$10 at the door 7:00pm Show
The Ella Grace MNTET unites some of the most talented young instrumentalists with ties to the Twin Cities to perform Ella’s original contemporary jazz compositions. Having performed at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Taste of Minnesota, and many other mainstay venues in the Twin Cities in previous years, the MNTET is excited to return for another dynamic performance. Don’t miss Ella’s last public Minnesota show of the summer!
Band Members:
Ella Grace - Trumpet
Eli Awada - Piano
Jack Schabert - Drums
Adam Tucker - Bass
Jovon Williams - Saxophone
Ella Grace is a trumpeter, composer, educator, and producer labeled a “rising star” in the Twin Cities jazz scene. Ella began her performance career in Minnesota’s salient youth jazz ensembles, including Minnesota Youth Jazz Bands, the Minnesota All-State Jazz Band, and the Dakota Combo. In 2021, Ella moved to Chicago to pursue a degree in jazz studies at DePaul University. Trumpeter Marcus Printup says Ella’s sound is “big, soulful, human” and “unlike anyone I’ve ever heard before,” and Ella plays to share that sound with the world. Ella now performs throughout the Midwest with several ensembles, including the Ella Grace MNTET. Led by Ella on trumpet, the MNTET is a flexible group that performs Ella’s original compositions in a variety of neo-jazz and jazz fusion styles.
Eli Awada is a 23-year-old pianist and composer from St. Paul, Minnesota. He writes and performs original music with the Minneapolis-based jazz fusion project Room3, and he regularly plays with other jazz-adjacent groups and artists across the Twin Cities, including RAWTWHYLAH, Ricki Monique, and Mati. On top of being a performer, Eli also works as a curator and producer of live music events for multiple venues and festivals in Minneapolis.
Jack Schabert is a Twin Cities–based musician, composer, and educator. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from St. Olaf College and will soon be heading to Denver to earn his Master’s of Music in Jazz Composition. Jack is on the boards of directors at the MetroNOME Foundation and the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. He has performed with international jazz artists such as Melissa Aldana, Danilo Pérez (Wayne Shorter Quartet), Kenni Holmen (Prince, Vulfpeck), and nine-time Grammy Award–winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.
Adam Tucker is the owner and engineer at Signaturetone Recording in South Minneapolis and a bassist in many genres. After a seven-year run of Wednesday nights at the St. Paul Artist Quarter, Adam honed his skills as the hard-driving backbone of Steve Kenny's Group 47. He went on to play with No Room For Squares and the Blue Ox Jazz Trio, among other projects. He is currently the bassist for Dilly Dally Alley, Grim Lot, and the Ella Grace MNTET.
Jovon Williams is a jazz multi-instrumentalist based in the vibrant music scene of the Twin Cities. Jovon is a member of LA Buckner & BiG HOMiE and Room3, and he plays in the house band at The Cherry Pit’s Bible Study open jam series at Berlin. Jovon’s musical approach reflects his experiences and emotions, blending traditional jazz elements with modern influences to create a soulful, abrasive, and captivating sound.
