Jazz88

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...

Bobby Commodore has been an indispensable part of the Twin Cities music scene since he sat behind the kit with Sounds of Blackness in 1974. During tenures with Sounds of Blackness, Moore by Four and many other great groups, Commodore served the Twin Cities. Beyond his work behind the kit, Bobby Commodore has served as a business manager, a live sound engineer and, most importantly, as a supportive...

Bobby Commodore has been an indispensable part of the Twin Cities music scene since he sat behind the kit with Sounds of Blackness in 1974. During tenures with Sounds of Blackness, Moore by Four and many other great groups, Commodore served the Twin Cities. Beyond his work behind the kit, Bobby Commodore has served as a business manager, a live sound engineer and, most importantly, as a supportive...

Drummer and composer Emma Garau is performing on Monday, March 3 at Berlin in Minneapolis with Bryan Nichols (piano) and Chris Bates (bass). Garau recently moved to town from North Carolina and she discussed how she is enjoying the Twin Cities so far. She also explained her approach to making music and connecting her love of classic jazz to her more avant-garde side.

Hannah Harder is a young saxophonist and composer from the Twin Cities. She recently released her debut album as a leader, The Greatest of These is Love. Harder connected with Sam Keenan from Minnesota Jazz Tracks to discuss the new record, her path to jazz and her upcoming release show at MetroNOME Brewery in St. Paul on Wednesday, February 26.

Doug Otto and Hurricane Harold Doug Otto have a duet featuring voice with harmonica and guitar. They play the blues and Otto’s original songs that are inspired by the blues. Harmonica player Hurricane Harold got together with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the act with Doug Otto. The music the duet plays is frequently old, but embodies universal themes that are still meaningful today.

Gabe Terraciano is one of the most celebrated violinists from the jazz world and tonight he's stepping on stage at Berlin with Minneapolis players Greg Byers on cello and Geoff LeCrone on guitar. Tarraciano and Byers stopped by the Jazz88 studios to talk about the show and the importance of rhythm for string players.

Over the past half-century, the group Santana has been one of the biggest forces in North America to combine Latin music and pop. After studying the music of Santana, a Twin Cities guy named Joe Cruz formed his own group, Sounds of Santana. The group performs Santana music, and actually builds on it, at shows like the one at 8pm next Thursday, February 22 at the Freight House in Stillwater. In a c...

Over the past half-century, the group Santana has been one of the biggest forces in North America to combine Latin music and pop. After studying the music of Santana, a Twin Cities guy named Joe Cruz formed his own group, Sounds of Santana. The group performs Santana music, and actually builds on it, at shows like the one at 8pm next Thursday, February 22 at the Freight House in Stillwater. In a c...

In addition to being a stellar leader, saxophonist and vocalist Lucia Sarmiento has also toured with Pitbull and Karol G. and collaborated with many of the biggest names in music. This weekend, Sarmiento is celebrating the release of her debut album as a leader, Escape. Lucia stopped by to visit Jazz88 to talk about the new album and her process.

Johnnie Brown is known for his tribute shows. He’s done Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, Lionel Richie, and soon, Barry White. Johnnie’s Barry White show takes place at Chanhassen Dinner Theater, Sunday February 23. Dinner is at 5, with the show starting at 7. Phil Nusbaum talked to Johnnie Brown about Johnnie’s tribute shows, and where he gets his interest in singing.

The Minneapolis Battle of the Jug Bands has created a legacy of homemade music delivered in a party atmosphere. The main event features 19 bands this year, and will take place at The Cabooze in Minneapolis, noon till about 7:30 on Sunday February 23. It’ll be preceded by a pre-party and jug band jam at Palmers Bar, Saturday February 22. Phil Nusbaum talked to Levi and Buzzy, two long-term Jug Band...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with trombonist Wycliffe Gordon about his musical influences and the diverse array of instruments that he plays, including soprano trumpet and didgeridoo. Gordon is appearing with the MMEA All State Jazz Band at the Dakota on Friday, February 14th.

Terrell X, the improvisational jazz human beatboxer, is preparing to perform selections from his most recent album, Transformation to Terrell X, with a live band on Saturday at Antonello Hall at MacPhail. In addition to being an in-demand performer, X also serves as an instructor in Electronic Music Recording Arts Program at MacPhail. Terrell X, also known as Carnage the Executioner, discussed his...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with filmmaker John Scheinfeld about his 2023 documentary "What the Hell Happened to Blood Sweat and Tears?" The film tells the story of the pioneering jazz rock band - one of the most popular bands in the world in the late sixties and early seventies - and the disastrous impact of going on tour beind the Iron Curtain for the US State Department. Scheinfeld describes...

Saint Croix Valley Opera Stages Dorothy Doring’s cabaret night. Dorothy’s show is called Glory of Love, and it takes place during Valentine’s Day weekend Saturday, February 15, at the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, WI, at 7pm. The performance is staged by the Saint Croix Valley Opera Company. Phil Nusbaum talked about the show with the singer, Dorothy Doring, and about Cabaret night with Je...

The Twin Cities Flamenco Collective performs at Crooner’s in Fridley, Saturday February 15 from 7:30 till 9pm. Phil Nusbaum talked with guitarist Ross Fellrath and dancer Sachiko Jah Gee about flamenco, and the group’s guest for this performance, José Moreno.

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 .

Katia Cardenas is a professional singer in the Twin Cities as well as being the program director for Walker West without Walls. Cardenas is also at the helm of the Women in Jazz Initiative for Walker West. This Saturday there is as a "Youth Women in Jazz Workshop" at South High School. Katia was nice enough to connect with MN Jazz Tracks host Sam Keenan to talk about this initiative in general and...

Pavel Jany leads the Global Jazz Collegium into Berlin in Minneapolis, for the group’s first ever appearance at the club. It will be this Friday night, February 7 from 7:30 till 10pm. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Pavel talked about the evolution of the jazz approaches taken by the group.

The Skruffians is a group of experienced Twin Cities players that combine Jamaican reggae and ska with jazz chops. It’s always a playful combination of the familiar with testing the musical boundaries. Drummer Rick Nair and trumpeter Todd Baer recently sat down with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the Skruffians.

Pop Wagner’s groups entertain for brunch every second Saturday of the month at Icehouse from 11am till 2pm. This Saturday, January 8, Pop performs with the Hampden Rounders. Pop talked to Phil Nusbaum about the show, and first about the individual Rounders.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with guitarist and composer Scott Burton. Burton now lives in Eau Claire, Wisconsin but formerly lived in Richmond, Virginia (where Peter and Scott crossed paths on occasion). An artist inspired by collaboration and pushing musical boundaries, Burton brings a newly formed trio called "Mantis" to Berlin on Monday, February 10th. Attached photo of Mantis members Sean Car...

The players in Room3 are keeping busy. After building up a reputation in the past handful of years for electrifying live shows the band has finally released some recorded material and they're preparing for a performance on Friday, January 31 at First Ave as part of the Best New Bands concert. Keyboardist Eli Awada and bassist Beck Madson stopped by our studios to chat about their new single, Moque...

Jazz88's Peter Solomon visited an adult jazz combo in their first rehearsal directed by bassist/educator Chris Bates at Jazz Central. The combo is one of eleven groups that got started in January through North Star Jazz Workshops.