Jazz88

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with singer Madeleine Peyroux about her 2024 album "Let's Walk." It focuses entirely on original music - songs that address issues of social justice, life, and love. Peyroux will perform in a double billing with blues and soul singer Bettye LaVette Thursday, March 20th and Friday, March 21 at the Parkway Theater.

Speaking about Bill Charlap's trio, the legendary songwriter Johnny Mandel said "It Don't Get No Better Than That." Bill Charlap's quiet and humble demeanor belies the fact he is one the reigning modern modern masters of jazz piano. In this conversation with Jazz88's Peter Solomon, he discusses his musical influences, his current trio, and his profound admiration for his spouse, pianist Renee Rosn...

Bob James and Dave Koz are titans in the world of contemporary jazz. After years of guesting on each other's productions, the duo decided they would toss off a short CD of duets just as a thank you to guests on one of Dave Koz's jazz oriented cruises. This miniature collaboration led to a full blown duo release recorded in Bob James' home in Michigan. Jazz88's Patty Peterson caught up with James a...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with Dayna Martinez, the Executive Director of the 2025 Twin Cities Jazz Festival to get a preview of the headlining acts.

If there is a Constant in Country Music, it is that the songs of the Carter Family Inspire. Minnesota singer Pam Linton has dug into the Carter repertoire, and created a CD of songs titled simply Songs of the Carter Family. Pam’s CD release event will be at Crooner’s Supper Club, February 14 at 7:30pm. When Pam talked to Phil Nusbaum about the Carter Family project, Pam first talked about AP Carte...

Heartland Souvenirs is Becky Schlegel, Katy Tessman and Nikki Lamire. The three songwriters found each other almost by accident. But once they realized their great singing chemistry, they started building a repertoire of their own songs, and songs written by others. The Trio has also recorded its interpretations of songs by John Prine. Heartland Souvenirs performs at 318 Café in Excelsior, 8 till...

Black Market Brass and Obi Original are two of the most respected names in Minnesota music and now they have teamed up for a collaborative release. Obi is the featured vocalists on the new single "Battle Ready" from Black Market Brass. Vocalist Obi Original along with Mitch Sigurdson (guitar) and David Tullis (congas) swung by the Jazz88 studios to talk about the new music and the release show on...

You may know Erik Brandt from his role as host of Good Acoustics Saturdays from 1 - 3 PM on Jazz88 or as the leader of the Urban Hillbilly Quartet. Erik will be spotlighting the work of three local songwriters in the Good Acoustics Songwriter Showcase on March 21st at Metronome Brewery. I caught up with Erik tio learn more about that event and he previews the three featured artists in this segment...

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with Chicago-based singer Christy Bennett about her work researching and recording the music of Irene Higginbotham. Higginbotham (1918 – 1988) is best remembered as the co-composer of the ballad “Good Morning Heartache,” which was one of Billie Holiday’s signature tunes. Higginbotham wrote published more than fifty songs, including “This Will Make You Laugh,” “No Good...

Brent Fuqua celebrates the release of both his singer songwriter material and bluegrass songs Thursday March 13 at 7:30 at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis. That evening, the Mother Banjo band, Steam Machine and the Lake Monsters will add to the festivities. When Brent talked to Phil Nusbaum about his songs, Brent first addressed one written for his wife, No Nonsense Girl.

Adrian Younge is a prolific and gifted musician, producer, performer and curator who has been at the helm of the Jazz is Dead project alongside his partner Ali Shaheed Mohammed since 2017, releasing collaborative albums with legends like Brian Jackson, Azymuth, Jean Carne, Tony Allen and more. Younge is on the road for his Something About April Tour with a stop at the Turf Club in Saint Paul on Fr...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with legendary blues and soul singer Bettye LaVette. She talks about her development as an artist and the way she had to learn how to use her voice to make a song her own. She is appearing at the Parkway Theater in a double billing with Medline Peyroux Thursday, March 20 and Friday, March 21.

Heartland Souvenirs is Becky Schlegel, Katy Tessman and Nikki Lamire. The three songwriters found each other almost by accident. But once they realized their great singing chemistry, they started building a repertoire of their own songs, and songs written by others. The Trio has also recorded its interpretations of songs by John Prine. Heartland Souvenirs performs at 318 Café in Excelsior, 8 till...

Bobby Commodore has been an indispensable part of the Twin Cities music scene since he sat behind the kit with Sounds of Blackness in 1974. During tenures with Sounds of Blackness, Moore by Four and many other great groups, Commodore served the Twin Cities. Beyond his work behind the kit, Bobby Commodore has served as a business manager, a live sound engineer and, most importantly, as a supportive...

Bobby Commodore has been an indispensable part of the Twin Cities music scene since he sat behind the kit with Sounds of Blackness in 1974. During tenures with Sounds of Blackness, Moore by Four and many other great groups, Commodore served the Twin Cities. Beyond his work behind the kit, Bobby Commodore has served as a business manager, a live sound engineer and, most importantly, as a supportive...

Drummer and composer Emma Garau is performing on Monday, March 3 at Berlin in Minneapolis with Bryan Nichols (piano) and Chris Bates (bass). Garau recently moved to town from North Carolina and she discussed how she is enjoying the Twin Cities so far. She also explained her approach to making music and connecting her love of classic jazz to her more avant-garde side.

Hannah Harder is a young saxophonist and composer from the Twin Cities. She recently released her debut album as a leader, The Greatest of These is Love. Harder connected with Sam Keenan from Minnesota Jazz Tracks to discuss the new record, her path to jazz and her upcoming release show at MetroNOME Brewery in St. Paul on Wednesday, February 26.

Doug Otto and Hurricane Harold Doug Otto have a duet featuring voice with harmonica and guitar. They play the blues and Otto’s original songs that are inspired by the blues. Harmonica player Hurricane Harold got together with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the act with Doug Otto. The music the duet plays is frequently old, but embodies universal themes that are still meaningful today.

Gabe Terraciano is one of the most celebrated violinists from the jazz world and tonight he's stepping on stage at Berlin with Minneapolis players Greg Byers on cello and Geoff LeCrone on guitar. Tarraciano and Byers stopped by the Jazz88 studios to talk about the show and the importance of rhythm for string players.

Over the past half-century, the group Santana has been one of the biggest forces in North America to combine Latin music and pop. After studying the music of Santana, a Twin Cities guy named Joe Cruz formed his own group, Sounds of Santana. The group performs Santana music, and actually builds on it, at shows like the one at 8pm next Thursday, February 22 at the Freight House in Stillwater. In a c...

Over the past half-century, the group Santana has been one of the biggest forces in North America to combine Latin music and pop. After studying the music of Santana, a Twin Cities guy named Joe Cruz formed his own group, Sounds of Santana. The group performs Santana music, and actually builds on it, at shows like the one at 8pm next Thursday, February 22 at the Freight House in Stillwater. In a c...

In addition to being a stellar leader, saxophonist and vocalist Lucia Sarmiento has also toured with Pitbull and Karol G. and collaborated with many of the biggest names in music. This weekend, Sarmiento is celebrating the release of her debut album as a leader, Escape. Lucia stopped by to visit Jazz88 to talk about the new album and her process.

Johnnie Brown is known for his tribute shows. He’s done Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, Lionel Richie, and soon, Barry White. Johnnie’s Barry White show takes place at Chanhassen Dinner Theater, Sunday February 23. Dinner is at 5, with the show starting at 7. Phil Nusbaum talked to Johnnie Brown about Johnnie’s tribute shows, and where he gets his interest in singing.

The Minneapolis Battle of the Jug Bands has created a legacy of homemade music delivered in a party atmosphere. The main event features 19 bands this year, and will take place at The Cabooze in Minneapolis, noon till about 7:30 on Sunday February 23. It’ll be preceded by a pre-party and jug band jam at Palmers Bar, Saturday February 22. Phil Nusbaum talked to Levi and Buzzy, two long-term Jug Band...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with trombonist Wycliffe Gordon about his musical influences and the diverse array of instruments that he plays, including soprano trumpet and didgeridoo. Gordon is appearing with the MMEA All State Jazz Band at the Dakota on Friday, February 14th.