NO COVER 5:00pm Show
Pianist Phil Aaron will lead a trio rounded out by drummer Jay Epstein and bassist Graydon Peterson.
Phil Aaron has been a mainstay in the Twin Cities jazz scene for over 30 years. He has recorded five CDs and has performed with many national and international musicians, including Lee Konitz, Eric Alexander, Delfeayo Marsalis, Jim Rotondi, Jim Snidero, Byron Stripling, Kendra Shank, Evan Christopher, John Fedchock, Jackie Allen, and Barbara Morrison. When he’s not leading the Phil Aaron Trio, he’s busy as an accompanist to many Twin Cities singers and a sideman in a number of jazz groups. Phil is also an Emmy-winning composer for film and television.
Jazz drummer Jay Epstein has an extensive career as a performing, recording, and international touring artist. He studied with Barry Altschul, the drummer in Chick Corea’s Circle. He has lived in Hollywood, Oklahoma City, Atlanta, Miami, and Minneapolis; been on seven European tours; and played in house bands for five years on cruise ship lines. Some of the notable artists he has performed with include the rock band Gypsy, Barney Kessel, Sheila Jordan, Terry Gibbs, Karrin Allyson, Toots Thielemans, Bob Dorough, Marc Ribot, and Sarah Vaughan. Visit Jay: jayepstein.org
Graydon Peterson is a bassist and composer living in Minneapolis. He performs nightly with a variety of vocalists and small ensembles including Arne Fogel, Wayne Anthony, Firebell, Snowblind, Charanga Tropical, Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra, Tropical Zone Orchestra, D’Lakes, Babatunde Leah’s “Rhythm’s Mama,” and ThoughtCast. Graydon has accompanied world-renowned jazz drummer Francisco Mela for a series of concerts in Havana, Cuba. Other widely known artists Graydon has performed with include Delfeayo Marsalis, Gary Bartz, Randy Brecker, Ben Wendel, Jorge Pacheco and Mayito Rivera. Graydon is also the founder of a successful jam session held every week at Whitey’s Old Town Saloon in northeast Minneapolis. A consummate accompanist, writer and arranger, he has become one of the backbones of the jazz scene in the Twin Cities.
