Tall Tales is an all-star quartet focused on performing the music of guitarist Dean Granros. Having lain dormant for several years, Tall Tales will take the music off their two Shifting Paradigm albums and spin it around in new ways. This reunion show at Berlin promises to be an exciting evening full of fresh ideas and joyous connections!

Band Members:
Dean Granros - Guitar
Chris Bates - Bass
Jay Epstein - Drums
Zacc Harris - Guitar

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Over the past 50 years, Dean Granros has developed a unique voice on the guitar. Of Granros’s playing, New York Times jazz critic Nate Chinen wrote: "It was … inarguable in its logic, and to my ears it definitely qualified as something new." As soloist, Granros explores the intersections of world music and jazz to create a tapestry of musical color and mood.

Chris Bates is an accomplished bassist recognized for his remarkable contributions to the world of jazz. Bates is a key member of the Atlantis Quartet, where his dynamic and inventive bass lines contribute to the ensemble's distinctive sound. With a career spanning decades, he has become a sought-after collaborator, known for his deep understanding of the jazz idiom. Beyond his work with Atlantis Quartet, Bates has lent his talents to various musical projects, solidifying his reputation as a skilled, innovative bassist within the vibrant Twin Cities music scene and beyond.

Jazz drummer Jay Epstein has had an extensive career as a performing, recording, and international touring artist. He studied with Barry Altschul, the drummer in Chick Corea’s Circle. He has lived in Hollywood, Oklahoma City, Atlanta, Miami, and Minneapolis; been on seven European tours; and played in house bands for five years on cruise ship lines. Some of the notable artists he has performed with include the rock band Gypsy, Barney Kessel, Sheila Jordan, Terry Gibbs, Karrin Allyson, Toots Thielemans, Bob Dorough, Marc Ribot, and Sarah Vaughan.

Zacc Harris has been an integral part of the Twin Cities jazz scene since 2005. Recognized for his articulate guitar work, inventive compositions, and dynamic live performances, he performs with and leads a range of projects, including the Atlantis Quartet, the Zacc Harris Group, and American Reverie. In 2017, he was named the Twin Cities’ Best Jazz Artist by City Pages.