Just Warming Up – The JoAnn Funk Trio

Jazz, Americana

The merrily eclectic mix of music for this show ranges from Brubeck to Bob Dylan, John Hartford to Blossom Dearie, with many surprises in between. Come in from the November cold – they’re just getting warmed up!

JoAnn Funk: Piano, Vocals

Jeff Brueske: Bass, Vocals

Nathan Norman: Drums, Percussion

“This Twin Cities jazz pianist swings,” said Jon Bream, Minneapolis Star Tribune. JoAnn Funk is an astonishing classically trained pianist turned jazz singer pianist. A talented arranger, she finds the heart of every song, whatever the genre. Her unique voice moves easily from smokey blues to wistful endearments to plain old hard swingin’ jazz.

JoAnn has long been a musical presence in the Twin Cities, from extended solo and duo engagements to performances at the Dakota, Crooners, jazz festivals, clubs and her Blossom Dearie Show. In 2007 JoAnn and bassist Jeff Brueske created Jazz in the Lobby Bar at The Saint Paul Hotel, where they performed weekly for 9 years to a dedicated following. Since 2015, when JoAnn became an entertainer and guest speaker for American Cruise Lines, she’s been traveling the American rivers, performing shows onboard, adding to her repertoire and soaking up all the music she can.

The JoAnn Funk Trio – JoAnn, Jeff and Nathan – has been creating music together for 15 years. They’ve recorded 2 CDs – Pick Yourself Up and Jazz in The Lobby Bar. This show, Just Warming Up, is a long overdue Twin Cities musical reunion of 3 old friends (and their fans).

“JoAnn Funk doesn’t sing a song as much as she whispers it in your ear. She’s part Blossom Dearie, part Dusty Springfield, a bit Nellie McKay, a hint of Norah Jones,a dash of Stacey Kent, a splash of Diana Krall”… Pamela Espeland MinnPost

joannfunk.com