Jazz88

For almost twenty-five years, Ticket to Brasil has been putting fresh spins on Brazilian music. The 6-piece plays at Crooners this Friday at 4PM, and the Bossa Nova trio this Sunday at the Metronome in St Paul at 4PM. Till now, when Ticket to Brasil has performed original music, they have been the work of leader Pavel Jany. But Pavel tells Phil Nusbaum that the singer, Natania Kamin, has become a songwriter.

Minneapolis-based vibes player Dave Hagedorn plays with Miguel Espinoza of Colorado at the Parkway Theater this Tuesday evening. The group plays flamenco fusion. This is the latest musical adventure for Hagedorn. When he spoke with Phil Nusbaum recently, Dave first talked about his local group with drummer Phil Hey and bassist Chris Bates.

Can a diverse teaching workforce improve student achievement in diverse schools? Metropolitan State University hopes to train a new generation of educators with their Urban Teacher program. Metro State's Victor Cole spoke with Miss Margaret on The Morning Show Wednesday, October 26th.

Luke Leblanc’s ’s new CD, Fugue State reflects Luke’s concern about the polarization seen everywhere today. The formal CD release is at the Icehouse in Minneapolis, Friday October 28. At 8PM, Ellis Cleve opens the show, and then it Luke holds forth. According to Luke the trouble today is more than political, but reaches into personal conversations, as he told Phil Nusbaum.

Scottie Miller’s latest musical project is a book of Scottie’s poetry and a CD of some of the poems set to music. The music ranges from blues and jazz to string quartets. Some call the combination of performed poems with music, beat poetry. The book and CD are titled Carnival Cocoon, and Scottie’s release event is Wednesday October 26 at the Dakota in Minneapolis. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Scottie talked about his poetry personality.

In anticipation of his Saturday show at Jazz Central, saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree hopped on a ZOOM with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise to talk about new album, Golden Rule.

Kevin Washington views himself as an artist in the tradition of Pharaoh Sanders and john and Alice Coltrane, of spirituality and healing. Kevin leads Ra Spirit into the live and online Walker West Community Music Series 7PM, Friday Oct 21. When Kevin talked to Phil Nusbaum about Ra Spirit, the talk turned to Journey to the Light, a Kevin Washington original composed in sections.

Jazz88's Manny Hill talks with Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education Chair Kim Ellison about the latest in the search for a permanent Superintendent for the district, and how the Minneapolis community will be involved.

Gypsy Mania, also known as Hot Club Mania shares the bill with the Red Hot Django Peppers 7:30 PM, Sunday October 23 at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. Guitarist Glen Helgeson of Gypsy Mania talked to Phil Nusbaum about the show. Glen said that the two bands take different approaches to Hot Club music with The Red Hot Django Peppers representing a more traditional approach.

Simple Gifts featuring Billy McLaughlin presents Harvest at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis, Sunday October 16 at 7PM. The show re-imagines songs of Neil Young, sung by Carin Vagle, Karen Paurus and Amy Courts, with a Celtic twist added by Laura MacKenzie, all under Bill McLaughlin’s direction. Phil Nusbaum sat down with members of the production, and when he did, Billy first addressed how this special show came into existence.