Bassist Erik Fratzke from Happy Apple was nice enough to stop by the Jazz88 studio to discuss the group's new studio album New York CD. It's the group's first release in 17 years and Fratzke talked about the life cycle of the band and the beautiful rapport and camaraderie the group is enjoying as they hit the 25 year mark. Happy Apple is celebrating the vinyl release of New York CD this weekend with shows on Friday and Saturday November 8 and 9 at the Dakota in Minneapolis.

On the week of the release of MaLLy and Last Word's new album "The Sweetest of It All" MaLLy took some time to connect with Jazz88 to discuss his love of jazz. MaLLy's artform is hip-hop but his sources for inspiration run way deeper. He discussed how jazz can invite him to listen deeply, to relax and to celebrate Black culture in general. Listen in as MaLLy discusses some of his personal favorite jazz tracks with Sean McPherson.

Jesse Simon from the MN Hard Bop Collective grew up loving organ jazz out in Denver, Colorado so when it came to for the MN Hard Bop Collective to add more events to their sit-in series it was no surprise that Simon decided to concentrate on the organ. The series will draw inspiration from the legendary organist Shirley Scott. The MN Hard Bop Collective is launching a new weekly Sit-In Series event on Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30 at Metronome in Saint Paul. The group already holds court for their original Sit In Series at Metronome on Mondays at 7pm. Both events give jazz players of every age and ability level the opportunity to play with professional musicians and experience the exhilaration of 'sitting in' on a tune.

Vocalist Dane Stauffer visited the Afternoon Cruise to discuss his upcoming Monstrous Melodies Cabaret at the Dakota. Though Dane said he wasn't sure if any of the performance was legitimately "scary" he assured us it was lots of fun. He even brought along a rehearsal recording which sounded like a lot of fun. The Monstrous Melodies Cabaret event happens on Halloween night at the Dakota.

Bassist Liz Draper has been running a residency at Berlin for October and she's wrapping it up on Sunday, October 27 with her friend Ava Mendoza. Mendoza is a celebrated guitarist and composer based in Brooklyn and her friendship with Draper goes back almost 25 years. Liz spoke about her approach to improvising on the bass, her recent experience with playing through-composed music. Mendoza spoke about her forthcoming solo guitar and voice record, The Circular Train, and discussed her approach to composing on the guitar.

Mike Lewis, the celebrated multi-instrumentalist known for his work with Happy Apple, Fat Kid Wednesdays and Alpha Consumer, connected with Jazz88 to discuss the run of shows he'll be doing in November at Icehouse. Lewis highlighted some of the artists he'll be collaborating with like Anthony Cox, S. Carey and Jeremy Yvilsaker. He also discussed his approach to choosing his musical opportunities wisely.

Mere days away from releasing their sophomore album "NORFSIDE" drummer L.A. Buckner and his bandmates from BiG HOMiE are ready to celebrate an album that's been years in the making. Buckner, alongside David Smith and percussionist Jamani Buckner, spoke about the songwriting process, the importance of releasing the album at an iconic venue (the Capri Theater) in an iconic part of Minneapolis (the Northside) and the importance of celebrating the release in the heart of Black Minnesota. The release show is on Friday October 18 at the Capri Theater in Minneapolis.

Celebrated Danish vocalist Sinne Eeg is making her way to the Twin Cities for a show at Crooners on Thursday, October 17. Eeg was nice enough to hop on the phone with Sean from the Afternoon Cruise to talk about her upcoming performance at Crooners and about how she approaches singing with different size groups!

Obi Original is an accomplished musician/composer and vocalist. Obi agreed to come by to discuss one of his musical heroes, Fela Kuti. Fela was born October 15, 1938 and he, alongside his drummer Tony Allen, is recognized as one of the architects of the Afrobeat genre. Listen in to hear Obi Original's reflections on Fela's influence and importance.

The internationally acclaimed vocalist Samarth Nagarkar is bringing his Khayal Ensemble to MacPhail for a performance on Saturday October 12. In advance of the concert Mr. Nagarkar and Michael Cain, the Director of Electronic Music Recording Arts at MacPhail connected with Jazz88 via ZOOM to discuss the concert, the improvisational traditions of North Hindustani music and the connections to jazz and other aural/oral traditions around the globe.