Local mainstay and friend of the station Ginger Commodore came to visit Sean McPherson on Friday's Afternoon Cruise to discuss her new 4-show series "And the Melodies Still Linger On". The series launches on Thursday, August 1 at Crooners. Ms. Commodore discussed how she picks songs, accompanists and why she has been so focused on celebrating and expanding the Great American Songbook in the last handful of years.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with trumpeter/conductor Byron Stripling about "Uptown Nights," a program taking place Saturday, August 3rd, that he will perform with the Minnesota Orchestra. The program will feature Stripling in multiple roles - conducting, playing trumpet, and singing - along with vocalist Carmen Bradford and tap dancer Leo Manzari.

Global Jazz Collegium releases its new CD, 6:30 Saturday night August 4 at the Metrodome in Saint Paul. The CD is called Labyrinth and is centered on fusion jazz, with a mix of older music and originals. Pavel Jany plays the guitar and leads Global jazz Collegium, He talked to Phil Nusbaum about the piece opening the CD.

Jazz 88's Peter Solomon speaks with vocalist Jane Monheit in advance of her appearance Tuesday, July 30th at the Dakota. Monheit talks about her musical influences, the way she's learned to manage expectations as a female performer, lessons learned from working with legendary producer Joel Dorn, and her forthcoming eponymous release on Clubb 44 records.

Jazz 88's Peter Solomon speaks with vocalist Jane Monheit in advance of her appearance Tuesday, July 30th at the Dakota. Monheit talks about her musical influences, the way she's learned to manage expectations as a female performer, lessons learned from working with legendary producer Joel Dorn, and her forthcoming eponymous release on Clubb 44 records.

Joyann Parker isn't one to slow down. Since finding blues and soul music in her mid thirties she has been on a campaign to learn, celebrate and perform Black American music. She's doing just that on Friday night at the Woman's Club in Minneapolis. She and Lori Dokken from the Woman's Club stopped by to chat about the concert with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise.

Nyttu Chongo is a Minnesotan who performs a style called Jazz Bantu. The style combines music learned in Mozambique on African instruments with western classical instruments. Nyttu’s ensemble performs this Friday at the Ordway Theater in Saint Paul at 7:30pm. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Nyttu talked about many facets of his music, including his method of composing.

Peter Solomon speaks with Steve Clarke about the evolution of his band Steve Clarke and the Working Stiffs. They will playing the final Jazzclectic Concert of the summer on Saturday, July 27th at 2PM.

Willow Waters songs reflect personal issues she has worked through. Her new project is called I Rise I Fall, and it also includes some of Willow’s original instrumental music. Audiences can take in Willow’s new music next Thursday, July 25 at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. The doors open at 7, with the concert beginning at 7:30. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Willow reflected on the process of creating the songs on the project.

Joan Hutton and Sue Orfield celebrate Splash, their second CD of original music, Friday August 3 at Crooners Supper Club in Fridley. Joan and Sue talked to Phil Nusbaum about the project. Joan told Phil of a unique method of jumpstarting the composing process.