Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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Jazz legend Thompson gets festive in Northfield
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CORRECTION: This article has been changed to correct inaccurate information. Occasional
Jazz, The Joe Strachan Quartet and The Over and Back Band will all perform
on Saturday at Central Park. Butch Thompson and His All Stars will perform
at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Grand Event Center.

* * * *
NORTHFIELD — Jazz-lovers and “Prairie Home Companion” fans alike will have a chance to see jazz legend and long-time “Prairie Home Companion” star Butch Thompson perform in Northfield this Friday.

Thompson’s jazz concert is in celebration of the Northfield Arts Guild’s 50 years of contribution to the city’s cultural life, as well as part of the town’s ArtSwirl.





The Marine-on-St. Croix native is a world-renowned traditional jazz and ragtime artist who has performed with symphony orchestras across the country and even the ocean, including the Hartford Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony, the Erie Philharmonic, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Cairo (Egypt) Symphony.

Thompson is returning to Northfield after a successful concert in the fall of 2007, which was part of the Doc Evans Centennial Celebration at Carleton College.

“I had a great time the last time I was in Northfield,” said Thompson. “It’s a city that really embraces jazz and other forms of music and art, so I’m very happy to be able to be a part of that. I understand that this is going to be a kick-start to what could be annual jazz festival. It’s exciting to be inaugurating this idea of an annual jazz festival in Northfield.”

Thompson admits that although a tremendous amount of work is required to make performances such as the upcoming Northfield concert a success, the efforts are well rewarded when he finally gets to play on stage.

“My favorite part is when you’re on the stage and you can make a connection with the audience,” said Thompson. “I really like it when people get up and dance. Then you really know they’re enjoying the music.”

At the first Jazz Festival at Central Park Saturday:
12 to 1 p.m. The Joe Strachan Quartet: Remy Taghavi, tenor saxophone; Joe Strachan, keyboard; Cory Grindberg, bass; and Isaac Zuckerman, drums

2 to 3 p.m. The Over and Back Band: Mike Hildebrandt, violin, mandolin, vocals; Craig Wasner, keyboard, vocals; Gordon Ochswald, bass, vocals and Steve Jennings, drums

4 to 5 p.m. Occasional Jazz : Mark Pernecky, keyboard; Steve Kelly, alto and soprano saxophone; Dave Saunders, tenor saxophone; Gary Iseminger, vibraphone; Joe Wiseman, bass; Dan Groll, drums and special guest Marty Hodel, trumpet.

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