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.

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.