Minneapolis College supports four regularly rehearsing and performing instrumental groups: Chamber Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Latin Music Ensemble, and Video Game Music Ensemble. Bring your curiosity, bring your passion, and become a part of our musical community!

QUARTETO CARIOCA plays samba jazz, bossa nova, Brazilian popular music, and other genres with a contemporary influence.

Here is sound from the heart embodying Wonder and Mystery – seeking to create hypnotrance that fires up imaginations.  This musical spirit – rooted in spontaneity – dazzles audiences with sincerity and playfulness. Steven’s transportive sound from the heart embodies Wonder and Mystery. He seeks to facilitate playfulness, healing, provoke compassion and warmly sink into […]

Jazz pianist Jon Weber has recorded and toured all over the world, winning numerous honors for performance and composition – scoring extensively for television since 1987. Gary Burton, Roy Hargrove, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Avishai Cohen have all recorded Jon’s music, and his critically acclaimed release, SIMPLE COMPLEX, rose to #1. Jon lives in New […]

Vocalist Lee Engele performs with guitarist Reynold Philipsek, and a special appearance by Gary Schulte on violin. A veteran of local big bands, small ensembles and theater; Lee has released a number of recordings to date, two with Reynold and Gary. She has performed in New York, and at major Twin Cities and Midwest venues. […]

A vital element of jazz education has always been the direct transfer of knowledge between generations of musicians where students could “sit-in” to directly learn the craft from their professional contemporaries when gigs were steady, occurring often nightly.  To keep this essential tradition alive, Twin Cities jazz professionals founded The Minnesota Hard Bop Collective (aka […]

Naomi Uyama was an international swing dance champion searching for the perfect band – original but authentic – in the pocket and bringing the party. After searching the world over she took it upon herself to form “Naomi & Her Handsome Devils” from her favorite musicians from across the nation. Put them all together and […]

Hanson/Hirsh/Clowser shape musical narratives in real time. With Nathan Hanson on saxophone, Steve Hirsh on drums, and Ross Clowser on guitar, the trio invites their audience into a shared experience of creation, discovery, and beauty. Nathan Hanson: “Lithe and soaring, engaging in judicious honk ‘n’ splatter” (New York City Jazz Record), Nathan Hanson makes music that invites listeners to stand outside […]

The Avant Garde is a Twin Cities based music and entertainment production company that puts on curated events featuring urban eclectic entertainment. They also do consulting and provide artist development and assistance to elevate their brand. Chadwick “Niles” Phillips: Chadwick “Niles” Phillips is the CEO/Founder of The Avant Garde which is a program that produces […]

Brian Grivna began performing at age 12 as Young Artist clarinet soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra.  He added saxophone and flute the following year, and by age 15 was subbing for his teacher in commercial dance bands.  After receiving his BA in English Literature from Dartmouth College, he worked in jazz, commercial and theater music […]

An Evening of Classic Vocal Jazz Connie explores the Dave Frishberg Songbook from the witty and swinging (“My Attorney Bernie”, “Peel Me a Grape”) to the senstive and sublime “Listen Here”, “You Are There”). Pianist Jon Weber and bassist Steve Pikal join Connie in playing selections from her CD of Frishberg songs “Little Did I […]

Featuring the next generation of musicians in Fingal’s Cave at MetroNOME Brewery.  This may be a ticketed event.