Jazz88

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with singer Karrin Allyson about her new Origin records release titled "A Kiss for Brazil," which features a guest appearance by legendary Brazilian singer Rosa Passos. She also discusses her upcoming performance June 21st at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with drummer and guitarist Jellybean Johnson and his partner, Martha Bragg about a fundraising event called "Minneapolis Sound Museum presents Tales from the Northside: Stories of Flyt Tyme," taking place at the Capri Theatre on June 5th.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with Davina Sowers of Davina and the Vagabonds about the new recording "Shoot for the Moon." They are playing the Ordway on Friday, May 31st as part of the Flint Hills Family Festival.

Drummer and composer Kevin Washington is bringing his group, Ra Spirit, to the stage of Icehouse for a performance on Friday night. Washington stopped by Jazz88 to discuss the gig and discussed his policy for curating a show and keeping his musicians and the audience engaged with the material.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with filmmaker Brigitte Berman, whose 1985 documentary film "Artie Shaw: Time Is All You've Got" is being screened at the Heights Theatre on June 10th. After the film won an Oscar, Shaw sued Berman for a portion of the profits. Berman discusses Shaw's amazing musical accomplishments, his struggle to balance commercial success with artistic integrity and the challenges...

When Wayne Anthony does Sinatra with an 8-piece ensemble, the evening is what Wayne says it is: Ultimate Sinatra. Wayne plus ensemble brings an evening of music, dance and cocktails to the Commodore in Saint Paul Friday May 24. Pianist Steven C Anderson performs for cocktails from 6 till 7, and then it’s Ultimate Sinatra till 10. Wayne talked to Phil Nusbaum, Phil first asked about Frank Sinatra s...

This archived interview is with Jazz88's Patty Peterson and legendary Saxophonist, the late David Sanborn, when he and his jazz quintet were appearing at the Dakota Jazz Club in October of 2018. David opened up about his influences, his start in the business and the conversations he always looks for when performing with his musician friends on stage.

Dan Newton’s Café Accordion Orchestra celebrates its Thirty-Year Anniversary this coming Thursday at Crooners Supper Club in Fridley. The show will be from 6:30 till 8pm. All band members from the history of Café Accordion Orchestra will join Dan on stage, including Elizabeth Rowan, Eric Mohring, Joe Steinger, Gordy Abel, Brian Barnes, Eric Lillestol, Diane Jarvi, Robert Bell and Tony Bailuff. In...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with Tracy Byrd, a language arts teacher at Washburn High School, who received the award for Minnesota Teacher of the Year for 2024.

Jazz88 and MPS Voices host Olive Norvell recently connected with the team from Keane Sense of Rhythm to get the update on their celebration of National Tap Dance Day at Como Park Pavilion on Saturday May 25.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with Kansas City- based saxophonist Adam Larson, who will be playing May 17th and May 18th at Jazz Central. Larson will be playing with Twin Cities musicians Abinnet Berhanu, and bassists Chris Bates and Ted Olsen.

Iconic producer and musician Don Was is bringing his new project, The Pan-Detroit Ensemble, to the Dakota for two shows on Tuesday May 21. Though much of Was's work nowadays is working as the head of Blue Note Records he recognizes the importance of getting out and playing the music. In the conversation he confesses that "there's nothing like it". Listen to Don Was's conversation with Sean McPhers...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with drummer Robert "Sput" Searight, who co-founded the funk/fusion band Ghost Note with fellow drummer Nate Werth. Sput discusses playing with Werth in Snarky Puppy, the formation of Ghost Note, the influences that inform the music, and their new recording "Mustard "n" Onions." Ghost Note plays two shows at the Dakota on Friday, May 17th.

Atlanta-based pianist Joe Alterman hopped on the phone recently to catch up with Sean McPherson from Jazz88 about his upcoming show at Crooner's. Alterman discussed how a love of bluegrass brought him to his career in jazz and discussed the humor he sometimes finds in a player's dynamic range.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon caught up with clarinetist Tony Balluff of the Southside Aces. Balluff talked about one of his musical heroes: New Orleans clarinetist Jimmy Noone. He also discussed the formation of the South Side Aces, the group he co-founded twenty years ago with tuba player Erik Jacobson (The Southside Aces will be featured in the next Jazz88 Jazzclectic Concert on Saturday April 18th)....

Taiko Arts Midwest stages concerts that bring together international and Twin Cities Taiko drummers. The organization’s performing group, Enso Daiko, takes the stage at the Ordway theater, Sunday May 12 at 7pm. In a conversation with Jennifer Weir, executive director of Taiko Arts Midwest, related how Taiko is more than power and rhythm.

MPS Voices Associate Educator Jedediah Jones spoke with Laura Louis-Jacques, District Program Facilitator- Secondary Special Education, and Jesse Morgan, Department Head at MPS' Assistive Technology Center, about the Special Education Community Resource Fair taking place Thursday May 9th from 5-7:30 PM at the MPS Center for Adult Learning.

Minnesota’s Pavel Jany came of age musically during the Jazz-Rock Fusion era of the 1970s. His Group, World Jazz Collegium carries the banner of Fusion with a big show at Crooner’s Supper Club in Fridley, Thursday May 9 at 6:30pm. When Pavel talked to Phil Nusbaum about Jazz-Rock Fusion, Pavel reflected on his start in performing.

Guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli is from an illustrious jazz family. His father was the legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and John grew up around jazz legends like Benny Goodman, Zoot Sims, Les Paul and Slam Stewart. Pizzarrelli discusses his recent album "Stage and Screen," his current trio, and his upcoming performances with JazzMn Orchestra and with his trio at the Dakota May 11th and 12...

Ron Carter is THE bass player. He is the most recorded bass player in the history of jazz and he continues to deliver quality recording and performances as he prepares to celebrate his 87th birthday. Mr. Carter was nice enough to join Sean McPherson from the Afternoon Cruise on a short ZOOM to celebrate his birthday and talk about the many milestones in his sixty plus years as a professional bassi...

MPS Voices and Jazz88 host Olive Norvell recently connected over ZOOM with Kamasi Washington in anticipation of Washington's new album, Fearless Movement, and his upcoming show at the Fitzgerald Theater on May 11. They discussed his new record, his passion for music, his experience in scoring films and his feelings about pasta in general and spaghetti in particular.

Dayna Martinez, Executive Director of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, visited the Morning Show on International Jazz Day to reveal the complete lineup of artists performing at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival on June 21st and 22nd.

Lynne Arriale has been a leading pianist and educator on the international jazz scene for more than thirty years. In this conversation with Jazz88's Peter Solomon, she discusses her development as a jazz artist, the craft that goes in to creating memorable compositions, and her recent recording "Being Human". Arriale is appearing May 4th and 5th at Metronome Brewery with bassist Chris Bates and dr...

In the 1930s, the Kim loo Sisters of Minneapolis was a harmony singing force. From May 4 through the 26th, St Paul’s History Theater in co-production with Theater Mu present “Blended Harmony: The Kim Loo Sisters. The production tracks the career of the Kim Loo sisters, which included movies, USO appearances overseas, and other big stages. When for the show’s director and Theater Mu artistic direct...

On April 23, 2024 Cornbread Harris celebrated his 97th birthday. Ahead of his birthday festivities at Hook and Ladder on Thursday Harris took the time to chat with Sean McPherson from Jazz88 to talk about his life. Special thanks to Andrea Swensson for facilitating the interview.