The Afternoon Cruise

JT Bates is preparing for a show on Monday August 14 with Todd Clouser and John Medeski. JT Bates connected with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise to talk about what it's like to play with Medeski and Clouser and what they plan to bring to the stage of Icehouse on Monday, August 14.

Ted Godbout is a consumate sideman supplying the needed support on the keys for many of the greats in the Twin Cities and beyond. But on Wednesday August 9 Godbout will be stepping out as a leader to bring his sounds to the plaza of the Capri Theater. Check out the conversation between Ted and Sean McPherson from the Afternoon Cruise.

Adam Meckler isn't just a trumpet player. He's a writer, an arranger, a curator, an educator and more. He swung down from the Upper Peninsula to get his Twin Cities based orchestra back together for a show at Crooners on Friday. In the conversation Meckler and McPherson discuss Meckler's approach to big band writing, his love of reusing material and his dedication to sharing the tricks of trade wi...

Jason Fabus is a Minnesota educated jazz musician making his way out in Los Angeles. He's swinging back through town to visit friends and play a couple shows. He'll be at Crooners on Friday night with Graydon Peterson (bass) and Phil Hey (drums) supporting. Fabus is a bit of an odd bird in the jazz world, as he works both as a saxophonist and as a vocalist. In the conversation Jason shared a bit a...

The Twin Cities based cellist Greg Byers stopped by the Afternoon Cruise to chat about his new album, "Dear Zbigniew". Greg discussed how visiting Poland in 2018 for the Seifert International Jazz Violin Competition changed his life and where he believes the world of bowed jazz players is heading.

Billy Stritch connected with Jazz88 in advance of his Crooners show, "A Musical Night Out with Billy Stritch". Sean from the Afternoon Cruise chatted with Billy about what he's learned from working with greats like Liza Minnelli, Linda Eder and others. Billy Stritch also shared a memory of playing with the late great Tony Bennett in Stritch's hometown of Sugar Land, Texas.

Bruce Henry dates his music career back to the first time he got paid to make music in a nightclub, going back almost exactly fifty years. He'll be celebrating his breathtaking career at the Dakota on Saturday night. Check out the conversation between Bruce Henry and Sean McPherson

Brian Ziemniak of the BZ3 Organ Trio rolled through the Afternoon Cruise to talk about their upcoming show at Crooners and he brought along Julius Collins, one of the special guests that will be on the show at Crooners. Check out the full conversation here. This podcast was edited by Ben Ere'imul.

The vibraphonist Cecilia Smith connected with Jazz88 to discuss her latest album, "The Mary Lou Williams Resurgence Project Vol. 1". Smith has been on a campaign since the late '90s to shine a light on Mary Lou Williams legacy and her writing. Listen for insight on how Cecilia Smith goes about amplifying and advancing Mary Lou Williams' legacy.

Mack Avenue Recording artist and Minneapolis resident Steve Cole is getting ready for a headlining show at the Ames Center in Burnsville on Friday August 18. Steve was kind enough to visit the Afternoon Cruise and talk about his career, his connection to the Twin Cities and his path to becoming one of the big names in contemporary jazz.

Leslie Vincent visited the Jazz88 studios in anticipation of the release of her new album "About Last Night". In the conversation she talked about her love of jazz and her connection with the band that played on her new recording.

Laila Biali is getting ready for a show at Crooner's on Saturday July 22. She was nice enough to connect with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise to talk about her new record, "Your Requests" as well as her collaborations with Sting, Kurt Elling and her embrace of her own musical strengths.

Omar Abdulkarim and Anthony Coleman II visited the Afternoon Cruise to discuss their July 16 show at the Dakota. As two of the most exciting trumpet players working in the Twin Cities they had a lot to say about what they're bringing to the stage. They also talked about the support and encouragement they both received from Roy Hargrove while studying, living and playing in New York City.

Béla Fleck connected with Sean from Jazz88 in advance of a two-night four show run at the Dakota on Thursday and Friday of this week (July 13 and 14). Fleck is touring in support of his 2021 release, My Bluegrass Heart. Fleck and McPherson discussed the unique challenges of playing bluegrass, and the new perspective Fleck has on the genre after a ten year absence from playing it outside of his own...

On her way to rehearsal Ginger Commodore visited the Afternoon Cruise to talk about her upcoming show honoring the legacy of Tina Turner. The show happens on Sunday night at the Dakota.

Celebrated musician and composer Martin Dosh swung through the Afternoon Cruise to discuss some upcoming shows including a Courtyard appearance at Icehouse on Thursday, July 6.

Taylor Carik, one of the organizers of Taste of Minnesota, visited the Afternoon Cruise to discuss the event including answers on how to enjoy the festival, how to get to the festival and what he plans on eating once he gets there!

David Billingsley visited the Afternoon Cruise to discuss his upcoming show on Sunday at Taste of Minnesota. He'll be one of the headliners at the Jazz88 stage at 5th and Nicollet in downtown Minneapolis. In the interview David discussed his lineup for the show and what he hopes to give to listeners with his musical efforts.

Master drummer Kevin Washington swung through the Afternoon Cruise in advance of his appearance at the Jazzclectic pop up concert series on Wednesday June 28 at Waterworks Park in Minneapolis.

Katia Cardenas and Lucia Sarmiento are both instructors in a new program from Walker West Music Academy called the "Women in Jazz Initiative". The first combo of players from the program are playing on Saturday June 24 at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Katia and Lucia discussed the importance of creating spaces where girls can thrive and feel supported as they learn jazz. These instructor/practiti...

When Christian McBride was in town to play the Dakota in January he took time with Sean to discuss the ensemble he'd be bringing to the Twin Cities Jazz Festival.

When Christian McBride was in town to play the Dakota in January he took time with Sean to discuss the ensemble he'd be bringing to the Twin Cities Jazz Festival.

Paquito D'Rivera connected with the Afternoon Cruise in anticipation of his performance on Friday June 23 at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival with the Dizzy Gillespie Afro Latin Experience. D'Rivera covered his love of Dizzy Gillespie's music and his memories of playing and traveling with him.

Camille Thurman the Darrell Green Quartet are getting ready to play on the Jazz88 Mainstage on Friday June 23. They caught up with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise to talk about their plans for the show!

Travis Ryder, the Program Director here at Jazz88 stuck around to chat with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise about the broadcast schedule for this weekend's Twin Cities Jazz Festival.