The Morning Show

Vanisha Gould has earned critical praise for her creative approach to singing and composing. In this conversation with Peter Solomonj, she talks about her creative process and the making of her latest album "What an Interesting Girl," which was released in October by Cellar Music.

Peter Solomon speaks with Reed Sigmund, who is reprising the role of The Grinch in the Children's Theater Comopany production of "How The Grinch Stole Christmas."

Alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa will be appearing at Berlin in Minneapolis on Wednesday, November 4th. He spoke with Jazz88's Peter Solomon about his Indian-American background and how he incorporated a wide range of influences into his music, including Indian Classical and Carnatic music, Grover Washington, Charlie Parker, Chuck Mangione, and even George Michael.

Jazz88 Morning Host Peter Solomon speaks with Philip Brunelle, Founder and Artistic Director of VocalEssence.He discusses an upcoming performance of the monumental Berlioz composition "Te Deum," which will feature a chorus of 200 singers, a full orchestra, a pipe organ, and twelve harps. Details on the concert, taking place the Cathedral of Saint Paul Friday, October 30th at 7:30 PM can be found at www.VocalEssence.org.

Trombonist John Fedchock spent the first seven years of his professional career with Woody Herman's band, filling a variety of roles, including section playing, arranging, and eventually music director and coordinator for recording sessions. That experience gave him a solid grounding for the career he has had over the last four decades both leading his own big band and combos. In this conversation with Peter Solomon, he talks about some of the things that impressed him about Woody Herman, as well the influence of Carl Fontana on his playing, and his collaboration with his wife - bass trombonist Jennifer Wharton - in her band Bonegasm. Fedchock plays at Jazz Central Studios October 20th at 8 PM.

Latin jazz legend Paquito D'Rivera is the subject of a documentary premeiring on PBS this month called "Paquito D'Rivera: From Carne Y Frijol to Carnegie Hall." It tells his story from his earliest days as musical progidy growing up in Cuba and follows his first encounter with Dizzy Gillespie, his defection to the United States, and his unparalleled career in Latin, jazz, and classical music in the four and a half decades since. In addition to extensive interviews with Paquito, there are conversations with some of the extraordinary musicians who have collaborated with him, including Chucho Valdes, Yo Yo Ma, Anat Cohen, and Diego Urcola. He speaks with Jazz88's Peter Solomon about the upcoming film, which will be broadcast locally on Minnesota PBS at 9 PM on Monday, October 12.

Jazz88 Morning Host Peter Solomon speaks with vocalist and composer Chenxi Pan, who changed her life path in her early twenties when she left her native country of China and came to the US to study jazz. She talks about her unique musical path, the artists that influenced her singing and writing, and talks through some of the music on her debut recording, "This Very Moment," wheich was released in the Spring of 2026 on Origin Records.

In this case, the Elephant is Adam O'Farrill's recently formed quartet, and the room is the Minneapolis jazz venue Berlin. The trumpeter and composer speaks with Jazz88's Peter Solomon about the literary, cinematic, and musical influences that inform his compositions. Adam O'Farrill and Elephant will play at Berlin on Tuesday, September 15th.

Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with Twin Cities based saxophonist Brandon Wozniak, who has been selected as September Artist in Residence at Minneapolis jazz venue Berlin. Wozniak will perform in a series of Sunday night concerts, including collaborations with musicians such as drummer Dave King, cellist Michell kinney, guitarist Zacc Harris, among others. Information at www.berlinmpls.com.

Charles Tolliver's professional career began in earnest in 1964, when he recorded as a sideman with alto saxophonist Jackie McLean. In subsequent years, Tolliver worked with Max Roach, Horace Silver, Andrew Hill, Sonny Rollins, Gerald Wilson, and others. Recently, Mack Avenue records reissued his first session as a leader, under the title "Right Now... And Then." In this conversation with Jazz88's Peter Solomon, Tolliver talks about his formative influences, discusses what it was like making records for the famed Blue Note Record label, reminisces about the making of his debut album, and delves into the story of the renowned artist-owned label he co-founded with pianist Stanley Cowell, caled Strata-East Records.