2025
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Sun19Jan2025
John Penny at Palmers Bar with West Bank Social Club
8pm-11pm55454
John Penny performs with The West Bank Social Club at Palmers Bar, a.k.a. "America's Favorite Dive". A glorious high quality dive it is, with great music and hip audiences that heartily express appreciation for music. It's a great place to be, and as Blues hall of fame inductee Cornbread Harris says, a great place to "be seen".
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Thu23Jan2025
John Penny is at The Midtown Global Market
Noon - 2:00PMMIdtown global Market 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407 • 612-872-4041
John Penny performs original World Jazz and introduces "Cinematic Jazz" as a soloist. With performing Jazz, Penny has renaissance backgrounds in film scoring, sound design, audio engineering, and computer technologies. This background facilitates the creation of backing tracks, or virtual music tracks, of accompaniments for his songs. Over the course of the show, the virtual bands, made up of 2 to more than 50 instrumentalists, surround Penny's guitar and lyrics with a mix of exotic atmospheres. Instruments from across the globe make up the ensembles. From the vibe of the singer songwriter, to that of the Jazz combo and chamber orchestra, a diverse palette of music textures for Penny's songs are experienced. The backing tracks are custom crafted by Penny to give his compositions the utmost in live energy and interactivity among the virtual players. With this format, Penny can share more than ever, the multi-threaded musical messages that the universe has presented him with. Penny will always perform with live musicians for the organic interactivity/comradery it brings, however this project allows one that composes, performs, produces, and mixes their own music, the opportunity to combine these art forms into a new immersive experience of emotion at molecular levels.
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Sun02Feb2025
John Penny at Palmers Bar with West Bank Social Club
8pm-11pm55454
John Penny performs with The West Bank Social Club at Palmers Bar, a.k.a. "America's Favorite Dive". A glorious high quality dive it is, with great music and hip audiences that heartily express appreciation for music. It's a great place to be, and as Blues hall of fame inductee Cornbread Harris says, a great place to "be seen".
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Sun09Feb2025
John Penny and The Virtual Band are at Palmers Bar
8:00pm-10:00pm55454
Guitarist, composer, and singer John Penny brings original World Jazz to Palmers stage with decades of experience composing and producing music for film and stage. Penny performs solo, but with personally crafted backing tracks that surround his guitars and voice. The arrangements that accompany Pennys’ guitar explorations bring to life the Latin, Afro-Cuban, and Classical flavors of his original songs. Along with select R&B and Blues favorites, Pennys’ recent creations fuse the vibe of the modern cinematic soundtrack with Jazz and Blues. -
Thu13Feb2025
John Penny is at Robert Trail Library
6PM - 7PM14395 S Robert Trail, Rosemount, MN 55068 (651) 480-1200
"A Living History of Black American Jazz" is the subject of this talk and performance. Unlike traditional Jazz studies, Penny takes the audience on a personal journey through time, using his own compositions. The selected songs demonstrate how key phases of Jazz history helped shape this Jazz musician's music. The presentation's primary focus is on the analysis of Jazz History rather than all of its architects. It looks at the how, why, and where Jazz comes from. After the movement from early to modern Jazz is complete, the last section of the presentation looks at Jazz as music for film. The film world has long embraced Jazz as one form of nourishment for it's emotional appetites. Penny's film music demonstrates how modern cinema music can utilize multiple genres simultaneously, with Jazz, World Folk, Classical, and electronic textures.
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Sun16Feb2025
John Penny and The Virtual Band are at Palmers Bar
7:30pm-10:00pm55454
Guitarist, composer, and singer John Penny brings original World Jazz to Palmers stage with decades of experience composing and producing music for film and stage. Penny performs solo, but with personally crafted backing tracks that surround his guitars and voice. The arrangements that accompany Pennys’ guitar explorations bring to life the Latin, Afro-Cuban, and Classical flavors of his original songs. Along with select R&B and Blues favorites, Pennys’ recent creations fuse the vibe of the modern cinematic soundtrack with Jazz and Blues. -
Sun23Feb2025
John Penny and The Virtual Band are at Palmers Bar
7:30pm-10:00pm55454
Guitarist, composer, and singer John Penny brings original World Jazz to Palmers stage with decades of experience composing and producing music for film and stage. Penny performs solo, but with personally crafted backing tracks that surround his guitars and voice. The arrangements that accompany Pennys’ guitar explorations bring to life the Latin, Afro-Cuban, and Classical flavors of his original songs. Along with select R&B and Blues favorites, Pennys’ recent creations fuse the vibe of the modern cinematic soundtrack with Jazz and Blues. -
Tue04Mar2025
Mardi Gras at Mr. Paul's Supper Club with West Bank Social Club
6pm - 9pmMr Paul's Supper Club • 3917 Market Street, Edina MN 55424 • 612-259-8614
John Penny Performs another Mardi Gras with the uproarious New Orleans influenced crowd-thrilling band, The West Bank Social Club! Mr. Paul’s Supper Club is a modern and vibrant supper club with the flavors and spirit of New Orleans located in the heart of Edina on the corner of 50th and France.
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Thu27Mar2025
John Penny is at The Midtown Global Market
Noon - 2:00PMMIdtown Global Market 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407 • 612-872-4041
John Penny performs original World Jazz and introduces Cinematic Jazz. As Penny performs solo, the arrangements behind him come from a range of virtual ensembles, or backing tracks. From the vibes of Blues and Ragtime, the audience also experiences Penny’s modern Jazz with persuasions of African, South American, and European music. From his background in creating soundtracks for advertising, films, and theater, Penny found his groove for making backing tracks. That is, he developed a method for tailor-making virtual accompaniments that that further illuminate the messages in his songs. Over the course of the show, virtual ensembles with colorful Instruments deliver an immersive mix of textures. From the intimacy of the singer songwriter, to the swagger of the Jazz combo, or the elegance of the chamber orchestra, Penny's eclectic music palette breathes with music of the World. With this format, Penny can share more than ever, the musical messages the universe continues to offer him. Penny loves performing with live musicians with the organic interactivity and comradery it brings. This project however , allows a composer, guitarist, music technologist, and producer, the opportunity to combine art forms into a new experience with expressions of emotion at molecular levels.
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Thu08May2025
John Penny is at The Midtown Global Market
Noon - 2:00PMMIdtown global Market 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407 • 612-872-4041
John Penny performs original World Jazz and introduces Cinematic Jazz. As Penny performs solo, the arrangements behind him come from a range of virtual ensembles, or backing tracks. From the vibes of Blues and Ragtime, the audience also experiences Penny’s modern Jazz with persuasions of African, South American, and European music. From his background in creating soundtracks for advertising, films, and theater, Penny found his groove for making backing tracks. That is, he developed a method for tailor-making virtual accompaniments that that further illuminate the messages in his songs. Over the course of the show, virtual ensembles with colorful Instruments deliver an immersive mix of textures. From the intimacy of the singer songwriter, to the swagger of the Jazz combo, or the elegance of the chamber orchestra, Penny's eclectic music palette breathes with music of the World. With this format, Penny can share more than ever, the musical messages the universe continues to offer him. Penny loves performing with live musicians with the organic interactivity and comradery it brings. This project however , allows a composer, guitarist, music technologist, and producer, the opportunity to combine art forms into a new experience with expressions of emotion at molecular levels.
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Thu29May2025
Berlin with James Samuel “Cornbread” Harris Sr.
4:30 PM - 6:30 PMBerlin • 204 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Previously a full-time member of the band, John Penny returns to play an evening of Blues with 98 year old Minneapolis Blues icon Cornbread Harris. It will be an evening of good Blues, memories, and fun.
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Sat07Jun2025
Roots, Rock, & Deep Blues XII Music & Arts Festival with West Bank Social Club
5pm-7pmThe Hook and Ladder Theater • 3010 Minnehaha Ave • Minneapolis, MN 55406 United States
Roots, Rock, & Deep Blues Music & Arts Festival • John Penny performs with The West Bank Social Club • Roots music from New Orleans, Europe, and Beyond.
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Tue17Jun2025
John Penny Performs at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park Minneapolis
7:00 - 8:30PMFather Hennepin Bluffs Park • 420 SE Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Composer and guitarist John Penny feels something mystical in the air as he walks the Mississippi river paths. It may be the reminiscing on generations of humans that were drawn to it for food, passage, and overall survival. His great grandfather escaped from slavery on its waters 175 years ago. Four generations later, Penny plays his guitar on the Mississippi from riverboats, and from its shores. At Father Hennepin Bluffs Park on the Mississippi, Penny presents a solo singer-songwriter-guitarist show of original World music. While performing solo on stage, Penny's guitar and voice will be accompanied by his custom backing tracks of interactive virtual instruments. Audiences will hear this guitarist led virtual band with sounds of drums, basses, horns, strings, and more. Penny's original World Jazz is infused with persuasions of African, South American, European Classical, and modern cinematic music. Along with thousands of stage appearances, Penny has a background in composing and producing music and soundscapes for TV commercials, films, and theater productions. This skill set provides him the tools to translate his musical ideas into unique listening experiences. His show journeys from early Jazz and Blues, to a modern fusing of Jazz and World Folk. It moves further to music of the cinema fused with other genres. Penny plans on preparing a river music piece or two especially fitting for passing time at the river.
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Thu03Jul2025
John Penny is at The Midtown Global Market
Noon - 2:00PMMIdtown global Market 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407 • 612-872-4041
John Penny performs original World Jazz and introduces "Cinematic Jazz" as a soloist. With performing Jazz, Penny has renaissance backgrounds in film scoring, sound design, audio engineering, and computer technologies. This background facilitates the creation of backing tracks, or virtual music tracks, of accompaniments for his songs. Over the course of the show, the virtual bands, made up of 2 to more than 50 instrumentalists, surround Penny's guitar and lyrics with a mix of exotic atmospheres. Instruments from across the globe make up the ensembles. From the vibe of the singer songwriter, to that of the Jazz combo and chamber orchestra, a diverse palette of music textures for Penny's songs are experienced. The backing tracks are custom crafted by Penny to give his compositions the utmost in live energy and interactivity among the virtual players. With this format, Penny can share more than ever, the multi-threaded musical messages that the universe has presented him with. Penny will always perform with live musicians for the organic interactivity/comradery it brings, however this project allows one that composes, performs, produces, and mixes their own music, the opportunity to combine these art forms into a new immersive experience of emotion at molecular levels.
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Sat19Jul2025
Jazz In July Concert In Brooklyn Park MN
12:PMCommunity Activity Center 5600 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 at the Community Activity Center gazebo.
This Brooklyn Park MN "Jazz in July" concert features three bands. Bring your chairs and blankets! Performance Schedule: 11 a.m. The Brooklyn Big Band • 12 p.m. John Penny and The Virtual Band • 1 p.m. Good News Big Band
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Sun20Jul2025
John Penny at Palmers Bar with West Bank Social Club
8pm-11pm55454
John Penny performs with The West Bank Social Club at Palmers Bar, a.k.a. "America's Favorite Dive". A glorious high quality dive it is, with great music and hip audiences that heartily express appreciation for music. It's a great place to be, and as Blues hall of fame inductee Cornbread Harris says, a great place to "be seen".
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Tue05Aug2025
Park/Terrace Neighborhood Night Out Celebration - private event
6:00 - 8:30pmPark/Terrace Neighborhood Golden Valley MN
John Penny Quartet performs for Park/Terrace Neighborhood.
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Thu14Aug2025
St. Benedictine Living community with West Bank Social Club
8pm-11pmSt Benedictine Living Community's Private Event
John Penny performs with The West Bank Social Club at St Benedictine Living Community.
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Sat30Aug2025
John Penny Performs at Water Works Park Minneapolis
7:00 - 8:30PMWater Works Park 425 West River Road Parkway Mpls, MN 55401
Water Works Park by the Mississippi river in Minneapolis is host to another John Penny "Down By The Riverside" concert. Here John Penny presents his solo singer-songwriter-guitarist show with original World Jazz instrumentals and vocals. While technically performing solo, he has designed and recorded interactive backing tracks with ensembles that are heard performing with him. Audiences will hear a guitar led ”virtual band” with drums, basses, horns, strings, and more. Among other influences, Penny's' original Jazz is infused by African, South American Folk, Euro-Classic, and Blues persuasions.
Along with thousands of stage appearances, Penny has a background in creating soundtracks for TV commercials, films, and theater productions. This provides him the tools to translate his musical ideas into a unique sphere of soundscapes. The soundscapes are sounds and dream combinations of musicians not always found playing together. While the “virtual musicians” that he creates music for are unseen, they are clearly heard as an integral part of the performance. Waterworks Park is a City of Minneapolis project featuring green-space with native foliage and a two-story pavilion that includes outdoor plazas, visitor amenities, and the award-winning Owamni restaurant overlooking the river.
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Sat20Sep2025
John Penny is at The Midtown Global Market
Noon - 2:00PMMIdtown global Market 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407 • 612-872-4041
John Penny performs original World Jazz and introduces "Cinematic Jazz" as a soloist. With performing Jazz, Penny has renaissance backgrounds in film scoring, sound design, audio engineering, and computer technologies. This background facilitates the creation of backing tracks, or virtual music tracks, of accompaniments for his songs. Over the course of the show, the virtual bands, made up of 2 to more than 50 instrumentalists, surround Penny's guitar and lyrics with a mix of exotic atmospheres. Instruments from across the globe make up the ensembles. From the vibe of the singer songwriter, to that of the Jazz combo and chamber orchestra, a diverse palette of music textures for Penny's songs are experienced. The backing tracks are custom crafted to give his compositions the utmost in live energy and interactivity among the virtual players. With this format, Penny can share more than ever, the multi-threaded musical messages that the musiverse offers.
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Sun05Oct2025
John Penny is at The Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar
10:30 AM - 2:30 PMGolden Thyme Restaurant and Bar • 934 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
John Penny with the virtual band brings musical inspiration to the Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar with American Roots music and World Jazz. For the Sunday Jazz brunch, the cozy well designed Golden Thyme is getting the Twins Cities attention as it serves up deliciously inspirational delicacies of the highest quality.
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Sun19Oct2025
John Penny is at The Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar
10:30 AM - 2:30 PMGolden Thyme Restaurant and Bar • 934 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
John Penny with the virtual band brings musical inspiration to the Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar with American Roots music and World Jazz. For the Sunday Jazz brunch, the cozy well designed Golden Thyme is getting the Twins Cities attention as it serves up deliciously inspirational delicacies of the highest quality.
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Thu23Oct2025
John Penny is at The Midtown Global Market
Noon - 2:00PMMIdtown global Market 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407 • 612-872-4041
Guitarist and composer John Penny performs original World Jazz and introduces "Cinematic Jazz". Along with Jazz, Penny has renaissance backgrounds in film scoring, sound design, audio engineering, and computer technologies. This background facilitates the creation of backing tracks, or virtual music tracks that are organically fused with Penny's solo output on guitar and voice. Over the course of the show, virtual bands made up of 2 to more than 50 instrumentalists, surround Penny's guitar and lyrics with a mix of exotic atmospheres. Instruments from across the globe make up ensembles ranging from the vibe of the unplugged singer songwriter, to that of the Jazz combo or chamber orchestra. With this format, Penny can share more than ever, the multi-threaded messages to be found from within the infinite musical multiverse.
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Sun26Oct2025
John Penny is at The Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar
10:30 AM - 2:30 PMGolden Thyme Restaurant and Bar • 934 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
John Penny with the virtual band brings musical inspiration to the Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar with American Roots music and World Jazz. For the Sunday Jazz brunch, the cozy well designed Golden Thyme is getting the Twins Cities attention as it serves up deliciously inspirational delicacies of the highest quality.
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Sun02Nov2025
John Penny is at The Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar
11:00 AM - 2:00 PMGolden Thyme Restaurant and Bar • 934 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
John Penny with the virtual band brings musical inspiration to the Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar with American Roots music and World Jazz. For the Sunday Jazz brunch, the cozy well designed Golden Thyme has gotten the Twins Cities' attention as it serves up deliciously inspirational delicacies of the highest quality.
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Sun09Nov2025
John Penny is at The Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar
11:00 AM - 2:00 PMGolden Thyme Restaurant and Bar • 934 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
John Penny with the virtual band brings musical inspiration to the Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar with American Roots music and World Jazz. For the Sunday Jazz brunch, the cozy well designed Golden Thyme has gotten the Twins Cities' attention as it serves up deliciously inspirational delicacies of the highest quality.
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Mon10Nov2025
John Penny is at The Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar
11:00 AM - 2:00 PMGolden Thyme Restaurant and Bar • 934 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
John Penny with the virtual band brings musical inspiration to the Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar with American Roots music and World Jazz. For the Sunday Jazz brunch, the cozy well designed Golden Thyme has gotten the Twins Cities' attention as it serves up deliciously inspirational delicacies of the highest quality.
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Sun16Nov2025
John Penny is at The Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar
11:00 AM - 2:00 PMGolden Thyme Restaurant and Bar • 934 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
John Penny with the virtual band brings musical inspiration to the Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar with American Roots music and World Jazz. For the Sunday Jazz brunch, the cozy well designed Golden Thyme has gotten the Twins Cities' attention as it serves up deliciously inspirational delicacies of the highest quality.
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Sun23Nov2025
John Penny is at The Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar
11:00 AM - 2:00 PMGolden Thyme Restaurant and Bar • 934 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
John Penny with the virtual band brings musical inspiration to the Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar with American Roots music and World Jazz. For the Sunday Jazz brunch, the cozy well designed Golden Thyme has gotten the Twins Cities' attention as it serves up deliciously inspirational delicacies of the highest quality.
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Sun07Dec2025
John Penny is at The Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar
11:00 AM - 2:00 PMGolden Thyme Restaurant and Bar • 934 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
John Penny with the virtual band brings musical inspiration to the Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar with American Roots music and World Jazz. For the Sunday Jazz brunch, the cozy well designed Golden Thyme has gotten the Twins Cities' attention as it serves up deliciously inspirational delicacies of the highest quality.
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Wed10Dec2025
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Sun21Dec2025
John Penny is at The Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar
11:00 AM - 2:00 PMGolden Thyme Restaurant and Bar • 934 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
John Penny with the virtual band brings musical inspiration to the Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar with American Roots music and World Jazz. For the Sunday Jazz brunch, the cozy well designed Golden Thyme has gotten the Twins Cities' attention as it serves up deliciously inspirational delicacies of the highest quality.