The New Standards are a jazz-adjacent trio featuring John Munson (bass and vocals), Chan Poling (piano and vocals), and Steve Roehm (vibes). Though the group has plenty of rock'n'roll pedigrees on their resume, all the members have a deep love and knowledge of jazz. The New Standards rely on that love of jazz and the song suggestions they receive from their musical guests to craft a celebrated annual holiday show. This year the concerts are at the State Theatre on December 6 and 7th, including a matinee on the 7th.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with Shawn Lewis, Community Relations Manager with the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, about planned improvements to North Commons Park. At $45 million, the North Commons renovation represents the largest investment ever made in a neighborhood park in the 140-year history of the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board.

Big Homie plays the Dakota in Minneapolis, 7pm on this coming Friday. The group is based on the North side of Minneapolis, and led by percussionist L.A. Buckner. L.A. told Phil Nusbaum that Big Homie frequently presents musical portraits of life on the north side, including the tune, Looking to the Hills.

Jazz88 Host Patty Peterson talks to saxophonist, Lucia Sarmiento, about her new single, "Morning Delight" and her upcoming CD release in February 2025 at Berlin in Minneapolis.

Mike Wolter leads his trio into the Lexington in Saint Paul, next Saturday night, November 23 at 7pm. The performance will lean on the standards, but Mike and company bring experience with many types of jazz to each performance. When Mike talked to Phil Nusbaum, they spoke about different types of tunes and different types of inspirations, including a Wolters original, long part of Winter. That one has a folk influence.

Big Homie plays the Dakota in Minneapolis, 7pm on this coming Friday. The group is based on the North side of Minneapolis, and led by percussionist L.A. Buckner. L.A. told Phil Nusbaum that Big Homie frequently presents musical portraits of life on the north side, including the tune, Looking to the Hills.

This month Crooners Supper Club celebrates their ten year anniversary. Jazz88 caught up with their Music Director, Jennifer Grimm, to talk about the club's history, it's triumphant series of outdoor concerts during the pandemic and the importance of having clubs that serve as a listening rooms. This weekend on Sunday Jazz88's own Patty Peterson will revisit the Crooners stage after having served as the first performer at the venue on November 20, 2014.

Jazz88's Patty Peterson spoke to guitarist, Cory Wong about coming back to his home town for 2 concerts at the Palace Theater in St. Paul, November 23rd and 24th. He also talked about what it was like to write, arrange and record his original material with the Metrople Orkest for his newest album "Starship Syncopation".

Guitarist Zacc Harris is back with Chasing Shadows, the follow-up to his well-received 2021 effort Small Wonders. In the summer of 2022 Harris took an opportunity to get away to a cabin for five days sans family and with nothing specific on the agenda. During the retreat Harris found his way into about twenty new songs, eight of which can be heard on this new record. The resulting performance exude some of the curious and patient spirit so many find when they spend a couple days away from the grind. Harris discussed the writing and recording of the album with Jazz88's Sean McPherson. Harris and company will be celebrating the release of the new album on Friday November 15 at Berlin in Minneapolis.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with Harlem-based pianist Emmet Cohen about his recent album "Vibe Provider," and about "Live from Emmet's Place" - the live stream series he started that helped him navigate the pandemic. Cohen plays the Dakota on November 15th with bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Joe Farnsworth.