Lovano has become one of the most celebrated jazz artists of his generation. Growing up in Cleveland, the son of tenor saxophonist Tony “Big T” Lovano studied with his father and absorbed the influences of Sonny Stitt, James Moody, Gene Ammons, Rashaan Roland Kirk, and Dizzy Gillespie, and later the experimental work of John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Jimmy Giuffre. After attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Lovano made his recording debut with organ master Lonnie Smith and worked with Jack McDuff before joining Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd. He went on to perform with top big bands and touring artists, to lead his own acclaimed ensembles, and held the first Gary Burton Chair for Jazz Performance at Berklee.

  Lovano’s recorded output over the past decade is nothing short of phenomenal, particularly given the wide range of ensemble formats as well as outstanding musicianship. For the past two decades he has performed and recorded with the Paul Motian Trio (with Motian and Bill Frisell) while maintaining his own varying projects as leader. The Joe Lovano Quartets at the Village Vanguard (Blue Note, 1996) was named Jazz Album of the Year in the 1996 DownBeat Readers Poll and earned two Grammy nominations; Celebrating Sinatra (Blue Note, 1997) followed with another Grammy nomination. Flying Colors (Blue Note, 1998), a duo with virtuoso Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, was awarded four stars by the Los Angeles Times. Following the Grammy-winning 52nd Street Themes (Blue Note, 2000), Lovano received his third Jazz Artist of the Year honors in both the 2001 DownBeat Critics’ and the Reader’s polls. A collaboration with the late pianist Hank Jones yielded several acclaimed recordings including the 2007 duet, Kids.

  Lovano launched Us Five in 2009, releasing Folk Art (Blue Note) and garnering Jazz Times Album of the Year honors; Bird Songs—a reconsideration of Charlie Parker’s legacy—followed in early 2011. The band performed at the 2010 Twin Cities Jazz Festival and again at the Dakota Jazz Club in spring 2011.

  James Weidman is gaining a reputation as one of the top pianists in New York and beyond, currently appearing with his own Three Worlds band and Matt Wilson’s Arts and Crafts, in addition to his work with Us Five. Bassist Esperanza Spalding tours with Us Five when not busy with her own projects, including her acclaimed Chamber Music Society. The youngest faculty member at the Berklee College of Music, she achieved overnight fame as the 2011 winner of the Grammy for Best New Artist. Cuban drummer Francisco Mela has been making a name for himself since relocating to the U.S. ten years ago. Dubbed “one of the most important Cuban drummers in jazz” by Jazz Times, he tours with Lovano, David Sanchez, John Scofield, Kenny Barron and his own quartet. Otis Brown III joined projects with Joe Lovano over ten years ago. He’s played with a long list of top musicians including Herbie Hancock, Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, Oliver Lake, Judi Silvano and Peter Cincotti. In addition to Us Five, Brown tours with Lovano’s Nonet.

  Tickets for Us Five are available from the Hopkins Center for the Arts Box Office, at 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, or call (952) 979-1111; $28/$25 seniors/$23 TCJS members..