It’s the 40th year of the Minneapolis Battle of the Jug Bands. It’s held at the Cabooze this Sunday starting at 12:40 PM, with a 4PM Saturday pre-party and jug band jam at Palmer’s Bar. Kris and Levi talked with Phil Nusbaum about the event and jug band history. Phil asked if there is a standard definition for a jug band.

Cedar Commissions artists are granted funds from the Jerome Foundation to Create New Musical Work and perform the work on the stage of the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. The dates for the 2023 event are February 17 and 18. Today Phil Nusbaum talks with Robert Lehmann of the Cedar Cultural Center about the artists presenting on Friday February 17.

Noted Twin Cities Guitarist Joan Griffith has Issued a new CD, called Sambanova 2. The project also features pianist Laura Caviani and cellist Greg Byers. All the pieces on the CD are Joan Griffith Originals. When Joan sat down with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the project, Phil noted that Joan has spent a good part of her life playing other people’s originals, so why a strictly original CD?

Cedar Commissions shows are here on Friday and Saturday February 17 and 18. Each performer receives funding from the Jerome Foundation to create new musical work and perform the work on the stage of the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. On today’s show, Twin Cities Weekend covers the artists performing this Saturday night. Phil Nusbaum talks with Robert Lehmann of the Cedar Cultural Center about the show.

Joan Griffith visited the Afternoon Cruise to discuss her new album Sambanova 2 and her upcoming show at Crooner's on February 17.

Minnesota jazz royalty stopped by the Afternoon Cruise to discuss the upcoming release party for their new album, Weights and Measures.

Minneapolis Public Schools is celebrating Black History Month in many ways with several events over the next few weeks. Jazz88’s Manny Hill recently caught up with MPS Interim Superintendent Rochelle Cox to discuss what the district has planned.

Ginger Commodore and Kendra Glenn are Twin Cities singers who hold Anita Baker as an important singing reference point. And Ginger and Kendra present a tribute show to Anita Baker at the Dakota this Friday night February 10 at 7PM. Phil Nusbaum first talked with Kendra Glenn about Kendra’s Anita Baker influence.

The Red Hot Django Peppers has a new CD and is featuring it at all shows, including Monday night at 7 at the Dakota in Minneapolis. The group plays music called jazz manouche or Hot Club jazz, and pulls music from many sources, some unexpected. When leader Ryan Picone talked with Phil Nusbaum, Ryan reflected on the new CD’s as a landmark in the history of the group.

Jeremy Pelt and Cory Weeds joined the Afternoon Cruise to talk about a recent initiative from Cellar Records to release more music from Black-led bands. Cory Weeds is the label head for Cellar and Jeremy Pelt has appeared on many Cellar releases both as a producer and as a performer. Pelt and Weeds discussed how the mission to release more records from Black leaders came about and how it's been going.