Tyondai Braxton, Walker. The avant-rocker took a giant step into contemporary classical music with his symphonic work "Central Market." Performed with the Wordless Music Orchestra, it was part Stravinsky, part "Star Wars" cantina, complete with synthesizers, strings and kazoos.Opera. Filmed at London's Royal Opera House, "Carmen 3D" puts you in the middle of the music and the steamy action. At the Ordway, "La Traviata" shimmers; we saw the cast (there are two) led by soprano Elizabeth Futral, who makes Verdi's coloratura acrobatics sound easy.
"Joined at the Hip: A History of Jazz in the Twin Cities." Written by journalist/bassist Jay Goetting, this book tells our hometown jazz story. Out in April.
PAMELA ESPELAND, MPLS.
TO CONTRIBUTE: POPMUSIC@STARTRIBUNE.COM
Patti Austin, Dakota. Coming on as sassy and funny as Bette Midler, the '80s soul star devoted her 1¾-hour show to Ella Fitzgerald. The backstories about Ella were insightful, but the singing was Ella-quent and outstanding-- even if Austin didn't sing any of her own songs.
Ryan Bingham, Varsity. Echoing Dylan, Springsteen and Earle, the raspy Texan walked the line between rockin' Americana and troubadour poetry. He didn't do his Oscar-winning "Weary Kind," but he did do Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin.' "
Marsha Ambrosius, "Late Nights & Early Mornings." The ex-Floetry singer comes across like the daughter of Toni Braxton and Prince. She's a little fakey oversexed sometimes, but "Hope She Cheats on You (With a Basketball Player)," "Far Away" and the En Vogue-evoking "Tears" are sexy magic.
JON BREAM, STAR TRIBUNE
