Rochelle Cox took over as Interim Superintendent at Minneapolis Public Schools back in July, and spent most of this summer preparing for the 2022-23 school year. With the new year underway this week, there have been noticeable changes, along with some big plans ahead. Manny Hill discusses the busy first week with Superintendent Cox, and also those noticable changes that are on the horizon.

John Scofield is out on the road with his band supporting his new self-titled release. He was nice enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to visit with Sean McPherson from the Afternoon Cruise.

It began when Singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke started working with cellist Rebecca Arons. Then came an arranger and a host of others, and then a whole new sound. Rebecca, the cellist, talked with Phil Nusbaum about The Cello Songs Project performance next Wednesday at 7:30 PM at the Dakota in Minneapolis. After a snip of Cello songs music, Rebecca addresses the early days of the Cello Songs Project.

Acclaimed vocalist was nice enough to connect with Jazz88's Sean McPherson in advance of her duo show on Thursday, September 1 at The Dakota. Check out the whole conversation here.

Maryanne Sullivan has teamed up with the Twin Cities Seven to perform some of the highlights of the swing era. Catch the Group at Crooner’s Supper Club Friday Night September 2. But the show will present more than the best-known sing numbers. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Maryann explained how her jazz radio career benefitted her song-picking skills.

The Foxgloves is a 6-piece all woman Twin Cities Bluegrass / Americana group. When Nikki Lemire and Steph Snow of the Foxgloves talked about the group with Phil Nusbaum, Nikki first addressed determining the group’s genre label.

Zacc Harris is celebrating the legacy of Pat Martino on Thursday August 25 at Crooner's. He hopped on the Afternoon Cruise to discuss Martino's influence in the jazz world.

As the name implies, The Imminent Standards play standards. But of course they put their own twists on the tunes. Catch the Imminent Standards Saturday night at 8PM at KJ’s Hideaway in Saint Paul. Trombonist JC Sanford is the group’s leader. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, JC addressed providing musical variety.

Sophia Shorai has always sung jazz standards. But her songwriting goes way back in her career, too. The songs she writes are not necessarily jazz, and Sophia is featuring her originals more and more during her sets. Catch Sofia Shorai at the Dakota in Minneapolis, Monday August 22 at 7PM. When Sophia talked to Phil Nusbaum, Phil asked Sophia about her songwriting.

Ben Sidran is rolling through town for a two night stand on Friday August 19 and Saturday August 20 at Crooners. He was nice enough to hop on a ZOOM and chat with Sean McPherson about his new album and his upcoming shows.