Music is part of the event, with Rhino Shrine scheduled for 1 to 2 p.m., Efmi from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., and DJ Buster Baxter from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Obi Original with The Black Atlantics Residency continues at Icehouse on Eat Street, with doors at 8 p.m., and show at 9 p.m.
Grateful Dead cover Shotgun Ragtime Band continues their long-time Sunday night. It’s consecutive show No. 766, and Jim Hinkley opens the night up with Phine and Friends at 6:30 p.m.
Last but not least, Dr. Mambo’s Combo is riding high off organist Cory Henry showing up last night following his gig at the Dakota. Henry sat in with the Combo. You never do know what might happen at Bunkers on a given night. R.I.P., James Klein, who has been instrumental in the good music that has been presented at the North Loop music institution. Check out the Star Tribune’s news obituary for Klein here.
As always, head over to my Minnesota Music Calendar for ticket and info links.