June 2nd, 2025
Saint Peter — The Arts Center of Saint Peter’s Hot Jazz for Decent People summer series kicks off on Friday, July 11, at 7:00 p.m. in Minnesota Square Park Pavilion with The Snaps, a Mankato-based sextet performing repertoire that spans 1940s bebop, funk, rock, and modern jazz fusion.
Now in its twelfth year, Hot Jazz for Decent People: Late-Night Sounds at Early Evening Hours is hosted by KMSU Radio’s Gary Campbell, who delivers brief introductory remarks about the evening’s repertoire. At all four shows — July 11 (The Snaps), July 25 (Hannah Bretz Jazz Ensemble), August 9 (Thru Line Quartet), and August 22 (Flamingo Flamenco) — music begins at 7:00 p.m. and concludes by 8:30 p.m.
Admission is free, with donations encouraged to support Arts Center programming. Guests are advised to bring their own seating and refreshments. Coolers are permitted; no glass bottles. New this year, cash refreshments will be available from Tremendous Brewing, Inc. of St. Peter, including non-alcoholic options. The St. Peter Public Library will host a free book giveaway at all shows.
In the case of severe weather, shows will be canceled. Cancellation announcements will be posted on the Arts Center’s Facebook and at artscentersp.org.
About the Bands
- The Snaps are a Mankato-based sextet with repertoire that spans decades of jazz music from bebop of the 1940’s to funk, rock, and jazz fusion of the modern era. The Snaps consists of David Kaiser, trumpet; Evan Bierer, saxophone; Ryan Devens, keyboards; Eric Zimmerman, bass; and Jake Kaukola, drums. Band leader Kaiser is online at davidkaisertrumpet.com.
- Hannah Bretz is a jazz vocalist in Saint Peter, Minnesota. She performs with a variety of jazz ensembles. On Facebook as “hannahbretzjazz.”
- Thru Line Jazz Quartet is comprised of local jazz all-stars Evan Bierer, sax; Chaz Draper, drums; Peter Jacobs, keys; and Craig Matarrese, bass. Selected original tunes are online at thrulinequartet.bandcamp.com.
- Flamingo Flemenco is a creative exploration fusing dance and live music through the genres of flamenco and jazz. Brought together by local professional flamenco and tap dancer Molly Kay Stoltz, this collaboration explores musical worlds and movement genres through choreography and improvisation to create a one-of-a-kind experience. Online at mollykstoltz.com.
This activity is made possible through grants from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, the Minnesota State Arts Board, and KMSU Radio, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.