Charlie Maguire writes songs that depict people at work. Charlie’s next concert celebrates 50 years of his singular style of songwriting, Saturday night at the Roots Cellar at University Baptist Church in Minneapolis. Charlie writes from lived experiences of himself and others, and his original inspiration comes from Woodie Guthrie. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Charlie first talked about a Guthrie songs that Charlie likes to sing, Government Road.

Twin Cities singer Maud Hixson won a Bistro Award recently for "Permanent Moonlight," an album of songs by Richard Rodney Bennett. She spoke with Jazz88's Peter Solomon about her path to becoming a professional jazz singer and about a Doris Day Tribute at Crooners' Dunsmore Room on April 20th.

Singer-Songwriter Ian George has a new, CD that references many music styles. Not only is it hard to place in any commercial genre, but it takes an unusual approach to a breakup. When Ian talked with Phil Nusbaum, Phil asked Ian if the songs came from Ian’s own experiences.

Peter Solomon speaks with Duluth-based trombonist Thomas Woytko about JAM Duluth, a program of live performances scheduled at Duluth breweries and other locations through the month of April.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with pianist Aaron Diehl about his recent recording of Mary Lou Williams' "Zodiac Suite," the influence of pianist and composer John Lewis, and his upcoming performance of music by Lewis, Gunther Schuller and others with members of the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota Sunday, April 7th at Sundin Hall on the campus of Hamline University in St. Paul..

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with Victor Cole, Director of Recruitment, Retention and Induction in the School of Urban Education at Metro State University, about a Graduate Programs Preview Day coming up April 13th.

The Mississippi Hot Club, the Red Hot Django Peppers and Gypsy Mania, three leading hot club jazz bands are getting together for a concert on April 6. The show is called Hot Club at the Hook, and the Hook is the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis. One of the event’s curators, Glen Helgeson of Gypsy Mania talked with Phil Nusbaum about the event. Glen first addressed the reason the show is important to the Jazz community.

March 28 is the 88th day of the year and Jazz88 is celebrating the piano! World Piano Day on Jazz88 is supported by Schmitt Music. Sean McPherson headed out to Schmitt Music today to learn a little bit more about the piano and it's staying power in the music world with Dr. Andy Fleser, the keyboard manager at Schmitt.

The trio Trigonal composed of Anthony Cox (Bass, Cello and Percussion), Davu Seru (Drums and Percussion) and Douglas R. Ewart (Winds, Percussion, Poetry and Invented Instruments) are preparing for a show on Saturday March 28 at the Cedar Cultural Center. For this event they will be joined by Sarah M. Greer on vocals. Sean McPherson from Jazz88 recently caught up Seru and Ewart from the group to discuss their history and their philosophy for creating music. During the interview you will also hear from Janis Ewart, a distinguished member of the music and radio community in the Twin Cities and a beloved former staff member at Jazz88.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with Brazilian guitar virtuoso Diego Figueiredo about his musical development and his recent album "My World," which featured guest appearances by clarinetist/saxophonist Ken Peplowski and trumpeter Nicholas Payton. Figueiredo is appearing at Crooners on Friday 3/29.