50 Shows, Full Hearts: My 2025

What a year 2025 was. Great music, amazing audiences, full dance floors, profound loss, and so much love from all of you. I played 50 live performances across the Twin Cities and beyond – from supper clubs to outdoor parks and special events that left everyone smiling and swaying.

Stages & Venues

Residencies at Brianno’s Chart House and Minneapolis Cider Company kept the rhythm going month after month, plus standout spots like Lake Harriet Bandshell, Como Lakeside Pavilion, Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis, and Orchestra Hall's Target Atrium. Toss in performances at the Minnesota Bride event at Radisson Blu, the National Concierge Association Expo, the Do Good conferences at Quincy Hall, TC Swing First Saturday, and senior living communities, and it was a full calendar of jazz, swing, and fun.

Court's In Session – that's me on vocals, Eric on piano, Keith on bass, Rich on sax, Josh on trumpet, and Ryan on drums – performed at theaters and performing arts centers, bringing us to new audiences. Special guest artist engagements gave me the chance to play with top-notch musicians, and I was even flown to two of those gigs – super cool moments performing swing standards alongside incredible players.

The Russian Museum, a jewel-box venue was a completely unexpected, perfect space for showcasing Beasley's Big Band. The acoustic of the original church was beyond ideal.

Court's In Session brought the music to unexpected cool spaces, too - like the outdoor stage at Saint Therese senior community, which brought such joy. Wrapping up at The Phipps Black Box Theater with our holiday show felt like a step up. 

Behind the Scenes

We even carved out time for a fresh photoshoot at the stunning Minneapolis Club with the talented Jeannine Marie Photography, capturing that timeless jazz vibe and our passion for what we do.

On the business side, I joined a mastermind group with musicians from around the world, mentored by an accomplished music professional who performs Gypsy Jazz worldwide. I also completed a coaching intensive on touring and booking, which opened my eyes to a new world of possibilities. It lit a fire under my business side, helping me dream bigger for performances and recordings – more to come on all that!

YouTube and You

My YouTube channel – Courtney Burton Music – has been my "living scrapbook" since September 2019. This year, "Shiny Stockings – Court's In Session – Live at A440 Studios" moved to our top-viewed spot. Our fans still mostly hail from the US, with recent nods from Canada and the UK. The Lakeshore Players' Valentine's Day show video got us started this year, bringing our live performance vibe to screens everywhere because of you.

A Heartfelt Thank You

This year also brought the heartbreaking loss of my dad. The outpouring of support from this community – your comments, messages, presence at shows, and kind words – carried me through the hardest days. Music has always been my way of processing life, but knowing you were there, holding space for the real stuff, meant everything. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Here's to 2026

What a ride 2025 was. Thank you for being part of it – for dancing, listening, sharing, and showing up when it mattered most. Here's to carrying that magic into 2026.