10/29/2026
My co-favorite jazz album of all time is Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue. There is a good reason for this. It was recorded on the spot with the players having zero information about what was about to happen.
In my much smaller world, my favorite such moment occurred sometime in the mid nineties at Oak Center’s Folk Forum. It was Steve with Nan in those days.
Nan had an idea. She booked a show with myself and the great guitarist Dean Magraw. I knew he was great. I was thrilled to do the gig, but the coolest thing was, we actually met onstage. I think we said hi, shook hands and off we went. Neither had a heard a peep of one another’s music. It was the coolest three musical hours of my life! The packed house was actually a collaborator fueling us with yet more energy!
Well folks, brace yourselves. It’s about to happen again. This time it’s me and Erik Koskinen. We will meet for the first time onstage at the legendary and magical Trempealeau Hotel tomorrow. Then we proceed, seasoned vets, to the fabulous Aunt Annie’s Quilts in Avon, MN.
I’m so pleased these shows came about and I can’t wait do dive in….blind. The best music is often played at high risk, without a net! Come and witness genuine spontaneity this weekend!
