Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with Jenny Klukken, a Twin Cities-based marimba player who is releasing a new album on March 27th called "Marimba Standard." She talks about her musical journey and how she came to embrace the marimba, and about the artists that she colaborated with to create her new recording. An album release celebration will take place Saturday, March 28th at Art House North in St. Paul.

Jazz in the Cities takes place Saturday March 28. Sponsored by the Noack Endowment and the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Jazz in the Cities combines performance and other kinds of programs that enrich jazz experiences. Jazz in the Cities comes from the imagination of Ryan Picone. When Ryan talked to Phil Nusbaum about the event, Ryan told why the focus on Jazz history.

Jazz88 Morning Show Host Peter Solomon speaks with Tony Balluff, a clarinetist who leads the Twin Cities-based traditional jazz ensemble, The South Side Aces. Balluff is something of a jazz historian, and speaks eloquently about the innovative artists that created the artform. Sunday, March 22nd, the South Side Aces and some friends will be featured playing Bechet's music at Jazz Age Rumpus V, taking place at the Hook and Ladder Theater. Concurrently, the South Side Aces are releasing a new album called "Les Oignons," dedicated mostly to the music Bechet recorded in France in the 1950's.

Ella Grace, an award winning trumpet player, and recording artist, speaks with Jazz88's Patty Peterson about her upcoming album release concert at Berlin in Mpls. The album's title is "Figments" and she is bringing her band from Chicago who is also featured on the recording project, to perform along with her. Ella talks about when she started composing jazz, and creating arrangements at a young age, and where she sees herself in the coming years with her career.

Bassist and composer Eli Zukor has recently returned to Minneapolis. Eli leads his quintet into Jazz Central Studios this Saturday night, March 21, from 8 till 9:30. Eli is the bassist, Bryan Murray the saxophonist, Jordan Christianson on the piano, and Everett Needleman is the drummer. When Eli spoke with Phil Nusbaum, Phil asked Eli, Why compose?

Pert Near Sandstone hosts the annual String Band Gatherin’ at the Turf Club in Saint Paul this Friday and Saturday. Each night there will be local and visiting bands, plus an opening act, and an after party. Phil Nusbaum talked to J. Lenz and Justin Bruhn of the band about the event. First, J responds to Phil’s question about thinking, all year ‘round, about acts for the Gatherin’.

When you say Motown, you are saying more than the name of a record label located in Detroit. You are referencing a group of artists who collectively made a greater contribution to American music than their numbers would suggest. Locally, the Minneapolis Men of Motown, as well as the Minneapolis Women of Motown, and they celebrate Motown music at the Dakota in two shows on Saturday March 21. When Phil Nusbaum talked to two of the Minneapolis women of Motown, Kathleen Johnson and Courtnie Johnson, Kathleen talked about how the Minneapolis Men of Motown got started.

Arne Fogel Visited with Peter Solomon on the Morning Show to discuss his new recording "Arnthology," a compilation featuring recordings made between 1971 and 2026. Fogel will celebrate the release of the album Saturday, March 14th at Crooners with a performance featuring Rick Carlson, Maude Hixson, bassist Graydon Peterson, and other special guests. In this segment, you'll hear some tracks from the new album, as well as some music from Bong Crosby. Listen to Arne host "The Bing Shift" Sundays at 7 PM on Jazz88.

Jacquelin Ultan, Josh Misner, Devan Moran and Erica Burton comprise the Laurels String Quartet. All the players are classically trained, but the quartet frequently plays in non-classical situations. Every Sunday this March, the Laurels String Quartet plays at Berlin in Minneapolis, each week with a select collaborator. When Phil Nusbaum talked with members of the quartet, he asked about how they met, and Josh responded.

Peter Solomon speaks with Greg Brosfske, writer and composer of a jazz-infused operetta called "Strange Heart," in spired by Pulitzer-winning poet John Berryman's writings. Actors Anna Hashizume and Bradley Greenwald also join the conversation. "Strange Heart" opens at Open Eye Theatre opened March 5th and runs through March 22nd.