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Interviews, performances, and special programming from Jazz88. Hear us live at 88.5 FM in the Twin Cities!
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Songwriter Charlie Parr sings his songs at the Dakota in Minneapolis, Friday night, September 5 at 9PM. When Charlie talked to Phil Nusbaum about his songwriting, it came out that Charlie also writes short stories, and the stories and songs frequently offer differing perspectives on events and people.
Straight No Chaser. That’s the title of a Thelonious Monk composition, and also a quartet that plays Monk. Kavyesh Kavyraj plays the piano, Chris Bates the bass, Chris Thomson the sax and Joey Phillips the drums. The group plays at Berlin in Minneapolis Friday August 29 at 7:30pm. When Phil Nusbaum talked to Kavy and Chris about the quartet, he asked why the focus on Monk, and Chris was the first to respond.
Patty Peterson leads a group of jazz women all-stars into the Dunsmore room at Crooner’s Supper Club, this Thursday, August 28 from 6 till 7:30.These shows are always different, and this time, there is a performer Patty’s been trying to get on the bill for years.
Guitarist Jeff Christiansen and bassist Larry Wiegand are Twin Cities guys who have performed together in the group Crow. In addition to that, Jeff and Larry have what you might call a side project going. The two of them, with help from some of their musical buddies have put out a recording of instrumental versions of great old songs. It is called Boday and the Big Wig plays the classics. When Jeff and Larry talked to Phil Nusbaum, Larry first talked about why they did it.
After completing the long drive from the Upper Peninsula back to the Twin Cities, trumpet player and composer Adam Meckler was happy to pop in the booth at Jazz88 and discuss his upcoming gigs at Berlin on Friday, August 15. Meckler also talked about his upcoming record "Sampled" which drops in November. Meckler also shared what he and the rest of the team from the Michigan Technological University do to support their jazz students in Michigan.
Professional pianist Abebi Stafford and student saxophonist Sam Stauning stopped by the Jazz88 studios to talk about the fundraiser concert the MN Hard Bop Collective is hosting on Monday, August 11. The concert will feature a student ensemble with Stauning alongside pianist Basil Saathoff and guitarist Kyle Baxter. The concert will also feature a professional performance with Abebi Stafford on organ, Jesse Simon on drums and Ian Duerr on guitar. Stafford and Stauning discussed navigating a rhythm section free performance and also reflected upon the skills one can learn performing in a casual setting like the Sit-In Series.
The celebrated multi-instrumentalist Dosh dreamed big a couple years ago when he put together the Larry Schaefer Memorial Orchestra. This fully improvised 12-piece unit has been performing for a handful of years and Dosh is ready to bring the show to Palmer's on the West Bank for a show this Saturday. The orchestra will be joined by LA Buckner, Little Lizard and more. Dosh was nice enough to stop by the Jazz88 studios and talk about the new project and the upcoming concert. He also took time to celebrate Palmer's, a venue with a 100+ year history that is closing its doors in Mid-September.
Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with Ricky Riccardi, the Head of Research Collections at the Louis Armstrong House Museum, and the author of three books on Armstrong. Riccardi's newest book is called "Stomp Off, Let's Go: The Early Years of Louis Armstrong." It draws on previously unavailable sources to provide new details and insights about Armstrong's life and music, particularly shedding light on his early years in New Orleans. The book is set to be released in audio book form on Augist 26th.
The legendary guitarist Mark Whitfield is making his way back to the Twin Cities for a set at the Lakeside Guitar Festival. Whitfield is no stranger to Minnesota, having played here frequently at the beginning of his career when he was touring with Brother Jack McDuff. Whitfield covered the details of the trio he's traveling with, his reverence and love for education and his approach to improvising even when playing solo.
Abinnet Berhanu and Yohannes Tona are elite musicians who can cover a lot of ground musically. But, given that they are both Ethiopian-Americans, they bring a lot of passion for Ethiopian music into our scene. After many successful individual efforts, the duo decided to reach out to a likeminded L.A. musician, Kibrom Birhane, and form a new group. ENGOCHA premieres this Friday and Saturday at Icehouse in MPLS. The group breaks new ground in the world of Ethiojazz with a number of originals and they will also add some classics from the genre to the playlist. Abinnet and Yohannes were nice enough to stop by the Jazz88 studios to talk about this new project.
Each year, Jazz88 honors 4 individuals who have been pioneers of Minnesota's jazz scene. This year, the honorees are Art Katzman (trombone), Grant West (piano), Jay Epstein (drums), and award winning singer, the late Debbie Duncan. The live concert and conversation took place at the Minnesota History Center's 3M Theater on April 13th, 2025 and was curated and hosted by Patty Peterson. Minnesota Jazz Legends is supported by The MInnesota Arts And Cultural Heritage Fund, and produced by Jazz88.
JC Sanford, the organizer of the Northfield Jazz Festival, swung by the studios of Jazz88 to discuss the 2025 installment of the festival, which takes place July 11-13. The event is only its second year, but it's already tripled in size. Sanford and co will host events from Friday evening all the way to Sunday evening. Listen to find out more about the Northfield Jazz Fest and this year's headlining artists, Miguel Zenon and Luis Perdomo.
Joan Hutton from Take that Back was nice enough to visit the Jazz88 studios in anticipation of their upcoming performance at Taste of MN this weekend (Sunday July 6 at 5:45). Hutton was joined by Stephanie Wiesler, who is filling in on sax and flute for Sue Orfield. The duo discussed the upcoming gig, the joys and difficulties of subbing in and the fun of playing outside!
Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with guitarist Ryan Picone about how he finds inspiration in the music of gypsy guitar legend Django Reinhardt. Picone shares some insider's knowledge about Django's life and music and stories about his mentors, Howard Alden and Stephane Wrembel. Picone spoke from his apartment in Uptown Minneapolis, where he performed a couple of Django's compositions, including "Nuages" and "Rhythm Future."Ryan Picone's quartet plays the Jazz88 Jazzclectic Stage Sunday, July 6th at The Taste of Minnesota. Picone is putting together Django Fest, featuring several different Twin-Cities based jazz manouche ensembles on July 25th.
Toussaint Morrison is a journalist, an actor and a recording artist. This Friday, Toussaint is premiering five new music videos and a live set of all new music at the Green Room in Minneapolis. The event is in celebration of his forthcoming new album, Shapeshifter. Morrison took the time to visit with Sean from Jazz88 to discuss his love of jazz and share a couple of his personal favorites.
Pianist and composer Emmet Cohen will be back in the Twin Cities to play at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival on Friday, June 20 at 8:30 with his trio and the Four Freshmen. Cohen took a break this week to catch up with Sean McPherson and talk about his latest studio release and what he still keeps on reaching for in the world of music.
Marimbist Jenny Klukken and her quartet will perform a unique show for the Twin Cities Jazz Fest, Friday June 20th at 4:30PM on the PBS Stage. Jenny talks to Sam Keenan about being one of very few marimba players on the jazz scene.
Singer Jennifer Grimm joins the Adi Yeshaya Jazz Orchestra to kick off performances on the Jazz88 Main Stage, 4PM June 20th. Jennifer talks to Sam Keenan about the joys of performing and recording with such a big group, and working with Adi Yeshaya.
Singer Katia Cardenas performs at the Twin Cities Jazz Fest on the Walker West at Night stage, Friday June 20th at 7pm. She talks to Sam Keenan about her music evolution and her work as a program director for Walker West Music Academy.
The Hannah Harder Quintet takes the stage at Metronome Brewery in Fingal's Cave Friday June 20th at 8PM as part of the Twin Cities Jazz Fest. Hannah talks to Sam Keenan about her first time playing her material at the fest and her music plans for the future.
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