Jazz88

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/

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.