The Sit In Series is a new program sponsored by the Minnesota Hard Bop Collective. The Sit In Series aims to provide a formal opportunity for middle school to college aged musicians to sit in or perform with professional musicians. Lead mentors Dale Alexander (piano) and Omar Abdulkarim (trumpeter) alongside mentee Bernadette Brownrigg Spray (vocals) stopped by the Afternoon Cruise to chat about the series. The next event is on Sunday February 4 at 6:30 at MetroNOME in St. Paul.

Billy Childs is no stranger to Grammy attention. Since 1995 Childs' work has been routinely nominated for Grammys and he's nabbed quite a few wins during his storied career as well. This year Childs is up for "Best Instrumental Jazz Album" for his work on his album "The Winds of Change". Sean McPherson connected with Billy Childs to get input on the impact and importance of the Grammys for a career jazz musician.

Minneapolis Public Schools is enhancing its outreach to Spanish-speaking families with a series of four Newcomer Orientation sessions in late January and throughout February. MPS Voices Executive Producer Manny Hill talks with MPS Outreach Specialist Shakur Ali about these Orientation Sessions, when and where they are, and what families can expect to learn from them.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with Trumpeter Steve Kenny, who curates the jazz at K.J.'s Hideaway. He brings his quintet to the St. Paul venue Saturday, February 3rd to celebrate the music of John Coltrane. This will be the 100th performance in the ongoing jazz series that Kenny has curated over the past two years.

Dennis Spears is the longtime curator of the Legends Series at the Capri Theater. Spears was nice enough to visit Jazz88 on his "day off" to discuss the show he is putting up at the Capri this weekend. The focus for the concert is the legendary soul sounds of the 1960s and 1970s. In addition to talking about this concert, Dennis Spears also reflected on the staying power of this era of music.

January 31 through February 4 are the dates for Klezmer On Ice, a Twin Cities celebration of Klezmer music and Jewish Culture. The event includes klezmer concerts and music learning opportunities, presentations about Yiddish-based culture, a visual art exhibit, a film screening. One of the organizers is Josh Rosard. When Josh talked to Phil Nusbaum, Josh talked about the inspiration for Klezmer on Ice.

Singer – songwriter Michael Monroe has sought a simple life, and that’s why he lived a long time in the area of Grand Marais, MN. His songs relate to the experience, and he performs many of his original compositions at a show called The #Ms: Minnesota Music Masters, with Billy McLaughlin and John McAndrew, Sunday February 4 at 6:30pm. When Michael sat down with Phil Nusbaum, Michael discussed his inspiration for Winter Song.

Mateo’s Rogue Tango has been playing since 2010 or 2011, and it’s leader, Scott Mateo Davies goes back further than that with Twin Cities Tango. The group plays at the Eagles number 34 in Minneapolis, 2nd and fourth Sundays at 6:30pm. Dancers play a big role in Twin Cities tango, and there is a tango organization known as the Tango Society of Minnesota. When Mateo sat down to talk to Phil Nusbaum about Mateo’s Rogue Tango, Mateo first addressed the Twin Cities tango community.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with award-winning mystery novelist Michael Connelly about how jazz played an essential role in establishing the character of Harry Bosch, the hard-edged loner cop with a penchant for bucking authority and a deep-seated love of jazz. Connelly himself became a jazz fan as he was doing the research for his books. (Image by Mark Coggins, San Francisco)

Other Country Ensemble hosts World Music Mondays at the Eagles in Minneapolis every fourth Monday of every month at 7:30pm. The next one is this Monday, January 22. At these shows, Other Country Ensemble performs, but also showcases other world music groups. When Scott Nieman talked to Phil Nusbaum Scott first told about Other Country Ensemble members.