Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with vocalist Jennifer Grimm and 16-year-old saxophonist Grady Cartony about "Next Generation: Jazz," a show focusing on young Jazz artists taking place at Crooners at 5 PM on Sunday, July 21st. Two other showcases at Crooners will feature young artists from the Classical scene and Musical Theater Community.

Bassist Greg Bryant is one half of the jazz duo Concurrence. On their new album, Indivisible, he and pianist Paul Horton use an entire toolbox of expression to tell the story of the impact of I-40 on Black neighborhoods in Nashville. Bryant, who hails from Nashville, discussed how he and Horton came to tell this story and how the music balances the shameful details of the highway and the optimistic and resilient response from the Black community in Nashville. Photo Credit: Giovanni Rodriguez

When Vicki Victoria Sings, Expressing the Mood of the Song is the Main Thing

Carlisle Evans Peck sings songs that chronical facing the straight world from a Gay orientation. In order to overcome difference and create connections with others, he often mines family stories. Carlisle performs at the Southern Theater this Friday and Saturday evenings, July 12 and 13 at 7pm. When Carlisle talked with Phil Nusbaum, Carlisle told how he learns stories of his family members.

In his interview with Sean McPherson this week Kavyesh Kaviraj said he is running on "two batteries". His debut album as a leader, Fables, is a culmination of at least a year of work for Kaviraj and his team. For his visit to Jazz88, Kavyesh Kaviraj focused on how a half decade of work as a sideman laid the groundwork for his arrival as a leader.

Manny Hill is the Executive Producer of MPS Voices and one of his closest colleagues is Olive Norvell who serves as host and producer on MPS Voices. MPS Voices is a central hub for student and staff audio content for and from Minneapolis Public Schools. Learn more about MPS Voices' triumphant first year in this interview and check out the station at MPSVoices.com.

The Minnesota Original Music Festival Comes to Multiple Locations in Saint Peter Wednesday July 17 through Sunday July 21. The festival has performances and workshops that focus on songwriting and instrumental performance across many music forms. It also has a way of combining individual musicians into bands who have 48 hours to come up with 3-song sets. When Phil Nusbaum talked with the festival’s chief organizer Eli Hoehn, Eli first addressed why he started the Minnesota Original Music Festival.

Sunday afternoon July 14, the Northfield Jazz Fest takes place. It is a multi-venue event, with much of the action taking plat at Northfield’s Way Park. The fest is funded by the Southeast Minnesota Arts Council to showcase local talent. Phil Nusbaum talked about some of the Northfield band leaders at the fest, and the conversation started with JC talking about his group, the Immanent Standards trio. This trio project began before the pandemic, and then, as now, group members use well-worn tunes such as Ray Noble’s Cherokee as launching pads for improvisation.

Accordo is a chamber music string ensemble composed of present and former members of the St Paul Chamber Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra. Members of the group are busy with other musical projects. But Accordo helps them fulfill important musical goals. Violinist Steven Copes spoke with Phil Nusbaum.

Jazz88 honors our Minnesota Jazz Legends 2024 Mikkel Romstad, Dr. Henry Blackburn, Brian Grivna and the late Roberta Davis and hosted by Patty Peterson. The live concert and conversation took place April 14th at the Minnesota History Center’s 3M theater. Minnesota Jazz legends 2024 is funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and Jazz88.