MacPhail Jazz Night celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month with a performance by the Dakota Jazz Ensemble, directed by Zacc Harris. Also, acclaimed MacPhail faculty artists Michael Cain, Paul Babcock, and Zacc Harris. The Dakota Jazz Ensemble at MacPhail Center for Music is a premier, audition-based group. Here, this group features some of the Twin Cities’ most outstanding high school jazz musicians. Additionally, the tuition-free ensemble provides advanced training in improvisation, ensemble performance, and a wide range of jazz repertoire. Meet the band: Sam Stauning (tenor saxophone) Dominique Paguyo (alto saxophone) Peter Sullivan (piano) Basil Saathoff (piano) Finn Bergstrom (bass) Zach Minkin (drums) The evening highlights the vibrant tradition of jazz in the Twin Cities. Here, rising young artists unite with acclaimed performers and educators who are shaping the artform today. Presented during Jazz Appreciation Month, the concert reflects MacPhail and the Dakota’s long-standing commitment to jazz education and to supporting the next generation of musicians. Michael Cain is an internationally recognized jazz pianist, composer, and educator. His career spans performances with Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland, and the World Saxophone Quartet. A longtime MacPhail faculty member, he also serves as Vice President of Music Education. He is known for his innovative approach to improvisation and genre-blending performance. Paul Babcock is a percussionist, educator, and CEO of MacPhail Center for Music. A professional musician and teaching artist for more than three decades, he is deeply committed to transforming lives through the power of music. He continues to perform in jazz, rock, and classical settings and has collaborated with artists including Marvin Hamlisch, Geoffrey Keezer, and Michael Cain. Zacc Harris is a Minneapolis-based guitarist, composer, and educator known for his work with Atlantis Quartet and many other groups. A bandleader and recording artist, his projects explore modern jazz, original composition, and creative improvisation. He is on the faculty at MacPhail Center for Music and directs the Dakota Jazz Ensemble.
