Jazz88

Charlie Parr’s New CD, Rooming House, concerns fictitious characters trying to figure out how to negotiate real world problems, and at times, ill-equipped to do so. The release show for Rooming House is at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, 8pm October 30. The performance features Charlie Parr, songs, voice and guitar with percussionist Don King. When Charlie talked to Phil Nusbaum about the show,...

Twin Cities folksinger Larry Long has always enjoyed connecting elders and school kids in specific communities. Much of this work has been archived at the University of Minnesota, and the original documentation has been used in various ways. Phil Nusbaum interviewed Larry about some of this work. When we open the report, we’ll hear the voice of Ezra Cunningham of Beatrice, Alabama, telling a group...

Juanito Pascual leads his acclaimed Trio into the Granada Theater in Minneapolis, 8pm Saturday October 10; and 4pm Sunday October 11. In addition to a few originals, the centerpiece of the shows will be the flamenco interpretations of Jimi Hendrix songs featured on album to be released in February. The performance will also include dancers from the Twin Cities’ Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre. When...

Latin jazz legend Paquito D'Rivera is the subject of a documentary premeiring on PBS this month called "Paquito D'Rivera: From Carne Y Frijol to Carnegie Hall." It tells his story from his earliest days as musical progidy growing up in Cuba and follows his first encounter with Dizzy Gillespie, his defection to the United States, and his unparalleled career in Latin, jazz, and classical music in th...

Enrique Toussaint has lived in the metro area for decades, and is known for performing in many musical genres, and for also his behind the scenes work in the music world. But bassist Enrique is most proud of his work with his two brothers, Fernando, the drummer, and the late Eugenio, keyboardist and lead composer. Growing up in Mexico City, the 3 brothers formed a band called Sacbe, Mayan for the...

Yonci sits down with legendary guitarist Stanley Jordan, discussing a new single, a forthcoming album (the first in over a decade) and a new tandem guitar technique ahead of a solo show at the Dakota. Originally aired 6/26/26 More Posts for Show: This Just In

Jeff Perry, Chris Olson, Kevin Daley and Zacc Harris are four great guitarists who delight in reimagining their favorite songs. They are all part of the Minnesota Guitar All-Star Summit, Wednesday September 30 at Crooners in Fridley. Doors open at five, with the show starting at 6. When Jeff and Chris met with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the show, they played recording of Kevin Daley’s treatment of...

Yonci speaks with Dakota Jazz Club founder Lowell Pickett ahead of this year's Dakota Block Party on Saturday, September 26th from 2-10pm in Downtown Minneapolis.

Jazz88 Morning Host Peter Solomon speaks with vocalist and composer Chenxi Pan, who changed her life path in her early twenties when she left her native country of China and came to the US to study jazz. She talks about her unique musical path, the artists that influenced her singing and writing, and talks through some of the music on her debut recording, "This Very Moment," wheich was released in...

Saxophonist, Lucia Sarmiento, hails from Peru, but considers Minneapolis her second home. She joined Jazz88 host, Patty Peterson, to talk about the thrill of performing for the Dakota Block Party and the original music she will be performing.

L.A. Buckner joined Jazz88's host Patty Peterson to talk about being invited to open up Dakota's Block Party, September 2 2026, along with his group, Big Homie.

It’s been about 8 years since Paul Barry has put out a recording of his blues. Well, there was a little thing known as the Covid pandemic that slowed things down. Paul’s new project is called Pure Blues. On it, he pays homage to the blues masters who influenced him, and he presents some of his own work, too. The new Paul Barry CD is called Pure Blues. When Paul got together with Phil Nusbaum, Phil...

Over half a century ago, Bossa Nova came to the United States, and has stayed in the consciousness of music fans. Our local singer, Eliza Wheaton, with her brother, pianist Lukaz, perform some of the great Bossa Nova hits. The act is named after one of those hits, Corcovado at Midnight, composed by Carlos Antonio Jobim. Catch the performance Sunday September 20 at Icehouse in Minneapolis at 5pm. D...

In this case, the Elephant is Adam O'Farrill's recently formed quartet, and the room is the Minneapolis jazz venue Berlin. The trumpeter and composer speaks with Jazz88's Peter Solomon about the literary, cinematic, and musical influences that inform his compositions. Adam O'Farrill and Elephant will play at Berlin on Tuesday, September 15th.

The signature songs of the 1920, ‘30s’ and ‘40s have never gone away because musicians and music fans recognize they are worth preserving. On Sunday September 20 at Crooners, Erin Livingston sings a show called Straight No Chaser, with the Wolverines Trio onstage with Erin. Rick Carlson of the Wolverines and Erin Livingston talked to Phil Nusbaum about performing these songs. But first, Erin addre...

Sunday, September 12 is the day for this year’s Selby Ave Jazz Fest in St Paul. There will be master classes, a parade, vendors, and of course live music. The fest is curated by Walker West Music Academy. When Ernest Bisong of Walker West talked to Phil Nusbaum about this year’s Selby Ave Jazz Fest, Ernest first addressed what’s different this year.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with Twin Cities based saxophonist Brandon Wozniak, who has been selected as September Artist in Residence at Minneapolis jazz venue Berlin. Wozniak will perform in a series of Sunday night concerts, including collaborations with musicians such as drummer Dave King, cellist Michell kinney, guitarist Zacc Harris, among others. Information at www.berlinmpls.com.

Kevin Gamble was introduced to music in church. Originally a drummer, he became a jazz composer on the piano. Kevin leads his quartet into Icehouse in Minneapolis, Friday, September 4. Kevin’s group shares the bill with Radio Church. Doors open at 6, with the show beginning at 8pm. During a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Kevin addressed how his composition, I Still Believe, reflected what was goi...

The Dust of Suns Ensemble plays what is loosely called chamber music. But all the compositions are recent and unabashedly blend in many styles of music. Chris Lynch composed all the pieces on the Dust of Suns new album entitled Alyosha, and Chris talked to Phil Nusbaum about the release. To get the conversation started, Phil asked Chris for his definition of chamber music.

Charles Tolliver's professional career began in earnest in 1964, when he recorded as a sideman with alto saxophonist Jackie McLean. In subsequent years, Tolliver worked with Max Roach, Horace Silver, Andrew Hill, Sonny Rollins, Gerald Wilson, and others. Recently, Mack Avenue records reissued his first session as a leader, under the title "Right Now... And Then." In this conversation with Jazz88's...

Over time, Key figures in flamenco music and Hot Club Jazz have learned from each other. Saturday night August 29 at Crooners, at 7:30pm, The Ryan Picone Quartet with Ben Abrahamson; and the Twin Cities Flamenco Collective display some of the connections. In a moment, Ryan will talk to Phil Nusbaum about the flamenco – hot club connections, but first, Fería del Caballo, played by Ross Fellrath of...

Mixed Blood Theater in Minneapolis stages Somali band Ardaa and Jewish songs by Red Thread, Friday August 28 and Sunday August 30. The performance called “Across the Water,” explores commonalities and differences of the two traditional music cultures, and how music helps the transition into a new country. The evening wraps up with a social period with refreshments catered by Oasis Mediterranean Gr...

Maura Dunst combines musical ideas from disparate worlds, including pop, classical and old-time fiddle dance music. Her new project includes thoughtful interpretations to five songs, and it is called Violin songs. When Maura talked with Phil Nusbaum about the project, she first described her unusual format of nothing but violin and voice.

Jazz88 Morning Host Peter Solomon speaks with composer and saxophonist Stephanie Wieseler and bassist Charlie Bruber about the long awaited new recording by Society of Chemists. The Twin Cities-based ensemble has a unique musical approach with they describe as "chamber jazz fusion." They discuss what that means, and Wieseler talks about the ways she sometimes finds inspiration for her compositions...

John C.S. Keston creates electro-acoustic music. John’s work combines playing on the keyboard of a conventional piano, but modifies the sounds produced by using electronic devices, as he is playing. The project is called Consonant Dissonance. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, John described his creative process.