Ryan Olson and Isaac Gale make up Marijuana Deathsquads. Theirs is a serious musical endeavor that includes composition and improvisation, electronic and conventional instruments and voices that seriously breaks new musical ground but doesn’t take itself too seriously. Marijuana Deathsquads performs next Wednesday at Icehouse in Minneapolis, with doors opening at 9pm ahead of a 10pm performance. A major tool used by the group is a synth, and Isaac Gale talked about it in a conversation with Phil Nusbaum.

Somali blues & American gospel have a conversation in a show coming to the St. Thomas University campus (St. Paul) Sunday, April 6 and Saint John's University (Collegeville) April 27. Bobby Vandell spoke with the organizers JD Steele, Ahmed Yusuf and Beck Lee. Details at https://culturalfluencyinitiative.org/events/

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with singer Karrin Allyson about a show at Crooners Thursday April 3rd called "The American Songbook Jazz Party." The program is a collaboration with music journalist Daborah Grace Winer, who will tell stories behind the music. Karrin talks about her own relationship to the songs she will be performing and talks about her Grammy-nominated album "Many a New Day" that focuses on the Rodgers and Hammerstein songs.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with Riley Helgeson, a trumpeter who handles publicity for Jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis. To celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, Jazz Central is presenting free concerts by Twin Cities big bands each Sunday in April. Venues for the concerts include the Hook and Ladder Theater and MCN6.

Merle Haggard is one of Country Music’s most celebrated singers and songwriters. Next Saturday at Icehouse in Minneapolis, Trevor McSpadden leads a seven piece group in a Merle Haggard birthday salute. Band members include guitarists Dan Lowinger and Dan Neil; bassist Eric Lilistahl; fiddling Tom Shaefer; and Ken Wilson on the pedal steel. We’ll first catch Trevor singing a favorite Merle Haggard hit.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with pianist Renee Rosnes, who has been a major player on the New York Jazz Scene since 1985. She discusses her early career when she worked with iconic artists like Joe Henderson, J.J. Johnson, and Bobby Hutcherson. She also discusses her recent Brazilian album "Crossing Paths," and the new Blue Note album "Arboresque," by the all-female jazz ensemble Artemis, which Rosnes founded. (Pictured: Members of Artemis. Rosnes is second from the left. Photo by John Abbott).

Judi Vinar is a singer's singer. Her skills and her collaborative spirit have made her an in-demand vocalist and vocal instructor nationwide. She dropped by Jazz88 to discuss her upcoming shows with Dennis Spears and the Wolverines Jazz Trio at The Capri Theater on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6. Vinar talked about maintaining her calm, her longtime collaborators the Wolverines and more.

Trombonist Ryan Keberle is making his way back through town for a performance at Berlin on April 11 with his group Reverso. Keberle was nice enough to catch up with Jazz88 and talk about Reverso as well as his other projects, Colectivo De Brasil and Catharsis. Keberle also shared his thoughts about writing memorable melodies and introduced us to his sleepy dog Stitch.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with pianist Renee Rosnes, who has been a major player on the New York Jazz Scene since 1985. She discusses her early career when she worked with iconic artists like Joe Henderson, J.J. Johnson, and Bobby Hutcherson. She also discusses her recent Brazilian album "Crossing Paths," and the new Blue Note album "Arboresque," by the all-female jazz ensemble Artemis, which Rosnes founded. (Pictured: Members of Artemis. Rosnes is second from the left. Photo by John Abbott.)

Kevin Gamble was introduced to music in church. Originally a drummer, he became a jazz composer on the piano. Kevin leads his trio into Berlin in Minneapolis, this coming Saturday afternoon from 4:30 till 6:30. During a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Kevin addressed how his composition, I Still Believe, reflected what was going on with him at the time.