Jazz88

Jazz88's Peter Solomon caught up with clarinetist Tony Balluff of the Southside Aces. Balluff talked about one of his musical heroes: New Orleans clarinetist Jimmy Noone. He also discussed the formation of the South Side Aces, the group he co-founded twenty years ago with tuba player Erik Jacobson (The Southside Aces will be featured in the next Jazz88 Jazzclectic Concert on Saturday April 18th). Finally, Tony laid out the details of the Jazz Age Rumpus, taking place at the Hook and Ladder on May 19th.

Taiko Arts Midwest stages concerts that bring together international and Twin Cities Taiko drummers. The organization’s performing group, Enso Daiko, takes the stage at the Ordway theater, Sunday May 12 at 7pm. In a conversation with Jennifer Weir, executive director of Taiko Arts Midwest, related how Taiko is more than power and rhythm.

MPS Voices Associate Educator Jedediah Jones spoke with Laura Louis-Jacques, District Program Facilitator- Secondary Special Education, and Jesse Morgan, Department Head at MPS' Assistive Technology Center, about the Special Education Community Resource Fair taking place Thursday May 9th from 5-7:30 PM at the MPS Center for Adult Learning.

Minnesota’s Pavel Jany came of age musically during the Jazz-Rock Fusion era of the 1970s. His Group, World Jazz Collegium carries the banner of Fusion with a big show at Crooner’s Supper Club in Fridley, Thursday May 9 at 6:30pm. When Pavel talked to Phil Nusbaum about Jazz-Rock Fusion, Pavel reflected on his start in performing.

Guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli is from an illustrious jazz family. His father was the legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and John grew up around jazz legends like Benny Goodman, Zoot Sims, Les Paul and Slam Stewart. Pizzarrelli discusses his recent album "Stage and Screen," his current trio, and his upcoming performances with JazzMn Orchestra and with his trio at the Dakota May 11th and 12th.

Ron Carter is THE bass player. He is the most recorded bass player in the history of jazz and he continues to deliver quality recording and performances as he prepares to celebrate his 87th birthday. Mr. Carter was nice enough to join Sean McPherson from the Afternoon Cruise on a short ZOOM to celebrate his birthday and talk about the many milestones in his sixty plus years as a professional bassist.

MPS Voices and Jazz88 host Olive Norvell recently connected over ZOOM with Kamasi Washington in anticipation of Washington's new album, Fearless Movement, and his upcoming show at the Fitzgerald Theater on May 11. They discussed his new record, his passion for music, his experience in scoring films and his feelings about pasta in general and spaghetti in particular.

Dayna Martinez, Executive Director of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, visited the Morning Show on International Jazz Day to reveal the complete lineup of artists performing at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival on June 21st and 22nd.

Lynne Arriale has been a leading pianist and educator on the international jazz scene for more than thirty years. In this conversation with Jazz88's Peter Solomon, she discusses her development as a jazz artist, the craft that goes in to creating memorable compositions, and her recent recording "Being Human". Arriale is appearing May 4th and 5th at Metronome Brewery with bassist Chris Bates and drummer Adam Nussbaum.

In the 1930s, the Kim loo Sisters of Minneapolis was a harmony singing force. From May 4 through the 26th, St Paul’s History Theater in co-production with Theater Mu present “Blended Harmony: The Kim Loo Sisters. The production tracks the career of the Kim Loo sisters, which included movies, USO appearances overseas, and other big stages. When for the show’s director and Theater Mu artistic director Lily Tung Crystal talked to Phil Nusbaum, Blended Harmony: The Kim Loo Sisters was in the final stages of rehearsal. Phil asked Lily about her work as the show’s director.

On April 23, 2024 Cornbread Harris celebrated his 97th birthday. Ahead of his birthday festivities at Hook and Ladder on Thursday Harris took the time to chat with Sean McPherson from Jazz88 to talk about his life. Special thanks to Andrea Swensson for facilitating the interview.

Steve Cole is a big name in the world of smooth jazz and he has been based in the the Twin Cities for over fifteen years now. He's bringing his saxophone and his Super Band onto the stage of the Dakota for two shows on Friday, April 26. Cole dropped by the Jazz88 studio to talk about his recent Mack Avenue release "Without a Doubt" and what goes into getting ready for a run of shows with his band.

The Neighborhood Quartet is vibraphonist Steve Roehm, Guitarist Dan Schwartz, drummer Greg Schutte and bassist drummer Nick Salisbury. At its album release show Sunday April 28 at the Parkway in Minneapolis, the group showcases the contrasting composing styles of Steve and Dan. When the two talked to Phil Nusbaum first, Steve addressed his composing style.

Bassist Anthony Cox joined Jazz88's Sean McPherson to discuss Charles Mingus and Paul Chambers on their birthday (April 22). As a fellow bass player Cox shared the influence these icons of the instrument had on his development as a bass player, including how catching a live performance from Charles Mingus shaped Cox's decision to pursue music as a career.

Tom Wells, leader of the Selby Avenue Brass Band first met singer Thomasina Petrus when she was studying and he was teaching at North Community High School in Minneapolis. Thomasina sings with the Selby Avenue Brass Band at noon, Thursday April 25 at Landmark Center in St Paul, and from 4:30 till 6 Saturday April 27 at Crooner’s Supper Club in Fridley. When Tom and Thomasina talked with Phil Nusbaum, Tom first addressed why he always know Thomasina would be a good fit with the brass band.

Twin Cities mainstay Jeremy Yvilsaker is curating Monday nights at Icehouse for the month of April and he's doing it with a simple philosophy: get really creative people to try out new ideas. The results have been a success for Jeremy so far, and he took a break from a van ride to Kansas City with Annie Humphrey for a gig opening for the Indigo Girls to chat about the series and what is in the works for the remaining Mondays.

Charlie Maguire writes songs that depict people at work. Charlie’s next concert celebrates 50 years of his singular style of songwriting, Saturday night at the Roots Cellar at University Baptist Church in Minneapolis. Charlie writes from lived experiences of himself and others, and his original inspiration comes from Woodie Guthrie. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Charlie first talked about a Guthrie songs that Charlie likes to sing, Government Road.

Twin Cities singer Maud Hixson won a Bistro Award recently for "Permanent Moonlight," an album of songs by Richard Rodney Bennett. She spoke with Jazz88's Peter Solomon about her path to becoming a professional jazz singer and about a Doris Day Tribute at Crooners' Dunsmore Room on April 20th.

Singer-Songwriter Ian George has a new, CD that references many music styles. Not only is it hard to place in any commercial genre, but it takes an unusual approach to a breakup. When Ian talked with Phil Nusbaum, Phil asked Ian if the songs came from Ian’s own experiences.

Peter Solomon speaks with Duluth-based trombonist Thomas Woytko about JAM Duluth, a program of live performances scheduled at Duluth breweries and other locations through the month of April.