Jazz88

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.

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 going on with him at the time of composition.

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 Peter Solomon, Tolliver talks about his formative influences, discusses what it was like making records for the famed Blue Note Record label, reminisces about the making of his debut album, and delves into the story of the renowned artist-owned label he co-founded with pianist Stanley Cowell, caled Strata-East Records.

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 the Twin Cities Flamenco Collective.

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 Grill. Our program opens with Ahmed Yusef telling about Aarda.

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 in nature. Society of Chemists will play an album release party at Berlin in Minneapolis on Saturday, August 15th at 7:30 PM. Find information on their new recording on bandcamp.

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.

Pianist Larry McDonough and guitarist Joel Shapira are interpreters of Bill Evans and Jim Hall. Larry and Joel have recorded two CDs of Evans and Hall material, and have played their interpretations in venues around the Twin Cities. Larry and Joel are doing it again, Sunday August 9, at the Arts on Lafond series, 1697 Lafond Avenue in Saint Paul. When Phil Nusbaum talked to Joel and Larry, Larry first explained how the slow, melancholic character of much of the Evans and Hall repertoire reflected their characters.

Phil Aaron is a longtime interpreter of Bill Evans piano jazz. On Wednesday August 12, 5:30 til 7pm, the Phil Aaron trio digs deeply into the Bill Evans repertoire. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Phil Aaron talked about Bill Evans’ contributions to Jazz.

The Moonlight Serenaders 14-lice big band has been around for decades. The group plays a free concert in Rice Park in Saint Paul, next Wednesday, August 5, 7 to 9pm. The group’s current director, percussionist Dan Marrs, and former director and current trumpeter, Linda Ness, talked to Phil Nusbaum about the group. To a greater degree than much contemporary jazz, a big band relies on all the players reading what’s been composed and arranged. So Phil asked Dan and Linda about keeping everybody focused on the arrangement.

The Kendra Glenn band and Ace Mack collaborate for the Funk Extravaganza at the Minnesota Music Cafe in Saint Paul, 8pm on Friday July 31. It’ll be an evening of great singing, with a tight band performance, and of course, dancing. Phil Nusbaum talked with Ace and Kendra about the show. The group enjoys covering Aretha Franklin, whose songs leaned in the direction of funk.

Singing her songs on stage is a lifelong dream of Laura Hugo. And that’s what she’ll be doing, Thursday July 30 at Laura’s EP Release show at Icehouse in Minneapolis. Laura sings about love and love lost, her family, cultural background, and other subjects. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Laura talked about getting started in her songwriting craft.

Last Winter, Phil Nusbaum reported on the Cedar Commissions, a set of performances by up and coming Minnesota artists. One was Mikey Marget, a cellist with interests in traditional Scandinavian folk music, as well as the rock and Jazz, and an inclination to combine genres. Mikey is sharing a night with Kevin Gamble, at the club Berlin, July 22. When Mikey talked with Phil Nusbaum about the upcoming performance, with their group Spectacle Case, the talk turned to the cellist Mikey has been listening to, Lena Jonsson.

Tom McDermott moved to New Orleans in the early eighties and has quickly himself as a leading voice in early jazz and New Orleans roots music. He brings a personal and inventive approach to the repertoire of Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Professor Longhair, and James Booker, as well as ragtime and Brazilian Choro music. McDermott spoke with Jazz88 Morning Host Peter Solomon about his music, and gave a preview of a concert taking place Monday, July 20th at Judson Memorial Baptist Church at 4101 Harriet Avenue in Minneapolis.

Joan Hutton and Sue Orfield’s Take That Back Releases new CD called Splash and performs at Metronome in Saint Paul, Monday night July 20. Uncommon as it is in small group jazz for a band to be led by two saxes, Take That Back has made a distinct impression in the jazz community. The new Take That Back CD is called Splash, and the group performs 7 to 9 pm, Monday July 20 at Metronome in Saint Paul. When Joan Hutton talked to Phil Nusbaum about Take That Back, she first addressed how the group started.

The Minnesota Original Music Festival is coming Sunday July 17. Held in Minnesota Square Park in Saint Peter, the Minnesota Original Music Festival presents many musical genres, on multiple stages, and attendance is free of charge. It’s the fifth year of the event, and is the brainchild of Eli Hoehn. Eli told Phil Nusbaum why he created the event.

The Southside Aces New CD, called The Big Beat, continues the Ace Tradition of Playing Old New Orleans Jazz, and also Interpreting a varied Repertoire in a New Orleans Way. The release event is at the Dakota in Minneapolis, Thursday July 16 at 7pm. When Southside Aces clarinetist Tony Balluff talked to Phil Nusbaum about the group, he first addressed how the Aces feel about playing the really old songs in the New Orleans repertoire.

Brian Z from BZ3 Organ Trio joins Jazz88's Patty Peterson to talk about their new CD release at the Dakota in Minneapolis on July 9th. The new project is called "Note Salad" and Brian talks about this groups intention of bringing jazz back into people's minds with a blend of funk, jazz, blues, and RnB. Brian Z is on Hammond Organ, David Feily on guitar, and Kevin Washington on drums. This trio welcomes many special guests on their CDs and on stage with them, for example, vocalists Fred Steele, Margaret Cox, Deb Brown and Tina Schlieske, plus musical guest Stokley Williams, who appears on the new CD. For more information go to bz3organtrio.com and dakotacooks.com

Monroe Crossing is a Twin Cities Bluegrass band that has played all over the United States and in Europe, too. The group is named for the father of Bluegrass music, Bill Monroe. But Monroe Crossing stretches into many music genres, providing common, musical meeting grounds between the band and audiences. Monroe Crossing is preparing for its July 10, 5pm performance in the Belvedere Room at Crooners Supper Club. Phil Nusbaum talked to the guitarist of Monroe Crossing, Derek Johnson, about creating a Monroe Crossing live set list.

Each year, Jazz88 honors 4 notable artists who have been pioneers of Minnesota's jazz scene. This year's honorees are Arne Fogel (vocalist and radio personality), Gary Raynor (Bassist and educator), Gary Gauger (drummer and innovator) and award winning jazz vocalist, the late Shirley Witherspoon. The live concert and conversation took place at Minnesota History Center's 3M Theater on April 12, 2026 and was curated and hosted by Jazz88's Patty Peterson. Minnesota Jazz Legends is supported by Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and by Jazz88 KBEM.

There’s about to be a new jazz club in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis. Johnnie Brown, noted local singer, is opening up the Brownstone in a newly refurbished space at 28th Street and Hennepin Avenue. To help the Brownstone get going, Crooners Supper Club in Fridley is holding a benefit concert by Johnnie Brown, this Monday, June 29 at 6pm. Where’d the idea for the club come from? When Johnnie talked with Phil Nusbaum, Johnnie said the idea for the Brownstone started to take shape over coffee.

Liz Ashworth and Emily LaPlant, collective known as LaPlant Road, have sung and played guitar and mandolin since childhood. In 2022, they started thinking of their duet as a performing act. Then, the buzz started, and now, the LaPlant Road CD, Finding Home, is out. This Friday at 8pm, at the 318 Café in Excelsior, the duet performs original material from Finding Home, plus other stuff. When Phil Nusbaum asked the duet about its songwriting process, with reference to the song Common Truth, Emily responded.

The Northfield Jazz Festival comes to multiple Northfield venues, Friday through Sunday July tenth through twelfth. J.C. Sanford is one of the organizers of the event. When J.C. spoke with Phil Nusbaum about the Northfield Jazz festival, J.C. addressed the concepts used for booking the festival.

Yonci speaks to three vocalists who're preparing not only for the Twin Cities Jazz festival, but to begin their careers after graduating high school! Vocalists From L-R: Livv Davidson, Tamsin Stockman, Aniyah Warren.

The kids keeping the jazz tradition alive. Hear what the 2026 Dakota Ensemble has to say ahead of their main stage performance at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival

An esteemed Jazz vocalist meets a storied Brass Band? Hear what Thomasina and Tom Wells of the Selby Ave Brass band have to say, ahead of their mainstage performance at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival.

Sullivan Fortner is one of the most prominent pianists in the contemporary jazz landscape. Yonci got a few words in between his busy schedule, ahead of this year's Twin Cities Jazz Festival.

The Nancy Bierma trio plays on the Bigos 6th street stage along side Mears Park at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, this Saturday, June 20 at 3pm. Nancy and her husband, bassist Jim Bierma, have been playing professionally for decades. But Nancy’s jazz playing was the result of a dramatic change of course during her college days. She told Phil Nusbaum about it.

Interview with trumpeter Ella Grace ahead of her performance at this year's Twin Cities Jazz Festival

Twin Cities-based guitarist Zacc Harris speaks with Jazz88 Morning Host Peter Solomon about his latest trio project "American Reckoning," the upcoming Zacc Harris group appearance at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, and his work in the Atlantis Quartet. You can catch Harris's set at the TCJF Saturday, June 20th at 4 PM at Mears Park.

Brandon Commodore (drummer, composer) joins Jazz88's host, Patty Peterson, to talk about the release of his debut EP of original music called "This Is 40". Starting in the music business at 19, he now reflects on how at this age, the music comes from a deeper place and he hears it in his composing. Known for his work with Sounds Of Blackness, Mint Condition, and NPG, he also talks about an upcoming release "This Is 40" concert at Crooners Supper Club on June 5th, and the special guests he has joining him.

Most audiences know Scottie Millers for his blues, rock and jazz artist. But he’s always kept an interest in symphonic music, and Scottie’s new CD, Hello Pain, reflects that interest. But this type of production has a lot of moving parts. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Scottie talked about mounting the Hello Pain production, the songs on the CD, and what inspired creating it.

Jazz88 Morning Host Peter Solomon speaks with Andrew Wallesch, the Artistic Director of the JazzMn Orchestra, about their Saturday, June 20th appearance with singer Michael Mayo at the 2026 Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Wallesch, a singer himself, discusses Mayo's unique gifts as a vocalist and improvisor. More information on that and other Twin Cities Jazz Festival performances can be found at www.twincitiesjazzfestival.com.

The Genesis Jazz Orchestra performs under the stars, Wednesday, May 27 at the Lake Harriet Bandshell in Minneapolis. When Genesis director Dave Hagedorn talked with Phil Nusbaum about the performance, Dave said to expect a mix of familiar and unfamiliar. For example, Genesis plays a rethought version of In the Mood, called No Longer in the Mood.

Steve Cole, Saxophonist, joins Jazz88's Patty Peterson to talk about his new CD "Sleight Of Hand" and concert at Dakota in Minneapolis May 23 with his band. He expounds on taking this same band on tour with him and because of the synergy they have together. It makes for a very creative experience for him and the audience.

To guitarist Dean Magraw and tabla player Suwal Singh, musical boundaries do not exist. But there are frontiers that invite exploration and interpretation. Dean and Suwal bring their act to the Aster in Minneapolis, 8:30pm, Friday May 22. When Dean and Suwal talked to Phil Nusbaum, Suwal told how he first became aware of Dean.

In the Great Men of Country Performance, singer Bobby Vandell Presents a group of great country songs that grab you by the throat and won’t let go. That will be Sunday, May 17, 7pm, at Crooner’s in Fridley. Bobby Talked with Phil Nusbaum about the show. Now, many of us know Bobby as a drummer in R ‘n’ B and rock formats. So Phil asked Bobby where his interest in Country songs comes from.

The new CD by Flutes and Low represents is the Result of the songs being crafted one at a time by the composers, Cambria Haen and Ben Pichler. When the two got together with Phil Nusbaum, Cambria first told why the name, Flutes and Low, was chosen for a group that does not have a flautist. Then, the talked turned to musical inspiration.

Todd Harper Leads 6-Piece group into Metronome in Saint Paul, Saturday night May 16 at 7:30. Group members have played off and on with various combinations of each other literally for decades. Todd leads the group through a lot of original music. But when Todd talked to Phil Nusbaum, Todd talked about the inspiration for this group’s originality, the late Carei Thomas.

Julia Keefe is a composer, educator, actor and leader of the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band. Yonci spoke with Julia Keefe ahead of the band's debut album release, "Incarnadine." Aired May 2026

Guitarist Kenny Reichert is an artist who splits his time between the Twin Cities, Milwaukee, Chicago, and a teaching job in Oklahoma. He is Artist in Residence at the Minneapolis venue Berlin this month, and through the month of May he is featuring several of his different projects in a series called "Letters from the Road." In this conversation with Jazz88 Morning Host Peter Solomon, he discusses of some of the featured projects. They include  a collaboration with vocalist Ana Everling called "Maldovest" that draws on Eastern European folk music, an organ trio called "Righteous Rooster" featuring Chicago based musicians Henry Dickhoff on organ and Luke Sagadin on drums, the "Colours Quintet" featuring trumpeter Russ Johnson and saxophonist Geoff Bradfield, and  the "Twin Cities Quartet" with pianist Kavyesh Kavaraj, bassist Graydon Peterson, and drummer Ben Erlich.

The American Roots Revue Shows have been going on for fifteen years. Larry Long convenes the show at the Dakota in Minneapolis, Saturday May 9; two shows, at 7 and 9pm. The cast includes artists from the first American Roots Revue of fifteen years ago. Phil Nusbaum talked to Larry Long about the show. But first, JD Steele sets a tone.

Yonci interviews bassist and bandleader David Ambrosio. Aired May 2026.

Yonci interviews trombonist and composer Kalia Vandever. Aired April 2026.

Minnehonk 2026 takes place May 1-3 at multiple locations in Minneapolis. MinneHonk will take place at multiple venues and features 9 activist bands from the midwest and east and west coasts. But the vibe will be a lot like the vibe George Floyd Square on Monday evenings, when the Twin Cities’ Brass Solidarity band plays. Phil Nusbaum talked to a few of members of Brass Solidarity, including Kat and Caleb, and asked Kat first, what it’s like to be at George Floyd Square on Mondays when the band plays.

Bessie Snow is the New Owner of Volstead’s Emporium in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis. Its address is 711 West Lake Street, but you enter through a mysterious back alley door by a red light. The inside, too, is inspired by a 1920s speakeasy. When she talked to Phil Nusbaum, Bessie discussed her goals for Volstead’s and about her journey to owning the place.

The Rebel Loon of Minnesota Keep on Shining concert is held Sunday April 26, 5 till 10pm at Celtic Junction in Saint Paul. The show is a benefit for Indigenous Roots - MniSota Community Action Network, or MniCAN, and Open Market MN. These groups support food and rental assistance for immigrant families affected by ICE. Music will be provided by The Roe Family Singers, Pop Wagner & Honky Tonk Ranch, The High 48s, the New Havoline Supremes, Half Baked and The Eclectics. When Phil Nusbaum talked with Nick and Rachel Martin, organizers of Rebel Loon of MN, Rachel and Nick talked about the inspiration for the event.

Amanecer means Dawn in Spanish, and Amanacer is the name of Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theater’s production for April 24 through 26. It’ll be at the Luminary Arts Center in Minneapolis. International flamenco figures will augment local dancers and musicians. But why the title Amanacer? At a rehearsal, that’s what Phil Nusbaum asked Zorongo resident artistic director Deborah Elias.