Monroe Crossing has been playing its bluegrass music locally, nationally and internationally for almost a quarter-century. The group presents its Christmas show Tuesday and Wednesday December 17 and 18 at Crooner’s, 7:30-p pm. Monroe Crossing’s fiddler and one of its founding members, Lisa Fuglie talked to Phil Nusbaum about the group’s history.

Reid Anderson, the co-founder and the bassist for The Bad Plus, recently connected with Sean McPherson's Jazz88 for a chat. Anderson discussed the new album from The Bad Plus and their upcoming run of shows starting on Christmas Day at the Dakota.

Kathleen Johnson’s Dakota show Wednesday December 11 at the Dakota at 7pm features the voice. The emphasis is because singers can really connect with audiences. Kathleen put across her point of view in a conversation with Phil Nusbaum.

Vocalists Toussaint Morrison and Roz Prickel are deep into the world of holiday music. They are in rehearsals for their Sno Ball event on Saturday at PNA Hall in Northeast. They swung by the Afternoon Cruise to chat about their favorite holiday music, their love of all things pickle and their upcoming show.

Saturday night December 7 at 7PM, Katia Cardenas and trio perform at Walker West Music Academy in Saint Paul. It’ll be a program of Katia’s favorites, so it is It’s slightly ironic that one of Katia’s favorites is the standard “My Favorite Things.” In an interview with Phil Nusbaum Katia first told of the concert series she is part of at Walker.

Vocalist Bruce A. Henry is back in town for a holiday performance with the JazzMN Orchestra. Though Henry didn't sing holiday music for the first half of his career, he reconnected with the canon during a holiday show at a shopping mall in Colorado and hasn't looked back since. In the interview Henry shared how he navigates the big band setting and the holiday songbook. The JazzMN Orchestra presents "Swingin' in the Season" at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre on Monday December 9 with Henry and vocalist Connie Evingson.

Debbie Briggs presents a beefed-up vintage jazz Christmas show at the Hook and ladder in Minneapolis, 7pm Friday December 6. In between rehearsals, Debbie talked to Phil Nusbaum about the Debbie Briggs Vintage Jazz Christmas, and about some of those who are participating in the production.

Jazz88 connected with Windom, Minnesota's own Maria Schneider on her birthday to celebrate her Grammy-laden career and her continued connection to Minnesota but Schneider wanted to talk about was the new anthem she's written for her hometown team, the Vikings. Supported by her orchestra's trombone section and the beefiest baritones Julliard has to offer, Schneider's tune is bound to secure the Vikes the top slot in the NFC North. Check out the conversation and the tune here and SKOL VIKINGS.

Annie Humphrey is inspired by her Native American roots. She brings this heritage to bear in her performance called Decolonizing Thanksgiving at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis this Friday, November 29. When Annie got together with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the performance, Annie first addressed the importance of being aware of internal and external forces.

Next Wednesday, November 27, Andrew Walesch leads his orchestra into the Dakota in Minneapolis for an evening devoted to the great songs of Tony Bennett. Andrew recently talked to Phil Nusbaum about the show and about Bennett. In 2017 Andrew was in New York City, where he happened to run into Tony Bennett on the street. Andrew followed Tony into a restaurant.