Fats Waller is one of the most influential musicians in the history of jazz, and also one of the most loved by the public. His music was at the same time intellectually deep and danceable. The Tony Bailuff Big 3 digs deeply into the Waller catalog on its performances. Tony talked to Phil Nusbaum about the Big 3, and about Fats Waller himself.

Fats Waller is one of the most influential musicians in the history of jazz, and also one of the most loved by the public. His music was at the same time intellectually deep and danceable. The Tony Bailuff Big 3 digs deeply into the Waller catalog on its performances. Tony talked to Phil Nusbaum about the Big 3, and about Fats Waller himself.

Wayne Anthony is set for his second production of Frank Sinatra music for Champagne Ivy, taking place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Minneapolis. There are shows at 4:30 and 8 Saturday October 12. To Wayne, singing Sinatra is more than voicing great songs. Sinatra music was woven into his upbringing, as he told Phil Nusbaum

Twin Cities Jazz Guitarist Joel Shapira celebrates his new Quartet CD, titled Sleepless Montage, at the Club, Berlin, in Minneapolis, next Thursday at 7PM. The CD has 9 pieces, all composed by Shapira. About the title selection, Sleepless Montage, Joel told Phil Nusbaum, that the title refers to his compositional process.

Drummer and bandleader L.A. Buckner lovingly describes fellow drummer/bandleader Brandon Commodore as the "big homie". These two great drummers and bandleaders have years of history and the love will come through loud and clear on Saturday at Crooners when they share a bill. In their visit with Jazz88 Commodore pointed out that not only is it great to see two drummer/bandleaders sharing a bill but also pointed out that seeing two Black drummers who both hail from Minneapolis sharing a bill together is a beautiful thing. Listen to hear more about these dynamic players, their bass drum preferences and the range of emotions they share on stage with their groups BiG HoMiE (Buckner) and NRG (Commodore).

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with NEA Jazz Master and Grammy-Award Winning trombonist and composer Delfeayo Marsalis about what inspired his recent recording 'Crescent City Jewels.' Marsalis will be featured in two sets with the JazzMn Orchestra Sunday afternoon at the Dakota. (Attached photo by Eric Waters and Girard Mouton).

Voz En Punto, the wildly talented acapella group out of Mexico City visited Jazz88 on Monday September 16. It was a beautiful coincidence that the group was visiting on Mexican Independence Day. Voz En Punto is visiting the Twin Cities in partnership with VocalEssence. The group talked about their thirty plus year history and performed two songs: Tilingolingo and La Negra.

Riktika Ganguly, the Twin Cities composer and anthropologist, debuts a new folk opera this Friday and Saturday at Luminary Arts Center in Minneapolis. Titled The Mushroom That Swallowed the Moon Whole, the production explores both mobility and rootedness and features Indian music. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Ritika explained the inspiration for the new folk opera.

Pat Donohue’s Prairie All-Stars became a household name as the house band for the Prairie Home Companion radio show. Over the years, the group members have learned to anticipate each other’s musical moves, which helps them cruise through lots of interesting and compelling songs. When Pat got together with Phil Nusbaum, they talked about the group’s repertoire which includes both original and very well-known songs.

Trombonist Dave Graf has been a fixture in the Twin Cities jazz scene for decades but he spends most of his time behind the scenes. That changes on Sunday when he steps out on the Crooners Main Stage leading a band that includes Jennifer Grimm (voice), Phil Hey (drums), Doug Haining (sax), Mary Louise Knutson (piano) and Matt Peterson (bass). Graf took the time to connect with Jazz88 to discuss his lengthy career and his approach to presenting his own music. Dave even stuck around to play a little jazz trivia!