Jazz88

Charmin Michelle and Dennis Spears have been friends for so long that it’s kind of a surprise that they’ve never shared a stage. But that changes this Sunday at 6 PM at Crooner’s in Minneapolis. When Charmin and Dennis got together with Phil Nusbaum, the talk turned to some of their old Minneapolis hangouts, like the long departed Times Bar.

Maud Hixson performs Songs of the 1920s this Saturday July 24 at Crooner’s in Minneapolis. Then on Sunday August 1, Maud is right back at Crooner’s with a 6-piece group, French 75. Maud has been very successful presenting shows about specific eras. When Maud talked to Phil Nusbaum, he asked where that idea comes from.

The Roseville Community Band has been around for well over 60 years. The group plays locally and has traveled to other states and foreign countries, too. Dan Kuch directs the Roseville Community Band. I is Dan’s role to find interesting music for the group to play, and he also written the group’s calling card tune, March of the Roses. Dan’s conversation with Phil Nusbaum opened with Dan playing hi...

Pat Donohue, Tim Sparks and Phil Heywood are Minnesota-based guitarists who play the strings using individual fingers, in other words, without holding a pick. The three have been acclaimed far and wide for their finger-style playing, but the three have never shared a stage. That changes Friday July 16 in the Main Room at Crooners. Pat Donohue was the driving force behind the show.

The Plant Based Poets Show stages organic self-expression through live music, dance, art & food. It’ll be outdoors at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis at 7PM on July 10. Terrell Woods, also known as Carnage the Executioner is the force behind the 3 band show featuring Saltee, Ill Chemistry, The Orange Goodness and dance by Jodi Sieger’s Rhythm and Shoes. Terrell told Phil Nusbaum about the philo...

Ted Unseth is known to many for leading the Classic Jazz group, the Americana Classic Jazz Orchestra. But Ted has had quite a musical journey. He moved from Chicago to Albert Lea, Minnesota as a young kid. As the son of a Lutheran minister, classical music was on in the house. But Ted had an unexpected response to early piano lessons, as he told Phil Nusbaum.

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 July 2 and 3 at the Umbra in Minneapolis. When she spoke with Phil Nusbaum, Kendra first addressed her early interest in singing.

Sprig of That shares the bill with Anthony Ihrig at the Ice House in Minneapolis, Wednesday June 30 at 7:30. Sprig of that consists of violinist Isabel Dammann, tabla player Krissy Bergmark and guitarist Ilan Blanck. Theirs is a mixture of formal and folk traditions. But what do you call the music of Sprig of That? That is what Phil Nusbaum asked Ilan Blanck.

Many Forces Had to Come Together to Create a Twin Cities Jazz Fest This Year, but it is happening Friday through Sunday June 25-27. Learn about it at Crooners Lounge MN dot com. Andrew leads his little big band at the fest, and also works behind the scenes at Crooner’s. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Andrew first addressed Crooner’s new Belvedere Room.

The Levi Schwartzberg Quartet brings a Bebop sensibility to its online show streamed from Jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis, this Saturday at 8PM. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Levi had his vibes available and demonstrated a few ways of improvising that the Levi Schwartzberg Quartet employs.

King Wilkie’s Dream plays new acoustic country music and strives for originality. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, fiddler Robbi Podrug and mandolinist Shane Zack told Phil Nusbaum that much of the originality comes from the songwriting of guitarist John Niemann.

Kashimana writes from life. Her songs are about love, about letting your light shine and about the current scene. When Kashimana talked to Phil Nusbaum, he asked where her songwriting comes from.

I Am Woman Hear Me Roar shines lights on great women artists of the past 50 years or so, 7PM this Friday night at the Belvedere at Crooners in Minneapolis. Lori Dokken is the great motivator of this event which includes Patty Peterson, Judy Vinar, and Rachel Holder. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Lori told why she wanted to put together I Am Woman Hear Me Roar.

When Thomas Bruce is touched by a song, he wants to sing it to others. He’s sharing some great ones at Crooner’s Dunsmore Room Friday evening June 11 at 5:30. One of Thomas’ early influences was Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life.” Thomas told Phil Nusbaum of his inspiration to sing the song.

River is three women, Deb Brown, Sara Renner and Jana Anderson who present memorable songs by Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Carly Simons. When Phil Nusbaum got together with Deb Brown, he asked Deb how to narrow down a set list when there are so many great songs to choose from.

Lila Ammons performs Saturday night June 5 at 7 at the Granada in Minneapolis. Twin Cities music fans know Lila Ammons for her renditions of blues and historic jazz, but the pandemic has caused Lila to think about a new emphasis. She talked to Phil Nusbaum about it.

This Saturday night, Jennifer Grimm sings Judy Garland in front of 7 horns newly arranged by Todd Matheson. Jennifer told Phil Nusbaum that she has always identified with Garland because of their similar biographies.

Monica LaPlante was gaining momentum in the Minneapolis music scene and beyond, but then came Covid. However, Monica adapted to the circumstances, and living through the pandemic actually sharpened her music skills. Monica’s music is on display Friday night May 28 at an Under the Canopy concert the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis. Muun Bato and Warcake also perform in a show that begins at 7PM. Mon...

Sarah M Greer and other Minnesota artists and Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, Inc present a program commemorating the 1920 lynching of three black men in Duluth. The concert is at 6:30, with a pre-show discussion with T. Mychael Rambo hosted by Walker|West Music at 6PM. It is all available only via stream, Friday May 21 at 6:30 PM. Sarah talked with Phil Nusbaum about the event and addressed why...

Tou Saik is known for addressing youth. He mixes the wisdom of his late grandmother with hip hop, and is releasing a CD that adds to the videos he has already released. In just a second, we will hear an excerpt of Tou’s grandmother’s poetry, then Tou’s conversation with Phil Nusbaum.

Davina of Davina and the Vagabonds is known for her singing and her songwriting. But sometimes the band performs so frequently that she finds it difficult to write new songs. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Davina first addressed those times when words and melodies just don’t come.

Jesse Whitney creates music on an electronic device known as a synthesizer. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Jesse told of his music creation and style, and also about the modular synthesizer.

Luigi explains why temps seem cooler than normal and how they go about figuring out new trends.

Maud Hixson’s Doris Day show was such a hit at Crooner’s that she’s doing it again Mother’s Day weekend, May 8 at 5PM and May 9 at 4. It turns out that Doris Day influenced the singing style of Maud Hixson. In Maud’s conversation with Phil Nusbaum, first Maud first wanted to listen to a little Doris Day.

Patty Peterson streams Jazz Women All-Stars on Mother’s Day, May 9. The show is available by streaming at 3PM and 7PM this Sunday. Patty gets her jazz inspiration from her mother, Jeannie, who was a jazz singer and vocalist. Patty says that some of her mother’s words motivate her.