Cocktails at the Castle

9 pm – FIKA Stage

Naomi & Her Handsome Devils bring swing-era jazz to the modern stage. Fronted by “velvet-voiced chanteuse” (Time Out New York) and Lindy Hop luminary Naomi Uyama, and backed by a powerhouse lineup of jazz musicians from across the globe, the band brings a sound that’s both authentic and fresh.

From Paris to Seoul, from the Swedish countryside to the Redwood Coast, they’ve lit up music festivals and dance floors around the world. Whether you’re a jazz lover or a dancer chasing the beat, Naomi & Her Handsome Devils serve up swing for every mood.

7:30 pm – FIKA Stage

Rick Carlson taught himself to play the piano by studying the vast works of Count Basie and Duke Ellington and capitalizing on a long string of happy accidents. He has also perfected the art of “circular drinking”, whereby he can sip martinis uninterrupted while still playing a cohesive piano solo.

He has been the pianist for the Wolverines Big Band since 1980. He has performed on concert stages in London and New York City, and has appeared with Count Basie drummer Butch Miles, horn stars Warren Vaché, Delfeayo Marsalis, Evan Christopher and Wycliffe Gordon.

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Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Charmin Michelle moved to Minnesota while still a child and has called it home ever since. Though based in Minneapolis, she is no stranger to life on the road and began touring internationally in 1986. She has performed at jazz festivals throughout Europe with pianists Mulgrew Miller and Kirk Lightsey, and saxophonists Harry Allen and Grant Stewart, among others.

“Taste and understatement. Swing and savoir-faire. Grace and grooves. Intimacy and panache. Singer Charmin Michelle delivers all of the above and more.”  – MN Star Tribune

6 pm – FIKA Stage

The Twin Cities Hot Club (TCHC) represents Minnesota in the burgeoning revival of gypsy jazz originally popularized by Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli and the Hot Club of France. They recreate not only the famous la pompe that distinguishes this romantic brand of acoustic jazz but also gypsy bossanova, musette, bolero, and swing. TCHC performs this timeless deep-rooted music that is physical, alive and speaks directly to the heart.

10 pm – Club Paulson Stage

Kavyesh Kaviraj is a critically acclaimed composer, arranger and pianist living and working in Minnesota. The Twin Cities based musician has worked with several internationally renowned artists, including the likes of Wynton Marsalis, David Sanchez, Justin Robinson, Roosevelt Collier & Steve Cole.

Despite being primarily a Jazz pianist, having studied at Berklee College’s Global Jazz Institute, Kavyesh has established himself in an eclectic assortment of music scenes. Whilst being active in hip-hop, gospel, R&B, funk scenes, he has enjoyed working with Jamecia Bennett, The Steeles, I Self Devine, Lady Midnight, Desdamona, Nooky Jones & Toki Wright.

All the while, he has become an important member of the local music circuit, collaborating with local jazz legends like Debbie Duncan, Bruce Henry, Babatunde Lea, Kevin Washington & LA Buckner.

8:30 pm – Club Paulson Stage

Minneapolis-based jazz pianist and composer, Mary Louise Knutson, has been called “one of the most exciting artists to happen to jazz piano in quite some time.” Her warm, inviting tone, broad range of emotional expression, and distinctive compositions have brought her much recognition on the national music scene.

Knutson tours regularly with her group, the Mary Louise Knutson Trio, whose music has been described by JazzTimes as “state-of-the-art piano trio finery,” and by the Star Tribune (Mpls, St. Paul) as “timeless, classic piano trio music, right up there with Bill Evans and Bill Charlap.”

Knutson has also performed with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Kevin Mahogany, Diane Schuur, Randy Brecker, Bobby Shew, Nicholas Payton, Terell Stafford, Terence Blanchard, Richie Cole, Ernie Watts, Greg Abate, Von Freeman, Delfeayo Marsalis, Slide Hampton, Mike Stern, Peter Erskine, Billy Hart, Ed Shaughnessy, Richard Davis, and more.

6:30 pm – Courtyard

Hot Club Mania Quartet, a Twin Cities-based swing jazz band, performs a timeless jazz tradition commonly known as Gypsy Jazz, a blend of traditional Roma music and swing jazz. Originating in Paris in the early 1930s, the ‘Hot Club’ jazz tradition brings back happy memories of the swing jazz era, and for all an opportunity to nod, tap, or hit the dance floor. Their music keeps audience members on the edge (or out) of their chairs with the band’s formidable improvisational prowess, and exceptional stylistic dimension. A group not to be missed!

7 pm – Club Paulson Stage

Niny Salem is a captivating jazz vocalist whose rich, soulful sound brings timeless music to life. Originally from Vientiane, Laos, she draws on her life experiences across four continents to create performances that blend elegance, emotion, and cultural depth. With a deep love for jazz standards and international music, she delivers each song with warmth, nuanced phrasing, and an intimate storytelling style.  

Performing with a jazz quartet—featuring piano, upright bass, and drums—Niny brings dynamic energy to the stage, seamlessly interpreting swing and ballads with authenticity. Her ability to connect with audiences, combined with her multilingual repertoire in French, Spanish, and Portuguese, makes every performance unique and immersive. 

Having shared the stage with award-winning musicians on local, national, and international stages, Niny continues to enchant listeners with performances that celebrate jazz and global musical traditions. 

6:15 pm – Larson Hall

Michelle Kinney is active on the Twin Cities scene in several projects including The Tamarack Stylites, which has performed frequently at ASI. She also performs and records regularly with Dylan Hicks’s incredible Small Screens band, and Nirmala Rajasekar’s Maithree.

In 2024 Michelle was commissioned through The Schubert Club to create a score for silent film that was performed by The Accordo String Quartet at The Ordway. She also composes for dance, recently BRKFST in June 2026, and w/Laurie Van Wieren for an ASI performance in 2025.

She has received awards and grants from The Bush Foundation, The Jerome Foundation, McKnight Foundation, NEA/Rockefeller, Harvestworks/Studio Pass, and the American Composers Forum.

While living in NYC, Michelle recorded, performed and toured Europe and the United States with some of the most respected innovators in new music today. Henry Threadgill, Butch Morris, Myra Melford, George Cartwright, Leroy Jenkins, Elliot Sharp, Brandon Ross, Steven Bernstein and Steve Tibbets are among the artists calling on Michelle’s contributions as a cellist.

She has also worked extensively in pop music, including many recordings and appearances live and on TV (Tonight Show, Letterman, VHS Storytellers) with Natalie Merchant, several recordings with Sheryl Crow, performance projects with producer Hal Wilner, The Letterman Show with Lou Reed, to name a few.

8:30 pm – Larson Hall

Toivo Hannigan is a guitarist, composer and producer born and raised in the twin cities. After Graduating from Berklee in August 2020, Toivo moved back to the twin cities and has since furthered his career as a freelance musician. Toivo regularly performs with bands/artists including, but not limited to Jake Baldwin, JT Bates, Bluewater kings, and Tae and the neighborly.