Jazz88

GiftedHandz is a Minneapolis group of young people who have come up playing multiples styles in church settings. The group performs Friday night March 1 at 8pm at Jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis. When Joe Mason, a GiftedHandz founding member, sat down with Phil Nusbaum, Joe discussed GiftedHandz’ musical blend.

MacPhail Center for music has a program called the Spotlight Program, which encourages its teachers to create musical programs. That’s what stimulated the creation of “It Takes Two”, an evening of Broadway musical-style songs with piano accompaniment to be performed at Crooner’s Supper Club in Fridley next Thursday. MacPhail pianist Timothy De Prey tells of the group process that created “It Takes...

The Group is Traiveon and Candi, featuring Jackson Hurst and Mayyadda. The group’s music has a pop sound, but the songs deal with some serious personal stuff, while they reference Valentine’s Day and Black History Month. Catch All Sweet Things: A Celebration of Black Love 7pm Sunday February 18, at the Dakota in Minneapolis. In an interview with Phil Nusbaum, Traiveon first talked about the need t...

Power Up! Is the name of the Women’s Day Music Fest Friday night March 8 at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis. Billed as a celebration of women and gender, Power Up was curated by Corrine Caoette of the Hook and Ladder. In this preview, we listen to Corrine, as well as Vanessa McKinney and Ayanna Muata, members of participating bands. First, Corrine addresses the philosophies guiding the creation...

Adi Yeshaya is an in-demand arranger and composer whose has done work for Whitney Houston, Prince, Lena Horne and more. In the Twin Cities Yeshaya might be best known for his longtime collaboration with Debbie Duncan. After Duncan's passing in 2020 Adi started to revisit the charts he had worked up during their decades of collaboration. With these arrangements and some new ones in hand, Yeshaya an...

Starting his professional career in the late 70s and staying vital and relevant up to today, Kenny Garrett truly bridges generations as a jazz icon. Frequently recognized as the greatest alto player of his generation, Garrett is also a generational talent as a composer. Check out the conversation between Kenny Garrett and Sean McPherson as they discuss his upcoming shows at the Dakota on February...

How is Minneapolis Public Schools celebrating Black History Month? MPS Voices Executive Producer Manny Hill chats with MPS Engagement Specialist Tiki Blackamore about a couple events that have happened already, and what else is coming up, including an upcoming production for MPS Voices.

Peter Solomon spoke with Cathy McLeer, State Director for AARP Minnesota about the Twin Cities Winter Jazz Fest.

The Ancia Saxophone Quartet showcases its new CD in upcoming performances. This Wednesday, February 22, the show is at 12 noon, at Landmark Center in Saint Paul, and sponsored by the Shubert Club. Next Friday, the performance is at Westminster Hall in Minneapolis at 12 noon. Joan Hutton of the Ancia Saxophone Quartet talked with Phil Nusbaum about the group, and about one of Ancia’s chief concerns...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with singer Jamecia Bennett about her concert Friday, February 23rd at the Ordway, which she says will celebrate the the evolution of music from African roots to jazz, blues, and soul. Bennett is a resident artist at the Ordway.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with trumpeter Scotty Barnhart, the leader of the Basie Orchestra for the past twenty years. Barnhart discusses his early exposure to music at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, how he came to play the trumpet, how he felt the first time he heard the Basie Orchestra, the background behind his Grammy-winning album "Basie Swings the Blues," and what to expect from the...

Though performing his own originals and doing tributes is still on the menu for Bruce A. Henry, in recent years he has gravitated towards shows where he explores facets of the African-American experience through music. Though educational, these performances are also engaging and electrifying. The key to maintaining that balance is Henry's personal investment in learning history from all corners of...

Sam Keenan of MN Jazz Tracks interviewed Tim Sparks before his January show at the Dakota. He talks about his new album, "Lost and Found" and the state of being a musician in this new digital age. Sparks' new album comes out the life of a touring musician. Currently touring with a group of guitarists this album comes from getting ready for this tour.  Ben Abrahamson plays on this new album and as...

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...