Daina de Prez calls herself a piano entertainer, and that’s what she does. Sure, she plays with groups, too, but her main focus is singing and playing songs that make her the center of attention in a club. When Daina talked to Phil Nusbaum, she first addressed the expectations clubs and audiences have of her.

The death of Peter Ostroushko on February 24, 2021 left a void in Minnesota. This coming Monday, many of Peter’s friends and musical partners from A Prairie Home Companion, recording sessions and performances celebrate the Peter Ostroushko legacy. Singer Prudence Johnson is also playing a major role in planning the event. Prudence told Phil Nusbaum about what it was like when she asked people if they would like to participate.

Lucibela, a rising star and vocalist from Cape Verde was nice enough to stop by Jazz88 before her show at the Cedar Cultural Center on Friday September 16.

Julian Lage is out on the road in support of his new Blue Note release "View with A Room". He's swinging through the Dakota in Minneapolis on Saturday, September 17 and he was nice enough to connect with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise and discuss Bill Frisell's contributions to the album, the history of jazz guitar, his relationship with Dave King and much more.

Charlie Maguire has been writing songs he sings in performances for a half century. He specializes in songs about working people and their work. This Saturday night at 8 PM at the Ginkgo Coffee House in St Paul, Charlie will sing a program of some of his finest. When Charlie sat down with Phil Nusbaum, Charlie first addressed how he got started.

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.