"Musical Settings for Shakespeare” at Jazz Central Studios

"Musical Settings for Shakespeare” at Jazz Central Studios

Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 8-10 pm

Jazz Central Studios
407 Central Ave. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN

Free parking on nearby streets.

Admission Price: $10; $5 students with ID

Performed by the Ken Takata Ensemble: Sarah Callahan, Sophie Caplin, Chris Hepola, Laura Lentz Landstad, Eric Struve, Ken Takata, and Sarah Zuber.

We know that music played a crucial role in the original productions of Shakespeare’s plays because there are over 70 texts that are supposed to be sung. Unfortunately, most of the original music has been lost. In our presentations we have used our imaginations to craft melodies to Shakespeare’s lyrics, using various styles of music.

Because tonight’s show is at one of the main venues for jazz in the Twin Cities, we’re taking this special opportunity to ask what the intersection of Shakespeare and jazz is or could be. Towards those ends, Chris Hepola and Eric Struve are going to be joining us to form a drums, bass, and piano trio to complement our four vocalists.

Our set list has original settings that draw upon several influences in jazz, or that are adjacent to it: the Great American Songbook (e.g., the Gershwins, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart, etc.), Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, and others.

Thanks to Mac Santiago and Jazz Central Studios for hosting the event.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

More info at: https://kentakata.com