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.

Joan Hutton and Sue Orfield came through the Afternoon Cruise to chat about their new record "Take That Back" and their upcoming show this Friday at Crooners.

Thomasina Petrus sings in tribute of Jazz icon Billie Holiday. But Thomasina’s kind of tribute is to sing great songs as Billie might have sung them. The concert is Sunday April 9 at the Dakota at 6PM. Then Thomasina plays Billie in a stage production Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, starting April 21 at the Yellow Tree Theater in Osseo. Thomasina talked with Phil Nusbaum, but first, Thomasina sings a bit of a Billie song, “Don’t Explain.”

Jennifer Grimm and Joe Cruz play and sing great songs. They perform with Joe’s guitar and Jennifer’s percussion, and the sound is made fuller through their electronic gear. The duet plays Saturday and Sunday April 7-8 at Umbra in Minneapolis at 7PM. Joe and Jennifer are married, but they say they are most comfortable when on stage together.

Patty Peterson stopped by the Afternoon Cruise to discuss the Minnesota Jazz Legends event coming up on Sunday. Dive into this interview to get a glimpse of what goes into producing an event like Minnesota Jazz Legends. And we'll see you there on Sunday!