Paul Barry, Twin Cities Blues Harp Player Combines blues band influences from Chicago and West Coast in live shows by the Ace Tones. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Paul expressed his gratefulness to the past blues masters who set him in the right direction.

Twin Cities resident Adi Yeshaya is internationally known as an arranger, composer and orchestrator. His latest thing is a collaboration with vocalist Jennifer Grimm. Jennifer sings with Adi’s Yeshaya’s Jazz orchestra Sunday, January 11 at Crooners, at 7pm. When Phil Nusbaum showed up at a Jennifer and Adi rehearsal, Adi was tinkering with a piano intro to Alfie.

Maud Hixson, the celebrated Twin Cities song stylist has a new recording. It’s called When Winter Comes. On the recording, Maud presents a dozen great but mostly unappreciated songs. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Maud said she’s been thinking about When Winter Comes for decades. The CD has an underlying theme of getting through a Minnesota winter. As for Maud, her ability to get through varies from time to time.

Fred Keller, singer, mandolinist and songwriter has created a CD and book, each called Drifting Down the Kettle River, which happens to flow by Fred’s home in northern Minnesota. These projects illuminate Minnesota history and lifestyles over time. Fred’s trio is called The Skally Line, and after a rehearsal, band members talked about Drifting Down the Kettle with Phil Nusbaum. When they got together, Fred addressed why he composes songs about Minnesota history.

The Minnesota Boychoir performs a holiday oriented concert this Friday at Crooners Lounge in Fridley. The Minnesota Boychoir organization actually includes four choirs totaling about 150 boys. Of course, all the boys get vocal training, and through the experience, receive life lessons as well. When the group’s leader, Mark Johnson, talked with Phil Nusbaum, Mark first told of the tradition of boychoirs.

Three bands; Joey Ryan and the Inks, The Exchange and Consolation Champ, get together annually to present a benefit performance. Band proceeds are donated to Every Meal, a group that provides meals to local kids that might otherwise go hungry. Member of Consolation Champ, John Richards, talked with Phil Nusbaum about the show. As the December 23 show at Icehouse is the 20th benefit show by these three bands, it has become a tradition of its own.

Adam Bohanan combines Hanukkah with Funk at the Cedar Cultural Center, 7:30 till 10:30, Thursday December 18. Adam is receiving a lot of praise for creating a type of show that’s hardly been done, if at all. When Adam talked to Phil Nusbaum about a Funky Hanukkah, he talked about why he’s including the song, The Eight Days of Hanukkah.

Heyrarlo performs next Thursday from 7 till 10:30pm at Berlin in Minneapolis. Trumpeter DeCarlo and bassist Mickey from the group met with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the group. When the group formed, it played private events. Then, it got a residency in a club. Mickey said that was a turning point for Heyarlo.

Vocalist Maud Hixson has released a new album of holiday songs called "When Winter Comes." She speaks with Jazz88's Morning Show host Peter Solomon about the project, and the segment includes samples of several of the tunes from the new album. On Saturday, December 20, Hixson plays shows at Crooners to mark the release of the new recording.

David Hazeltine began working as a professional jazz musician in his hometown of Milwaukee a when he was just thirteen years old. In this conversation with Jazz88 Morning Host Peter Solomon, he reflects on a career that has lasted more than five decades, and his close friendship and musical partnership with Twin Cities bassist Billy Peterson. The duo is will perform at Jazz Central Studios Wednesday evening at 8 PM.