The Delphia Cello Quartet performs Sunday night at the Aster in Minneapolis from 8 till 10. The quartet is managed by Julia Floberg who also is one of the cellists. As we open this report, the Delphia Cello Quartet is playing a J.S. Bach piece for a dance form known as a sarabond.

Ginger Commodore’s musical salute to Dr. Martin Luther King takes place at the Dakota in Minneapolis, Monday night January 20 at 7PM. It’ll be a party-like atmosphere at the Dakota, featuring a lot of music of the era of Dr King, much of which he really enjoyed. Ginger told Phil Nusbaum about it.

Fattenin’ Frogs references old country and old blues in its performances. And they perform Sunday January 19 at the Como Park Conservatory at 4:30 PM. Whether the songs are old or original, originality is key for Fattenin’ Frogs. Amanda White and Chris Holm of the band say that song arrangements evolve from the time they start working with them.

Three Great Groups that Combine Traditional Styles in New ways play at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis on Thurs January 16. They are Orange Mighty Trio, the OK Factor and Sprig of That. But why this interest in pushing the boundaries? Nick Gaudette of the Orange Mighty trio addressed just that in an interview with Phil Nusbaum.

Vocalists Arne Fogel and Jennifer Eckes talk about their upcoming show at the Hastings Art Center, "Fred Astaire At the Movies"

Ian Van Ornum and Dani Aubert are Fellow Pynins. The duet performs Sunday January 12 at the Aster in Minneapolis, 8-10PM. Ian and Dani sing stories. When they got together with Phil Nusbaum, the talk turned to Dani’s recent songwriting influences.

King Wilkie’s Dream plays new acoustic country music and strives for originality. You can hear the group at the Hook and Ladder, Sunday March 12 from 7 to 9 PM. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, fiddler Robbi Podrug and mandolinist Shane Zack told Phil Nusbaum that much of the originality comes from the songwriting of guitarist John Niemann.

The Barley Jacks with Brian Wicklund. It’s a string band influenced by bluegrass, Appalachian tradition, rock and blues. Catch the group’s act at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis, Saturday Jan 4 at 7:30PM. When Phil Nusbaum caught up with Brian Wicklund they talked a bit about Barley Jacks up-north philosophy.

Vocalist Elaine Dame is coming back to Minneapolis to do an Ellington/Strayhorn show at Crooners Supper Club in the Dunsmore Room on Saturday, Jan. 4.

Tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi is playing two shows at Crooners on Monday, Jan. 6th.