No room for Squares is the brainchild of master bebop drummer Bill Stieger, who has been a fixture on the Minnesota Jazz scene since the 1970’s, when he started playing with the great Saxophone legend Eddie Berger on Sundays at a rib joint in Minneapolis called the Artists’ Quarter. The success of their residency there helped turn that one-night-a-week into a six-nights-a-week transformation of the venue into perhaps the most important Jazz venue ever in Minnesota. Later, Bill played and toured with the Eddie Berger All stars and this newest project from him “No Room For Squares” is perhaps the most legitimately pure Bebop Working Jazz group in Minnesota right now. They have been together for almost 10 years and feature Dale Alexander, who played and came up with Prince. The group also spotlights exciting national Trumpet soloist Omar Abdulkarim. This show is the essence of what Jazz is.

Bill Stieger - Drums

Jake Baldwin - Trumpet

Dave Brattain - Saxophones

Dale Alexander - Piano

Adam Tucker - Bass

Opening set by “Telethesia”

This band was crafted featuring the Phenomenal talents of Stablemates. Jay Epstein, Gary Raynor, and Dale Alexander have all been staples in the twin cities metro and beyond. Each individual in that trio is rooted in the traditions of swing, passion, and integrity. So naturally the next step would be to add a Blazing Horn player!!!! Fortunately enough for our ensemble and the audience at KJ’s, Seylon Versalles was generous enough to lend her sublime skill set as well.

Collin Roycraft: Saxes

Seylon Versalles: Trombone

Jay Epstein: Drums

Gary Raynor Bass

Dale Alexander Piano