Calendar of Events

Today's artists are Jason Weismann (saxophone), Joe Weismann '90, P'24 (contrabass),  and Laura Caviani (piano)

A 30-year veteran of the Twin Cities music scene, Jason Weismann has performed with local legends Joe Juliano, Lamont Cranston and Big John Dickerson, as well as the Auto Body Experience, Steeling Dan and his bands, the Jaztronauts (MMA “Best Jazz Artist” winner), Jason Weismann and the Q and the Dap Squad (featuring several former Prince musicians). Jason graduated from Boston’s Berklee College of Music with a degree in saxophone performance and was the only non-vocal major in the elite Berklee Vocal Jazz Ensemble. He has covered a wide variety of musical styles throughout his career, toured Europe and opened for or appeared with many legendary acts including Pearl Jam and Shakir. In 2007 he was a featured saxophonist/vocalist/composer with the George Maurer Big Band at Orchestra Hall. He currently owns and operates “Minnesota’s Music,” an event entertainment booking agency.

Joe Weismann ('90, P'24) has shared a close friendship with Mark Applebaum since they were at Carleton, where Joe studied piano with jazz legend Jimmy Hamilton, played upright bass and guitar in Carleton Jazz Ensemble, and sang in and arranged for the Carleton Singing Knights. His swing/jazz band the Jaztronauts performed weekly at the iconic Lee’s Liquor Lounge, as the house band for Channel 45’s Big Bad Movie, at Saint Paul Saints games, at Kennedy Space Center, and at the Casa Bar in Zürich. His original jazz/pop group the Smarts provided the music for Minnesota Public Radio’s In the Loop, was house band for performing arts showcase series, Sample Night Live, and their music formed the basis of the musical “ Lemonade for the Lawnboy. ” His current musical pursuits include Nat King Cole-style cocktail blues trio The Kings of Cole, ukulele duo The StrumBrothers and a quartet dedicated to reviving and celebrating “elevator pop.”

Laura Caviani received the B.M. in Composition from Lawrence University and the M.M. in Improvisation from the University of Michigan. She also studied with composer and jazz pianist JoAnne Brackeen and at the Akiyoshidai International Art Village in Japan. She directs the Jazz Area at Carleton, where she conducts their Jazz Ensemble, and coordinates the jazz chamber groups and classes.  (Come to our final concert on Nov. 4th at 8:15 p.m. in the Weitz!)