Ted Unseth is known to many for leading the Classic Jazz group, the Americana Classic Jazz Orchestra. But Ted has had quite a musical journey. He moved from Chicago to Albert Lea, Minnesota as a young kid. As the son of a Lutheran minister, classical music was on in the house. But Ted had an unexpected response to early piano lessons, as he told Phil Nusbaum.

Kendra Glenn started singing as a young kid in Chicago. She has blossomed into a busy upper midwest soulful singer who also writes some of her songs. Kendra sings Friday and Saturday July 2 and 3 at the Umbra in Minneapolis. When she spoke with Phil Nusbaum, Kendra first addressed her early interest in singing.

Sprig of That shares the bill with Anthony Ihrig at the Ice House in Minneapolis, Wednesday June 30 at 7:30. Sprig of that consists of violinist Isabel Dammann, tabla player Krissy Bergmark and guitarist Ilan Blanck. Theirs is a mixture of formal and folk traditions. But what do you call the music of Sprig of That? That is what Phil Nusbaum asked Ilan Blanck.

Many Forces Had to Come Together to Create a Twin Cities Jazz Fest This Year, but it is happening Friday through Sunday June 25-27. Learn about it at Crooners Lounge MN dot com. Andrew leads his little big band at the fest, and also works behind the scenes at Crooner’s. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Andrew first addressed Crooner’s new Belvedere Room.

The Levi Schwartzberg Quartet brings a Bebop sensibility to its online show streamed from Jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis, this Saturday at 8PM. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Levi had his vibes available and demonstrated a few ways of improvising that the Levi Schwartzberg Quartet employs.

King Wilkie’s Dream plays new acoustic country music and strives for originality. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, fiddler Robbi Podrug and mandolinist Shane Zack told Phil Nusbaum that much of the originality comes from the songwriting of guitarist John Niemann.

Kashimana writes from life. Her songs are about love, about letting your light shine and about the current scene. When Kashimana talked to Phil Nusbaum, he asked where her songwriting comes from.

I Am Woman Hear Me Roar shines lights on great women artists of the past 50 years or so, 7PM this Friday night at the Belvedere at Crooners in Minneapolis. Lori Dokken is the great motivator of this event which includes Patty Peterson, Judy Vinar, and Rachel Holder. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Lori told why she wanted to put together I Am Woman Hear Me Roar.

When Thomas Bruce is touched by a song, he wants to sing it to others. He’s sharing some great ones at Crooner’s Dunsmore Room Friday evening June 11 at 5:30. One of Thomas’ early influences was Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life.” Thomas told Phil Nusbaum of his inspiration to sing the song.

River is three women, Deb Brown, Sara Renner and Jana Anderson who present memorable songs by Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Carly Simons. When Phil Nusbaum got together with Deb Brown, he asked Deb how to narrow down a set list when there are so many great songs to choose from.