Jazz88

MacPhail Center for music has a program called the Spotlight Program, which encourages its teachers to create musical programs. That’s what stimulated the creation of “It Takes Two”, an evening of Broadway musical-style songs with piano accompaniment to be performed at Crooner’s Supper Club in Fridley next Thursday. MacPhail pianist Timothy De Prey tells of the group process that created “It Takes Two.”

Power Up! Is the name of the Women’s Day Music Fest Friday night March 8 at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis. Billed as a celebration of women and gender, Power Up was curated by Corrine Caoette of the Hook and Ladder. In this preview, we listen to Corrine, as well as Vanessa McKinney and Ayanna Muata, members of participating bands. First, Corrine addresses the philosophies guiding the creation of Power Up!

Adi Yeshaya is an in-demand arranger and composer whose has done work for Whitney Houston, Prince, Lena Horne and more. In the Twin Cities Yeshaya might be best known for his longtime collaboration with Debbie Duncan. After Duncan's passing in 2020 Adi started to revisit the charts he had worked up during their decades of collaboration. With these arrangements and some new ones in hand, Yeshaya and his Jazz Orchestra are taking the stage of Crooners on Sunday February 25 at 6:30. Jennifer Grimm will be joining the Orchestra as the featured vocalist.

Starting his professional career in the late 70s and staying vital and relevant up to today, Kenny Garrett truly bridges generations as a jazz icon. Frequently recognized as the greatest alto player of his generation, Garrett is also a generational talent as a composer. Check out the conversation between Kenny Garrett and Sean McPherson as they discuss his upcoming shows at the Dakota on February 24 and his forthcoming album which is slated for an April release.

How is Minneapolis Public Schools celebrating Black History Month? MPS Voices Executive Producer Manny Hill chats with MPS Engagement Specialist Tiki Blackamore about a couple events that have happened already, and what else is coming up, including an upcoming production for MPS Voices.

Peter Solomon spoke with Cathy McLeer, State Director for AARP Minnesota about the Twin Cities Winter Jazz Fest.

The Ancia Saxophone Quartet showcases its new CD in upcoming performances. This Wednesday, February 22, the show is at 12 noon, at Landmark Center in Saint Paul, and sponsored by the Shubert Club. Next Friday, the performance is at Westminster Hall in Minneapolis at 12 noon. Joan Hutton of the Ancia Saxophone Quartet talked with Phil Nusbaum about the group, and about one of Ancia’s chief concerns: Supporting living composers.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with singer Jamecia Bennett about her concert Friday, February 23rd at the Ordway, which she says will celebrate the the evolution of music from African roots to jazz, blues, and soul. Bennett is a resident artist at the Ordway.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with trumpeter Scotty Barnhart, the leader of the Basie Orchestra for the past twenty years. Barnhart discusses his early exposure to music at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, how he came to play the trumpet, how he felt the first time he heard the Basie Orchestra, the background behind his Grammy-winning album "Basie Swings the Blues," and what to expect from the MMEA All State Jazz Band which he will be leading in two sets at the Dakota Friday night.

Though performing his own originals and doing tributes is still on the menu for Bruce A. Henry, in recent years he has gravitated towards shows where he explores facets of the African-American experience through music. Though educational, these performances are also engaging and electrifying. The key to maintaining that balance is Henry's personal investment in learning history from all corners of the world and synthesizing that into impassioned performance. Henry endeavors to do just that on Saturday February 17 with his new show “Watch That Star” – A Music Celebration of The African American Journey.