Jazz88

Kendra Glenn started singing as a young kid in Chicago. She has blossomed into a busy upper midwest soulful singer who also writes some of her songs. Kendra sings Friday and Saturday October 1 and 2 at the Umbra in Minneapolis. When she spoke with Phil Nusbaum, Kendra first addressed her early interest in singing.

Luigi Romolo, State Climatologist with the MN Department of Natural Resources talks about the arrival of Autumnal Equinox, Meteorological vs Astronomical seasons and when you need to think about bringing your plants inside with The Morning Show on Jazz88

The new song by NUNNABOVE is called “Connection.” NUNNABOVE is a group of four brothers and sisters from Woodbury who perform and record their own brand of pop. When Phil Nusbaum visited with the group, the talked turned to how NUNNABOVE fans were really liking the musical introduction to Connection.

Gypsy Mania plays the standards of Gypsy Jazz. But guitarist Glen Helgeson composes music that makes Gypsy Mania’s Gypsy jazz a singular contribution to the music. Phil Nusbaum talked to Glen, and when he did, they were talking about Minor Swing, a Gypsy Jazz calling card tune.

The Twin Cities Jazz Festival is held September 17 and 18 this fall and is live at multiple venues and available virtually, too. When festival director Steve Heckler sat down with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the festival, they first addressed how the festival selects acts.

Recent songs by PaviElle French reflect her deep disappointment with the deep cultural rifts that came to the forefront with the George Floyd Murder in 2020. The release of her new songs coincides with a performance at the Icehouse in Minneapolis, Friday September 17 at 7PM. When PaviElle discussed the songs with Phil Nusbaum, she first tells where the inspiration for cultural commentary comes fro...

The Selby Avenue Jazz Fest is live, Saturday September 11 from 11 AM till 7:30 PM. As usual, Michael Wright, owner of the Golden Thyme Coffee and Cafe, and David Bonko combine to produce it. This year, the headliner is International artist Nachito Herrera from Saint Paul. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Michael addressed how the fest got Nachito to perform.

Inducting two classes of honorees given the necessary year off in 2020, we hear from Art Resnick, Donald Washington, Kenny Horst, Carole Martin, Ron Seaman, Dick Peterson, Ruth Johnson and Maurice Jacox.

The annual Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival, held 1-7 PM on Labor Day at Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis presents the best of local bluegrass, plus. When festival organizer Alan Jesperson talked to Phil Nusbaum about the event, the talk turned to one of the festival groups, King Wilkie’s Dream.

Manny Hill talks with Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Ed Graff about the upcoming school year, what students can expect and prepare for upon returning to school, health and safety protocols, and transportation around the district.

When Leslie Vincent sings, it’s not only the song, but the audience. She performs at the Granada in Minneapolis, Friday night September 3 at 7:30 pm. When Leslie spoke with Phil Nusbaum, she opened up about her thought process.

Salsa is where musical virtuosity meets great dancing. Shai Hayo plays timbales and leads this Minneapolis/Saint Paul-based band. He spoke with Phil Nusbaum about the approach taken by Salsa del Soul.

The Principal of the new MPS Online School Shawntel Jenkins talks with Manny Hill about the upcoming launch of the school this fall, how it came to fruition, and what parents who want to enroll their child in the school can expect.

Manny Hill speaks with the Executive Director of Transportation for Minneapolis Public School Lisa Beck about the district redesign and how it impacts the transporting of students to and from schools at MPS. Also discussion on the shortage of bus drivers.

Minnesota State Climatologist Luigi Romolo talks about the still-severe drought conditions plaguing the state and the hopeful, wet forecast over the next week.

Kenne Thomas leads his band into Jazz Central in Minneapolis Saturday evening August 28 from 8 till 10 PM. Kenne is from Chicago, lived and played jazz in Japan and then took up residence in the Twin Cities. Kenne’s groups kinit together many stylistic ingredients, and the group is called Lifeforce. Why? That’s what Phil Nusbaum asked when he talked to Kenne.

David Martin and Serdar G comprise the MJGD - Minneapolis Jazz Guitar Duo. The duo plays a lot of great standards. You might expect that of a jazz group, but for this one, playing standards is a welcome change from the players’ normal. David and Serdar talked to Phil Nusbaum about their duet.

Scottie Miller has a new thing, piano poetry. It’s what happens when he delivers his poetry to his improvisation-based piano playing. Scottie’s piano poetry debuts Saturday August 21 at Crooners in Minneapolis at 8:30, and Friday night August 27 at 7at the Lakeshore Players Theater in White Bear. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Scottie addressed the intersection of writing songs and poetry.

Scottie Miller has a new thing, piano poetry. It’s what happens when he delivers his poetry to his improvisation-based piano playing. Scottie’s piano poetry debuts Saturday August 21 at Crooners in Minneapolis at 8:30, and Friday night August 27 at 7at the Lakeshore Players Theater in White Bear. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Scottie addressed the intersection of writing songs and poetry.

The training for musicians focuses on learning their craft. But a big part of the work turns out to be selling your act. Jeri Goldstein specializes in helping musicians position themselves in the marketplace. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Jeri first talked about developing her specialty.

The Foxgloves is a 6-piece all woman Twin Cities Bluegrass / Americana group performing every second Wednesday at Sociable Cider Werks in Northeast Minneapolis. When Nikki Lemire and Steph Snow of the Foxgloves talked about the group with Phil Nusbaum, Nikki first addressed determining the group’s genre label.

The Red Hot Django Peppers plays the music of Django Reinhardt. The group performs at the Ice House in Minneapolis next Sunday from 11 AM till 2 PM The leader is Ryan Picone. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Ryan talked about how Django, probably in the 1920s, first got interested in jazz.

Tjänrnblom plays traditional music from Swedish and Finnish tradition, and the group’s tunes . The group plays Thursday August 5 at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Cheryl Paschke and Joe Alfano of the group told how much of the group’s repertoire comes from people known to the band, or to evets the band experienced.

Enso Daiko has been serving up Taiko drumming in the Twin Cities for many years. You can see the group next Sunday 6 to 8 PM in Roseville’s Central Park. Jeff Ellsworth has been a member of Enso Daiko for many years, and in a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Jeff tells a bit about the heritage of Taiko drumming.

With her voice injury and Covid in the rearview mirror, Katia Cardenas is back singing jazz. Catch Katia at 8PM this Friday night at the Granada in Minneapolis. Katia told Phil Nusbaum that hers is a mix of picking up where she left up, and new ideas caused by reflection.