NO COVER 4:30pm Show
Pianist and composer Ian Duerr leads a trio with bassist Calvon Caron and drummer Pete Hennig for two sets of original music inspired by his years living in New York City. Duerr’s music blends hard bop, Latin grooves, and modern jazz with a touch of Thelonious Monk. The trio will also perform a few of their favorite jazz standards.
Ian Duerr is a jazz guitarist with a deeply expressive style. He is currently based in St. Paul, MN. A 2004 graduate of Cardinal Stritch University with a BFA in jazz performance, he spent five years honing his craft aboard cruise ships, performing in jazz trios night after night. From there, he moved to New York City, where he spent over a decade as both a bandleader and sideman, collaborating with top-tier musicians and playing at some of the city's most renowned venues. Duerr’s guitar technique is distinctive—he favors his thumb over a pick, much like the legendary Wes Montgomery. This approach gives his playing a warm, resonant tone and an effortless swing.
Calvin Caron is a bassist and composer working out of the Twin Cities. Caron has performed as a bandleader and sideman at many venues around Minnesota, including Orchestra Hall, Jazz Central Studios, and Green Room. Caron spent the formative years of his musical life in Duluth, MN, while he studied at the University of Minnesota under Ryan Frane. He spent the post-pandemic years of 2020–2024 working in the Duluth music scene. Since moving to the Twin Cities in 2024, he has played and studied with many of the area's great musicians and worked on new music inspired by his new surroundings.
Pete Hennig graduated from McNally Smith College of Music with a degree in percussion performance. Then, he completed two years of private study with Twin Cities–based drummer Dave King. Since 2010, he has performed at several European festivals and venues, including the Sons d'hiver festival in Paris, the Atlantique Jazz Festival in western France, and the Pannonica Jazz Festival in northern France. In 2011, he received the Twin Cities Best Jazz Award with the Atlantis Quartet.
