Larry Long

Join Larry Long’s American Roots Revue at the Dakota for two shows on November 12th for the release of their CD American Roots Revue Live at the Dakota.

The band features Robert Robinson (Pavarotti of Gospel), Claudia Schmidt (Masterful Weaver of Story & Song), Tonia Hughes (Powerhouse of Soul), and Larry Long with an all-star band led by Michael Bland (former Prince and Current Soul Asylum Drummer) and Billy Steele (Keyboardist for the Legendary Steele Family and Sounds of Blackness). The Roots band includes the virtuosity of Joe Savage on dobro and pedal steel, and first-time performances by Jeff Bailey (Acoustic & Electric Bassist for Joey McIntyre, Andres Prado, Minnesota Orchestra), world percussionist Marc Anderson, and new sensation Geoff LeCrone on lead guitar.

Larry Long & Michael Bland interviewed
on KBEM/Jazz88—Twin Cities Weekend

American Roots Revue on PBS-TPT Stage

American Roots Revue Live at the Dakota CD Release November 12, 2022

American Roots Revue returns to the Dakota jazz club in Minneapolis, Minnesota for two shows Saturday, November 12th. This concert celebrates the release of American Roots Revue Live at the Dakota, […]

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American Roots Revue premieres on STAGE. A Twin Cities PBS Original Production.

“American Roots Revue was created to celebrate the many cultures that call this land home. The featured artists and band members are not only dear friends and incredible musicians, but deeply committed to the communities in […]

Learn More

Larry Long’s “Music on the Mississippi” is a smash hit!

Wow!” “Breathtaking!” “I wish I had heard music like that as a kid!” These were just some of the reactions shared by those who attended the Larry Long and friends’ […]

Learn More

American Roots Revue Live at the Dakota CD Release November 12, 2022

American Roots Revue returns to the Dakota jazz club in Minneapolis, Minnesota for two shows Saturday, November 12th. This concert celebrates the release of American Roots Revue Live at the Dakota, recorded at their sold-out performance in April and filmed by PBS. The November show will feature new artistry by Robert Robinson (“Pavarotti of Gospel”), Claudia Schmidt (“Masterful Weaver of Story & Song”), Tonia Hughes (“Powerhouse of Soul”), and Larry Long (“American Troubadour”).

LISTEN to interview with Larry Long & Michael Bland:
American Roots Revue Returns to the Dakota in Minneapolis for Two Shows on November 12
from KBEM/Jazz88—Twin Cities Weekend

The all-star band is led by Michael Bland (former Prince and Current Soul Asylum Drummer) and Billy Steele (Keyboardist for the Legendary Steele Family and Sounds of Blackness). The Roots band includes the virtuosity of Joe Savage on dobro and pedal steel, and first-time performances by Jeff Bailey (Bassist for Joey McIntyre, Andres Prado, Minnesota Orchestra), world percussionist Marc Anderson, and new sensation Geoff LeCrone on lead guitar.

Show Times: 6:30 & 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: 6:30 PM – $40/$35 / $30 | 8:30 PM – $30/ $25/ $20
Ticket Sales: www.dakotacooks.com — and at the door

Watch the April performance of American Roots Revue: Live at the Dakota now streaming on PBS-TPT Stage.

American Roots Revue premieres on STAGE. A Twin Cities PBS Original Production.

“American Roots Revue was created to celebrate the many cultures that call this land home. The featured artists and band members are not only dear friends and incredible musicians, but deeply committed to the communities in which they live. As Pete Seeger, whose Hammer Song is featured on this recording, said, “If there’s a world here in a hundred years, it’s going to be saved by tens of millions of little things.” And one of those things is you. My our music bring you joy. Thanks for all you do.” — Larry Long, Producer of American Roots Revue & Featured Artist

“Music brings us all together so that we can touch heart to heart because we’re all human beings. I think people will be amazed at what they hear because they’re gonna hear almost every genre of music within the American music spectrum. African American music, folk music, the blues, gospel, all of it’s there.” — Billy Steele, Keyboards & Vocals

“Everybody in this group is about the project and the music and believes in it. So that makes all the difference in the world. I heard somebody describe live performance is like sharing air they called it collective effervescence. Isn’t that wonderful?” — Claudia Schmidt, Featured Artist

“Music really is a universal language, a language that everybody can speak.” — Tonia Hughes Kendrick, Featured Artist

“I think all of us are trying to put our best foot forward and create a moment that people can take with them forever. That’s kind of like why we do what we do. We want everybody to walk away with that moment. If I can say one thing to wake you up or to keep you encouraged to keep living, I’ve done my job.” — Robert Robinson, Featured Artist

“Music is love as far as I’m concerned. I always want people to be uplifted.” — Michael Bland, Leader of the Band & Drums

American Roots Revue Premieres Friday, July 22nd at 9 P.M. on STAGE:TPT-PBS.

Streaming on the PBS Video App

Larry Long’s “Music on the Mississippi” is a smash hit!

Wow!” “Breathtaking!” “I wish I had heard music like that as a kid!” These were just some of the reactions shared by those who attended the Larry Long and friends’ performance on August 17 at the Danish American Center, Minneapolis. This was the first in a series of concerts entitled, “Music on the Mississippi” organized by Danish American Center members Scott Thomsen and Paul Juhl.

Larry Long, a local social activist and internationally known singing troubadour invited four other friends and local jazz performers to join him in a 90-minute concert: Scott Fultz-saxophone; Jacqueline Ultan-cello; Will Kjeer-piano; Billy Peterson-bass. Regarded as one of the world’s top bassist, Billy Peterson has worked with numerous top musicians including being a member of the Steve Miller Band for over 20 years. And Will Kjeer has just received a full ride to The Juilliard School in New York. These are talented performers. What a treat to have them at the DAC!

Most of the songs they played were composed by Long, some were performed for the first time. Drawing from themes of nature that included butterflies, rivers and beauty, his life affirming lyrics could have come from a Grundtvig text. The heartfelt piano, bass, sax and cello contributed to the intricate healing music for the soul. Truly a night to remember.

Story by Diane Greve, Minnesota Local Editor