Jazz88

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with singer Karrin Allyson about a show at Crooners Thursday April 3rd called "The American Songbook Jazz Party." The program is a collaboration with music journalist Daborah Grace Winer, who will tell stories behind the music. Karrin talks about her own relationship to the songs she will be performing and talks about her Grammy-nominated album "Many a New Day" that fo...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with Riley Helgeson, a trumpeter who handles publicity for Jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis. To celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, Jazz Central is presenting free concerts by Twin Cities big bands each Sunday in April. Venues for the concerts include the Hook and Ladder Theater and MCN6.

Merle Haggard is one of Country Music’s most celebrated singers and songwriters. Next Saturday at Icehouse in Minneapolis, Trevor McSpadden leads a seven piece group in a Merle Haggard birthday salute. Band members include guitarists Dan Lowinger and Dan Neil; bassist Eric Lilistahl; fiddling Tom Shaefer; and Ken Wilson on the pedal steel. We’ll first catch Trevor singing a favorite Merle Haggard...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with pianist Renee Rosnes, who has been a major player on the New York Jazz Scene since 1985. She discusses her early career when she worked with iconic artists like Joe Henderson, J.J. Johnson, and Bobby Hutcherson. She also discusses her recent Brazilian album "Crossing Paths," and the new Blue Note album "Arboresque," by the all-female jazz ensemble Artemis, which R...

Judi Vinar is a singer's singer. Her skills and her collaborative spirit have made her an in-demand vocalist and vocal instructor nationwide. She dropped by Jazz88 to discuss her upcoming shows with Dennis Spears and the Wolverines Jazz Trio at The Capri Theater on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6. Vinar talked about maintaining her calm, her longtime collaborators the Wolverines and more.

Trombonist Ryan Keberle is making his way back through town for a performance at Berlin on April 11 with his group Reverso. Keberle was nice enough to catch up with Jazz88 and talk about Reverso as well as his other projects, Colectivo De Brasil and Catharsis. Keberle also shared his thoughts about writing memorable melodies and introduced us to his sleepy dog Stitch.

Kevin Gamble was introduced to music in church. Originally a drummer, he became a jazz composer on the piano. Kevin leads his trio into Berlin in Minneapolis, this coming Saturday afternoon from 4:30 till 6:30. During a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Kevin addressed how his composition, I Still Believe, reflected what was going on with him at the time.

Pushing Chain is the duet of Adam Moe and Boyd Blomberg. They’re on stage a lot, they drive a lot, they write their own songs and put the Pushing Chain stamp on songs of others. Not long ago, they met up with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the Pushing Chain niche in the music business.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with banjoist Bela Fleck about his recent Grammy Award winning recording with the late Chick Corea and his new project, a collaboration with Colombian harpist Edmar Castaneda and drummer Antonio Sanchez. They perform at the Dakota on Monday, March 24th and Tuesday, March 25.

Shabaka is one of the most vital voices working in music today. For the past decade he has been heralded as one of the strongest and most imaginative saxophonists and bandleaders in jazz. The past handful of years have seen Shabaka turn his focus towards the flute. But his mission of creating "the best music possible" remains unchanged. Shabaka caught up with Sean McPherson to discuss his approach...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with Tony Balluff, clarinetist and founding member of the Southside Aces, about the Jazz Age Rumpus IV taking place at the Hook and Ladder Theater on Sunday, March 23rd from 3 - 7 PM. The music will focus on the New York sounds of Bix Beiderbecke, Ellington small groups, and singer Lee Wiley. The Southside Aces will perform at Sunday's event, as well as singer Maude Hi...

Most music listeners are unaware of cello quartets such as the Delphia Cello Quartet. But to a cellist, it’s the most normal thing in the world. The Delphia Cello Quartet performs music written and arranged by one of its members, Julia Floberg. Julia and the group took time out from a rehearsal to discuss their work with Phil Nusbaum.

With its strong emphasis on improvisation, the Silverback Trio of Minneapolis does “outside” well. But it also plays with a strong group feeling. Phil Nusbaum talked to Silverback Trio bassist Brent Wallace.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with singer Madeleine Peyroux about her 2024 album "Let's Walk." It focuses entirely on original music - songs that address issues of social justice, life, and love. Peyroux will perform in a double billing with blues and soul singer Bettye LaVette Thursday, March 20th and Friday, March 21 at the Parkway Theater.

Speaking about Bill Charlap's trio, the legendary songwriter Johnny Mandel said "It Don't Get No Better Than That." Bill Charlap's quiet and humble demeanor belies the fact he is one the reigning modern modern masters of jazz piano. In this conversation with Jazz88's Peter Solomon, he discusses his musical influences, his current trio, and his profound admiration for his spouse, pianist Renee Rosn...

Bob James and Dave Koz are titans in the world of contemporary jazz. After years of guesting on each other's productions, the duo decided they would toss off a short CD of duets just as a thank you to guests on one of Dave Koz's jazz oriented cruises. This miniature collaboration led to a full blown duo release recorded in Bob James' home in Michigan. Jazz88's Patty Peterson caught up with James a...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with Dayna Martinez, the Executive Director of the 2025 Twin Cities Jazz Festival to get a preview of the headlining acts.

If there is a Constant in Country Music, it is that the songs of the Carter Family Inspire. Minnesota singer Pam Linton has dug into the Carter repertoire, and created a CD of songs titled simply Songs of the Carter Family. Pam’s CD release event will be at Crooner’s Supper Club, February 14 at 7:30pm. When Pam talked to Phil Nusbaum about the Carter Family project, Pam first talked about AP Carte...

Heartland Souvenirs is Becky Schlegel, Katy Tessman and Nikki Lamire. The three songwriters found each other almost by accident. But once they realized their great singing chemistry, they started building a repertoire of their own songs, and songs written by others. The Trio has also recorded its interpretations of songs by John Prine. Heartland Souvenirs performs at 318 Café in Excelsior, 8 till...

Black Market Brass and Obi Original are two of the most respected names in Minnesota music and now they have teamed up for a collaborative release. Obi is the featured vocalists on the new single "Battle Ready" from Black Market Brass. Vocalist Obi Original along with Mitch Sigurdson (guitar) and David Tullis (congas) swung by the Jazz88 studios to talk about the new music and the release show on...

You may know Erik Brandt from his role as host of Good Acoustics Saturdays from 1 - 3 PM on Jazz88 or as the leader of the Urban Hillbilly Quartet. Erik will be spotlighting the work of three local songwriters in the Good Acoustics Songwriter Showcase on March 21st at Metronome Brewery. I caught up with Erik tio learn more about that event and he previews the three featured artists in this segment...

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with Chicago-based singer Christy Bennett about her work researching and recording the music of Irene Higginbotham. Higginbotham (1918 – 1988) is best remembered as the co-composer of the ballad “Good Morning Heartache,” which was one of Billie Holiday’s signature tunes. Higginbotham wrote published more than fifty songs, including “This Will Make You Laugh,” “No Good...

Brent Fuqua celebrates the release of both his singer songwriter material and bluegrass songs Thursday March 13 at 7:30 at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis. That evening, the Mother Banjo band, Steam Machine and the Lake Monsters will add to the festivities. When Brent talked to Phil Nusbaum about his songs, Brent first addressed one written for his wife, No Nonsense Girl.

Adrian Younge is a prolific and gifted musician, producer, performer and curator who has been at the helm of the Jazz is Dead project alongside his partner Ali Shaheed Mohammed since 2017, releasing collaborative albums with legends like Brian Jackson, Azymuth, Jean Carne, Tony Allen and more. Younge is on the road for his Something About April Tour with a stop at the Turf Club in Saint Paul on Fr...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with legendary blues and soul singer Bettye LaVette. She talks about her development as an artist and the way she had to learn how to use her voice to make a song her own. She is appearing at the Parkway Theater in a double billing with Medline Peyroux Thursday, March 20 and Friday, March 21.