After a decade as one of the most celebrated instrumental groups in the Twin Cities, Purple Funk Metropolis is back in action for 2023. Fresh off a band vacation to Puerto Rico, the group is preparing to head back into the studio and get a couple shows on their calendar. Purple Funk Metropolis is getting ready for a show at The Dakota on February 26 and keyboardist Sam Rosenstone and saxophonist Andrew Tomten popped in to talk about a show and their plans for the year.

Wil B, one half of the hip-hop meets classical string duo Black Violin connected with Jazz88 in anticipation of their show on Saturday, February 10 at the State Theatre.

More than any other hip-hop producer, J. Dilla, born James Yancey February 7, 1974, has impacted how jazz musicians write and play today. His famously "drunken" drum programming, his singular approach to harmonization and his bass programming have all become part of the lexicon of modern jazz. To mark what would be Dilla's 50th birthday (he passed away from complications of a rare blood disease and Lupus in 2006) Sean McPherson connected with Jedidiah Jones and Kevin Gamble. In addition to being a broadcaster here on Jazz88 Jones is a music producer. Kevin Gamble is a popular keyboardist in the Twin Cities music scene as well as a producer. Listen to this episode to hear reflections on Dilla's impact, snippets of his productions and enthusiasm on where music is heading next!

Adam Levy is a career guitar player who has shared stages and recording studios with Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman, Meshell Ndegeocello and more. Listen to find out more about Levy's new album "Spry" and his approach to writing and playing.

The Sit In Series is a new program sponsored by the Minnesota Hard Bop Collective. The Sit In Series aims to provide a formal opportunity for middle school to college aged musicians to sit in or perform with professional musicians. Lead mentors Dale Alexander (piano) and Omar Abdulkarim (trumpeter) alongside mentee Bernadette Brownrigg Spray (vocals) stopped by the Afternoon Cruise to chat about the series. The next event is on Sunday February 4 at 6:30 at MetroNOME in St. Paul.

Dennis Spears is the longtime curator of the Legends Series at the Capri Theater. Spears was nice enough to visit Jazz88 on his "day off" to discuss the show he is putting up at the Capri this weekend. The focus for the concert is the legendary soul sounds of the 1960s and 1970s. In addition to talking about this concert, Dennis Spears also reflected on the staying power of this era of music.

Jazz88 is getting ready to launch their newest show, "The Jazz Impulse". Danny Sigelman will host the new show on Saturdays 7-10pm. This show will be about the "now". The artists stepping on stage that night, the music that's making this great jazz scene go strong. Sigelman joined Sean McPherson to talk about the show and the inaugural episode!

Saint Paul Peterson is a funk ambassador, gifted vocalist, bassist and a curator of the Funk Friday series. He’s been a member of the Family and The Time and he’s been a recognized fixture in the music world on an international level for decades. Saint Paul is bringing his online series, Funk Friday, onto the stage on Friday at the Green Room in Minneapolis. Jazz88 is sponsoring the event and broadcasting portions of it on the air. Check out this interview to get an overview of the Funk Friday series and learn what's happening on stage on Friday.

Jenny Klukken has been bridging the gap between her classical background and her passion for jazz on her primary instrument, the marimba, for years. She's back at it on Thursday night over at Crooners with an all-star band of Chris Olson (g), Chris Bates (b) and non-Chris Dave Schmalenberger (d). Klukken caught up with Sean from Jazz88 to discuss how marimba fits into the world of jazz and how her marimba fits into her minivan.

Chris Speed, saxophonist for The Bad Plus, recently connected with Sean McPherson to discuss The Bad Plus's upcoming residency at the Dakota, which starts on December 25 and runs until December 28.