Jazz88

Brian Wicklund grew up playing bluegrass, but is best known for the Barley Jacks, a group that combines bluegrass with other idioms. Brian’s daughter, Clara plays with Blue Hazard, which also combines bluegrass with other forms, but in a way very different than the Barley Jacks. The Barley Jacks share the stage with Blue Hazard at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis, 7PM next Saturday October 15. I...

What's happening at Minneapolis Public Schools in the month of October? Plenty! Manny Hill talks with MPS Interim Superintendent Rochelle Cox about Latino Heritage Month, and Indigenous People's Day and how the district will be celebrating and honoring both. Also, what's the latest on Parent/Teacher Conferences, and the search for a Permanent Superintendent?

Manny Hill talks with Sara Eugene, Coordinator of Culinary and Wellness at Minneapolis Public Schools, about why it's important for all families of MPS students to apply for Education Benefits, even if they don't believe they qualify. Sara explains what Ed Benefits are, and some important dates coming up.

The First Annual Solidarity Harvest features local artists who met at the crossroads that became known as George Floyd Square. They congregated out of wanting to do something to respond to Floyd’s Murder. Violinist Raycurt Johnson was a catalyst getting music going. Then the Brass Solidarity Band, kept on playing, and other performers emerged. Raycurt Johnson told Phil Nusbaum about it.

Minneapolis sax man Steve Clarke has been a major musical figure for decades. His long time band is the Working Stiffs. Keys to his success are his family background, and loving providing what audiences want. When Phil Nusbaum spoke with Steve, Phil saw the title “Joan’s Jump,” and asked Steve about Joan.

The celebrated vocalist Kendra Morris, who is out on the road at the moment with labelmates Monophonics, hopped on a ZOOM to chat with Christian Fritz in advance of her upcoming show at the Fine Line.

Kelly Finnigan, the leader of Monophonics, connected via ZOOM with Christian Fritz in advance of the Monophonics show coming on October 3 at the Fine Line in Minneapolis.

The 2022 Twin Cities Iranian Culture Festival takes place this Friday through Sunday at Squirrel Haus in Minneapolis. It presents music and other aspects of Iranian culture. Jeremy Iggers is executive director of the Twin Cities Iranian Culture Collective, and he told Phil Nusbaum about the breadth of music at this weekend’s festival.

It’s both a bio about a pop music icon and a rock and roll concert. Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story runs all October at the History Theatre, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2. Phil Nusbaum had a chance to talk to Nicholas Freeman, who plays Buddy Holly, and Gary Rue who serves as the show’s music director. First, Nicholas speaks as a singer of the appeal to him of Buddy Holly’s mus...

The musical icon Jellybean Johnson swung through Jazz88 to talk blues, museums and the greatness of the Twin Cities music scene.

The Minnesota-based music icon Nachito Herrera hopped on the phone with Jazz88's Sean McPherson to discuss his upcoming performance at The Ordway. He'll be playing with a 7-piece band featuring the cream of the crop from the Cuban music scene. Enjoy the conversation about what concert-goers can expect from the show.

William Eddins, the accomplished pianist, conductor and the proprietor of Metronome Brewery was nice enough to take some time out of his schedule to talk about his gig this weekend. Mr. Eddins will be conducting both the Minnesota Orchestra and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for their performances at Orchestra Hall. In this conversation you'll learn about how William approaches the preparati...

Manny Hill talks with Franklin Middle School teacher and Founder of the Future Boys and Girls Program Michael Bratsch, AKA "Mr. B", about the origins of the program, and their latest project "We Can Do Better".

Daina de Prez calls herself a piano entertainer, and that’s what she does. Sure, she plays with groups, too, but her main focus is singing and playing songs that make her the center of attention in a club. When Daina talked to Phil Nusbaum, she first addressed the expectations clubs and audiences have of her.

The death of Peter Ostroushko on February 24, 2021 left a void in Minnesota. This coming Monday, many of Peter’s friends and musical partners from A Prairie Home Companion, recording sessions and performances celebrate the Peter Ostroushko legacy. Singer Prudence Johnson is also playing a major role in planning the event. Prudence told Phil Nusbaum about what it was like when she asked people if t...

Lucibela, a rising star and vocalist from Cape Verde was nice enough to stop by Jazz88 before her show at the Cedar Cultural Center on Friday September 16.

Julian Lage is out on the road in support of his new Blue Note release "View with A Room". He's swinging through the Dakota in Minneapolis on Saturday, September 17 and he was nice enough to connect with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise and discuss Bill Frisell's contributions to the album, the history of jazz guitar, his relationship with Dave King and much more.

Charlie Maguire has been writing songs he sings in performances for a half century. He specializes in songs about working people and their work. This Saturday night at 8 PM at the Ginkgo Coffee House in St Paul, Charlie will sing a program of some of his finest. When Charlie sat down with Phil Nusbaum, Charlie first addressed how he got started.

Rochelle Cox took over as Interim Superintendent at Minneapolis Public Schools back in July, and spent most of this summer preparing for the 2022-23 school year. With the new year underway this week, there have been noticeable changes, along with some big plans ahead. Manny Hill discusses the busy first week with Superintendent Cox, and also those noticable changes that are on the horizon.

John Scofield is out on the road with his band supporting his new self-titled release. He was nice enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to visit with Sean McPherson from the Afternoon Cruise.

It began when Singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke started working with cellist Rebecca Arons. Then came an arranger and a host of others, and then a whole new sound. Rebecca, the cellist, talked with Phil Nusbaum about The Cello Songs Project performance next Wednesday at 7:30 PM at the Dakota in Minneapolis. After a snip of Cello songs music, Rebecca addresses the early days of the Cello Songs Proje...

Acclaimed vocalist was nice enough to connect with Jazz88's Sean McPherson in advance of her duo show on Thursday, September 1 at The Dakota. Check out the whole conversation here.

Maryanne Sullivan has teamed up with the Twin Cities Seven to perform some of the highlights of the swing era. Catch the Group at Crooner’s Supper Club Friday Night September 2. But the show will present more than the best-known sing numbers. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Maryann explained how her jazz radio career benefitted her song-picking skills.

The Foxgloves is a 6-piece all woman Twin Cities Bluegrass / Americana group. When Nikki Lemire and Steph Snow of the Foxgloves talked about the group with Phil Nusbaum, Nikki first addressed determining the group’s genre label.

Zacc Harris is celebrating the legacy of Pat Martino on Thursday August 25 at Crooner's. He hopped on the Afternoon Cruise to discuss Martino's influence in the jazz world.