Jazz88

Pianist Patrick Adkins’ Quartet takes inspiration from Keith Jarrett’s American Quartet. That includes covers as well or original music that Patrick writes. The group performs at an 8PM show at KJ’s Hideaway in St Paul, Saturday April 29. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Patrick talked about the qualities of the American quartet that guide his group’s playing.

Local songwriter Amanda Walbridge has released a bluegrass CD called “Sunshine in the Valley. All of the songs on Sunshine in the Valley are Amanda Walbridge originals. The songs on “Sunshine in the Valley” tell stories. But also, the individual songs are linked to tell a bigger story. In a recent conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Amanda talked about her process for sequencing the songs on Sunshine...

Willie West hopped on the phone with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise to chat about his upcoming show at Crooners and the re-release of his record "The Soul Sessions".

Jazzen highlights the Native American flute as played by Bobb Fantauzzo with cellist Aaron Kerr and percussionist Derrin Pinto. In much of it’s recent music, Jazzen works from some basic musical phrases, which the trio uses as a basis for improvisation. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Bobb Fantauzzo gave a little of Jazzen’s history, and then told about how the trio works.

Dakota Dave hull is known for his finger-style guitar playing. But on his new CD, Better Late Than Never, Dave explores the guitar – banjo, an instrument with a banjo body and guitar neck. When Phil Nusbaum talked to Dave, Phil asked Dave where his interest in the guitar –banjo comes from.

Lakecia Benjamin connected via ZOOM with Afternoon Cruise host Sean McPherson to chat about her new record "Phoenix" and her rising star in the music world.

Barbaro plays the bluegrass instruments, but group members have backgrounds in other areas. The result is a constantly evolving mix of musical elements. Barbaro performs Saturday night April 15 at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis, sharing the night with Rachel Baiman. Doors open at 7, and the show is at 8. Phil Nusbaum spoke with Barbaro violinist Rachel Calvert about the Barbaro approach.

The Collin Roycroft Quartet plays the Emerging Talent series at jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis next Thursday at 8PM. At the show, Collin and the band will give its spins to great Jazz created over recent decades. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Collin addressed the tune Flamenco Sketches, which has nothing to do with Flamenco music or dance.

Joan Hutton and Sue Orfield came through the Afternoon Cruise to chat about their new record "Take That Back" and their upcoming show this Friday at Crooners.

Thomasina Petrus sings in tribute of Jazz icon Billie Holiday. But Thomasina’s kind of tribute is to sing great songs as Billie might have sung them. The concert is Sunday April 9 at the Dakota at 6PM. Then Thomasina plays Billie in a stage production Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, starting April 21 at the Yellow Tree Theater in Osseo. Thomasina talked with Phil Nusbaum, but first, Thomasina...

Jennifer Grimm and Joe Cruz play and sing great songs. They perform with Joe’s guitar and Jennifer’s percussion, and the sound is made fuller through their electronic gear. The duet plays Saturday and Sunday April 7-8 at Umbra in Minneapolis at 7PM. Joe and Jennifer are married, but they say they are most comfortable when on stage together.

Patty Peterson stopped by the Afternoon Cruise to discuss the Minnesota Jazz Legends event coming up on Sunday. Dive into this interview to get a glimpse of what goes into producing an event like Minnesota Jazz Legends. And we'll see you there on Sunday!

In preparation for their show on Saturday April 1, 2023 at Dakota, Jay Young brought down his son and fellow bassist Ian Young as well as celebrated vocalist Ginger Commodore to discuss the Lyric Factory project.

Immanuel Wilkins visited the Afternoon Cruise in advance of his performance at Dakota on Wednesday April 5. This interview was produced and edited by Autumn Haeg.

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!