Jazz88

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter Dylan Hicks about 'Modern Flora,' the latest jazz-inspired project featuring his nonet Small Screens. Hicks and his ensemble will play a concert to celebrate the release of the new EP Sunday, September 8th at the Parkway Theater.

Percussionist Peter Kogan’ musical biography includes work with the Minnesota Orchestra, backing blues legends such as Lightnin’ Hopkins and teaching at the University of MN School of Music. All those experiences and others have played into the Jazz groups that he has led. Peter leads his quintet into Jazz Central Studios, Friday September 6 at 8pm. When Peter talked about his music with Phil Nusbaum, Peter first addressed his fondness for Cedar Walton’s playing.

It’s the local Twin Cities Bluegrass Festival that seems to mark Summer’s end. The 25th annual Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival will be held 1 to 7 pm at Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis, as ever on Labor Day. The free event presents 6 bluegrass bands in a relaxed atmosphere. Matt Johnson, co-producer of the event spoke with Phil Nusbaum about the Laughing Waters festival, and first addressed how performing bands are selected.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with pianist Ethan Iverson, who played piano with the Bad Plus for seventeen years. Iverson discusses his recent Blue Note release 'Technically Acceptable,' as well as his passion for crime fiction and his controversial New York Times essay critiquing George Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue.' Iverson performs with bassist Anthony Cox and drummer Kevin Washington at Crooners on Saturday, August 31st.

Like so many jazz performers, Davina discovered jazz music early on in her life through her father and has loved and studied the music ever since. Davina connected with Sean via phone in advance of her upcoming show at the Dakota to discuss some of her favorite songs including Fats Waller's rendition of "I'm Going To Write Myself a Letter".

Author and journalist Andrea Swensson visited the Afternoon Cruise alongside Youa Vang, the Vice-President of the Ramsey County Historical Society. Swensson will be doing a reading and signing of her new book "Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs and Salvation of Cornbread Harris" on September 12 at Springboard for The Arts for Ramsey County Historical Society's History Revealed Series. The book's subject, Cornbread Harris, will also make an appearance at the event. Listen to hear more context about Harris's remarkable life and Swensson's new book about that life.

John Penny creates dense musical textures using virtual instruments. These crafted arrangements accompany John’s singing and guitar playing on original and other compelling music. It’s John’s latest project, and comes after years of writing movie scores and soundtracks for TV commercials, and playing World jazz on the guitar. John performs Wednesday August 28 at 7:30 at the Lake Harriet Bandshell in Minneapolis. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, John Penny first address why he composes music.

The group known as the New Primitives has been playing its brand of American Reggae for over twenty years. It’s new CD is called Primitive Road, and among its many engagements will be two days at the Minnesota State Fair. The New Primitives play multiple times at the International Bazaar Stage on Thursday and Friday August 22 and 23. Phil Nusbaum talked to New Primitives percussionist Stanley Kipper about how he approaches New Primitives music in general.

The celebrated reed player and composer Alan Braufman, recently released a new album titled Infinite Love, Infinite Tears. In conjunction with the release he connected with Jazz88's Christian Fritz to revisit his fascinating career from his blossoming as a player in the early 1970s, his stints with the Psychedelic Furs, Carla Bley and others, and his recent increase in activity as a leader. photo credit: Gabriel Bhaskar

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with singer and songwriter Lizz Wright about 'Shadow,' an album that was released in April. The recording celebrates the memory and lessons learned from her late grandmother. She discusses that and her collaborations with Angelique Kidjo, Brandee Younger, and Meshell Ndegeocello. Wright performs at the Dakota Friday night, August 16th.