The Minneapolis Battle of the Jug Bands has created a legacy of homemade music delivered in a party atmosphere. The main event features 19 bands this year, and will take place at The Cabooze in Minneapolis, noon till about 7:30 on Sunday February 23. It’ll be preceded by a pre-party and jug band jam at Palmers Bar, Saturday February 22. Phil Nusbaum talked to Levi and Buzzy, two long-term Jug Band Battle participants. Levi first talked about how the event got started.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with trombonist Wycliffe Gordon about his musical influences and the diverse array of instruments that he plays, including soprano trumpet and didgeridoo. Gordon is appearing with the MMEA All State Jazz Band at the Dakota on Friday, February 14th.

Terrell X, the improvisational jazz human beatboxer, is preparing to perform selections from his most recent album, Transformation to Terrell X, with a live band on Saturday at Antonello Hall at MacPhail. In addition to being an in-demand performer, X also serves as an instructor in Electronic Music Recording Arts Program at MacPhail. Terrell X, also known as Carnage the Executioner, discussed his personal journey, his connection to jazz music and his advice for anyone who is struggling to tell their own story.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with filmmaker John Scheinfeld about his 2023 documentary "What the Hell Happened to Blood Sweat and Tears?" The film tells the story of the pioneering jazz rock band - one of the most popular bands in the world in the late sixties and early seventies - and the disastrous impact of going on tour beind the Iron Curtain for the US State Department. Scheinfeld describes the film as "a fascinating political thriller that involves the Nixon White House, the State Department, the governments of Yugoslavia, Romania and Poland, and a lot of behind the scenes doings in Washington."

Saint Croix Valley Opera Stages Dorothy Doring’s cabaret night. Dorothy’s show is called Glory of Love, and it takes place during Valentine’s Day weekend Saturday, February 15, at the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, WI, at 7pm. The performance is staged by the Saint Croix Valley Opera Company. Phil Nusbaum talked about the show with the singer, Dorothy Doring, and about Cabaret night with Jennifer Eckes of Saint Croix Opera.

Brent Fuqua celebrates the release of both his singer songwriter material and bluegrass songs Thursday March 13 at 7:30 at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis. That evening, the Mother Banjo band, Steam Machine and the Lake Monsters will add to the festivities. When Brent talked to Phil Nusbaum about his songs, Brent first addressed one written for his wife, No Nonsense Girl .

The Twin Cities Flamenco Collective performs at Crooner’s in Fridley, Saturday February 15 from 7:30 till 9pm. Phil Nusbaum talked with guitarist Ross Fellrath and dancer Sachiko Jah Gee about flamenco, and the group’s guest for this performance, José Moreno.

Katia Cardenas is a professional singer in the Twin Cities as well as being the program director for Walker West without Walls. Cardenas is also at the helm of the Women in Jazz Initiative for Walker West. This Saturday there is as a "Youth Women in Jazz Workshop" at South High School. Katia was nice enough to connect with MN Jazz Tracks host Sam Keenan to talk about this initiative in general and Saturday's workshop in particular.

Pavel Jany leads the Global Jazz Collegium into Berlin in Minneapolis, for the group’s first ever appearance at the club. It will be this Friday night, February 7 from 7:30 till 10pm. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Pavel talked about the evolution of the jazz approaches taken by the group.

The Skruffians is a group of experienced Twin Cities players that combine Jamaican reggae and ska with jazz chops. It’s always a playful combination of the familiar with testing the musical boundaries. Drummer Rick Nair and trumpeter Todd Baer recently sat down with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the Skruffians.