Saint Paul, Minn. (Nov. 18, 2011) - Local jazz pianist-composer Mary Louise Knutson is hosting two CD release celebrations in the Twin Cities. Her new CD, In the Bubble, is currently in the top 50 on the national JazzWeek chart and is receiving rave reviews. The two celebration parties will be held Wednesday, November 23, 7:30 p.m. at Artists Quarter in downtown Saint Paul and Wednesday, November 30, 7:00 p.m. at the Dakota Jazz club in downtown Minneapolis.

A local favorite, Knutson has been called one of the most exciting and innovative artists to happen to jazz piano in quite some time. Knutson has performed with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Dianne Reeves, Doc Severinsen, Ernie Watts, Richie Cole, Slide Hampton, Mike Stern, and Peter Erskine, as well as pop artists, Michael Bolton, Trisha Yearwood, Sam Moore, Donny Osmond, Smoky Robinson, and more.

Knutson can be heard regularly, with her group the Mary Louise Knutson Trio or as a soloist, at clubs, festivals, and concert halls in the Twin Cities and abroad, with area vocalists Connie Evingson and Debbie Duncan; and with a variety of instrumental groups including the JazzMN Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Chuck Lazarus Quartet.

Her outstanding abilities have led to numerous accolades: Lawrence University's distinguished Nathan M. Pusey Alumni Achievement Award in 2004 for significant contributions and achievements in a career field; in 2005, she was a Top 5 Finalist in the Kennedy Centers Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Pianist Competition; and in 2006 Knutson was a Minnesota Music Awards nominee for both Jazz Artist of the Year and Pianist of the Year.

A former instructor in jazz piano and improvisation at Carleton College, Knutson currently teaches privately and conducts a variety of master classes in jazz composition, improvisation, jazz piano and jazz history.

For more info, please visit: http://www.MaryLouiseKnutson.com

Media Contact: Connie Shaver

612-308-5785 ~ connieshaver@charter.net