Jazz88

Guitarist Dean Magraw and percussionist Davu Seru have each performed in many ensembles. Take together all that playing, and Dean and Davu are well prepared to show up in clubs and entertain. They perform Saturday February 28 at the High Hat in Saint Paul, at 7pm.Dean and Davu say that what they do is to play in the moment. But what does that mean? Phil Nusbaum asked the pair, and Dean was the first to respond.

John Penny has had multiple musical careers, including performing and music production for movies and commercials. Today, among other things, he leads the Virtual Band. He creates dense musical textures through synthesizing multiple instruments and sings and plays his electric guitar in performance. John's virtual Band performs Sundays 11 to 2 at the Golden Thyme in Saint Paul. John Penny says he lives in composition. When he talked to Phil Nusbaum about his craft, he told what he meant by that.

Saturday night, the Cedar Cultural Center presents a group of artists commissioned to create new musical work. It'll be the second Cedar Commissions show, from 7:30 till about 11pm. Phil Nusbaum talked with two of the artists performing February 21, Mikey Marget and Valentine Lowry-Ortega. But first, we hear from John Marks, Operations director of the Cedar, who tells why the Cedar puts on the Cedar Commissions every year.

Peter Solomon speaks to Paul Fonfara and Spencer Roth of The Brass Messengers, a Twin Cities-based brass band that blends elements of Balkan, Macedonian, Afrobeat, Free Jazz, New Orleans sounds. The group will play a Mardi-Gras show called "Dance Your Brass Off" Tuesday, February 17th at the Turf Club, presented by Jazz88.

Each year, The Cedar Cultural Center presents a group of artists commissioned to create new work. The grant that funds the Cedar Commissions comes from the Jerome Foundation, and the performances are Friday and Saturday February 20 and 21 at the Cedar, 7:30 till 11pm. Phil Nusbaum talked with the artists performing February 20, Deeq Abdi, Creekbed Carter Hogan and Trick Locket. As we join the artists and Phil Nusbaum, the group is set up in the Green Room of the Cedar. Deeq Abdi of Minneapolis was born in Somalia, and writes songs that address cultural connection

Four Musical couples perform at Crooners in Fridley on valentine's Day and at Chanhassen Dinner Theater on February 15. The couples are Maud Hixson and Rick Carlson, Deb Brown and Brian Zimniak, Amy and Boyd Lee and Jennifer Grimm and Joe Cruz. When Phil Nusbaum talked with Jennifer Grimm about the show, they first talked about the intimate musical conversations that each couple represents.

On his latest album "Sampled," trumpeter, composer, and educator Adam Meckler collaborated with several different hip hop producers, rappers, and instrumentalists to reimagine and recontextualize his original big band music. He talks about his collanorative process with Jazz88's Peter Solomon.

Rhythmically Speaking Dance performs next Thursday at 7:30 at the Ordway in Saint Paul. The group dances to jazz and other American social forms. In other words, its artistic palette is very broad. We'll hear how choreographers and dancers base the dance on the inner rhythms of the music they dance to. When Rhythmically Speaking Executive director Erinn Leipard talked to Phil Nusbaum, she first addressed why the February 12 performance is called Reppin'.

Motown Reimagined! That's the theme when a Geoff and Cherese Jones sing in front of a rhythm section that presents acoustic versions of great Motown music. The show takes place 6pm, Sunday January 8 at Crooners in Fridley. When Geoff Jones spoke with Phil Nusbaum about the show, he first addressed singing great songs.

Cellist Jacqueline Ultan and guitarist Pavel Jany are each trained classically, but have broad interests. In their new group, Duo Corda, they play and adapt music from multiple sources, creating a sound that seems to feature them both, but is at its core, integrated. Duo Corda plays Thursday Feb 5 at Crooners in Fridley at, 6pm. When Duo Corda talked to Phil Nusbaum, Jacqueline and Pavel addressed why they thought a cello / guitar duo would work.

Joanne Lundberg is a Financial Counseling Supervisor with Lutheran Social Services. She speaks with Jazz88's Peter Solomon about debt consolidation, with an an explanation of the process and when and for whom it might be a good option.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with Craig Ritacco, COO and General Manager of The Lexington, a historic restaurant in St. Paul that features jazz between Labor day and April. Benny Weinbeck, a jazz pianist who books the shows, also joins the conversation.

Joanne Lundberg is a Financial Counseling Supervisor with Lutheran Social Services. She speaks with Jazz88's Peter Solomon about debt consolidation, with an an explanation of the process and when and for whom it might be a good option.

Jarrod Lawson joins Jazz88's Patty Peterson to talk about his upcoming concert at Dakota on Jan. 28, along with his 7-piece band. Dubbed the "Soul Artist of The Year" at the Jazz FM Awards in London, Jarrod is a modern-day soul singer/keyboardist whose lyrics are packed with messages that speak to the times we're in today. “The album is called “Be The Change" and is a beautiful, restrained, dreamy mix of love songs, irreverence and social commentary. Thus, SoulTracks.com described the album as “a masterpiece”. Also, they hailed it “an instant classic that would have fit just as comfortably in 1970 as it does now”.

Klezmer On Ice is a festival of Yiddish culture, held in Minneapolis next weekend. The event stages and presents workshops that teach about, Yiddish culture. Venues include the Center for Performing Arts on Pleasant Avenue in Minneapolis, as well as Lake Harriet. Phil Nusbaum talked to Josh Rosard and Miri Villerius, two festival organizers, who also play in the klezmer band di Bayke. First, a little di Bayke, and then, Josh tells how Klezmer on Ice got started.

Pianist Aaron Parks speaks to Jazz88's Peter Solomon about his most recent project on the Blue Note label, a quartet session called "By All Means," featuring bassist Ben Street, saxophonist Ben Solomon, and legendary drummer Billy Hart. Parks also discusses his musical influences, how he dealt with being labelled a jazz prodigy,and talks about his recent essay discussing his experiences navigating bipolar disorder. Parks appears with his trio at Berlin in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Feburary 4th.

Andrew Wheeler is the playwright of Whoosh, seen at History Theater in Saint Paul, January 29 through February 22. It is a one man show, and music by Irish music duo Northern Shores, Brian Miller and Danny Diamond, play a big role in moving the narrative forward. Whoosh! takes place in the era of both the Civil War and Irish immigration to the Great Lakes area. During a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Andrew said that he has a family connection to the story.

Bob Mintzer of the YellowJackets talks to Jazz88 host, Patty Peterson, about their upcoming concert at Dakota Jan 21, 2026. Yellowjackets have a new album out called "Fasten Up" in addition to their work with the WDR Big Band out of Cologne, Germany. Bob talks about the magic sauce as to why the YellowJackets are still the vibrant ensemble they still are after 47 years. Russell Ferrante: Piano & Synthesizers Bob Mintzer: Woodwinds & EWI Will Kennedy: Drums Dane Alderson: Bass

The Double Down Daredevils performs bluegrass old and new, with a bent towards originality and fresh spins. Saturday January 31, the Daredevils performs at Crooners in Minneapolis from 6 till 7:30pm. Tom Peschges is one of the singers, songwriters and guitarists for the Double Down Daredevils. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Tom first addressed what it is like to be in the middle of a bluegrass group that has five members singing.

Wayne Anthony, Mick Sterling and Scotty Bahr share the spotlight presenting great songs and great arrangements by Blood Sweat and Tears, Chicago and Tower of Power, January 30 and 31. The performance is called Spinning Wheel Trilogy. The Friday show will be at the Freight House in Stillwater, and Saturday at Le Musique Room in St Michael. The show honors three great bands, as it provides the singers and 12 piece band space to strut their stuff. When Wayne Anthony talked to Phil Nusbaum about the show, Wayne mused about his original exposure to Blood Sweat and Tears.

Canadh Croí is a Twin Cities group that combines African and Celtic music traditions, and has recently created a CD. The CD release event takes place Friday January 16 at 7:30 pm, at Celtic Junction is Saint Paul. By the way, Canadh Croí is the capitol of Guinea, from which two group members hail, and in the Irish tradition, Canadh Croí means, roughly, “singing of the heart.” When the convener of the group, Sean Egan talked to Phil Nusbaum about this fusion music, Sean first addressed how he got the idea that Celtic and African musical concepts could be combined. Note: Canadh Croi = CONNA cree

Steve Clarke celebrates his birthday with a performance by the Steve Clarke Quartet, 7pm Sunday night January 18 at Crooners. When Steve got together with Phil Nusbaum, Steve talked about the special theme of this performance.

Paul Barry, Twin Cities Blues Harp Player Combines blues band influences from Chicago and West Coast in live shows by the Ace Tones. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Paul expressed his gratefulness to the past blues masters who set him in the right direction.

Twin Cities resident Adi Yeshaya is internationally known as an arranger, composer and orchestrator. His latest thing is a collaboration with vocalist Jennifer Grimm. Jennifer sings with Adi's Yeshaya's Jazz orchestra Sunday, January 11 at Crooners, at 7pm. When Phil Nusbaum showed up at a Jennifer and Adi rehearsal, Adi was tinkering with a piano intro to Alfie.

Maud Hixson, the celebrated Twin Cities song stylist has a new recording. It's called When Winter Comes. On the recording, Maud presents a dozen great but mostly unappreciated songs. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Maud said she's been thinking about When Winter Comes for decades. The CD has an underlying theme of getting through a Minnesota winter. As for Maud, her ability to get through varies from time to time.

Fred Keller, singer, mandolinist and songwriter has created a CD and book, each called Drifting Down the Kettle River, which happens to flow by Fred's home in northern Minnesota. These projects illuminate Minnesota history and lifestyles over time. Fred's trio is called The Skally Line, and after a rehearsal, band members talked about Drifting Down the Kettle with Phil Nusbaum. When they got together, Fred addressed why he composes songs about Minnesota history.

The Minnesota Boychoir performs a holiday oriented concert this Friday at Crooners Lounge in Fridley. The Minnesota Boychoir organization actually includes four choirs totaling about 150 boys. Of course, all the boys get vocal training, and through the experience, receive life lessons as well. When the group's leader, Mark Johnson, talked with Phil Nusbaum, Mark first told of the tradition of boychoirs.

Three bands; Joey Ryan and the Inks, The Exchange and Consolation Champ, get together annually to present a benefit performance. Band proceeds are donated to Every Meal, a group that provides meals to local kids that might otherwise go hungry. Member of Consolation Champ, John Richards, talked with Phil Nusbaum about the show. As the December 23 show at Icehouse is the 20th benefit show by these three bands, it has become a tradition of its own.

Adam Bohanan combines Hanukkah with Funk at the Cedar Cultural Center, 7:30 till 10:30, Thursday December 18. Adam is receiving a lot of praise for creating a type of show that's hardly been done, if at all. When Adam talked to Phil Nusbaum about a Funky Hanukkah, he talked about why he's including the song, The Eight Days of Hanukkah.

Heyrarlo performs next Thursday from 7 till 10:30pm at Berlin in Minneapolis. Trumpeter DeCarlo and bassist Mickey from the group met with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the group. When the group formed, it played private events. Then, it got a residency in a club. Mickey said that was a turning point for Heyarlo.

Vocalist Maud Hixson has released a new album of holiday songs called "When Winter Comes." She speaks with Jazz88's Morning Show host Peter Solomon about the project, and the segment includes samples of several of the tunes from the new album. On Saturday, December 20, Hixson plays shows at Crooners to mark the release of the new recording.

David Hazeltine began working as a professional jazz musician in his hometown of Milwaukee a when he was just thirteen years old. In this conversation with Jazz88 Morning Host Peter Solomon, he reflects on a career that has lasted more than five decades, and his close friendship and musical partnership with Twin Cities bassist Billy Peterson. The duo is will perform at Jazz Central Studios Wednesday evening at 8 PM.

Kendra Glenn commands the stage at Umbra in Minneapolis Friday and Saturday December 12 and 13. As ever, Kendra will reach into her songbook covering decades of being plugged into music. When Kendra talked to Phil Nusbaum, Kendra talked about being influenced by her favorite singers, such as Anita Baker.

Peter Solomon speaks with pianist Sean Mason about his latest album "A Breath of Fresh Air." Mason also discusses how growing up in the South affected his music, his love of early jazz, his recent collaborations with singer Catherine Russell and poet Mahogany Browne, and the ways that conflicting personality types in his quintet make his music more interesting. The new album was released in October on Taylor Christian Records, a label known for supporting emerging artists. Mason performed with Catherine Russell at the 2025 Twin Cities Jazz Festival. The album that they made together, "My Ideal," was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Jazz Vocal recording for the 2025 awards.

Red Thread and Ponyfolk's concert Friday December 12 covers many European based holiday cultural traditions. Both groups are primarily singing groups. And, the audience is going to have opportunities to sing as well. Sarah Larsson is a member of Red Thread. When she talked to Phil Nusbaum, Sarah commented on the pleasure of singing with others.

Jazz88 host Patty Peterson interviews vocalists, Connie Evingson and Bruce Henry, about their upcoming appearance with JazzMn Orchestra. "Start your holiday on an exciting note. It's time to swing in the season with the full, rich sounds of the JazzMN Orchestra… Plus the ever-popular vocal stylings of Connie Evingson and Bruce Henry. It's an evening to remember in the comfort of the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' main stage seating. December 8th is the date! Our holiday concerts always sell out. So don't miss out."

The name of the group, Regional Jazz Trio, is kind of a joke. It's because each player is well known far outside the region. The three are bassist Anthony Cox, saxophonist Mike Lewis and drummer JT Bates. When the trio plays, as at Icehouse in Minneapolis on Wednesday Dec 3 at Icehouse in Minneapolis, it's always a blend of the composition at hand, and what comes up in the moment. When Anthony Cox, talked to Phil Nusbaum, Anthony talked about the time signature change in one of his originals, Work in Progress.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with persussionist David Tullis and bassist Charlie Bruber of the Black Market Brass, and singer and producer Obi Original about their work in the Twin Cities Afro-Beat scene and the influences that feed into their music. The Black Market Brass Band and Obi Original have recently reased a couple of new singles, and they will play at the Cedar Cultural Center on December 5th with Purple Funk Metropolis.

Jeff Perry leads the Sonic Dream Trio, whose specialty is re-imagining pop music. And, the trio is at it the Lexington in Saint Paul Friday right after Thanksgiving at 7pm. A reviewer with the Minneapolis Star Tribune sad that Sonic Dream's specialty is “hip retooling.” So when Phil Nusbaum talked to Jeff Perry about Sonic Dream, Phil asked Jeff what is meant by hip retooling.

Scott Scooter Nelson is a singer, percussionist, arranger, recordist, but till now, always helping others. But on the new CD Point of View, Scooter takes the role of leader. In a conversation with to Phil Nusbaum, Scooter first addressed how putting out a recording under his own name is a little different experience.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with trumpeter Dan Odegaard, a North High alumnus and a member of the Execs Big Band since 1965. The Execs are celebrating sixty years with a celebratory dance Friday night, November 21st from 7 - 10 PM at Bloomington Event Center. Odegaard also leads his own large ensemble called the Classic Big Band.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with singer, composer, and songwriter Yazmin from the band Yazmin and Beat Zero. As a teenager in rural Wisconsin, Yazmin fell in love with the sounds of Cuba, and and as an adult she spent a few years studying dance and music there. Her band is a fusion of her original songwriting, classical, jazz, funk, and Afro-Cuban sounds. On Saturday, November 22nd, Yazmin and Beat Zero will play the Parkway Theater in a shared billing with Mama Digdown's Brass Band. The Havana String Quartet will join them onstage for that event.

Next Thursday November 20, four local composer and musicians perform at the Vanguard Music Series, at Zion Community Commons in St Paul. The composers are guitarist Maja Radovanlija, vocalist Alyssa Anderson, trumpeter Isaac Mayhew and pianist Paul Cantrell. Phil Nusbaum had the opportunity to speak with Isaac and Paul. When they met, Phil said to Isaac that playing trumpet solo left Isaac no place to hide.

J.D. Steele of the famed Twin Cities musical Steele Family spends a lot of his time teaching and leading groups connected to McPhail Center for music. One of JD's projects is a performance called “Through the Ages.” Through the Ages features three teenaged or younger singers, backed by a band composed of J.D. Steele and other music pros. The show connects musicians of different generations. When J.D. spoke with Phil Nusbaum, J.D. told where the idea to stage “Through the Ages” comes from.

Elizabeth plays the piano and Carole is the singer in the Overdressed Duo. The two feature great songs with stories that link the songs together. Opera-plus, they call it. The duo plays at Crooners in Fridley this Thursday night, November 6 at 7pm. When Elizabeth and Carole talked to Phil Nusbaum about the Overdressed Duo, Elizabeth first addressed what in the world is meant by the “Overdressed” in Overdressed Duo.

Steve Kenny, Jake Baldwin, Solomon Parham and Omar Abdulkarim take the stage for an evening of four-barreled trumpet action. Titled the Trumpet Summit at Crooners, 7:30 till 9 at Croomers in Fridley. The four trumpeters have created some special, only-at-this-show segments, and there will be a lot of spontaneity, too. Phil Nusbaum talked with Steve Kenny about the show.

Pamela York is a pianist based in Lake County, Illinois who is an active member of the jazz scenes of both Chicago and Milwaukee. A couple of years ago, she formed a combo with bassist Clay Schaub and trumpeter Eric Jacobson called the Affinity Trio. On October 17th, the group released their second album, called "New Outlook," on the Origin label. The Affinity Trio will perform at Berlin in Minneapolis Halloween night. Pamela York speaks with Jazz88's Peter Solomon about her musical backstory and the new project with the Affinity Trio.

AJ Srubas plays multiple styles of traditional fiddle, including early bluegrass. And he's got some of his early bluegrass buddies from his southern travels in a series of shows coming up. The players are banjoist Trevor Holder, guitarist Conner Vlietstra, mandolinist Reed Stutz and local bass player Rina Rossi. On November 15, the quintet plays at the Oak Center General Store, November 16 in Cambridge, and November 20 in Minneapolis. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, A.J. talked about his love of early bluegrass fiddle music.

Zeitgeist New Music performs Underwater Cousins by J.C. Sanford and Randy Bauer's Holding Patters at two locations next weekend. Friday October 31 and November 2, the performances take place at the Anderson Center in Red Wing. Saturday, the performance takes place at Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter. All the shows are at 7:30PM. Heather Barringer is a percussionist and artistic co-director for Zeitgeist. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Heather addressed how Zeitgeist prepared to enact Underwater Cousins.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon sspeaks with arranger and composer Adi Yeshaya about his latest recording, "Produce." The album showcases vocalist Jennifer Grimm. Yeshaya discusses his association with the late Twin Cities singer Debie Duncan, sheds some light on the arrangements featured on the album, and talks about his upcoming appearance at the Dakota on Wednesday, October 29th.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with Grammy and Tony Award Winning Vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater about her musical path and how her latest duet album "Elemental" is a return to her musical roots. Bridgwater talks about the music that she grew up with at home in Flint, MI and listening to the legendary black Memphis station WDIA. Bridgewater jumped into being a jazz musician with both feet when she became the featured singer with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra in the early seventies, She says trumpeter/composer Thad Jones taight her everything she knows about music. Similarly, with no professional acting experience, she was cast as Glinda the Good Witch of the South in the 1975 Broadway production "The Wiz." Her 2025 recording "Elemental" represents a return to the days of singing standards early in her career and she sheds some light on the special musical connection that seems to exist between her and pianist Bill Charlap. Bridgewater and Charlap appear at the Dakota on Wednesday, Octyober 22nd.