California based Kiefer joins Justus Sanchez at Jazz88 for an in-studio performance and interview. Kiefer, who gained acclaim for optimistic beat-based jazz, released his latest album "When There's Love Around" in 2021. The new album is a departure from his previous works. He has switched out the beats for a full band. He and his band we're touring this fall and after a stop at the Fine Line on October 20th, they stopped into KBEM.

Kenne Thomas has a new CD called Yesterdays. The CD release event takes place at the Dakota in Minneapolis, Tuesday November 9 at 7PM. Kenne is a drummer. But his major reference point is the saxophone sound he heard as a kid growing up in Chicago, especially as played by Kenne’s father, James Whitehead. Kenne talked to Phil Nusbaum about the project.

Gypsy, one of Our Town’s most popular groups ever, plays its 50 year anniversary show at Crooners, Saturday November 13 at 7PM. But suddenly, Gypsy has a batch of new songs by band member James Walsh. In a conversation with with Phil Nusbaum, James explained that the songs were an outcome of his Covid experience.

Singer Maryam Yusafzadeh came to the US from Iran over 30 years ago. Maryam’s interest in singing about immigrants started around the time of Nine-Eleven. Over time, events made her feel more strongly about it. Her CD is called Migration, and Maryam talked to Phil Nusbaum it.

Dear Lenny: Bernstein’s Life in Songs and Letters pays tribute to the multi-dimensional Leonard Bernstein. The production features some of his vast catalog of musical creations, plus his correspondence with family members and other musical luminaries. The production comes to Crooner’s in Fridley, Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 5 PM. We join Phil Nusbaum with the show’s performers.

PK Mayo, aka Paul Mayasich continues his tradition of creating music in multiple styles on his new CD, entitled Simple Search for Truth. In Mayo’s conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Paul talked about some of the CD songs.

The Ben Ehrlich Quartet performs at Jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis Friday night October 22 at 8PM. Ben plays the drums, and other group members are Nelson Devereaux, tenor sax; Will Kjeer, pno; and bassist Charlie Lincoln Ben is in his studio, and he’s teaching today. Before a student arrives, he’s warming up his drum chops.

Jenny Klukken takes the marimba into unexpected musical places. She’s at the Ice House in Minneapolis Wednesday October 20 at 8PM. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Jenny talked about her distinct musical path.

Sax man Steve Clarke has been a major musical figure in our town and beyond for decades. He’ll be leading the Working Stiffs into the Dakota, 7PM Thursday October 14. When Phil Nusbaum spoke with Steve, Phil saw the title “Joan’s Jump,” and asked Steve about Joan.

Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Ed Graff talks with Manny Hill about the effects of the ongoing pandemic on MPS and how it has impacted transportation around the district.