The Roof Access CD Release Show & Post-Show Jam

Overview

The Roof Access band is a collection of some of the finest musicians to come out of Minnesota’s jazz scene in recent years. This 5-piece band unanimously won 1st place at the 2023 Eau Claire Jazz Festival and have just finished recording their debut album “Roof Access.” This album features entirely originals written by members of the group Ataa-Adjetey Mensah, Will Aldrich, Callum Schultz, and Rafael Karpowitz. This group excels in the jazz, swing, and blues traditions while pushing boundaries and incorporating all the modern sounds of today into their music.

The band features drummer, singer, and songwriter Ataa-Adjetey Mensah, who is creating some of the most creative original music on the scene right now, holds down the rhythm in the group with some of the most impressive and creative playing ever seen on a young drummer.

Callum Schultz, the youngest member of this band, is on bass while still in his junior year of high school. Schultz is an in-demand generational talent and an outstanding composer in his own right, laying down the harmonic bedrock for this ensemble on both electric and upright bass. On the keys is composer and pianist Rafael Karpowitz, one of the most sophisticated musical minds in the Twin Cities. His advanced rhythmic and harmonic concepts combined with Schutlz’ flawless bass playing and Mensah’s lavish grooves create the fierce backbone of this ensemble. Tenor saxophone player Gabe Hartnett is one half of the front line with one of the most beautiful tones in a young tenor today and the technical facility to create beautiful, flowing solos over any song.

The other half is Alto saxophonist Will Aldrich who brings a bright and luscious alto sound to the music with the ears and technical facility to create some of the most rich and exciting improvisation in the Twin Cities. He is currently studying with 2024 NEA Jazz Master Gary Bartz at the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio.

This concert will be the official album release show for “Roof Access” and will be one of the most thrilling shows happening this holiday season. CD’s will be available at the show and tickets are on sale now for just $10 a piece. Get yours quickly before they sell out.