David Feily, Greg Byers and Ernest Bisong are all first call players in the Twin Cities music world. As members of the small world of string players working in improvised settings they might've been destined to cross paths regardless, but it was the urging of violin master Randy Sabien that initially brought them together. After a couple days of free recording time at the Institute for Production and Recording, the group decided on a name and started taking gigs. This Sunday they are taking the stage of Crooners. Listen to the conversation between David, Greg and Sean to find out what to expect at the concert!

Kavyesh Kaviraj is in demand in the Twin Cities as a phenomenal piano player. That means that in his ten years in the Twin Cities he's developed quite the network of players to call on when he's the leader. So as Kavyesh Kaviraj took on the duty of curating a Jazzclectic Concert, he knew the right people to call. Listen to the conversation between Kavyesh Kaviraj and Sean McPherson to hear about Kavy's lineup including Miguel Hurtado (drums), Stephanie Wieseler (saxophone), Anthony Cox (bass) and DeCarlo Jackson (trumpet).

Marcus Kar, the Northside program director at Youth Farm and co-chair of the Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council came to visit Jazz88 and brought along Jesse Miller, a Youth Farm lead. This Saturday they are celebrating the season with Playing For the Plants 2023. A concert featuring free food while supplies last and music from Lady Midnight, LA Buckner and Friends, Hastings 3000 and more.

Twin Cities vocalist Aja Parham fell in love with the voice of Sarah Vaughan on CD. From there, Parham has made an effort to celebrate Sarah Vaughan on stages across the Twin Cities and beyond. She'll be exploring the Sarah Vaughan songbook on Sunday night over at Crooners. Listen in for a conversation between Aja Parham and Sean McPherson about all things Sarah Vaughan.

Jon Reyerson is with the Wayzata Chamber of Commerce and they are preparing for James J Hill Days this weekend. This year Jazz88 is part of the event, presenting a Jazzclectic Concert on Friday night with the Jack Brass Band. Jon stopped by to chat about the concert and about the larger offerings of James J. Hill Days, including llamas in costume.

Grammy nominated artist Najee took the time to connect with Jazz88's Patty Peterson in advance of his headlining show on Saturday, September 9 at the Selby Avenue Jazz Festival. Najee discussed his time touring and recording with Prince, his "COVID" record and he went over the details for the stellar band he's bringing to St. Paul this weekend.

In anticipation of the Zorn at 70 event at the Walker Art Center on Saturday, September 9 Sean McPherson from Jazz88 sat down with Philip Bither from the Walker Art Center to highlight some tracks from Zorn's vast catalog and talk about Zorn's significance in the musical world.

Celebrated pianist Larry McDonough has been a fixture on the jazz scene for decades and he's well-known for his love of Bill Evans. This Thursday Larry and company are gracing the mainstage of Crooners to play Bill Evans' material. They'll also share part of a moving documentary about Evans' life.

Maud Hixson is a mainstay of the jazz scene in the Twin Cities and she has churned out another exemplary disc. On Saturday she's taking the stage of Crooner's to celebrate the new release "Permanent Moonlight". Listen in to Maud's conversation with Sean McPherson from the Afternoon Cruise about the new disc and about Hixson's upcoming performance at Lincoln Center.

Jack Barrett (piano) and Charlie Bruber (bass) are kindred musical spirits. And during the pandemic they found their way back to creativity by doing brisk, low-pressure sessions with Ben Ehrlich and Jake Baldwin bright and early in the morning. These sessions grew into the record that they are releasing as the Jack Barrett Quartet on Wednesday night at Icehouse.