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| Mary Louise Knutson Quartet at the Dakota by Andrea Canter,Jazz Police Among the top echelon of a rich pool of Twin Cities’ pianists, Mary Louise Knutson is highly respected for her commitment to composition and teaching, as well as her broad range of performance chops. One of five finalists in the first-ever Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Piano Competition, held at Kennedy Center last May, Mary Louise returns to the Dakota in downtown Minneapolis with an all-star quartet on October 26th. Knutson cut her performance teeth with such notables as Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Dianne Reeves, Slide Hampton, Richie Cole, Greg Abate, Von Freeman, and Billy Hart; and toured with Smoky Robinson, the Osmond Brothers, Engelbert Humperdinck, comedians such as Phyllis Diller, and internationally with Synergy (formerly Rupert’s Orchestra). A former jazz instructor at Carlton College, today she conducts master classes and often provides keyboard support for local divas Connie Evingson and Debbie Duncan, the JazzMN Big Band, and the Doug Little Quartet . But her chops are most apparent with her own trio, playing her own compositions and arrangements. Her compatriots at the Dakota, bassist Gordy Johnson and drummer Phil Hey, are also the nucleus of her highly acclaimed recording, Call Me When You Get There, released in 2001 on Meridian Jazz. Said Jazz Times, "Call Me When You Get There is...state-of-the-art piano trio finery." Deservedly, Knutson has earned considerable recognition as a composer, including two awards from Billboard magazine for her compositions, "How Will I Know?" and "Meridian.” And the delightful "Merle the Pearl" streams on the internet as the theme music for the Jazz Release interview program on JazzSteps.com. No small wonder that Call Me When You Get There hit the jazz charts’ “Top 50” in the United States and Canada for eight consecutive weeks following its release! Mary Louise’s recent local appearances have included John Penny’s Equatis at the Hot Summer Jazz Festival, with the JazzMn Big Band, and with the Doug Little Quartet; next month she will tour Italy with vocalist Debbie Duncan. In recent performances with her trio, Knutson has presented material from originals to Brazilian to Jarrett, sometimes unfamiliar and yet always accessible, the arrangements fresh and engaging. When not mixing it up with such delightful rhythmic detours as her arrangements of “Bluesette” and “Alone Together, ” she opens her romantic soul, as with a heart-stopping rendition of Jarrett’s “My Song, ” truly making it “her” song. And of course the pianist has an incredible supporting cast in Gordy Johnson and Phil Hey. A former student of Ed Blackwell, Phil Hey is one of the busiest drummers in town and teaches jazz drum at Macalester College. A frequent performer at the Dakota and Artists Quarter, Hey is often found on the bandstand backing touring and local vocalists and small ensembles; he also manages percussion duties for the Pete Whitman X-Tet and leads his own Quartet. Gordy Johnson graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a major in flute, and played electric bass with Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, and the Paul Winter Consort. Focusing primarily on a 19th century upright bass in recent years, Johnson has appeared on over 50 recordings with a who’s who of jazz and pop artists, and has kept time for most local and many visiting musicians. He’s released a sublime set of “Trios” recordings. Special guest with the quartet this time out is trombonist Michael Nelson, the mastermind of the popular brass ensemble Hornheads and member of the JazzMn Big Band and Locally Damaging Winds. With the Hornheads he toured with Prince; he has also performed and/or recorded with Doc Severinsen, Chaka Khan, Lenny Kravitz, Sammy Davis Jr., Ben Sidran, Maceo Parker, and many other artists. Mary Louise Knutson is somewhat reminiscent of Marian McPartland with her combination of strength and lyricism, line and texture, fresh reconceptions and exciting, beautiful original melodies. And like McPartland, she surrounds herself with ensemble partners who are stars in their own right and sympathetic collaborators on stage. “Piano Jazz” is alive and well in Minnesota! See and hear for yourself at the Dakota, October 26th. write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Jazz News :: home page |