Tearra Oso Adapts Traditional Puerto Rican Bomba to modern situations, and to cultural and personal healing. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Tearra talked about how she came to Bomba tradition.

Diane Jarvi’s New CD, This Ordinary Day was done at her home during an early stage of the Covid pandemic. Spending a lot of time alone caused Diane to reflect on things, and it shows on the CD and what she says about it. She spoke with Phil Nusbaum about it.

Vibraphonist Levi Schwartzberg is a mover among the young Jazz players in Minneapolis. He composes and performs in many settings, but is most at home in a free bop setting. Funny thing, though, he came to the vibes almost by accident, as he explained to Phil Nusbaum.

Joy Ann Parker’s tribute show for Patsy Cline is a long term success. The show replays iconic country songs of the 50s and 60s but with Joyann’s special interpretive abilities. And she does it at Crooners, Thursday January 13 at 6:30. Joyann talked with Phil Nusbaum about both Patsy and singing Patsy’s songs.

Noah Strom plays keyboards and Sam Ryan plays the guitar. They form the core of the Noah Strom Trio, performing at Umbra in Minneapolis, 7 till 10 PM this Friday and Saturday night. The group plays old jazz plus some new compositions that sound old. When the two got together with Phil Nusbaum, Noah explained how the group works.

Manny Hill talks with Mageen Caines of the Minneapolis Health Department about the importance of students and their families being tested for Covid-19 with the emergence of the Omicron variant as the students return to school following the winter break.

Vocalist Charmin Michelle and guitarist Joel Shapira have a long standing jazz duet, with occasional forays with larger groups. The duet continues this new year, but they’re solidifying the larger group into the Charmin Shapira All Stars. The Group’s first show is Wednesday January 5 at the Dakota in Minneapolis at 7PM. We’ll hear a little of the duet, and then Charmin and Joel tell Phil Nusbaum about adding players.

The Minnesota Chamber Jazz Orchestra is a scaled-back version of the Minnesota Jazz Orchestra, but with nine pieces, it still produces a big sound. The group plays the Ames Auditorium in Bloomington, 7PM on New Year’ Eve with the theme “An Evening with Ella,” and that is Fitzgerald of course. Phil Nusbaum talked to Craig Thrane and Courtney Burton of the group and first asked Craig, Why a little big band?

Hank Thunander of Saint Paul is an accordion player’s accordionist. After about 70 of playing, he knows thousands of songs and tunes and plays solo or with a group, seemingly all the time. Hank is at the center of the early New Year’s party at the Rosetown Legion in St Paul, from 11:30 AM till 4 PM on Dec 31. Hank talked to Phil Nusbaum, and Phil first asked how he constructed a playlist for a typical show.

Career vocalist Mick Sterling joins former superbowl football player Ben Utecht for an evening of Christmas songs backed by a 19-piece orchestra at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. The shows are at various times Sunday December 26 through Wednesday December 31. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Ben tells how he’s always been interested in both music and athletics.