“Axis Mundi World Jazz Quintet was a hit at the Minnesota State Fair! Glen Helgeson combines excellent musicianship with an exotic selection of entertaining tunes. If you are looking for a high-quality show with accessible music, this is your ticket!”
- Nate Dungan, Entertainment Supervisor Minnesota Sate Fair
Axis Mundi
- GLEN HELGESON
guitarist, composer, band leader - FRANK RIVERY GARCIA
vocalist, percussionist - GARY SCHULTE
violinist - MIGUEL HURTADO
drummer - KEITH YANES
bassist
Axis Mundi, meaning "the world tree", plays an alluring mixture of world-beat grooves combined with elements of modern and traditional jazz. The quintet features guitar, violin, percussion, bass and drums creating a savvy mixture of jazz, Latin infused rhythms, Caribbean and Middle Eastern sounds.
Joining guitarist/composer Glen Helgeson are Cuban born vocalist/percussionist Frank Rivery Garcia; fiddle god Gary Schulte; bassman extraordinaire, Keith Yanes and stratospheric-jazz drummer Miguel Hurtado; The dynamic quintet is fresh, tasty and authentic – "A new dimension in the world music genre." (Karl Stobers, ejazznews)
Press Kit
To book this group for your special event call direct: 763-360-7662
(Booking Information and Prices)
Download Press Sheet here:
Axis Mundi info sheet (PDF)
Additional press kit (external site)
Axis Mundi Stage Plot (PDF)
Axis Mundi previous venues (PDF)
“Axis Mundi World Jazz Quintet was a hit at the Minnesota State Fair! Glen Helgeson combines excellent musicianship with an exotic selection of entertaining tunes. If you are looking for a high-quality show with accessible music, this is your ticket!”
- Nate Dungan, Entertainment Supervisor Minnesota Sate Fair
“Mainstream jazz to worldbeat-infused exotica.”
- Tom Surowicz, Minneapolis Star Tribune
“An alluring mixture of world-beat, truly a signature sound that takes the world music lover on an intoxicating expedition.”
- Carmel DeSoto, Jazzpolice.com
“Cultural diversity in its truest sense, a tasty musical soup! Every song is a wonderful surprise and adventure.”
- mashmusic.tripod.com
“Sophisticated melodies and rhythms.”
- Edward Blanco, ejazznews
“An entrancing, percussion-rich, whole world brew of sound.”
Jessica Loucks,
- Dan McClenaghan, All-about-jazz.com
“Glen Helgeson is a fine jazz guitarist who backs up his playing with an infusion of world beat. Most of it hinges on Latin rhythms, but there are forays into African tribal, Caribbean and even a bit of Middle Eastern sounds .”
- Mite Mutant (2007) The Chickenfish speaks.com
“Helgeson's acoustic work comes off mysterious and textured”
- LA Jazz Scene
“Guitar and percussion chemistry at its best.”
- The Western Great Lakes Entertainment Guide
“An exceptionally talented guitarist with global sensitivity.”
- Jane Fredericksen, former Music Director at Cities 97