Jazz88

Sophia Shorai has always sung jazz standards. But her songwriting goes way back in her career, too. The songs she writes are not necessarily jazz, and Sophia is featuring her originals more and more during her sets. Catch Sofia Shorai at the Dakota in Minneapolis, Monday August 22 at 7PM. When Sophia talked to Phil Nusbaum, Phil asked Sophia about her songwriting.

As the name implies, The Imminent Standards play standards. But of course they put their own twists on the tunes. Catch the Imminent Standards Saturday night at 8PM at KJ’s Hideaway in Saint Paul. Trombonist JC Sanford is the group’s leader. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, JC addressed providing musical variety.

Ben Sidran is rolling through town for a two night stand on Friday August 19 and Saturday August 20 at Crooners. He was nice enough to hop on a ZOOM and chat with Sean McPherson about his new album and his upcoming shows.

The jazz legend and Jazz88 broadcaster Butch Thompson passed away on Sunday 08/14/22. This is the audio of the tribute to Butch Thompson from 8/16/22 during the Afternoon Cruise with Tony Baluff (Southside Aces) and Sean McPherson (Jazz88).

Each year, Jazz 88 presents a graduating senior who participated and excelled in the radio/creative media production course at North High School with the Art Colberg scholarship. This year, two Colberg Scholarships were awarded, and Manny Hill talks with one of them, Kyree Wilson. Kyree shares her experience in radio class, and also where she's headed for college this fall.

Mary Overlie and Geoffrey Taylor have different types of musical backgrounds, but their family connection brings them together. Theirs is a mix of lyric songs and instrumental playing that defies categorization, yet does not seem far out. The duet is called Augmeanted, and it performs this Saturday at 7PM at Studio Z in Saint Paul. When Mary talked to Phil Nusbaum, she talked about how Augmeanted...

Pianist Larry McDonough and guitarist Joel Shapira are known for their complementary duet style. It’s much like that of pianist Bill Evans and guitarist Jim Hall. This Monday at 7PM at the Dakota in Minneapolis, Larry and Joel present a program of Bill Evans and Jim Hall music, and release a new CD entirely of Bill Evans and Jim Hall music. But why re-do Bill Evans and Jim Hall? That’s the questio...

After 24 years of coaching boys high school basketball in Minneapolis, Larry McKenzie has decided it's time to put away the whistle and clipboard. Manny Hill talks with Coach McKenzie about why now was the time to step away and focus on other aspects of life, and also the lasting impact he's had on the Northside community of Minneapolis.

Cathy ‘n Abel have a unique niche. The duet curates popular songs from the last fifty years or so that sound good using voice and guitar. Plus, they keep in mind the reference points of the Latino community. When Cathy ‘n Abel talked to Phil Nusbaum, Cathy put the mission this way.

Rachel Kurtz has been singing her whole life and gets everything behind her performances. When Rachel talked with Phil Nusbaum, she talked about the connections between her life and her songs.

Pavielle is releasing a new documentary that tracks the making of her album, Sovereign. Check out the extended conversation between Pavielle and Jazz88's Sean McPherson.

Patty and the Buttons performs for Sunday Swing Brunches at the Aster Care in Minneapolis. It’s on every week from 11 AM to 2 PM. Accordionist Patty Harison leads the group, and he knew that the audience would come back once the darkest days of the pandemic were gone. He knew that from March 2021, when Patty and the Buttons held forth in the cold at the Lake Harriet bandshell.

Red Planet is composed of three great improvisers, drummer Jay Epstein, bassist Chris Bates and electric guitarist Dean Magraw. The Trio performs at 7PM this coming Tuesday at the Metronome, located across the street from the north side of St Paul’s Farmer’s Market. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Dean told Phil Nusbaum of the inspiration for forming the group.

Theo Croker connected with Sean from This Just In to talk about his new record "Love Quantum" and recommend a couple artists he's been listening to lately. Check out the full conversation right here!

Dr. Barbara Bridges of Art to Change the World on the Age of Age exhibit, closing 7/30/21

We spoke to MN Department of Natural Resources State Climatologist Luigi Romolo about the dry weather this season.

Margo Ashmore of the Northeaster Newspaper joins The Mornings Show to highlight some Fringe Festival Shows, plus details on one artist using discarded rope and plastic to make entirely new creations

Overview of this weekend's FLOW Northside Arts Cral

The Roots Rock band Red Eye Ruby celebrates its new CD, the Ruby EP, at the Hook and ladder in Minneapolis, Friday night July 29. Red Eye Ruby is led by Ruby Blue, who writes the songs. Ruby explained to Phil Nusbaum that for her, songwriting is a way of expressing how she feels about things.

Wain McFarlane is a transcendent Minnesota musician. Wain figured prominently is the famed Ipso Facto, and he’s still touring widely with his eclectic musical fusion. Wain is also known as the Dreadlock Cowboy, but his shows are even more eclectic that that sounds. Wain brings it all to the Dakota in Minneapolis Tuesday July 26 at 7PM, and recently stopped to talk with Phil Nusbaum about the show.

We spoke to State Climatologist Luigi Romolo from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources about Heat advisories and warnings and listed some of the thresholds for this alerts to be issued.

Hear Scotty Barnhart talk about the upcoming show at Crooner's alongside a discussion about the role of trumpet in jazz and Scotty's take on the most important jazz musician of all time.

We spoke with Noor Adwan about her article in the Sahan Journal on the Urban Bird Collective and their work to close the nature gap by spreading the love of birding to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities

No Room For Squares is a be-bop era tune originally released by iconic tenor saxophone Hank Mobley. And No Room For Squares is also the name of the local be-bop band led by drummer Bill Stieger. The group plays at 8PM this Saturday at KJ’s Hideaway in Saint Paul. When Bill talked to Phil Nusbaum, Bill explained why No Room For Squares is the name of the band.

We check in with Ali about great places to grab all kinds of seafood, plus his thoughts on so of the new dishes you can grab at the state fair this year.