Jazz88

The OK Factor is ten years old and to celebrate, it has issued a new CD called OKX. The celebration will be at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis this Saturday April 1, with the doors opening at 7 and the show starting at 8. Now, as in the beginning, the OK Factor touches multiple musical traditions during the course of any performance. The group members are cellist Olivia Diercks and violinist Ka...

We’re at a rehearsal of violinist Gary Schulte and pianist Rick Carlson of the Hemingway project. Along with bassist Graydon Peterson, the group plows the fertile field of Paris Jazz between the two world wars. Author Ernest Hemingway was a Paris presence at the time. As we join the rehearsal, Rick is speaking from his seat at the keyboard. They’re getting ready for a show at Crooners Supper Club...

While he was in Minneapolis Christian McBride was nice enough to connect with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise to discuss his upcoming performances in the Twin Cities, his love and support for all things jazz and his work on Jazz Night in America.

Acclaimed poet and educator Desdamona stopped by Jazz88 to discuss her work with TruArt Speaks and the upcoming relaunch of their acclaimed Re-Verb Open Mic series.

Guitarist John Penny Is in touch with many jazz styles, and he uses many as sources for his new compositions. Also, when John performs, he offers insights into the cultural backgrounds that helped shaped Jazz stylistic development in different places and eras. When John Penny talked to Phil Nusbaum, John was reflecting on his appreciation for varied Jazz styles.

The Mental Health Department at Minneapolis Public Schools is set to host the next Caregiver Institute, coming up Monday March 20 at Olson Middle School. Jazz88's Manny Hill talks with MPS Mental Health Support Specialist Annie Loch and two students from Olson Middle about how the Caregiver Institute will focus on helping children cultivate joy when coping with grief and loss. Yhe event is free to...

Minneapolis Public Schools is hosting its 2nd Check It Out Chess Tournament, coming up on Saturday March 25 at Bancroft Elementary School! Jazz88's Manny Hill caught up with MPS Student Engagement Coordinator Jenny Delaney and MPS student Ian to talk about the upcoming chess tournament, and how these tournaments were formed.

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.