By Chris Riemenschneider
With the weather outside unseasonably cold today, I can't think of a better place to go to warm up than the way-cool benefit for local guitar guru Dean Magraw at the Artists' Quarter in St. Paul ($10). This is one of several fundraiser gigs for Magraw, who is battling cancer and has medical and personal bills piling up since he has been out of work. The guy is obviously well liked, but he's also such an important asset to the local music scene, the outpouring of support seems like common sense.
Performers today include the Regional Jazz Quartet with Anthony Cox and Debbie Duncan, Magraw's fellow guitar pal Tim Sparks with Prudence Johnson, the Dave Karr Quartet, How Birds Work, Lucia Newell, the AQ's Tuesday Night Band and lots more. Basically a who's who of Twin Cities jazz players. There will also be a silent auction with everything from Gopher football and Wild tickets to a private performance from Newell and Laura Caviani. Click here for the full details.
And if you can't make the gig, a special site has been set up for anyone to help Dean and wish him well: www.dothedean.com.
