Jazz88

Dear Lenny: Bernstein’s Life in Songs and Letters pays tribute to the multi-dimensional Leonard Bernstein. The production features some of his vast catalog of musical creations, plus his correspondence with family members and other musical luminaries. The production comes to Crooner’s in Fridley, Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 5 PM. We join Phil Nusbaum with the show’s performers.

PK Mayo, aka Paul Mayasich continues his tradition of creating music in multiple styles on his new CD, entitled Simple Search for Truth. In Mayo’s conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Paul talked about some of the CD songs.

The Ben Ehrlich Quartet performs at Jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis Friday night October 22 at 8PM. Ben plays the drums, and other group members are Nelson Devereaux, tenor sax; Will Kjeer, pno; and bassist Charlie Lincoln Ben is in his studio, and he’s teaching today. Before a student arrives, he’s warming up his drum chops.

Jenny Klukken takes the marimba into unexpected musical places. She’s at the Ice House in Minneapolis Wednesday October 20 at 8PM. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Jenny talked about her distinct musical path.

Sax man Steve Clarke has been a major musical figure in our town and beyond for decades. He’ll be leading the Working Stiffs into the Dakota, 7PM Thursday October 14. When Phil Nusbaum spoke with Steve, Phil saw the title “Joan’s Jump,” and asked Steve about Joan.

Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Ed Graff talks with Manny Hill about the effects of the ongoing pandemic on MPS and how it has impacted transportation around the district.

Reynold Philipsek’s new EP was created in the midst of social unrest and a pandemic. When Reynold talked with Phil Nusbaum, Reynold filled us in on the details of the music – society connections.

The Barley jacks with Brian Wicklund mixes bluegrass and old-time string band styles with other idioms like no other band. This coming Saturday night at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis at 8 PM, the Barley Jacks performs songs from its new songs. Brian Wicklund talked with Phil Nusbaum about the Barley Jacks, and first told why he formed the group way back when.

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.

Patty Peterson spoke with Karrin Allyson about her upcoming concerts at Crooners Supper Club on Oct 1, & 2nd. 2021. They talked about the show and Karrin's motivation for writing music.

Patty and the Buttons recently resumed playing their 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. He knew that from March 2021, when Patty and the Buttons held forth in the cold at the Lake Harriet bandshell.

Kendra Glenn started singing as a young kid in Chicago. She has blossomed into a busy upper midwest soulful singer who also writes some of her songs. Kendra sings Friday and Saturday October 1 and 2 at the Umbra in Minneapolis. When she spoke with Phil Nusbaum, Kendra first addressed her early interest in singing.

Luigi Romolo, State Climatologist with the MN Department of Natural Resources talks about the arrival of Autumnal Equinox, Meteorological vs Astronomical seasons and when you need to think about bringing your plants inside with The Morning Show on Jazz88

The new song by NUNNABOVE is called “Connection.” NUNNABOVE is a group of four brothers and sisters from Woodbury who perform and record their own brand of pop. When Phil Nusbaum visited with the group, the talked turned to how NUNNABOVE fans were really liking the musical introduction to Connection.

Gypsy Mania plays the standards of Gypsy Jazz. But guitarist Glen Helgeson composes music that makes Gypsy Mania’s Gypsy jazz a singular contribution to the music. Phil Nusbaum talked to Glen, and when he did, they were talking about Minor Swing, a Gypsy Jazz calling card tune.

The Twin Cities Jazz Festival is held September 17 and 18 this fall and is live at multiple venues and available virtually, too. When festival director Steve Heckler sat down with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the festival, they first addressed how the festival selects acts.

Recent songs by PaviElle French reflect her deep disappointment with the deep cultural rifts that came to the forefront with the George Floyd Murder in 2020. The release of her new songs coincides with a performance at the Icehouse in Minneapolis, Friday September 17 at 7PM. When PaviElle discussed the songs with Phil Nusbaum, she first tells where the inspiration for cultural commentary comes fro...

The Selby Avenue Jazz Fest is live, Saturday September 11 from 11 AM till 7:30 PM. As usual, Michael Wright, owner of the Golden Thyme Coffee and Cafe, and David Bonko combine to produce it. This year, the headliner is International artist Nachito Herrera from Saint Paul. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Michael addressed how the fest got Nachito to perform.

Inducting two classes of honorees given the necessary year off in 2020, we hear from Art Resnick, Donald Washington, Kenny Horst, Carole Martin, Ron Seaman, Dick Peterson, Ruth Johnson and Maurice Jacox.

The annual Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival, held 1-7 PM on Labor Day at Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis presents the best of local bluegrass, plus. When festival organizer Alan Jesperson talked to Phil Nusbaum about the event, the talk turned to one of the festival groups, King Wilkie’s Dream.

Manny Hill talks with Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Ed Graff about the upcoming school year, what students can expect and prepare for upon returning to school, health and safety protocols, and transportation around the district.

When Leslie Vincent sings, it’s not only the song, but the audience. She performs at the Granada in Minneapolis, Friday night September 3 at 7:30 pm. When Leslie spoke with Phil Nusbaum, she opened up about her thought process.

Salsa is where musical virtuosity meets great dancing. Shai Hayo plays timbales and leads this Minneapolis/Saint Paul-based band. He spoke with Phil Nusbaum about the approach taken by Salsa del Soul.

The Principal of the new MPS Online School Shawntel Jenkins talks with Manny Hill about the upcoming launch of the school this fall, how it came to fruition, and what parents who want to enroll their child in the school can expect.

Manny Hill speaks with the Executive Director of Transportation for Minneapolis Public School Lisa Beck about the district redesign and how it impacts the transporting of students to and from schools at MPS. Also discussion on the shortage of bus drivers.