Jazz88

Julius Collins and Brian Ziemniak of Doctor Mambo's Combo came through Jazz Futures to talk about their upcoming Birthday Tribute to Prince. The show is called "Forever in My Life" and it's at Parkway Theater in South Minneapolis on June 7.

Minneapolis Public Schools' Career & Technical Education (CTE) is an academic program available to all 10-12 grade MPS students interested in earning college credit or receiving job certifications for free. Jazz88's Manny Hill is joined by MPS CTE Principal Michael Luseni for an in-depth conversation about the various pathways with CTE, and how students can enroll for the 2023-24 school year.

Minneapolis Public Schools is set to host another Mental Health Caregiver Institute on Saturday June 3, open to all MPS familites to attend. Jazz88's Manny Hill talks with Program Coordinator Yolonda Rogers about what attendees can expect at Saturday's event, and how families can sign up if they have not already.

A group of prominent music North Side Minneapolis music people are creating a Minneapolis Sound Museum. Sure there is Paisley Park which documents Prince, they say, but what about the other talented players who created the famed Minneapolis Sound. On June 7 at 6PM, the Capri Theater on West Broadway hosts a fund raiser for Museum with a featured panel who’ll discuss the Minneapolis Sound. Drummer...

The Southwest High School of Minneapolis showcases its Jazz Big Band and Jazz Combos, Thursday June first at the school. The show features not only the Southwest High School jazz groups, but the local After Hours Big Band. The Southwest bands are directed by Reid Wixson, who had a chance to talk with Phil Nusbaum about his groups and Jazz Education. Jazz Education is more than learning to play, bu...

Brandon Commodore, the leader of the NRG project, stopped by the Afternoon Cruise to chat about his concert on May 26 at The Commons in downtown Minneapolis.

Celebrated producer and saxophonist Terrace Martin hopped onto a ZOOM with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise to discuss his upcoming run of shows at the Dakota. During the conversation Martin shared his deep knowledge of the Twin Cities music scene, including gracing the stage of Arnellia's in St. Paul and taking in a performance at JT's Jazz Implosion at the Turf Club.

Summer is approaching fast, and that means Minneapolis Public Schools' Summer Scholars Programs are as well. Jazz88's Manny Hill talks with MPS Community Ed Program Director William Baker about what families can expect with Summer Scholars in 2023, the available programs, and how families can sign up. Also, William shares some of the other exciting programs and opportunities happening on the North...

The celebrated mc and activist Lewiee Blaze visited the studios of Jazz88 to discuss his upcoming performance at Purple Day. This annual celebration of "The Purple One" aka Prince, brings together some of the best and brightest of the Twin Cities music scene for a great community event.

The celebrated harp player Brandee Younger is preparing for a visit to the Dakota for a headlining show on 5/23. She hopped on the phone with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise to discuss the show, her recent album and the influence of the harpist Dorothy Ashby on Younger's work.

Minnesota-based trumpet player Jake Baldwin swung through the studios of Jazz88 to discuss garnering a 4 star review for his latest Shifting Paradigm release in Downbeat Magazine!

Sherry Minnick Sings with Mikkel Beckmen’s Percussion Thursday Night at the 331 Club in Northeast Minneapolis

Byron Stripling, a nationally acclaimed trumpet player and conductor, swung by The Afternoon Cruise to discuss his upcoming season-opening show with the JazzMN Orchestra on May 23.

Sloane Martin, a broadcaster with the Minnesota Lynx, swung by the Jazz88 studio to talk about the upcoming season which gets started on May 19 with a home game against the Chicago Sky.

In-demand drummer and bandleader LA Buckner swung by the Jazz88 studios to discuss his upcoming show at Indeed Brewing for the Art-A-Whirl festival, Whirlygig.

Chadwick 'Niles' Phillips stopped by the studio to discuss his involvement with ComMUSICation, a program founded in 2013 to provide high-quality afterschool music programs accessible to youth. The group is celebrating their 10th anniversary on Sunday May 21 at the Ordway in St. Paul.

Ambrose Akinmusire is getting ready for a two night stand at the Walker Art Center on May 19 and 20. He's been working on new music and figuring out how to balance his music work with his well-being. Listen for a conversation between Ambrose Akinmusire and Sean McPherson before attending the shows.

Geoff Jones’ bio includes singing in Sounds of Blackness, with several Penumbra Theater productions, and his was the voice of John Henry in a Walt Disney product. His singing repertoire spans decades of pop, and includes standards, soul and gospel, and others. Geoff is teaming up with guitarist John DellaSelva for an evening of great songs at Flying Dutchman Spirits in Eden Prairie, Saturday May 2...

A promising group of middle school girls came through the Jazz88 studios to premiere their new single "Be Positive" and discuss their upcoming performance at Viva City at South High. Thanks to Mr. B and Adrian Davis for bringing the students and thanks to Angel Williams, Shakira McMorris, Trinity Boyd, Kaleidra Stone, Arianna Harris, Kylie Lee and Vee Born Burnham for visiting us.

Mushroom expert Melany Kahn visits on the joys of mushroom foraging, especially with kids. She will present public events this Thursday and Friday around the Twin Cities area and show off her new children's book, "Mason Goes Mushrooming."

Edison High School Jazz Band directed by Lesley Earles teams with Funk band The Good The Bad and the Funky for a 7PM performance at Edison on Tuesday May 23. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Lesley told of what she’s getting across to the high school players during rehearsals.

Pete Whitman, the celebrated Minnesota-based saxophonist and composer swung by the Afternoon Cruise to discuss his upcoming show leading and conducting the South High Jazz Band on May 24. This podcast was edited by Autumn Haeg.

Vocalist Jireh Calo and Guitarist Daniel Volovets formed a musical partnership based on shared interests. The two combine musical genres in ways that are unexpected, but ring true. Jireh and Daniel will perform together for the first time May 17 at the Cedar in Minneapolis. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Daniel told how he and Jireh met.

The in-demand, Twin Cities based keyboard player Kavyesh Kaviraj came through the studios of Jazz88 to talk about the importance of working as a side person, his approach to leading bands and his upcoming show at the Dakota.

Steve Heckler and Dayna Martinez swung by the Afternoon Cruise to chat about The Twin Cities Jazz Festival. They covered details on the MPS Voices Youth Stage as well as provided highlights from all Jazz Fest has to offer.