Mere days away from releasing their sophomore album "NORFSIDE" drummer L.A. Buckner and his bandmates from BiG HOMiE are ready to celebrate an album that's been years in the making. Buckner, alongside David Smith and percussionist Jamani Buckner, spoke about the songwriting process, the importance of releasing the album at an iconic venue (the Capri Theater) in an iconic part of Minneapolis (the Northside) and the importance of celebrating the release in the heart of Black Minnesota. The release show is on Friday October 18 at the Capri Theater in Minneapolis.

Celebrated Danish vocalist Sinne Eeg is making her way to the Twin Cities for a show at Crooners on Thursday, October 17. Eeg was nice enough to hop on the phone with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise to talk about her upcoming performance at Crooners and about how she approaches singing with different size groups!

Obi Original is an accomplished musician/composer and vocalist. Obi agreed to come by to discuss one of his musical heroes, Fela Kuti. Fela was born October 15, 1938 and he, alongside his drummer Tony Allen, is recognized as one of the architects of the Afrobeat genre. Listen in to hear Obi Original's reflections on Fela's influence and importance.

Traiveon and Candi and Bakkwooddrift command the stage at Icehouse this Thursday. The doors open 6:30 with the show at 7:30. The two bands include many old friends who support each other. Jimmy Hodges of Bakkwooddrift and Traiveon of Traveon and Candi talked to Phil Nusbaum about the show. First, Jimmy told the story of how he met Charmaine, singer with Bakkwooddrift.

Noel Coward was an acclaimed playwright, composer, singer, and actor. To celebrate his 125th birthday, vocalists Erin Schwab and Maud Hixson, along with arranger and pianist Rick Carlson reprise the Guthrie Theater production “Coward’s Women.” The performance is at Crooners, Saturday night October 12 at 6:30pm. The production tells the Noel Coward story through the significant women in his life, and of course features a lot of great Coward music and lyrics. When Erin, Maud and Phil chatted about Noel’s Women, Erin volunteered what she finds so appealing about him.

The Southside Aces performs New Orleans Jazz, old and new. This Monday night at 7, the Aces are at the Dakota in Minneapolis, with a show called a Night in New Orleans. Tony Balluff leads the Southside Aces. When Tony met with Phil Nusbaum, the talk turned to the great appeal of New Orleans jazz to Tony and the other Southside Aces

The internationally acclaimed vocalist Samarth Nagarkar is bringing his Khayal Ensemble to MacPhail for a performance on Saturday October 12. In advance of the concert Mr. Nagarkar and Michael Cain, the Director of Electronic Music Recording Arts at MacPhail connected with Jazz88 via ZOOM to discuss the concert, the improvisational traditions of North Hindustani music and the connections to jazz and other aural/oral traditions around the globe.

Joel Shapira is always out there playing. He's out playing in town four or five times a week. But behind the scenes Shapira is always working on his own material. Joel came through the Jazz88 studios to discuss his new record "Sleepless Montage" and the release party coming up on Thursday, October 3 at Berlin in Minneapolis.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with Dale Alexander, a pianist and drummer based in LA but originally from St. Paul, to get his thoughts on Bud Powell. The father of modern jazz piano was born September 27, 1924 and would be 100 years old.

Violinist Ernest Bisong from Walker-West visited Jazz88 to talk about the new season of the Rondo Community Music Series. The series launches this Saturday (9/28) and rolls through to May with concerts from Kavyesh Kaviraj, Kevin Washington and RA Spirit, Katia Cardenas, Trio Zenia and more. Bisong shared his philosophy for recruiting the right artists, keeping the series accessible and involving workshops and panel discussions into the offerings.