Jazz88

After a decade as one of the most celebrated instrumental groups in the Twin Cities, Purple Funk Metropolis is back in action for 2023. Fresh off a band vacation to Puerto Rico, the group is preparing to head back into the studio and get a couple shows on their calendar. Purple Funk Metropolis is getting ready for a show at The Dakota on February 26 and keyboardist Sam Rosenstone and saxophonist A...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with Brittany Tweed, Director of Financial Aid at Metro State University about what's happened recently with FAFSA, some opportunities for financial aid, and details on an open house event at Metro State Monday, February 26th. Metro State University is an underwriter of Jazz88.

The February 17th – 18th weekend brings the annual battle of Jug Bands to 2 Minneapolis venues. Saturday February 17 from 3 till 7 at Palmer’s Bar there’s the pre-party and Jug Band Jam. Then, Sun February 18 from 12:30 till 7 is the actual competition. The Minneapolis Battle of Jug Bands is run by volunteers, and one of them is Kristin Garwick. When Kristin and Phil Nusbaum talked, Kristin first...

Wil B, one half of the hip-hop meets classical string duo Black Violin connected with Jazz88 in anticipation of their show on Saturday, February 10 at the State Theatre.

Minneapolis Public Schools has a new Superintendent, and her name is Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams. MPS Voices Executive Producer Manny Hill chats with Dr. Sayles-Adams about her background, the process of becoming the new Superintendent, and what her vision is for the future of the district.

More than any other hip-hop producer, J. Dilla, born James Yancey February 7, 1974, has impacted how jazz musicians write and play today. His famously "drunken" drum programming, his singular approach to harmonization and his bass programming have all become part of the lexicon of modern jazz. To mark what would be Dilla's 50th birthday (he passed away from complications of a rare blood disease an...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with Loren Schoenberg, senior scholar at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, about a new documentary airing this week on PBS about pioneering trombonist, electric guitarist, composer, and arranger, Eddie Durham.

The annual Cedar Commissions show, funded by the Jerome Foundation, and staged next Friday and Saturday at the Cedar Cultural Center, presents bold musical statements. Each of the 6 artists is funded to create new work; Outcomes are often surprising. Phil Nusbaum talked with Robert Lehmann of the Cedar. Robert is one of those who helped curate the show. We’ll listen to music first by Ukrainian Ame...

Adam Levy is a career guitar player who has shared stages and recording studios with Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman, Meshell Ndegeocello and more. Listen to find out more about Levy's new album "Spry" and his approach to writing and playing.

Aubrey Logan is the daughter of a band director and a choir teacher and grew up singing in musical theatre. Picking up a horn in high school, she became a quadruple threat as a vocalist, trombonist, composer, and arranger. She spoke with Jazz88's Peter Solomon about her career, her recent recording "Standards," her work with Postmodern Jukebox, and her appearance Saturday, February 3rd at the Nort...

The Sit In Series is a new program sponsored by the Minnesota Hard Bop Collective. The Sit In Series aims to provide a formal opportunity for middle school to college aged musicians to sit in or perform with professional musicians. Lead mentors Dale Alexander (piano) and Omar Abdulkarim (trumpeter) alongside mentee Bernadette Brownrigg Spray (vocals) stopped by the Afternoon Cruise to chat about t...

Billy Childs is no stranger to Grammy attention. Since 1995 Childs' work has been routinely nominated for Grammys and he's nabbed quite a few wins during his storied career as well. This year Childs is up for "Best Instrumental Jazz Album" for his work on his album "The Winds of Change". Sean McPherson connected with Billy Childs to get input on the impact and importance of the Grammys for a caree...

Minneapolis Public Schools is enhancing its outreach to Spanish-speaking families with a series of four Newcomer Orientation sessions in late January and throughout February. MPS Voices Executive Producer Manny Hill talks with MPS Outreach Specialist Shakur Ali about these Orientation Sessions, when and where they are, and what families can expect to learn from them.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with Trumpeter Steve Kenny, who curates the jazz at K.J.'s Hideaway. He brings his quintet to the St. Paul venue Saturday, February 3rd to celebrate the music of John Coltrane. This will be the 100th performance in the ongoing jazz series that Kenny has curated over the past two years.

Dennis Spears is the longtime curator of the Legends Series at the Capri Theater. Spears was nice enough to visit Jazz88 on his "day off" to discuss the show he is putting up at the Capri this weekend. The focus for the concert is the legendary soul sounds of the 1960s and 1970s. In addition to talking about this concert, Dennis Spears also reflected on the staying power of this era of music.

January 31 through February 4 are the dates for Klezmer On Ice, a Twin Cities celebration of Klezmer music and Jewish Culture. The event includes klezmer concerts and music learning opportunities, presentations about Yiddish-based culture, a visual art exhibit, a film screening. One of the organizers is Josh Rosard. When Josh talked to Phil Nusbaum, Josh talked about the inspiration for Klezmer on...

Singer – songwriter Michael Monroe has sought a simple life, and that’s why he lived a long time in the area of Grand Marais, MN. His songs relate to the experience, and he performs many of his original compositions at a show called The #Ms: Minnesota Music Masters, with Billy McLaughlin and John McAndrew, Sunday February 4 at 6:30pm. When Michael sat down with Phil Nusbaum, Michael discussed his...

Mateo’s Rogue Tango has been playing since 2010 or 2011, and it’s leader, Scott Mateo Davies goes back further than that with Twin Cities Tango. The group plays at the Eagles number 34 in Minneapolis, 2nd and fourth Sundays at 6:30pm. Dancers play a big role in Twin Cities tango, and there is a tango organization known as the Tango Society of Minnesota. When Mateo sat down to talk to Phil Nusbaum...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with award-winning mystery novelist Michael Connelly about how jazz played an essential role in establishing the character of Harry Bosch, the hard-edged loner cop with a penchant for bucking authority and a deep-seated love of jazz. Connelly himself became a jazz fan as he was doing the research for his books. (Image by Mark Coggins, San Francisco)

Other Country Ensemble hosts World Music Mondays at the Eagles in Minneapolis every fourth Monday of every month at 7:30pm. The next one is this Monday, January 22. At these shows, Other Country Ensemble performs, but also showcases other world music groups. When Scott Nieman talked to Phil Nusbaum Scott first told about Other Country Ensemble members.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with drummers Abinnet Berhanu and Kevin Washington about an upcoming show at Icehouse, Friday evening, January 19th. Berhanu will be showcasing music that draws on his Ethiopian heritage and his band Ahndenet will feature the singer Genet Abate. Washington will perform with RA Spirit. Photo of Abinnet Berhanu by Beza Tuga.

Jazz88 is getting ready to launch their newest show, "The Jazz Impulse". Danny Sigelman will host the new show on Saturdays 7-10pm. This show will be about the "now". The artists stepping on stage that night, the music that's making this great jazz scene go strong. Sigelman joined Sean McPherson to talk about the show and the inaugural episode!

Saint Paul Peterson is a funk ambassador, gifted vocalist, bassist and a curator of the Funk Friday series. He’s been a member of the Family and The Time and he’s been a recognized fixture in the music world on an international level for decades. Saint Paul is bringing his online series, Funk Friday, onto the stage on Friday at the Green Room in Minneapolis. Jazz88 is sponsoring the event and broa...

The First annual STEAM Fest is coming to Franklin STEAM Middle School on January 25. MPSVoices' own DJ DIME talks with Franklin Teacher Michael "Mr. B" Bratsch for more information on the event, and what familes, students and community members can expect!

Rabeca formed to play at a cabaret in 2019. Group members enjoyed the experience and decided to form a group. Though keeping a group together was not easy during the pandemic Rabeca persevered and drew together for inspiration. Phil Nusbaum talked to band members about the new Rabeca CD, Junk. Colleen Dolde said that Rabeca was playing most of the songs during the pandemic.