Cocktails at the Castle

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!