The State of Minnesota has become just the 4th state to pass legislation for a free school meal program. Starting next school year (2023-24), students at Minneapolis Public Schools will be able to eat meals for free during their days at school. Jazz88's Manny Hill talks with MPS Director of Culinary and Wellness Bertrand Weber on what it all means for the district, and where families can find more information.

The jet-setting Twin Cities based saxophonist Lucia Sarmiento swung by the Afternoon Cruise to chat with Sean McPherson in anticipation of her first headlining concert ever, taking place at Crooners on Thursday, April 27.

Pianist Patrick Adkins’ Quartet takes inspiration from Keith Jarrett’s American Quartet. That includes covers as well or original music that Patrick writes. The group performs at an 8PM show at KJ’s Hideaway in St Paul, Saturday April 29. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Patrick talked about the qualities of the American quartet that guide his group’s playing.

Local songwriter Amanda Walbridge has released a bluegrass CD called “Sunshine in the Valley. All of the songs on Sunshine in the Valley are Amanda Walbridge originals. The songs on “Sunshine in the Valley” tell stories. But also, the individual songs are linked to tell a bigger story. In a recent conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Amanda talked about her process for sequencing the songs on Sunshine in the Valley.

Willie West hopped on the phone with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise to chat about his upcoming show at Crooners and the re-release of his record "The Soul Sessions".

Jazzen highlights the Native American flute as played by Bobb Fantauzzo with cellist Aaron Kerr and percussionist Derrin Pinto. In much of it’s recent music, Jazzen works from some basic musical phrases, which the trio uses as a basis for improvisation. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Bobb Fantauzzo gave a little of Jazzen’s history, and then told about how the trio works.

Dakota Dave hull is known for his finger-style guitar playing. But on his new CD, Better Late Than Never, Dave explores the guitar – banjo, an instrument with a banjo body and guitar neck. When Phil Nusbaum talked to Dave, Phil asked Dave where his interest in the guitar –banjo comes from.

Lakecia Benjamin connected via ZOOM with Afternoon Cruise host Sean McPherson to chat about her new record "Phoenix" and her rising star in the music world.

Barbaro plays the bluegrass instruments, but group members have backgrounds in other areas. The result is a constantly evolving mix of musical elements. Barbaro performs Saturday night April 15 at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis, sharing the night with Rachel Baiman. Doors open at 7, and the show is at 8. Phil Nusbaum spoke with Barbaro violinist Rachel Calvert about the Barbaro approach.

The Collin Roycroft Quartet plays the Emerging Talent series at jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis next Thursday at 8PM. At the show, Collin and the band will give its spins to great Jazz created over recent decades. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Collin addressed the tune Flamenco Sketches, which has nothing to do with Flamenco music or dance.