The Morning Show

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with guitarists Joe Cruz and Scott Keever about the new guitar duo they are bringing to Aster Cafe on July 23rd. Both musicians have diverse musical interests, ranging from Americana to Latin, Blues, Jazz, and more.

Russell Ferrante is a founding member of the legendary fusion band, the Yellowjackets. He spoke with Jazz88 Morning Host Peter Solomon about his musical path, including an eye-opening first tour with blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon. He also discussed the collaboration with guitarist Robben Ford that led to forming the Yellowjackets, and the leaderless philosphy that has helped the band stay together for nearly five decades. The Yellowjackets will perform Friday June 19th on the AARP MN Main Stage at Mears Park as part of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival.

Choro Borealis is a Twin-Cities based Brazilian ensemble that performs a variety of musical styles from South America’s largest country, including choro, samba, forro, and original compositions that incorporate jazz influences. The term choro references a type of instrumental music that evolved in the late nineteenth century from the fusion of European dances like polkas, schottisches, and walzes, combined with the rhythms brought to Brazil by enslaved African-descended people. The musicians include Pat O’Keefe on clarinet, Tom O’Keefe on percussion, Robert Everest on 7-string guitar and vocals, John Croakian on flute, and David Burk aka “Dusty” on cavaquinho. Some of the band members have played together in Brazilian groups for forty years. They are all knowledgeable and passionate and have a lot to say about the African and European roots of the music they perform, and the ways they are incorporating new influences. The musical selections are “Noiches Carioca,” “Coisa Feita,” “Okoco,” Ta Ligado,” “Sarau Para Radames,” and “Brilhante.” Choro Borealis is performing at 5:00 PM on Saturday, June 20th on the 6th Steet stage at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival.

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.

Two Twin-Cities based musicians, guitarist and singer Caro Bernardini and bandoneon player Charles Gorczynski, join Jazz88 Morning Host Peter Solomon for an in-studio performance and conversation. They discuss the evolution of the music, which was a cultural fusion of European immigrants that came into contact with African-descended people that lived in Buenos Aires in the late nineteenth century. Both musicians will partake in ta two-night Tango Music Showcase taking place May 7th at Parkway Theater and May 8 at Sundin Hall. The session was engineered by Ryan Myrold, with production assistance by Peter Carlson.

The Superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams joins MPS Voices Executive Producer Manny Hill to give an update on the latest listening sessions in April and what's in store for May's sessions. She also highlights the tenative agreement between MPS and the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers. Also, a new storm water pond has opened at an MPS School, and two elementary schools are slated to celebrate their 100th anniversaries this month!

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with Andy Mannix, Minneapolis police reporter for the Star Tribune, about the notorious Twin Cities Gangster Isidore "Kid Cann" Bluemenfeld and the 1935 murder of journalist Walter Liggett. Mannix wrote a feature on the story for the Star Tribune's "Curious Minnesota" series in September.

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with Dr. Maya Sullivan, Dean of Students at Metro State University about two open house events the school is holding for prospective students this week. She discusses some of the things she feels make Metro State University unique including the affordable tuition costs, flexible opportunities for adult learners, the individualized studies program, and the fact that Metro State is No. 1 in the state for Social Mobility. The open house events take place Tuesday October 17 from 5 – 7 PM on campus and a virtual event Thursday October 19 from 5 to 6 PM.

Students will now have two meals a day at no cost for the school year, thanks to new meal legislation from the state of Minnesota. Jazz88's Manny Hill caught up with Minneapolis Public Schools Interim Superintendent Rochelle Cox for more information on what the legislation means. Also what's in store for the district during Spring Break, and who were the MPS Shines winners for the month of March?

How is Minneapolis Public Schools celebrating Black History Month? Find out here, as Jazz88's Manny Hill talks with Tiki Blackamore & Shanina Butler of MPS and two students from the Minneapolis Academy and Career Center about all the exciting and important events happening around the District and community.

With Enrollment Season in full swing, Minneapolis Public Schools will be participating in the upcoming SchoolFinder Enrollment Fair, hosted by Great MN Schools on January 7 at MCTC. Jazz88's Manny Hill talks with Rosie Lais, Director of Community Resources at Great MN Schools about what parents and students can expect if they attend the Fair.

Manny Hill talks with Ben Rengstorf, a Culinary Arts Teacher at Roosevelt High School in south Minneapolis, about Roosevelt Culinary Arts, a program now in its third year. Rengstorf shares how the program started, how he became a Culinary Arts teacher, and takes us through a typical week in class.

Anna Becker, Executive Director for the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association, the organization behind Art-a-Whirl joins The Morning Show with tips for getting to and navigating this weekend's festival.

Margo Ashmore of the Northeaster Newspaper checks in with an update on No Mow May efforts in different cities in the metro, plus Art A Whirl back in full force this weekend.

We ask MN DNR State Climatologist Luigi Romolo all of your climate and weather questions

Minnesotaplaylist.com Owner Damon Runnals highlights the new shows in Twin Cities Theater.

Legacy Arts Group Director Tamiko French joins The Morning Show to talk about the original piece, The Beautiful Ugly, the invitation to Edinburgh Fringe Festival and what this trip means to the cast, crew and community.

We ask your climate and weather questions to State Climatologist Luigi Romolo from the Department of Natural Resources.

We spoke with North Community High Senior Moziah Thomas about Legacy Arts Group's original work The Beautiful Ugly and how you can help send the cast and crew to Scotland this August.

Manny Hill talks with Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Ed Graff about the upcoming events and celebrations in the month of May, including Asian American Heritage Month, American Indian Kickoff Month, and an Afghan Families reception.

Keith Harris of RacketMN.com joins The Morning Show with the latest on movies, new releases, festivals, re-screenings and movie house updates.

We spoke with Scott Miller of Two Paddles about the first ever Mississippi River Paddle Weekend happening June 10-12, 2022

We ask your questions to MN DNR State Climatologist Luigi Romolo, email them to [email protected]

Ryan Bandy, Sales Director at Indeed Brewing Company discusses the Craft Brewers' Conference in Minneapolis and lets us know some details on where to find Indeed Beers this week.

We spoke with MN DNR State Climatologist Luigi Romolo about the differences between temperature changes in air and soil. Send your question for a climatologist our way by emailing [email protected]

Tim Clemens, instructor with Minneapolis Public Schools' Community Ed and Ironwood Foraging give us some tips getting started in foraging, plus a few warnings.

Manny Hill talks with Jennifer Bordon, Coordinator of Active Living for Minneapolis Public Schools, about what MPS has in store for the upcoming National Bike To School Day on May 4. Jennifer shares information on a 5 mile bike ride that starts on Plymouth Avenue in Minneapolis that's open to MPS Staff, students and the community.

Twin Cities Food and Music Critic Ali Elabbady gives us the latest restaurant news and his top recommendations for finding our favorite foods

We spoke with MN DNR State Climatologist Luigi Romolo about what (if any) impact this late season cold has on our environment and we get a weather update for the weekend.

We spoke with Margo Ashmore of the Northeaster Newspaper about school name updates in Northeast Minneapolis and got details on the Minneapolis St Paul Home Tour happening Sat April 30th and Sunday May 1st.

Luigi Romolo answers all your weather and climate questions, email them to [email protected]

Keith Harris of Racketmn.com joins us we a broad overview of everything cinema in the Twin Cities

Damon Runnals of MinnesotaPlaylist.com joins The Morning Show to highlight local theater in the Twin Cities

We check in with MN DNR State Climatologist Luigi Romolo with your climate and weather questions, send them to [email protected]

Michelle Shaw of Minneapolis Edible Boulevards joins The Morning Show to discuss the program and how you can get involved

Luigi Romolo answers your climate and weather related questions. Email them to [email protected]

John Azar who teaches Automotive Maintenance Basics with Minneapolis Public Schools with advice on how to get the best gas mileage from your car.

Margo Ashmore of the Northeaster Newspaper gives us an update on some possible new affordable housing coming throughout the Metro

Accredited Finance Councilor, Financial Fitness Couch and Certified Retirement Councilor Don Fulton joins us to talk about tips for filing your taxes, and guidance on getting outside help.

We ask State Climatologist Luigi Romolo about the status of our drought and we let him brag about a REALLY nice weather weekend!

We talk pizza views and news, where to find Chicago Dogs in the Metro and all about Instagram-able Donuts with Twin Cities based Food and Music Critic Ali Elabbady

An update on Twin Cities Cinema Highlights with Racket's Keith Harris

MN DNR State Climatologist Luigi Romolo is asking for our help this time around, find out how to join the Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow Network

The Teacher and Educational Support Professionals chapters of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers filed an intent to strike notice on February 23. With the initial 10-day cooling off period, a potential strike may commence this coming Tuesday, March 8. Negotiations between MPS staff and MFT union leaders are ongoing. Manny Hill spoke with MPS Superintendent Ed Graff about the issues being discussed, and first asked the Superintendent for the status of where things are in negotiations.

Damon Runnals, owner of MinnesotaPlaylist.com shares a few highlights from Twin Cities Theater that you can check out this weekend.

Jazz with Class orchestrator and frequent Minnesota Sports Chat guest Manny Hill gives us an update on the current baseball lock out, how likely it is that we will miss out on the entire season and some leagues we can invest more time in without baseball.

We spoke with Jan Zita Grover, who teaches with Minneapolis Public Schools Community Ed, for her recommendations on kitchen knives, cutting boards and the best way to keep everything sharp.

We ask your climate and weather questions to State Climatologist Luigi Romolo with the MN DNR. Email them to [email protected]

Margo Ashmore of the Northeaster Newspaper talks about their story highlighting student demonstrations at St Anthony Middle and High Schools after the police killing of Amir Locke.

We're excited to highlight the amazing work of our Minneapolis Public Schools colleagues.