The Moonlight Serenaders 14-lice big band has been around for decades. The group plays a free concert in Rice Park in Saint Paul, next Wednesday, August 5, 7 to 9pm. The group’s current director, percussionist Dan Marrs, and former director and current trumpeter, Linda Ness, talked to Phil Nusbaum about the group. To a greater degree than much contemporary jazz, a big band relies on all the players reading what’s been composed and arranged. So Phil asked Dan and Linda about keeping everybody focused on the arrangement.

Logan Richardson in a saxophonist, composer and producer who will be Artist in Residence July 29th through 31st at Berlin in Minneapolis. He speaks with Peter Solomon about growing up in Kansas City in the 1980's and how that shaped him as an artist. Richardson will be working with a group of Twin Cities-based artists, including pianist Kavyesh Kaviraj, trumpeter Omar Abdulkarim, bassist Kevin Gibbs and drummer Kevin Washington.

The Kendra Glenn band and Ace Mack collaborate for the Funk Extravaganza at the Minnesota Music Cafe in Saint Paul, 8pm on Friday July 31. It’ll be an evening of great singing, with a tight band performance, and of course, dancing. Phil Nusbaum talked with Ace and Kendra about the show. The group enjoys covering Aretha Franklin, whose songs leaned in the direction of funk.

Singing her songs on stage is a lifelong dream of Laura Hugo. And that’s what she’ll be doing, Thursday July 30 at Laura’s EP Release show at Icehouse in Minneapolis. Laura sings about love and love lost, her family, cultural background, and other subjects. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Laura talked about getting started in her songwriting craft.

Last Winter, Phil Nusbaum reported on the Cedar Commissions, a set of performances by up and coming Minnesota artists. One was Mikey Marget, a cellist with interests in traditional Scandinavian folk music, as well as the rock and Jazz, and an inclination to combine genres. Mikey is sharing a night with Kevin Gamble, at the club Berlin, July 22. When Mikey talked with Phil Nusbaum about the upcoming performance, with their group Spectacle Case, the talk turned to the cellist Mikey has been listening to, Lena Jonsson.

Tom McDermott moved to New Orleans in the early eighties and has quickly himself as a leading voice in early jazz and New Orleans roots music. He brings a personal and inventive approach to the repertoire of Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Professor Longhair, and James Booker, as well as ragtime and Brazilian Choro music. McDermott spoke with Jazz88 Morning Host Peter Solomon about his music, and gave a preview of a concert taking place Monday, July 20th at Judson Memorial Baptist Church at 4101 Harriet Avenue in Minneapolis.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with guitarists Joe Cruz and Scott Keever about the new guitar duo they are bringing to Aster Cafe on July 23rd. Both musicians have diverse musical interests, ranging from Americana to Latin, Blues, Jazz, and more.

Joan Hutton and Sue Orfield’s Take That Back Releases new CD called Splash and performs at Metronome in Saint Paul, Monday night July 20. Uncommon as it is in small group jazz for a band to be led by two saxes, Take That Back has made a distinct impression in the jazz community. The new Take That Back CD is called Splash, and the group performs 7 to 9 pm, Monday July 20 at Metronome in Saint Paul. When Joan Hutton talked to Phil Nusbaum about Take That Back, she first addressed how the group started.

The Minnesota Original Music Festival is coming Sunday July 17. Held in Minnesota Square Park in Saint Peter, the Minnesota Original Music Festival presents many musical genres, on multiple stages, and attendance is free of charge. It’s the fifth year of the event, and is the brainchild of Eli Hoehn. Eli told Phil Nusbaum why he created the event.

The Southside Aces New CD, called The Big Beat, continues the Ace Tradition of Playing Old New Orleans Jazz, and also Interpreting a varied Repertoire in a New Orleans Way. The release event is at the Dakota in Minneapolis, Thursday July 16 at 7pm. When Southside Aces clarinetist Tony Balluff talked to Phil Nusbaum about the group, he first addressed how the Aces feel about playing the really old songs in the New Orleans repertoire.