Jazz88

Take That Back is a group that plays the compositions of Joan Hutton and Sue Orfield, and plays Jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis, Saturday December 3 at 8PM. But to Joan and Sue, it’s really much more than their compositions. When Sue and Joan talked to Phil Nusbaum, Joan made clear how important are Ted Godbout on piano, Kameron Markworth on bass and Dave Schmalenberger on drums.

Jenny Klukken takes the marimba into unexpected musical places. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Jenny talked about her distinct musical path.

Charmin Michelle takes the stage at the Dunsmore Room at Crooner’s this Saturday November 26. Charmin will be paying tribute to Jazz legend, singer Billie Holliday. When Charmin sat down with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the show, Charmin told Phil that Billie Holliday has always meant a lot to her.

Charmin Michelle takes the stage at the Dunsmore Room at Crooner’s this Saturday November 26. Charmin will be paying tribute to Jazz legend, singer Billie Holliday. When Charmin sat down with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the show, Charmin told Phil that Billie Holliday has always meant a lot to her.

Monday is the night for the jazz series at the Icehouse in Minneapolis. On Monday November 21, it’s two groups that feature free improvisation. Phil Nusbaum spoke Michelle Kinney of Herbaceous and Alma Engebretson of Creatures of Prometheus. Both are composers. Phil asked Alma, first, how can you compose music that is free and improvised.

Is your child is new to Minneapolis Public Schools? Or are you just looking to enroll your child into a different school in the district next year? Shakur Ali of the MPS Enrollment department talks with Jazz88's Manny Hill about all the information you need to know to get started, and why February 7th will be an important date to remember.

Looking to help a family this holiday season? There's a great opportunity to do so with a really cool event happening at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis starting the weekend after Thanksgiving. Jazz88's Manny Hill talks with Roosevelt Senior Ivy Mills about her role with Operation Holiday Basket, and how the event originated. Ivy also has info on how you can help.

Graydon Peterson leads Thoughtcast into the Icehouse in Minneapolis to celebrate the group’s new CD. Jake Baldwin plays the trumpet, Ben Erlich is the drummer, Joe Strachan is the keyboardist and Graydon Peterson is the bassist. All ten compositions are Peterson’s When Graydon talked to Phil Nusbaum, Graydon addressed his inspiration for the pieces

Early Childhood Screening is underway this month at Minneapolis Public Schools. Jazz88's Manny Hill talks with Wanda Felder, MPS Early Childhood Education Program Facilitator about why now is the time for MPS families to sign their child up for Screening.

For Curtis and Loretta, the Covid Pandemic was a time for reflection and composing new songs. Many of the songs are on the new CD, Lift The World. The duet celebrates the CD at an event at the Ginkgo in Saint Pau Saturday November 19 at 8PM. When Curtis and Loretta talked to Phil Nusbaum, Loretta spoke of the title song, Lift the World.

Aaron Kerr’s new opera captures the spirit of the times of the assassination of President Kennedy and resignation of President Nixon. Inspired by TV news copy saved over the decades, the work is called Kennedy Nixon UPI AP. It’ll be staged at Zion Lutheran Church in St Paul, Friday November 18 at 7PM. When Aaron talked to Phil Nusbaum about this most unusual opera which involves TV news copy, a na...

The American Roots Revue, staged November 12 at the Dakota in Minneapolis, comes from an idea of Larry Long. The show brings together Robert Robinson, Tonia Hughes Kendrick, Claudia Schmidt Larry Long and others to celebrate of the artists’ songs and musical cultures. Michael Bland, who has worked with Prince and many other musical luminaries leads the band. When Phil Nusbaum got together with Lar...

What's happening in the month of November at Minneapolis Public Schools? Interim Superintendent Rochelle Cox shares all with Jazz88's Manny Hill, including the launch of a unique observatory at Hall STEM Academy, what the district has planned for Election Day, National American Indian Involvement Week and much more!

The guitarist Marc Ribot was nice enough to catch up with the Afternoon Cruise in advance of his upcoming show at the Cedar. Ribot discussed his love of solo performance, his short lived tenure in Brother Jack McDuff's band and his close associations with the No-Wave scene in New York City.

Award-winning music icon Vijay Iyer was nice enough to join Sean McPherson from the Afternoon Cruise in anticipation of his Thursday show at The Dakota. In this interview Iyer discusses his new record, Uneasy, his love of the piano trio format and his approach to teaching.

For almost twenty-five years, Ticket to Brasil has been putting fresh spins on Brazilian music. The 6-piece plays at Crooners this Friday at 4PM, and the Bossa Nova trio this Sunday at the Metronome in St Paul at 4PM. Till now, when Ticket to Brasil has performed original music, they have been the work of leader Pavel Jany. But Pavel tells Phil Nusbaum that the singer, Natania Kamin, has become a...

Minneapolis-based vibes player Dave Hagedorn plays with Miguel Espinoza of Colorado at the Parkway Theater this Tuesday evening. The group plays flamenco fusion. This is the latest musical adventure for Hagedorn. When he spoke with Phil Nusbaum recently, Dave first talked about his local group with drummer Phil Hey and bassist Chris Bates.

Can a diverse teaching workforce improve student achievement in diverse schools? Metropolitan State University hopes to train a new generation of educators with their Urban Teacher program. Metro State's Victor Cole spoke with Miss Margaret on The Morning Show Wednesday, October 26th.

Luke Leblanc’s ’s new CD, Fugue State reflects Luke’s concern about the polarization seen everywhere today. The formal CD release is at the Icehouse in Minneapolis, Friday October 28. At 8PM, Ellis Cleve opens the show, and then it Luke holds forth. According to Luke the trouble today is more than political, but reaches into personal conversations, as he told Phil Nusbaum.

Scottie Miller’s latest musical project is a book of Scottie’s poetry and a CD of some of the poems set to music. The music ranges from blues and jazz to string quartets. Some call the combination of performed poems with music, beat poetry. The book and CD are titled Carnival Cocoon, and Scottie’s release event is Wednesday October 26 at the Dakota in Minneapolis. In a conversation with Phil Nusba...

In anticipation of his Saturday show at Jazz Central, saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree hopped on a ZOOM with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise to talk about new album, Golden Rule.

Kevin Washington views himself as an artist in the tradition of Pharaoh Sanders and john and Alice Coltrane, of spirituality and healing. Kevin leads Ra Spirit into the live and online Walker West Community Music Series 7PM, Friday Oct 21. When Kevin talked to Phil Nusbaum about Ra Spirit, the talk turned to Journey to the Light, a Kevin Washington original composed in sections.

Jazz88's Manny Hill talks with Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education Chair Kim Ellison about the latest in the search for a permanent Superintendent for the district, and how the Minneapolis community will be involved.

Gypsy Mania, also known as Hot Club Mania shares the bill with the Red Hot Django Peppers 7:30 PM, Sunday October 23 at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. Guitarist Glen Helgeson of Gypsy Mania talked to Phil Nusbaum about the show. Glen said that the two bands take different approaches to Hot Club music with The Red Hot Django Peppers representing a more traditional approach.

Simple Gifts featuring Billy McLaughlin presents Harvest at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis, Sunday October 16 at 7PM. The show re-imagines songs of Neil Young, sung by Carin Vagle, Karen Paurus and Amy Courts, with a Celtic twist added by Laura MacKenzie, all under Bill McLaughlin’s direction. Phil Nusbaum sat down with members of the production, and when he did, Billy first addressed how this...