Chamber

"Throughout the decade of the 2000s, the Claudia Quintet recorded, toured, and became one of the top five progressive jazz units in the U.S. and the world. For 2010 they continue with Royal Toast [Cuneiform Records], implying elegance and a golden brown, perfectly prepared, even buttery music. ... It's another extraordinary musical experience from the Claudia Quintet, who deserve all the high marks they receive as an innovative, thought-provoking, singularly unique contemporary ensemble." – All Music Guide

"...one of the most characterful small jazz groups of recent times." – The Guardian

"The references span from surf rock, to chamber jazz to hyperarticulate “acoustica” club beats, all rendered with exquisite precision and heedless abandon...there are too many moments of brilliance to list here..." –  JazzTimes

Savor the summertime sweet sounds of the massed cellos of the Portland Cello Project, outside on the Cedar patio! As likely to play Bach as Arvo Pärt, Britney Spears, or Manuel De Falla, the group will have you seeing the cello in a new light.

Free!

A collaboration of artists and musicians, The Poor Nobodys are a 7-piece outfit from Minneapolis. After handcrafting songs in the Twin Cities for over three years, they finally recorded their self-titled EP last May and just finished recording their first full-length album Until I Uproot and Walk Again. Their sound fuses the familiar with the peculiar, where unconventional melodies weave their way through rustic roots.

Tickets go on sale at noon Fri Jun 4 from the Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), from hard-working Cedar volunteers in the front lobby during shows, from Cedar outlets (Electric Fetus, Irish on Grand, Homestead Pickin' Parlor, and Depth of Field), and online at Ticketweb.

Join acoustic stringband Spaghetti Western String Company as they saddle up one last time to celebrate the release of their third album, and then amicably ride off into the sunset.

Join the party as Jeremy Messersmith celebrates the release of his third album The Reluctant Graveyard (out May 4), a bookend for his trilogy of lifelong observations that began with The Alcatraz Kid and The Silver City. Songs like “Lazy Bones” and “Organ Donor”  sonically continue on the’60 chamber pop path Messersmith set out with his sophomore release. He continues to share stages with notables such as Sondre Lechre and The Watson Twins, and has been featured on MTV and Ugly Betty. And while this collection of songs comes to an end, it’s no doubt that the stories will live on.

A homecoming celebration for chamber folk sextet Dark Dark Dark as they make the last stop on a national tour (including SXSW) in conjunction with the release of their EP Bright Bright Bright. The choir that accompanied the group on the EP will even be on hand to add their touch, making this an extra bright, and unique, occasion.

Spirits of the Red City will open, and Brett Bullion (of Tarlton) will provide interlude music.