Jazz88

Ben Abrahamson is a finger-style guitarist with a knack for integrating multiple world and personal styles into his own playing. In an interview with Phil Nusbaum, Ben told of his first major influence, Leo Kotke.

Kerry Casserly is the artistic director of Lundstrum Performing Arts. She talks about Dancemania! for special needs students, starting Wednesday, Jan. 13.

Jan Haugrud is with LSS Behavioral Health and talks about beating the "winter blues" in Minnesota.

Zeitgeist’s latest work is a composition commissioned to banjoist Paul Elwood, 44 Smokeless. It’s a reimagining of the American Murder ballad, Little Sadie. Phil Nusbaum spoke with Paul and to the percussionist for Zeitgeist, Heather Barringer. Heather said that the ensemble did not really know what to expect of Paul’s finished piece.

Superintendent Ed Graff from Minneapolis Public Schools talks about the return to in-person instruction for Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade students.

Artistic Director Sandy Boren-Barrett talks about the four new Out-of-the-Box theater experiences offered by Stages Theatre Co.

Craig Rice from the MPS Film Society talks about the continuation of the offering of two popular films, 76 Days and Louis van Beethoven.

Sommelier Jill Mott, from Henry & Son, talks about wines inspired by the jazz flute of Hubert Laws.

Mary Ghebremeskal is the Student Rep to the Minneapolis School Board. She talks about her responsibilities and what she hopes to achieve.

State Climatologist Luigi Romolo answers a listener question about inverted sun dogs, complete with photos.

Kate LePage from Lutheran Social Service of MN talks about human trafficking prevention. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

2021 marks the 9th year of High 48s bluegrass brunches. It’s virtual, from 11 till noon every Saturday in January and February. The shows feature members of the high 48s plus weekly guests. Eric Christopher and Anthony ihrig of the 48s talked to Phil Nusbaum about the series. Turns out that despite the pandemic, they’ve been busy. Eric’s written a new waltz called the Waltz of the Hungry Ghosts.

Many bands start out as good ideas. But it takes talent and commitment to for bands to grow. That is the case with the Scottie Miller Band. The group is more squarely a blues rock unit with forays into other popular styles. And it is at a point where it is ready to break out into really big spaces while still maintaining it’s identity. Scottie told Phil Nusbaum about it.

Comedian Lizz Winstead talks about how to watch her newest comedy special, Corona Borealis, recorded on a lake in Minnesota.

State Climatologist Luigi Romolo talks about December's blizzard and this week's expected snow.

Charlie Parr is the type of musician who is always refining past work while creating new work. So despite being limited by the pandemic, Charlie is busy. All five Sundays in January 2021 at 8PM, Charlie is the subject of a First Avenue Minneapolis residency. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Charlie talked first about a song of his, To a Scrap Yard Bus Stop.

Susan Fuchs-Hoeschen from LSS Behavioral Health talks about making resolutions for the New Year and the difficulty of making changes.

The pandemic severely curtailed Raycurt Johnson’s music lessons, so he moved from Washington, D.C. to Minneapolis. Raycurt met guitarist Elgin Foster by chance, started playing, enlisted Melanie Breza the singer, and the result is a new and compelling group. The conversation with Phil Nusbaum started with Raycurt telling of his relocation.

Craig Rice from the MSP Film Society talks about the legacy of Al Milgrom and has updates on the Virtual Cinema.

Sommelier Jill Mott talks about how 70s jazz trumpeters remind her of Pet Nats.

Sounds of Blackness Music Director Gary Hines talks about how the ensemble filmed the show, streaming now through Broadway On Demand, The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, and Sounds of Blackness.

State Climatologist Luigi Romolo talks about the snowfall expected Wednesday and the top weather events of 2020.

The short film "United We Play" features music by pianist/composer Marcus Roberts with the American Symphony Orchestra, led by Leon Botstein. Roberts and Botstein talk about the film and the music.

Storyhill’s CD Bethlehem is no ordinary Christmas CD. The project has original songs, and reimagined traditional ones. Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson make up Storyhill. When they got together with Phil Nusbaum, first Chris addressed how they find new value in reworked old songs.

Pianist/composer George Maurer and singer/actor Ann Michels talk about their 22nd annual holiday show coming up at The Dakota on Wed 12/23.