Jazz88

Marimbist Jenny Klukken and her quartet will perform a unique show for the Twin Cities Jazz Fest, Friday June 20th at 4:30PM on the PBS Stage. Jenny talks to Sam Keenan about being one of very few marimba players on the jazz scene.

Singer Jennifer Grimm joins the Adi Yeshaya Jazz Orchestra to kick off performances on the Jazz88 Main Stage, 4PM June 20th. Jennifer talks to Sam Keenan about the joys of performing and recording with such a big group, and working with Adi Yeshaya.

Singer Katia Cardenas performs at the Twin Cities Jazz Fest on the Walker West at Night stage, Friday June 20th at 7pm. She talks to Sam Keenan about her music evolution and her work as a program director for Walker West Music Academy.

The Hannah Harder Quintet takes the stage at Metronome Brewery in Fingal's Cave Friday June 20th at 8PM as part of the Twin Cities Jazz Fest. Hannah talks to Sam Keenan about her first time playing her material at the fest and her music plans for the future.

The Adi Yeshaya Jazz Orchestra featuring Jennifer Grimm perform at the Twin Cities Jazz Fest 2025 on the Jazz88 Main Stage, Friday June 20th at 4PM. Adi talks to Sam Keenan about working with a big group and his Twin Cities Jazz Fest Experiences.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon sat down for a conversation with L.A. Buckner, who talks about why he celebrates his home turf of North Side Minneapolis, the influences that inform his music, and the evolution of his band Big Homie. L.A, Buckner and Big Homie are a headliner at this year;s Twin Cities Jazz Festival. You can catch the band Saturday, June 21st at 6 PM at the Jazz88 Main Stage at Mears Park i...

Doreen Ketchens reflects on growing up in New Orleans historic Treme neighborhood, her development as a jazz clarinetist, and playing music with her family on the streets of New Orleans and in concerts and festivals around the world. Ketchens plays the Twin Cities Jazz Festival Friday June 20th at 6 PM on the Jazz88 Main Stage in St. Paul.

The Combination of Thomasina Petrus singing in front of the Selby Avenue Brass Band has been very well received. Catch this pairing in a comfortable listening situation, Crooners Supper Club in Fridley, Friday evening June 13 from 8 till 9:30. The leader of the Selby Avenue Brass Band is Tom Wells. Tom and Thomasina met with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the show, and first, Tom talked about the qual...

Saxophonist Steve Cole is a Mack Avenue recording artist based in the Twin Cities preparing for a show at the Dakota on Saturday, June 14. Cole checked back in with Jazz88 to talk about his recent studio album "Without a Doubt" and the fun he's having with his band of Twin Cities heavyweights.

Bassist and composer Ted Olsen is back with a new disc titled Violette. The album comes out on June 6 and he is celebrating the release at the Cedar Cultural Center on Wednesday, June 11. Eric Mayson will be opening that show with a set. Olsen was nice enough to stop by Jazz88's studios to discuss the album. During the visit he did a portrait photo shoot with North High sophomore Devin Frelix.

Adrian Crutchfield joined host Patty Peterson to talk about his upcoming concert at the Capri Theatre on June 3, his new CD called "Slick" and his deep connection to Prince, as the last saxophonist to ever work with him in the New Power Generation. That connection led him to become a music director at a camp for musically inclined kids call Purple Playground.

Dayna Martinez is gearing up for a busy June but she took some time to visit Jazz88 and talk about the upcoming Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Festival events begin on June 19 with the main action happening June 20-21. Martinez talked about performances and masterclasses that she's excited about and she provided some tips on how to go even deeper with Jazz Festival activities.

Hennepin Fest is a free festival sponsored by the Hennepin Historical Museum. The event presents a roster of local women musicians: Connie Evingson, Annie Mack, Maria Isa and None Above. Claire Leslie Johnson served as a curator for Hennepin Fest, which takes place 2-7pm Saturday May 31. When Claire and Connie Evingson got together with Phil Nusbaum, Claire first addressed the reason for Hennepin...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with trumpeter Frank London about the history of klezmer music in America and 40 years of Genre Bending klezmer interpretations and collaborations by the Klezmatics. The Klezmatics play the Dakota Tuesday night (May 27th) with Minneapolis-based ensemble Red Thread. Pictured: The Klezmatics. Frank London is seated holding a flugelhorn.

The Gated Community’s songs tell personal stories and meet some of the biggest issues today. The new CD is called Goodbye Work. The release event will be at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis, Sunday evening June 1 at 6pm. Phil Nusbaum talked to Sumanth Gopinath and Beth Hartman about the project. When the three got together, Sumanth first addressed his composition, Hand in the Air, which reflects...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with three of the musical directors involved in an event commemorating George Floyd called "Weather: Stand the Storm." Participants include Dr. G. Philip Shoultz, conductor of Singers of This Age; Waigwa, director of One Voice Mixed Chorus and Elevate Vocal Arts and Elevation Ensemble; and Dr. Rollo Dilworth, director of Singing City. Dilworth composed the musical set...

Vocalist Connie Evingson is getting ready to do her final performance at the Woman’s Club. Next Wednesday, May 28 Connie and Lori Dokken are co-presenting a concert titled “Our Hearts Will Go On." The event features an incredible list of Twin Cities talent such as Mary Jane Alm, Doug Anderson, Ginger Commodore, Lori Dokken, Joan Griffith, Jennifer Grimm, Rachel Holder, Patty Peterson, T. Mychael R...

Gospel-based singer Robert Robinson has been gathering accolades for decades. He’s noted for such events as singing at Prince’s Birthday Bash and being featured at the National Day of Prayer in Washington DC. Robert inspires and entertains, and he records and works with choirs as well. Recently, Robert sat down with Phil Nusbaum to talk about his songs and his mission.

Singer Erin Schwab has been singing to the accompaniments of pianist Jay Fuchs for a long time. Their performances are audience engaging with requests and a lot of dialog back and forth. But for many in the audience what really makes the show are the treatments of Judy Garland and Bette Midler songs. Erin and Jay told how the show came into being when they talked to Phil Nusbaum.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with legendary saxophonist Charles McPherson about his formative influences, including Charlie Parker, Barry Harris, and Charles Mingus. McPherson also discusses his contributions to the Soundtrack for the Clint Eastwood Charlie Parker bio-pic "Bird" and his tenure as resident composer of the San Diego Ballet. McPherson is 85 years old and still performing. He is playi...

2025 marks the centenary year of Malcolm X's birth. For the occasion, Dr. Rose Brewer, Thandisizwe Jackson-Nisan and additional planners have organized an event uplifting the politics and vision of Malcolm X. The event is on Saturday, May 17 at UROC at Plymouth and Oliver. The event is described in the promotional materials as gathering of "conscious minds that will include panel discussion, break...

It’ll be an evening of spontaneity and musical discovery when John Keston, Anthony Cos and Suwal Singh collaborate at Berlin Jazz Club in Minneapolis. The three are accomplished players of keyboards, bass, guitar and other instruments, but add electronic alteration of sound to the mix, and the vibe changes remarkably. When John Keston spoke to Phil Nusbaum about the music, he addressed the effect...

In the days of silent film, women had prominent roles in filmmaking and made movies that explored feminist themes that might seem surprising today. Peter Solomon speaks with Maggie Hennefeld, Professor of Cultural Studies and Comparitive Literature at the University of Minnesota. Hennefeld curated a 4-DVD collection of female film pioneers called "Cinema's First Nasty Women." Hennefeld also curate...

Award-winning saxophonist Patrick Lamb, celebrated for his collaborations with music legends like Gino Vannelli, Bobby Caldwell, and Diane Schuur, is stepping into the spotlight with his new single, "Mint Condition”. Patrick talks with Jazz88’s Patty Peterson about his Twin Cities debut concert at Crooners on May 9th , which features Minnesota’s own Ricky Peterson (organ), Paul Peterson (bass), Ja...

Wayne Anthony Leads Nights of Great Songs, one a month through 2025. The next opportunity Wayne with the Marquette Big Band will be June 12 at 6pm. The night of dinner, socializing and dancing takes place Windows at Marquette, located on the 50th floor of the IDS Tower in Minneapolis. Phil Nusbaum had a chance to talk to Wayne about the shows, which cover memorable songs from many decades. First,...