Maurice Jacox is a living legend. He's lived his life on stages around the world and nowadays the Twin Cities is blessed to see him all over town. On November 28 Maurice will be leading his group "We Still R" through a concert at the Dakota. In the conversation with Jazz88's Sean McPherson Jacox discusses how he ended up playing with We Still R, his love of the Cuban people and more.

Drummer, bandleader and writer Brandon Commodore is no stranger to stages all across the world in his work with Stokley, The New Power Generation and more. But for Brandon's own musical development, no stage looms as large as the Dakota. This Monday he and his group NRG will grace the stage and Commodore has a lot to be excited about.

Jose James (Sr.) talks to Patty Peterson about playing the music of Grover Washington Jr's Winelight Album at Crooners on Nov 17

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon spoke with trumpeter and composer Russ Johnson, who has described his own music as "too in for the out crowd and too out for the in crowd." He is performing Saturday November 18th at Jazz Central with drummer Abinnet Berhanu, Bryan Nichols, piano and Ted Olsen, bass. Johnson has performed with iconic musicians like Joe Lovano, Lee Konitz, Steve Swallow, and Bill Frisell. He has released seven albums as a leader.

Franklin STEAM Middle School's Michael "Mr. B" Bratsch has been building an incredible learning experience for the students at Franklin, and is excited to present a new project coming to MPS Voices called The R&B: Read & Believe Podcast. Mr. B talks with MPS Voices Executive Producer Manny Hill about how the idea for the podcast came about, the hard work the Franklin students have put in, and what the first episode (to premiere November 20, 7pm) entails.

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with Dr. Maya Sullivan about her work as Dean of Students at Metro State University and about Graduate Programs Preview Day, taking place November 14th from 5 – 7 PM.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon caught up with Mary Ann Sullivan whose band Mary Ann and the Money Makers will be featured in a Jazzclectic Concert Sunday at Mall of America.

Harold López-Nussa is already out on the road and is ready to visit the Cedar Cultural Center on Wednesday November 15 for his debut performance at that venue. López-Nussa's new release is his first for Blue Note and it's garnering lots of acclaim for good reason; it's a reflection on his experiences, both joyous and melancholy, of leaving Cuba and moving with his family to France. Harold took some time out of his schedule to chat with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise about the record and about his experiences playing the music out on the road.

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon spoke with David Radames Toro, Stage Director for Minnesota Opera’s production of Cruzar La Cara De La Luna, a mariachi opera showing at the Ordway through November 12th. (Attached photo by Dan Norman)

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon spoke with Sgt. Rick Denneson of the West Hennepin County Police Department about Crash Responder Safety Week, November 13 – 17. Sgt. Denneson says that the week was not just created to raise awareness about the safety of crash responders, but to encourage the driving public to consider their own safety in potentially hazardous driving situations. (Attached image from Oregon Department of Transportation).