Minor age, major talent

Showtime was less than an hour away on a recent Thursday night at Applewood Rustic Grill in Burnsville as members of the Penguins, a jazz fusion band based in the south metro area, squeezed onto a pair of couches in the corner of the room to go over the night's set list.

The Guinness was flowing at a nearby table, but the drinks were strictly of the soft variety for the musicians, five minors with major musical talents.

The term "prodigy" shouldn't be thrown around loosely, but it seems to fit nicely with the Penguins -- all under 20 -- who perform beyond their age in front of admiring audiences.

"They usually pack the house," said Suzanne LaChapelle-Gustafson, one of the owners of Applewood Rustic Grill, who already has booked the band a handful of times. "They get on Facebook and let all their friends know a show is coming up. Then we can go on Facebook and see how many people sent an RSVP, so we can get a sense of how many people will be coming."

The band's drummer, JP Bouvet, serves as the pseudo-manager, and he called on his artistic talents and new media skills to design an impressive website as well (www.penguinsfusion.com). But when it comes to musical ability, Bouvet said each member brings a special talent.

"No one is lagging behind," Bouvet said.

Guitarist Michael Linden, 19, attends Berklee College of Music in Boston. Bouvet, 18, will join him there in the fall. Both are on scholarship and had to pass an audition before being accepted. Berklee's numerous famous alumni include Quincy Jones, John Mayer, Melissa Etheridge and Dianna Krall.

Saxophonist Stephanie Wieseler, 19, is on scholarship at the equally renowned New England Conservatory in Boston. Keyboard player Bobby Homan, 18, and bass player Dan Rosenbush, 18, will enroll at the University of Minnesota this fall.

Rosenbush was out of town for the recent performance, but he was ably replaced by Cory Grindberg, 18, who will enroll in the Jazz Studies program at Northwestern University this fall.

The Penguins will perform free shows at establishments in the south metro throughout the summer. They will be at Rudy's Red Eye Grill in Lakeville on Saturday, June 27. And they will be the opening act of the Art and All That Jazz Festival in Burnsville on Aug. 15.

The group was born out of jam sessions that took place around the grand piano in the living room of Bouvet's home. Invited performers were musicians Bouvet got to know while playing in the Minnesota Youth Jazz Band.

Linden and Bouvet have been playing together since sixth grade and had a rock band called Y?, which played for five years. Wieseler and Linden knew each other from playing in the band at Apple Valley High School.

Rosenbush and Bouvet played in the Lakeville South jazz program. Homan attended Eagan High School.

The Penguins were officially born last June. The group members took their name from the black outfits and white ties in which they perform.

Wieseler described jazz fusion as jazz mixed with rock mixed with funk. Among the well-known jazz fusion artists are Miles Davis, Spyro Gyra, Pat Metheny and Weather Report.

Asked why they elected to play jazz rather than rock, the band members agreed it was a natural progression from their school band-playing days, which focused on classical and jazz music.

They all are certain music will forever remain a big part of their lives. How much longer the Penguins exist beyond this summer remains to be seen. In the meantime they are determined to make the most of a good situation.

"It's a great summer job," Bouvet said. Added Wieseler: "It's nice to be making some money doing something that is so much fun."

Dean Spiros • 952-882-9203