Grammy-nominated sax man Najee took the time to connect with Jazz88’s Patty Peterson in advance of his headlining show this Saturday (Sept. 9) at the Selby Avenue Jazz Festival. In the conversation, they talk about his time touring and recording with Prince, his “COVID record,” and the stellar band he’s bringing to St. Paul this...Read More
In anticipation of the upcoming Zorn @ 70 event at the Walker Art Center this Saturday (Sept. 9), Jazz88’s Sean McPherson sat down with Philip Bither, Senior Curator of Performing Arts at the Walker, to highlight some tracks from John Zorn’s vast catalog, and to talk about Zorn’s significance in the musical world. Listen: Portions...Read More
Celebrated pianist Larry McDonough has been a fixture on the Twin Cities jazz scene for decades and he’s well known for his love of Bill Evans. This Thursday (8/31), 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. Listen...Read More
After a chance encounter 22 years ago in the Twin Cities, Tony London went on to become friends with Tony Bennett, receiving support and sage advice from him as he built his career as a modern crooner. Like so many in the music industry, London recognizes Bennett as a “singer’s singer,” and valued his mentorship...Read More
Vocalist Maud Hixson is a mainstay of the jazz scene in the Twin Cities and she has churned out another exemplary disc. On Saturday, Sept. 2, 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,...Read More
Jack Barrett (piano) and Charlie Bruber (bass) are kindred musical spirits. After 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...Read More
On August 21, 1904 Count Basie was born in Red Bank, NJ. In his seventy-nine years on planet earth, he contributed immense amounts to the development of jazz, and the legendary orchestra that he led for the majority of his life continues on to this day under the tutelage of Scotty Barnhart. Rick Carlson,...Read More
Jamecia Bennett took time out of her busy schedule to chat with Jazz88 in advance of her headlining show at the Art and All That Jazz Festival this weekend in Burnsville. Ms. Bennett, well-known for her long tenure with Sounds of Blackness, is bringing her critically acclaimed solo show to Nicollet Commons Park, and is...Read More
“Deedles,” AKA Diane Schuur, is making her way back to the Twin Cities for two shows on Saturday, August 12 with the JazzMN Orchestra. She’ll be exploring the Count Basie songbook–something she’s been doing since the mid 1980s. Diane was joined for this interview by her feline partner, Puss Puss. Listen here: This interview originally...Read More
Celebrated pianist and MacPhail instructor, Michael Cain, spent about a decade working with Jack DeJohnette from 1990-99. It was a joy having him in the Jazz88 studios to reflect on his love for DeJohnette and the larger importance he had on the music world at large. Listen here: This interview originally aired on The Afternoon...Read More
