Jazz88

Katia Cardenas Features Her New Songs 9:30 PM this Saturday Night at KJ’s Hideaway in Saint Paul. In a recent conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Katia addressed how recent changes in her life are reflected in her songwriting.

The celebrated saxophonist and composer James Brandon Lewis visited with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise to discuss the music and legacy of Ornette Coleman on Coleman's birthdate, March 9. Lewis's path in the music world is connected to Coleman not only by Coleman's musical legacy, but also by players like Charlie Haden and Jamaaladeen Tacuma, who have worked with Coleman and Lewis.

After a seven year absence from the stages of the Twin Cities, Pippi Ardennia and her partner Daniel Leahy are back to grace the Crooners MainStage on Sunday evening. They were nice enough to hop on a Zoom with Sean McPherson from the Afternoon Cruise to chat about their upcoming visit.

Jazz88's Manny Hill is joined by MPS Interim Superintendent Rochelle Cox to discuss the effects of the winter storm in late February on MPS, and the technology event during the same week that presented challenges for the district. Also, Supt. Cox shares info on the upcoming MPS Mental Health Caregiver Institute, and highlights the new "MPS Shines" initiative!

With studies indicating students of color benefitting from teachers with shared identities, the lopsided nature of Minnesota's educator workforce is a potential barrier to student success. How is Metro State University working to meet the educational needs of a new generation of teachers of color? Victor Cole from Metro State speaks with Jazz88's Travis Ryder on air March 2, 2023.

LA Buckner was nice enough to visit the Afternoon Cruise before his headlining Dakota show on Monday March 6.

BZ3, the organ trio led by Brian Ziemniak plays a mix of jazz, soul, R n B and Funk. And BZ3, new CD in hands, holds forth at Crooners Supper Club, this Friday evening at 7:30 PM. Phil Nusbaum caught up with Brian to talk about the group and its recording. But why the organ? That was Phil’s first question to Brian.

Catharus sings new songs reflecting religious traditions written by Kenan Serenbetz. Kenan is steeped in shaped-note and medieval singing. It has an old sound, but actually references more contemporary influences. The next performance of Catharus will be at the Twin Cities Friends Meeting on March 4. When Kenan talked to Phil Nusbaum, Kenan first addressed where the name Catharus comes from.

Cecile McLorin Salvant joined a ZOOM with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise in advance of her shows this weekend at the Walker Art Center.

Minneapolis Public Schools has joined American Indian families in grieving and calling for action on behalf of missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives (MMIW-R). Jazz88's Manny Hill talks with Cece Benimon, Engagement Education and Outreach Specialist with MPS, and Lillie White, 9th grader at Edison High about the importance of recognizing the issue of MMIW-R. They also discuss the Marc...

It’s the 40th year of the Minneapolis Battle of the Jug Bands. It’s held at the Cabooze this Sunday starting at 12:40 PM, with a 4PM Saturday pre-party and jug band jam at Palmer’s Bar. Kris and Levi talked with Phil Nusbaum about the event and jug band history. Phil asked if there is a standard definition for a jug band.

Noted Twin Cities Guitarist Joan Griffith has Issued a new CD, called Sambanova 2. The project also features pianist Laura Caviani and cellist Greg Byers. All the pieces on the CD are Joan Griffith Originals. When Joan sat down with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the project, Phil noted that Joan has spent a good part of her life playing other people’s originals, so why a strictly original CD?

Cedar Commissions artists are granted funds from the Jerome Foundation to Create New Musical Work and perform the work on the stage of the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. The dates for the 2023 event are February 17 and 18. Today Phil Nusbaum talks with Robert Lehmann of the Cedar Cultural Center about the artists presenting on Friday February 17.

Cedar Commissions shows are here on Friday and Saturday February 17 and 18. Each performer receives funding from the Jerome Foundation to create new musical work and perform the work on the stage of the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. On today’s show, Twin Cities Weekend covers the artists performing this Saturday night. Phil Nusbaum talks with Robert Lehmann of the Cedar Cultural Center abo...

Joan Griffith visited the Afternoon Cruise to discuss her new album Sambanova 2 and her upcoming show at Crooner's on February 17.

Minnesota jazz royalty stopped by the Afternoon Cruise to discuss the upcoming release party for their new album, Weights and Measures.

Minneapolis Public Schools is celebrating Black History Month in many ways with several events over the next few weeks. Jazz88’s Manny Hill recently caught up with MPS Interim Superintendent Rochelle Cox to discuss what the district has planned.

Ginger Commodore and Kendra Glenn are Twin Cities singers who hold Anita Baker as an important singing reference point. And Ginger and Kendra present a tribute show to Anita Baker at the Dakota this Friday night February 10 at 7PM. Phil Nusbaum first talked with Kendra Glenn about Kendra’s Anita Baker influence.

The Red Hot Django Peppers has a new CD and is featuring it at all shows, including Monday night at 7 at the Dakota in Minneapolis. The group plays music called jazz manouche or Hot Club jazz, and pulls music from many sources, some unexpected. When leader Ryan Picone talked with Phil Nusbaum, Ryan reflected on the new CD’s as a landmark in the history of the group.

Jeremy Pelt and Cory Weeds joined the Afternoon Cruise to talk about a recent initiative from Cellar Records to release more music from Black-led bands. Cory Weeds is the label head for Cellar and Jeremy Pelt has appeared on many Cellar releases both as a producer and as a performer. Pelt and Weeds discussed how the mission to release more records from Black leaders came about and how it's been go...

Four Minnesota award-winning Composers present their compositions this Friday at the Icehouse in Minneapolis. The awards are from the McKnight Foundation American Composers Forum, and the performance is in partnership with The Great Northern Festival and the IceHouse. Composers include Mary Ellen Childs, Reinaldo Moya, Mitchell Bercier and Queen Drea. Director of Artist Support at the American Com...

When Charmin Michelle and Joel Shapira perform, it’s more than a singer with a guitarist. It’s an interweaving of musical ideas. Their next show is this coming Monday at the Dakota in Minneapolis at 7PM. Though both Charmin and Joel play with larger ensembles, the two have grown to really love the duet format, as they told Phil Nusbaum.

Rachael Price hosted Sean McPherson from the Afternoon Cruise at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul to chat about her new release with guitarist composer VIlray "I Love a Love Song".

Cumar means confluence in Irish Gaelic, and Cumar is also the name of a Twin Cities group that combines African and Irish Music and Dance. The group performs at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis, 7:30 PM Friday and Saturday January 27 and 28. Phil Nusbaum talked to members of Cumar recently, including the artists guiding the project from its beginnings.

Jazz pianist Tanner Taylor leads a classic piano trio with bassist Graydon Peterson and drummer Mac Santiago. Jazz fans can catch the act at Jazz Central Studios next Friday evening at 8PM. As far as repertoire, the trio has always leaned on jazz composer and pianist Oscar Peterson. When Tanner got together with Phil Nusbaum, Phil asked why.