Lila Ammons. Hers is a prominent jazz family. Her grandfather, Albert, was a noted boogie woogie piano player, and her uncle was sax man Gene Ammons. But it hasn’t been jazz all the way with Lila, whose parents listened to a lot of symphonic music and opera.

To Sarah Porwell-Lee, it isn’t only that she plays new music on the clarinet. When she talked with Phil Nusbaum, she revealed that she gets excited working with the composers of the music she plays.

Taylor Carik, one of the organizers of Taste of Minnesota, visited the Afternoon Cruise to discuss the event including answers on how to enjoy the festival, how to get to the festival and what he plans on eating once he gets there!

David Billingsley visited the Afternoon Cruise to discuss his upcoming show on Sunday at Taste of Minnesota. He'll be one of the headliners at the Jazz88 stage at 5th and Nicollet in downtown Minneapolis. In the interview David discussed his lineup for the show and what he hopes to give to listeners with his musical efforts.

Master drummer Kevin Washington swung through the Afternoon Cruise in advance of his appearance at the Jazzclectic pop up concert series on Wednesday June 28 at Waterworks Park in Minneapolis.

Maud Hixson is known for her shows which highlight some of our greatest music icons. Coming up this Saturday, July 1, Maud is singing songs of Henry Mancini, with Rick Carlson accompanying on the piano. Where do ideas for these shows come from? When Maud talked to Phil Nusbaum, Maud said it was a combination of places.

Katia Cardenas and Lucia Sarmiento are both instructors in a new program from Walker West Music Academy called the "Women in Jazz Initiative". The first combo of players from the program are playing on Saturday June 24 at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Katia and Lucia discussed the importance of creating spaces where girls can thrive and feel supported as they learn jazz. These instructor/practitioners also discussed their upcoming shows as musicians.

When Christian McBride was in town to play the Dakota in January he took time with Sean to discuss the ensemble he'd be bringing to the Twin Cities Jazz Festival.

When Christian McBride was in town to play the Dakota in January he took time with Sean to discuss the ensemble he'd be bringing to the Twin Cities Jazz Festival.

MsArnise joins Patty Peterson on the Morning Show to talk about her upcoming tribute to Gladys Knight and The Pips at Chanhassen Dinner Theater July 9th.