Guitarist Joel Shapira plays in multiple musical settings. But he seems more inclined than most to record solo. Joel’s new solo project is called Unscripted. He showcases music from the CD at two shows about a week out. On Saturday October 25 at 7pm, he leads a trio into the High Hat in Saint Paul, and on Saturday November 1, he plays 4:30 till 6, solo at Berlin in Minneapolis. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Joel first addressed why he included his composition Tune for Towner on the CD.

Kristin Korb is that rare breed of musician who is equally adept as a vocalist and a jazz bassist. In this conversation with Jazz88 Morning Show Host Peter Solomon, she discusses her path as an artist, her association with bassist Ray Brown, and her latest project featuring jazz interpretations of music by the British synth-pop duo The Eurhythmics. Korb performs at the Danish American Center on October 19th, Carondelet Village on October 20th, and Carleston College in Northfield on October 22. (Picture by Sofie Barfoed)

Dale Alexander and Pierre Lewis are old friends from Minneapolis. We see Dale around town playing the piano with many groups. He’s also a drummer, and years back, he played drums for Prince. He’s drumming for Pierre Lewis, who will be playing the organ, Saturday October 18 from 8 till 9:30 at Jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis. Dale talked with Phil Nusbaum about the show, music in general, and first, how he met Pierre.

Kashimana is a Minneapolis musician who experienced things during pregnancy and childbirth that she just had to write songs about. Her project is called Phantom Cries, and the songs range from ones critical of the process to others that are cute and funny. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Kashimana told of her songwriting process.

According to Sarah Morris Dot Com, Sarah is a big dreamer, a sourdough lover, a huge fan of coffee, and a sucker for morning sky. Oh, and also, a singer songwriter. Sarah’s new CD is called Say Yes, and the songs on it reflect varying moods and broad and perhaps unexpected musical settings. The CD release event takes place 7pm Friday October 10 at the Dakota in Minneapolis. Sarah sat down with Phil Nusbaum to discuss the nuts and bolts of songwriting, and first, her song The Stars are Back.

Thirty Second Street Jazz gives fresh Spins to important Jazz. Friday October 10 at 7pm at Metronome in Saint Paul, Thirty Second Street Jazz plays its take on the Miles Davis LP Kind of Blue, plus its original music and unique mashups. But what’s a mashup? When bassist Scott Anderson talked to Phil Nusbaum about Thirty Second Street Jazz, Scott first addressed the difference between a mashup and a medley.

To singer Aja Parham, Sarah Vaughan is an inspiring jazz vocalist. And next Thursday at Crooners in Fridley, Aja presents an evening of Sarah Vaughn songs that Aja has studied in meticulous detail. An added bonus is the singing of Sarah’s 9 year old son and promising jazz vocalist, Asa singing a few songs. When Aja and Asa talked to Phil Nusbaum, Aja first reflected on her first awareness of Sarah Vaughan.

Billy McLaughlin has helped blaze the trail for a guitar style known as tap guitar. But when Billy talked to Phil Nusbaum, we learned that to Billy, showcasing original melodies is the important thing.

The Riffin’ Trio delivers a program of Jazz with a carefree spirit, this Sunday September 28 at Dusty’s in Minneapolis. It’s part of the Riffin’ Trio residency at Dusty’s, every fourth monthly Sunday 5 till 8PM. Phil Nusbaum caught up with Nelson Deveraux, sax player for the group, and asked Nelson about the Riffin’ Trio’s approach to a John Coltrane blues.

Global Jazz Collegium performs classics of Fusion Jazz plus its own original music this Thursday night September 25 at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis. The show will be from 8 till 11. We open this feature with Global Jazz Collegium playing one of the great classics of the Fusion

movement, a piece by Chick Corea.