A Very BluLuna Holiday

Scintillating Swinging Jazz and Holiday Hits!

BluLuna was formed by four veteran musicians, united by their love for the many genres within the jazz idiom, without confining themselves to any specific style. By focusing on familiar melodic compositions, this open-minded approach allows them to explore fresh and vibrant ideas that honor the wide spectrum of America’s first original sonic art form. The result is a remarkably warm delivery, blending strong yet delicate performances into a captivating mix of enchanting moments.

Dean Magraw: Guitar
Rick Carlson: Piano
Steve Pikal: Bass
Jay Epstein: Drums

Dean Magraw studied at the University of Minnesota and Berklee College of Music in Boston. He spent five years in Beantown, playing professionally and teaching. After returning to his hometown St. Paul, he’s had a life of music – playing, composing, arranging, producing, & recording. Magraw’s music is impossible to pigeonhole. For 15 years, he was half of a duo with mandolinist Peter Ostroushko. He has collaborated with Masahiro Nitta, who plays the traditional Japanese shamisen; with Nigel Kennedy, Britain’s bad boy of the classical violin; with Nirmala Rajasekar, South Indian vocalist and player of the vina; with the singers Bruce Henry, Ruth MacKenzie, and Claudia Schmidt; with the Irish supergroup Altan. As a jazz cat, he leads his own trio, performs with Chris Bates & Jay Epstein as Red Planet since 2002, and more recently has formed BluLuna.

“Dean Magraw’s music transcends, transports and lifts the soul to a higher level as he weaves, cajoles, and entices every note from his instrument . . . at one with one’s art” –Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh

DeanMagraw.com