Jazz88

Hennepin Fest is a free festival sponsored by the Hennepin Historical Museum. The event presents a roster of local women musicians: Connie Evingson, Annie Mack, Maria Isa and None Above. Claire Leslie Johnson served as a curator for Hennepin Fest, which takes place 2-7pm Saturday May 31. When Claire and Connie Evingson got together with Phil Nusbaum, Claire first addressed the reason for Hennepin...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with trumpeter Frank London about the history of klezmer music in America and 40 years of Genre Bending klezmer interpretations and collaborations by the Klezmatics. The Klezmatics play the Dakota Tuesday night (May 27th) with Minneapolis-based ensemble Red Thread. Pictured: The Klezmatics. Frank London is seated holding a flugelhorn.

The Gated Community’s songs tell personal stories and meet some of the biggest issues today. The new CD is called Goodbye Work. The release event will be at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis, Sunday evening June 1 at 6pm. Phil Nusbaum talked to Sumanth Gopinath and Beth Hartman about the project. When the three got together, Sumanth first addressed his composition, Hand in the Air, which reflects...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with three of the musical directors involved in an event commemorating George Floyd called "Weather: Stand the Storm." Participants include Dr. G. Philip Shoultz, conductor of Singers of This Age; Waigwa, director of One Voice Mixed Chorus and Elevate Vocal Arts and Elevation Ensemble; and Dr. Rollo Dilworth, director of Singing City. Dilworth composed the musical set...

Vocalist Connie Evingson is getting ready to do her final performance at the Woman’s Club. Next Wednesday, May 28 Connie and Lori Dokken are co-presenting a concert titled “Our Hearts Will Go On." The event features an incredible list of Twin Cities talent such as Mary Jane Alm, Doug Anderson, Ginger Commodore, Lori Dokken, Joan Griffith, Jennifer Grimm, Rachel Holder, Patty Peterson, T. Mychael R...

Gospel-based singer Robert Robinson has been gathering accolades for decades. He’s noted for such events as singing at Prince’s Birthday Bash and being featured at the National Day of Prayer in Washington DC. Robert inspires and entertains, and he records and works with choirs as well. Recently, Robert sat down with Phil Nusbaum to talk about his songs and his mission.

Singer Erin Schwab has been singing to the accompaniments of pianist Jay Fuchs for a long time. Their performances are audience engaging with requests and a lot of dialog back and forth. But for many in the audience what really makes the show are the treatments of Judy Garland and Bette Midler songs. Erin and Jay told how the show came into being when they talked to Phil Nusbaum.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with legendary saxophonist Charles McPherson about his formative influences, including Charlie Parker, Barry Harris, and Charles Mingus. McPherson also discusses his contributions to the Soundtrack for the Clint Eastwood Charlie Parker bio-pic "Bird" and his tenure as resident composer of the San Diego Ballet. McPherson is 85 years old and still performing. He is playi...

2025 marks the centenary year of Malcolm X's birth. For the occasion, Dr. Rose Brewer, Thandisizwe Jackson-Nisan and additional planners have organized an event uplifting the politics and vision of Malcolm X. The event is on Saturday, May 17 at UROC at Plymouth and Oliver. The event is described in the promotional materials as gathering of "conscious minds that will include panel discussion, break...

It’ll be an evening of spontaneity and musical discovery when John Keston, Anthony Cos and Suwal Singh collaborate at Berlin Jazz Club in Minneapolis. The three are accomplished players of keyboards, bass, guitar and other instruments, but add electronic alteration of sound to the mix, and the vibe changes remarkably. When John Keston spoke to Phil Nusbaum about the music, he addressed the effect...

In the days of silent film, women had prominent roles in filmmaking and made movies that explored feminist themes that might seem surprising today. Peter Solomon speaks with Maggie Hennefeld, Professor of Cultural Studies and Comparitive Literature at the University of Minnesota. Hennefeld curated a 4-DVD collection of female film pioneers called "Cinema's First Nasty Women." Hennefeld also curate...

Award-winning saxophonist Patrick Lamb, celebrated for his collaborations with music legends like Gino Vannelli, Bobby Caldwell, and Diane Schuur, is stepping into the spotlight with his new single, "Mint Condition”. Patrick talks with Jazz88’s Patty Peterson about his Twin Cities debut concert at Crooners on May 9th , which features Minnesota’s own Ricky Peterson (organ), Paul Peterson (bass), Ja...

Wayne Anthony Leads Nights of Great Songs, one a month through 2025. The next opportunity Wayne with the Marquette Big Band will be June 12 at 6pm. The night of dinner, socializing and dancing takes place Windows at Marquette, located on the 50th floor of the IDS Tower in Minneapolis. Phil Nusbaum had a chance to talk to Wayne about the shows, which cover memorable songs from many decades. First,...

JC Sanford, Scott L. Miller and Aby Wolf combine to create Improvisational music, Each group member at other times plays music guided by form and convention. But they also like to sit down, and respond to whatever comes up, or come up with an idea that is expected to lead to something else. Phil Nusbaum talked to JC Sanford about the concept. First JC addressed the work of Aby Wolf.

Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theater, Katha Dance Theater and Flying Foot Forum are Twin Cities Dance Companies with close connections with music. These companies combine forces on Thursday May 8 and many other dates through May 18 at the Andy Boss Thrust Stage at Park Square Theater in Saint Paul, from 7:30 till 10pm. The performance is called Time Piece. Phil Nusbaum had the opportunity for a visit to...

The Larry McDonough Quartet Played Monthly at the Aster Café in Minneapolis. Each show celebrated the music of a major jazz figure, and each of those shows was recorded, and now, the highlights are being released on a Larry McDonough Quartet CD called “Best of the Aster Classic Jazz Series.” The CD release event takes place at the Aster in Minneapolis, 8pm Friday April 25. When Larry talked to Phi...

When you’re dealing with the science of quantum mechanics, you’re dealing with tiny, tiny particles. But when the Band Quantum Mechanics performs, it’s tongue in cheek all the way, with interesting music motivated by pseudo-science. When Eli Hoehn of Quantum Mechanics talked to Phil Nusbaum, Eli told why the name Quantum Mechanics.

Michael Bland is a musical powerhouse who calls the Twin Cities home. He is best known for his tenure as the drummer for Prince, but he has been a part of so many great moments in Twin Cities music. This Saturday, Bland will be diving back into the music of Prince for a show titled “New Power Generation – A Tribute To Prince." The show is this Saturday at the Hopkins Center For the Arts at 8pm. Bl...

Friends of the station Thomas and Alex Streitz are celebrating the launch of their new non-profit, The Minnesota Poets Collective. The group celebrates the art of poetry in all its forms and seeks to bring together diverse voices from all around the state of Minnesota. The father/son duo were nice enough to stop by the Jazz88 studios to talk about their upcoming publications and their mission to c...

When Geoff Jones sings, he combines jazz and soul with a mellow baritone. Geoff performs a lot with guitarist Joh Della Selva, and the two bring their repertoire of great songs to Umbra in Minneapolis, this Friday night from 7 till 10. When Geoff talked to Phil Nusbaum, the talk turned to the staying power of standards such as Rodgers and Hart’s Where or When.

Grammy-nominated drummer, vocalist and producer Kassa Overall is bringing his approach full circle with a performance at The Dakota on Wednesday night. Some of Overall's earliest professional experiences were traveling with Geri Allen, Wallace Roney and others in very formal jazz bandstand settings. On Wednesday, Overall will bring all the enthusiasm and adventurousness that he's known for into a...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with guitarist Martin Taylor about his musical influences and his collaboration "Great Guitars" with Ulf Wakenius and Bireli Lagrene. Taylor and Wakenius perform together at the Dakota Monday evening 4/14. Lagrene cannot make the show because of an injury.

The Latin Soul Vibe combines Latin, funk, jazz and other styles into a refreshing new mix. The quartet plays at Crooners Supper Club in Fridley, Thursday April 17 from 6 till 7:30. When Mac Santiago talked to Phil Nusbaum about the group, Mac first addressed how The Latin Soul Vibe was formed. While Mac is best known for his drum set-based jazz drumming, the influence of his Puerto Rican father Lu...

Ryan Olson and Isaac Gale make up Marijuana Deathsquads. Theirs is a serious musical endeavor that includes composition and improvisation, electronic and conventional instruments and voices that seriously breaks new musical ground but doesn’t take itself too seriously. Marijuana Deathsquads performs next Wednesday at Icehouse in Minneapolis, with doors opening at 9pm ahead of a 10pm performance. A...

Somali blues & American gospel have a conversation in a show coming to the St. Thomas University campus (St. Paul) Sunday, April 6 and Saint John's University (Collegeville) April 27. Bobby Vandell spoke with the organizers JD Steele, Ahmed Yusuf and Beck Lee. Details at https://culturalfluencyinitiative.org/events/