Kelly's Corner: Jazz In Minnesota

By Kelly Jordan, WCCO Radio Producer

I had the opportunity to check out a sweet jazz performance, the venue was the Target Atrium inside of Orchestra Hall (Minneapolis).

The way that Bryan Nichols (who was behind the piano) explained it is that Minnesota is what he described as "fly over country"…but rivaled the respective coasts with amazing musicians from this region and the influence of jazz artists from this time zone. The show featured some of the most notable jazz artists music…from Charlie Parker, Lester Young, and Ornette Coleman. The performance assembled some great songs and the show makes you want more.

Here's the deal: You should definitely check out live music in the Target Atrium. The space is intimate enough where you can see the expressions on the musicians faces, you can witness the artistry of a Bryan tickling the keys, I also noticed the trumpet player fiddling with his instrument. It was magical. Also the glass surrounding the room was beautiful with the backdrop of downtown Minneapolis. It felt to me like a snow globe – with the bustle of ordinary life outside the windows of the room. The sound quality is was velvety in the room, smooth acoustics. I loved it.

I wholeheartedly support live music. You should, too. Jazz in the Target Atrium has one more show, Thursday April 28 at 7:30, appropriately titled "The Wild Midwest", with a reasonable price point, I would encourage you to check it out. Click here for more details on the next show.