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.