Twin Cities-based guitarist Pavel Jany and his Global Jazz Collegium are back with their latest disc, Labyrinth. Jany and many of the other members of the Collegium also work in the group Ticket to Brasil, but for this group, they follow their interests beyond Brazil and explore many of the international sounds that have become part of the jazz palette. Jany stopped in to connect with Sean McPherson and talk about the new release and discuss how the pandemic supercharged this passion project with new enthusiasm. They’ll be celebrating the release at MetroNOME Brewery on Sunday, August 4 at 6:30 PM.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with vocalist Carmen Bradford about her musical career with Count Basie and her participation in the program "Uptown Nights" with trumpeter Byron Stripling and the Minnesota Orchestra on Saturday, August 3rd. Bradford is the daughter of trumpeter Bobby Bradford, a renowned educator and former sideman with Ornette Coleman, and singer Melba Joyce.

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.