Showtime: 8:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*

An initially self-taught pianist, Hecht fell in love with jazz in high school and pursued traditional music education in college in Amherst, Massachusetts, studying with, notably, Yusef Lateef (even as Lateef famously scorned the use of the word “jazz”). But his interests in classical music and literature led him to study poetry and poetry writing, in Cornell University’s highly unusual PhD/MFA joint degree program. During those years he also studied violin and eventually performed with various chamber ensembles, and later in an orchestra. Then as a young English professor living in Chicago, he quickly fell in with musicians, including the remarkable pianist and composer Rob Clearfield. Along the way he also befriended members of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), a force in new music in the late 2000s in Chicago as well as New York, and eventually organized a performance by director Claire Chase at Gidon Kremer’s Lockenhaus Festival in Austria.

During this time Hecht was writing about Renaissance poetry, as professors do, which culminated in a book published by Oxford University Press in 2022 (What Rosalind Likes), and was also directing student performances of Shakespeare and other Renaissance drama in northwest Indiana. These productions also served as opportunities to make further artistic connections in Chicago, with Clearfield composing music, and other artists helping with choreography (both dance and violence!) and costumes and design. In retrospect, however, the musical connections were more important: Hecht was hearing how more and more music could be connected with emotions and scenes of the maximum interest and vitality: his passions were finding how they could entwine and merge in music. And teaching students how to make audiences pay attention turns out to also be a useful skill set for live musical performance.

A sabbatical to work on his book also afforded the opportunity to return to the piano with Clearfield as a new guide. Eventually Hecht began attending jam sessions hosted by some of his most admired members of the scene: Ulery, Quin Kirchner, and, critically, Greg Ward. On those stages he absorbed as a performer things that he had until then understood more theoretically: the commitment to honesty, openness; the work ethic to do justice, by long hours of practice, to the myriad traditions that flow into the music; the commitment to the humanity and potential of everyone who participates in the music, on stage and off, on any given night.

In 2020, his wife (also an English professor) got a new post at a college in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and the couple agreed that it was time for Hecht to make the big switch: he would leave his professorship and turn his full attention to performance and composition, aiming to make up for lost time.

Kevin Gamble is a Twin Cities-based pianist and composer known for leading the Kevin Gamble Quartet (KG4) and the Kevin Gamble Trio (KG3). His music is a high-energy blend of jazz fusion, gospel, funk, R&B, and soul.

Join Bessie Snow and her cast of titillating burlesque performers for a night of unforgettable fun. Extravagant, delightful, and full of surprises, this is the only burlesque show of its kind in the Twin Cities!

Tease into your weekend early and indulge in a savory and sweet experience that guarantees to satiate your appetite!

Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*

Easy Speak is Volstead's monthly comedy showcase. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance. All tickets come with an 8PM reservation.

Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*

Tim Sparks is a renowned Minnesota-based acoustic fingerstyle guitarist and composer known for his virtuosic, genre-bending technique that blends jazz, folk, country blues, and world music. A former National Fingerpicking Champion (1993), he is a staples of the Twin Cities music scene, known for intricate arrangements and diverse recordings, including Lost and Found (2024).

Showtime: 8:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*

"Mill City Hot Club plays the music of Django Reinhard and more. American hot jazz from the 1930s and 40s with a French twist.  Joyful, upbeat and danceable, their music will definitly make you smile. The cast of musicians is always changing so you’ll hear something new every time."

Showtime: 8:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*

Guitarist Chris Graham brings an intimate guitar trio to Jazz Central Studios featuring bassist Calvin Caron and drummer Adam Nussbaum. This group will deliver an evening of creativity, interplay and groove - rooted firmly in the jazz tradition.

A native of the Twin Cities, Graham first entered the local jazz scene as a young standout while still in high school, learning directly from many of the community’s legends and elders. His early passion and dedication led him to New York City, where he was accepted into the prestigious New School to continue formal studies in jazz performance. Immersed in the vibrant NYC jazz world, he had the privilege of studying and performing with master musicians such as Reggie Workman, Chico Hamilton, Vic Juris, Lage Lund, Ben Monder, Tyshawn Sorey, and many others.

After several years in New York, Graham returned home to the Twin Cities and shifted his focus for a time toward steel-string acoustic guitar. During this period, he joined forces with local singer/songwriter Lucy Michelle and helped form The Velvet Lapelles, a group that enjoyed a successful run throughout the early 2010s. Around 2017, he re-entered the jazz scene and has since collaborated with many of the region’s finest musicians, including Javier Santiago, Aaron Hedenstrom, Ted Olsen, Miguel Hurtado, Dan Carpel, Pete James Johnson, and more.

Featuring:

Chris Graham - guitar

Calvin Caron - bass

Adam Nussbaum - drums

Showtime: 8:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*

A luminous, multi-genre vocalist, and international touring artist based in St. Paul, MN, Katia Cardenas inspires audiences with her smooth, powerful voice and infectious, uplifting energy. Recognized for her impeccable range, and dynamic stylings, she has been performing since an early age. Katia has been most influenced by Ella Fitzgerald’s spirited jazz standards, Aretha Franklin’s high-powered R&B flavors and Astrud Giberto’s dulcet bossa tones.

Performing an inspired and enticing variety of musical styles with the Twin Cities’ top players, she has been described as “a young but veteran vocalist who can cover Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, yet is equally adept at modern folk/pop/blues,” with “the pipes to get over an R&B tune, but also has the instincts and subtlety to handle jazz standards.”

Katia recently returned to performing after a 3 years hiatus. Read about her journey getting back onstage in the Pioneer Press. Listen to Minnesota Public Radio’s Art Hounds about her come back show July 30, 2021 at The Granada Theater, or Phil Nusbaum’s radio interview on KBEM Jazz88.5.

Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*

Easy Speak is Volstead's monthly comedy showcase. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance. All tickets come with an 8PM reservation.

Showtime: 8:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*

Fire Bell is a collaborative modern jazz trio from the Minneapolis/Saint Paul scene featuring guitarist Park Evans, bassist Graydon Peterson, and veteran drummer Jay Epstein. Originally from Ithaca, New York, Evans studied classical guitar and composition at St. Olaf College, developing an eclectic style that fuses jazz traditions with rock, reggae, and avant-garde influences. Peterson, an in-demand "first-call" session bassist and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire composition graduate, brings a sharp harmonic foundation to the group alongside his unique background as a 4th-degree Kung Fu black belt. International touring drum veteran Epstein, who honed his craft in Manhattan under Chick Corea's former drummer Barry Altschul, grounds the trio with decades of elite performance experience alongside jazz legends like Sarah Vaughan. Together, they channel their individual projects—including Red Planet, ThoughtCast, and the Park Evans Quintet—into a singular, highly interactive, and emotive sound showcased on albums like Incendios.

Join Bessie Snow and her cast of titillating burlesque performers for a night of unforgettable fun. Extravagant, delightful, and full of surprises, this is the only burlesque show of its kind in the Twin Cities!

Tease into your weekend early and indulge in a savory and sweet experience that guarantees to satiate your appetite!

Reservations are for 7:00
Showtime: 7:30
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*

Jazz Guitarist, Zacc Harris leads his trio for a night of intimate music perfect for a night out. Expect original compositions and some American classics.

"Intricate heads and chops-busting unisons. ★★★★" - Bill Milkowski, Downbeat Magazine

"

The compositions explore the kind of big-sky generous melodicism pioneered by artists such as [Pat] Metheny and Gary Burton...[Harris's] timing and articulation are beyond reproach and his imagination extensive." - Eddie Myer, Jazzwise Magazine

"

Chasing Shadows is an energetic and thoughtfully composed post-bop quintet date." - Philip Freeman, DownBeat Magazine

"

This remarkably fluid guitarist has positioned himself at the center of the Twin Cities jazz world...Whether playing alongside the McKnight-winning Atlantis Quartet or fronting his own Zacc Harris Group, Harris makes his mark, incorporating lessons from the greats into his own forward-looking style." - Rich Mason, City Pages

"

Small Wonders is big on melody, intelligent arrangements, and powerful as well as thoughtful solos." - Richard Kamins, Step Tempest

"

The level of craft is high from start to finish...Similar to his writing, Harris's guitar style is distinctly his while also part of a continuum that extends back to earlier players like Jim Hall and Wes Montgomery." - Ron Schepper, Textura



"The ease with which this group navigates and their interplay is magical." - Mark Corroto, All About Jazz

Zacc Harris - guitar
Dan Carpel - bass
Pete James Johnson - drums

Showtime: 8:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*

An initially self-taught pianist, Hecht fell in love with jazz in high school and pursued traditional music education in college in Amherst, Massachusetts, studying with, notably, Yusef Lateef (even as Lateef famously scorned the use of the word “jazz”). But his interests in classical music and literature led him to study poetry and poetry writing, in Cornell University’s highly unusual PhD/MFA joint degree program. During those years he also studied violin and eventually performed with various chamber ensembles, and later in an orchestra. Then as a young English professor living in Chicago, he quickly fell in with musicians, including the remarkable pianist and composer Rob Clearfield. Along the way he also befriended members of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), a force in new music in the late 2000s in Chicago as well as New York, and eventually organized a performance by director Claire Chase at Gidon Kremer’s Lockenhaus Festival in Austria.

During this time Hecht was writing about Renaissance poetry, as professors do, which culminated in a book published by Oxford University Press in 2022 (What Rosalind Likes), and was also directing student performances of Shakespeare and other Renaissance drama in northwest Indiana. These productions also served as opportunities to make further artistic connections in Chicago, with Clearfield composing music, and other artists helping with choreography (both dance and violence!) and costumes and design. In retrospect, however, the musical connections were more important: Hecht was hearing how more and more music could be connected with emotions and scenes of the maximum interest and vitality: his passions were finding how they could entwine and merge in music. And teaching students how to make audiences pay attention turns out to also be a useful skill set for live musical performance.

A sabbatical to work on his book also afforded the opportunity to return to the piano with Clearfield as a new guide. Eventually Hecht began attending jam sessions hosted by some of his most admired members of the scene: Ulery, Quin Kirchner, and, critically, Greg Ward. On those stages he absorbed as a performer things that he had until then understood more theoretically: the commitment to honesty, openness; the work ethic to do justice, by long hours of practice, to the myriad traditions that flow into the music; the commitment to the humanity and potential of everyone who participates in the music, on stage and off, on any given night.

In 2020, his wife (also an English professor) got a new post at a college in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and the couple agreed that it was time for Hecht to make the big switch: he would leave his professorship and turn his full attention to performance and composition, aiming to make up for lost time.

Paul Harper is a prominent Twin Cities-based saxophonist, flutist, and composer known for his extensive work in Minnesota's jazz scene. A long-time member of the Illicit Sextet, he leads the Paul Harper Quartet and has performed with various ensembles including Spirit Jazz and Roos & Harper.

Reservations are for 7:00
Showtime: 7:30
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*

Mike Green and Brionna Monai are the Twin Cities duo behind No Limit Love, a live concept centered on the duality of love.

Through Brionna’s smooth, captivating vocals and Mike’s detailed electric guitar arrangements, the project brings together original material and familiar songs reimagined through a new perspective.

No Limit Love explores love from every degree, from the sunshine and rainbows to its darker and more damning sides. Romance and heartbreak. Passion and pain. Confusion and clarity. Light and darkness. Destruction and desire. No Limit Love lives in the space between these extremes, exploring the beauty, tension, and complexity of loving without limits.

Reservations are for 7:00
Showtime: 7:30
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*

Havana Quartet is a Minnesota-based string quartet dedicated to sharing the richness of Cuban music through engaging performances and educational outreach. Founded by Cuban violinist Hansel Pérez Carrero, the ensemble blends classical training with the vibrant rhythms and traditions of Cuba, presenting both beloved classics and contemporary works by Cuban composers.

The quartet has performed throughout Minnesota at concert halls, festivals, community events, and educational programs, creating meaningful cultural connections through music. As Artists-in-Residence at MacPhail Center for Music, Havana Quartet is committed to inspiring audiences of all ages with performances that celebrate the diversity and beauty of Cuban musical heritage.

Audiences can expect an energetic and engaging performance featuring the colorful sounds of Cuba, from lively dances to lyrical melodies. Havana Quartet combines exceptional musicianship with storytelling and cultural context, creating a concert experience that is both entertaining and enriching.

Showtime: 8:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*

Peter Goggin is a saxophonist, educator, and composer from Minneapolis, MN. After earning his undergraduate degree in jazz studies from the University of Michigan in 2019, he returned to the Twin Cities to develop an active performing and teaching career. Beyond leading his own projects, he has had the pleasure of professionally sharing the stage with luminaries such as Arturo Sandoval, Jens Lindemann, Randy Brecker, Diane Schuur, and John Pizzarelli.  

Jake Baldwin - Trumpet
Peter Goggin - Saxophone
Adam Harder Nussbaum - Drums
Ted Olsen - Bass
Joe Strachan - Piano

Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*

Lily Alter is a jazz vocalist, pianist, and jazz composer/arranger from Oak Park, Illinois. She received her undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan in the spring of 2023. There, she was a member of Gold Company, played piano in the WMU Jazz Lab Band, and sang with the WMU Jazz Orchestra. She was awarded Downbeats in 2023 and 2024 for Outstanding Performance as an Undergraduate Vocal Jazz Soloist. She recently graduated from University of North Texas with her Master’s of Music degree, where she was a teaching fellow in the vocal jazz program, an alto in UNT Jazz Singers, and the vocalist for the 2023-24 One O’Clock Lab Band. Currently based near the Twin Cities, she maintains a vibrant studio of private voice and piano students, directs a community vocal ensemble, and performs at jazz venues throughout the Midwest.

Will grew up performing in his hometown of Saint Paul, Minnesota, and pursued jazz and classical music at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan before earning a B.F.A. at the California Institute of the Arts in 2019. He enjoyed a burgeoning career in Los Angeles before returning to Minnesota to weather the pandemic. In 2022 he moved to New York, having received an invitation to the Juilliard Jazz program. When he’s not on the road, Will is currently focused on producing and releasing his own music. His current projects include the Will Kjeer Trio,  a jazz quintet with folk crossover; and a jazz/classical chamber ensemble featuring string quartet. He has collaborated for the past three years with Midwest folk icon Larry Long, often referred to as “the Pete Seeger of Minnesota.” Will is an active music educator and has been a clinician at Lincoln Center, California State University Fullerton, the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, and Shell Lake Arts Center, in addition to his private studio. He specializes in advanced jazz piano, as well as audition preparation lessons

Jazz Trio

"We will be performing a collection of original compositions that are inspired by experiences from the past few years that are important in the development of my sense of self. While I was in college, I attempted to compose every day. This process slowly became therapeutic for me and now these compositions represent the state of my emotions during that season of my life. Half of the compositions we will play are diary entries that are titled the date in which they were composed. The other half of the songs are inspired by experiences that I had in nature that were shared with people in my life who I love. "

Reservations are for 7:00
Showtime: 7:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*

The Cassidys are a new Twin Cities project with deep roots in Minnesota’s music community, bringing together four seasoned musicians whose paths have crossed for years but who are finally sharing a stage together. Led by singer, guitarist, and songwriter Jack Cassidy, the group blends soul, R&B, pop, rock, and jazz influences into a sound centered on groove, feel, and vocal harmony. Drawing inspiration from artists like Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, D’Angelo, and John Mayer, The Cassidys deliver songs that prioritize connection, musicianship, and memorable melodies.

Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*

Ian Duerr is a St. Paul based multi-instrumentalist and composer who performs on both piano and guitar. After earning a BFA in guitar performance, he took a job on a cruise ship as a jazz pianist, quickly shaping his approach to the instrument while performing night after night in a jazz trio for five years. He later relocated to New York City, where he spent over a decade working as a bandleader and sideman on both instruments, performing with top tier players and appearing at many of the city’s premier venues. 

Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*

Calvin Caron is a bassist and composer. A 2022 graduate of the University of Minnesota - Duluth with a BFA in Jazz Studies. He is now living in Minneapolis, MN, working as a bassist and sideman while simultaneously composing, recording, and performing music of his own. In the spring of 2025 Calvin released his debut project, “Transition Moments”. His compositions create unique atmospheres for communal freedom of expression drawing inspiration from the musical styles of Jazz, Folk, Country, and classical traditions.

Reservations are for 7:00
Showtime: 7:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*

Immerse yourself in the energy and emotion of flamenco through a captivating blend of dance, live guitar, and song. Powerful footwork, expressive artistry, and vibrant rhythms come together to create an unforgettable performance inspired by the traditions of Andalusia, Spain. Passionate and deeply engaging, flamenco offers audiences a moving celebration of music, culture, and human connection.

Harry Scott is a 19 year old rising Pianist And composer based in Chicago and Minneapolis. He comes from a wide ranging list of influences, including Herbie Hancock, Sullivan Fortner, Brad Mehldau, The Beatles, and Bach among many others.

Showtime: 8:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*

Bassist Max Johnk is a relative newcomer to the Twin Cities jazz scene, and was lucky to find the center of his new musical community during jam sessions at Volstead's last year. For this performance, Max will draw on the musical rapport and friendships he developed during those sessions, along with his esteemed colleagues Andrew Long, Kavyesh Kaviraj, and Tarek Abdelqader. Expect the band to indulge Max's preoccupation with the ballad repertoire, and explore what other music - new or old, slow or fast - might fit that category. 

Showtime: 8:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*

"Mill City Hot Club plays the music of Django Reinhard and more. American hot jazz from the 1930s and 40s with a French twist.  Joyful, upbeat and danceable, their music will definitly make you smile. The cast of musicians is always changing so you’ll hear something new every time."

Step into an evening of glamour, wit, and vintage-inspired decadence at Voilà! A Drag Cabaret—an intimate drag experience set inside the speakeasy charm of Volstead’s in Uptown.

On April 8, the Lavender District gets a little more fabulous as this cabaret-style show brings you up close and personal with dazzling drag performances, sultry numbers, sharp comedy, and a bit of mischief along the way. Inspired by the spirit of classic cabaret and the intrigue of proper speakeasies, this is drag in its most intimate and electrifying form. Hosted by Lala Luzious, the evening features performances by Deja Love, Buttercream, Trè Da Marc, MUÑECA NOVA and Jol Principle.

With low lighting, handcrafted cocktails, and performers just feet away, Voilà! invites you into a world where elegance meets camp and every number feels like a secret shared among friends. Grab a cocktail, and prepare to be entertained.

Bessie Snow and Volstead's presents an evening of Funk & Brazen Tease
for one clandestine evening. BODY HEAT sets the stage ablaze with scandalous rhythm and dazzling display. A live band of first-rate players will stir the room with funky grooves — horns wailing, drums, bass bumping! Burlesque performers will highlight the night with a hot mama jamma flare. Velvet shadows, craft cocktails in hand, a crowd dressed to impress. You don’t just watch Body Heat — you feel it.

This show, we're celebrating PRIDE with a the sexiest and talented cast of Queers from the Twin Cities!

A portion of proceeds will be donated to community aid that serves the queer community.

Come ready to turn up the heat this PRIDE month at BODY HEAT!