When Thomas Bruce is touched by a song, he wants to sing it to others. He shares some great ones via recordings and live performances. One of Thomas’ early influences was Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life.” He told Phil Nusbaum of his inspiration to sing the song.

Beasley’s Big Band is Back at its pre-pandemic spot, the Wabasha Street Caves in Saint Paul. Beasley’s Big Band plays every third Thursday at the caves, and that includes this coming Thursday, April 14. Beasley’s Big Band manager Jim Hoar had a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, and first they talked about the stylistic footprint of the band.

Peter Vircks does many kinds of playing on the saxophone. When he talked with Phil Nusbaum, the two touched on some of Peter’s varied approaches. The Peter Vircks Quintet performs at KJs Hideaway in Saint Paul, Friday April 9 from 9;30 till 11:30 PM. Peter’s group plays a lot of original music, but Peter also likes to play romantic songs, like Burt Bacharach’s Close to You, which Peter recorded with a group known as Midnight Love.

Lila Ammons performs Saturday night April first and second at the Umbraa in Minneapolis. Twin Cities music fans know Lila Ammons for her renditions of blues and historic jazz, but the pandemic has caused Lila to think about a new emphasis. She talked to Phil Nusbaum about it.

The English pop group the Beatles cast a shadow that covers generations of music. Next Tuesday at the Dakota in Minneapolis, 4 leading local guitarists from varied musical backgrounds share their Beatles interpretations. They guitarists are Joel Shapira, Tim Sparks, Dean Magraw and Jeff Perry. When the group got together with Phil Nusbaum, Jeff told where the idea for the show comes from.

Peter Vircks does many kinds of playing on the saxophone. When he talked with Phil Nusbaum, the two touched on some of Peter’s varied approaches. The Peter Vircks Quintet performs at KJs Hideaway in Saint Paul, Friday April 9 from 9z;30 till 11:30 PM. Peter’s group plays a lot of original music, but Peter also likes to play romantic songs, like Burt Bacharach’s Close to You, which Peter recorded with a group known as Midnight Love.

This Sunday night March 29, Jennifer Grimm sings Judy Garland, 7PM at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. Jennifer told Phil Nusbaum that she has always identified with Garland because of their similar biographies.

Maddie Thies was born in Minnesota but spent many years in Seoul, South Korea. She’s been back for a long time, but one outcome of her travels is feeling that she is out of place wherever she lives. When she talked to Phil Nusbaum, Maddie first told why she thought her situation would be good to write songs about.

Maddie Thies was born in Minnesota but spent many years in Seoul, South Korea. She’s been back for a long time, but one outcome of her travels is feeling that she is out of place wherever she lives. When she talked to Phil Nusbaum, Maddie first told why she thought her situation would be good to write songs about.

The American Roots Revue grew from a project done by Larry Long and J.D. Steele under the auspices of the Southern Poverty Law Center to honor the diversity of American music. They brought in the likes of Robert Robinson and Tania Hughes Kendrick and her son Cameron. The Revue is staged Friday April 8 at the Dakota in Minneapolis, at 7 and 9:30. Larry Long talks about the show. But first, Robert Robinson sings.