Author and journalist Andrea Swensson visited the Afternoon Cruise alongside Youa Vang, the Vice-President of the Ramsey County Historical Society. Swensson will be doing a reading and signing of her new book "Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs and Salvation of Cornbread Harris" on September 12 at Springboard for The Arts for Ramsey County Historical Society's History Revealed Series. The book's subject, Cornbread Harris, will also make an appearance at the event. Listen to hear more context about Harris's remarkable life and Swensson's new book about that life.

John Penny creates dense musical textures using virtual instruments. These crafted arrangements accompany John’s singing and guitar playing on original and other compelling music. It’s John’s latest project, and comes after years of writing movie scores and soundtracks for TV commercials, and playing World jazz on the guitar. John performs Wednesday August 28 at 7:30 at the Lake Harriet Bandshell in Minneapolis. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, John Penny first address why he composes music.

The group known as the New Primitives has been playing its brand of American Reggae for over twenty years. It’s new CD is called Primitive Road, and among its many engagements will be two days at the Minnesota State Fair. The New Primitives play multiple times at the International Bazaar Stage on Thursday and Friday August 22 and 23. Phil Nusbaum talked to New Primitives percussionist Stanley Kipper about how he approaches New Primitives music in general.

The celebrated reed player and composer Alan Braufman, recently released a new album titled Infinite Love, Infinite Tears. In conjunction with the release he connected with Jazz88's Christian Fritz to revisit his fascinating career from his blossoming as a player in the early 1970s, his stints with the Psychedelic Furs, Carla Bley and others, and his recent increase in activity as a leader. photo credit: Gabriel Bhaskar

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with singer and songwriter Lizz Wright about 'Shadow,' an album that was released in April. The recording celebrates the memory and lessons learned from her late grandmother. She discusses that and her collaborations with Angelique Kidjo, Brandee Younger, and Meshell Ndegeocello. Wright performs at the Dakota Friday night, August 16th.

A Flamenco performance includes music and dance and comes from Spain, but today is practiced globally. The Twin Cities Flamenco Collective will be at Icehouse in Minneapolis, Sunday August 18. Doors open at 4, and the show starts at 5. Guitarist Ross Fellrath and dancer Sachiko jah GEE sat down with Phil Nusbaum for some inside Flamenco conversation. Phil asked Ross about the Seviana form, a type of piece that the Twin Cities Flamenco Collective uses to open a performance.

A Flamenco performance includes music and dance and comes from Spain, but today is practiced globally. The Twin Cities Flamenco Collective will be at Icehouse in Minneapolis, Sunday August 18. Doors open at 5, and the show starts at 7. Guitarist Ross Fellrath and dancer Sachiko jah GEE sat down with Phil Nusbaum for some inside Flamenco conversation. Phil asked Ross about the Seviana form, a type of piece that the Twin Cities Flamenco Collective uses to open a performance.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with two members of the band HeyArlo: drummer Richard Haneman and bassist Megan Mahoney. The band will play as part of the Hopkins Center for the Arts Sunset Series at Downtown Park Thursday evening, August 15th in Hopkins.

The focus is on synthesized music at Jazz Implosion Mondays, August 12, 19 and 26 at Icehouse in Minneapolis. The series is curated by deVon Gray. And each show presents multiple artists. When deVon met with Phil Nusbaum, deVon first addressed the joys of curating.

A call from a storage unit manager lead George Benson down the path to releasing one of the most majestic and compelling albums of his entire career. Listen to George Benson in conversation with Sean McPherson as he reflects on the recording sessions that led up to this new release Dreams Do Come True.