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Music

Old music reaching new audiences

Old time Scandinavian music is making a comeback with new audiences. Five musicians from the Brainerd area called Skalmusik preserve and play Swedish and Norwegian folk tunes. The group's members carry on long family traditions of playing music that reflects their heritage.

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Greg Paulus toots his own horn

It's somewhat surprising when a young, gifted musician decides to pursue jazz over something more popular, such as rock or hip hop. Such is the case with 19-year-old jazz trumpeter Greg Paulus of St. Paul. Many say he has the talent and perseverance to make music his career. Paulus performs this weekend at the Artists' Quarter in St. Paul.

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When Duluth rocked

You might not remember the band QuickBreath -- unless you were growing up in Duluth 30 years ago. They were a big deal back then. They played bars and dances. And they got on the radio -- in Duluth. That was before a few monster companies owned most radio stations. Back then, bands could get their records played on the local rock station. A new CD features some of the local music that got onto the radio during the '70s.

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A new musical mosaic for Minneapolis

Classical musicians from across the Twin Cities have come together to perform the premiere of a new orchestral work. It's called "Mosaic: Cedar and Lake," and it attempts to capture the cultural diversity of Minneapolis.

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Rock writers reconsider the classics

Think Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is the most significant rock album ever? Critics take on the sacred cows of rock music in a new book.

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A mighty good road

On October 15, 1852, the first train of the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad traveled from Chicago to Joliet, Illinois. Two years later it would bring a delegation of East Coast journalists and dignitaries to the Mississippi River as part of the Grand Excursion to Minnesota. Over the next 50 years, as the Rock Island Line grew, it carried passengers and freight through 14 states and became part of the story of the American west. Then it inspired a song that has been passed from generation to generation. Minnesota Public Radio's Jim Bickal has traced the stories of the song and the railroad and discovered that together they tell quite a tale.

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The future of First Avenue

Minnesota's most revered nightclub, First Avenue in Minneapolis, is at a crossroads. Last week, owner Allan Fingerhut fired General Manager Steve McClellan. McClellan guided the club for more than 30-years. Many say his adventurous tastes and fiercely independent streak are what made First Avenue into a launchpad for regional artists and a nationally known music venue. McClellan's dismissal left many wondering whether the struggling club would close or be sold. Fingerhut is vowing to take aggressive steps to keep First Avenue open and independent.

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Ringing their hands

You could call it heavy metal music. Some handbells weigh 13 pounds. More than 1,000 handbell ringers are in Duluth for a conference this weekend. The gathering comes to a crescendo on Sunday when hundreds of them perform at one time.

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Never the same as he ever was

As an artist and musician, David Byrne has never been satisfied with resting on laurels. Whether as leader of the groundbreaking rock group 'The Talking Heads', or world music enthusiast, or as a filmmaker and visual artist, Byrne's goal is to take art in new directions. Byrne is the headline performer at the Walker Art Center's annual "Rock the Garden" street party Friday night.

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Speaking of Song

The first St. Paul Summer Song Festival begins on Monday June 21 and continues through the following Sunday, June 27. To help set the scene, we've invited in a specialist—Brian Zeger, a pianist who's accompanied some of the world's finest singers—to introduce a few of his favorites.

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