Al Kooper

Al Kooper is one of rock's great behind-the-scenes figures. His resume includes writing "This Diamond Ring," signing the Zombies, discovering/producing Lynyrd Skynyrd, playing organ on Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" (and with him when he went electric at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965), playing in the Blues Project and founding Blood Sweat & Tears. In short, Kooper is an underappreciated heavyweight.

An all-star Twin Cities band led by Adam Levy will pay tribute to Kooper on May 2 at the Dakota Jazz Club. The group includes Kevin Bowe, John Munson, David Campbell, Alison Scott, Alicia Wiley and special guest Al Kooper.