On the Mark: The joy of jazz

Live jazz is a beautiful experience. Last Sunday afternoon, husband Rod and I drove to Dovetail Cafe & Marketplace on West Superior Street in Duluth.

My cousin, Beth Wilson – a former choral director at Cloquet High School – and her friend Pete had saved a table for us.

It's an intimate space, a long, high-ceilinged room with a beautiful multicolored brick wall running its length.

Nursing mugs of hot coffee, we sat within yards of musicians Paul Lerino (keyboard), Rich Mowers (saxophones), John Thorene (bass) and Jerry Siproth (drums).

A special treat this past Sunday was the addition of Tim Stratioti on his trombone. He and Rich riffed off each other through several marvelous jazz standards.

Rich, who grew up in Cromwell and continues as the Esko high school band teacher, plays both the alto and bass saxophones.

Catch the next Dovetail performance this Sunday, Aug. 7, from 3 to -5 p.m. Stratioti will return, a recent email blast confirmed.

Also this weekend, area jazz fans will be celebrating the return of jazz to the Oldenburg House Friday and Saturday, Aug. 5-6.

They're offering Friday jazz performances with the Randy Lee Ensemble 4-5 p.m. and the Andy Peterson Quartet 5-6 p.m. followed by The Return to Cookin' at the O from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

See the story on Page 4 or find a complete schedule online at oacc.us; click on Honey Bee Festival under programs.

Columnist Ann Markusen is an economist and professor emerita at University of Minnesota.