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.

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.