Today is Meshell Ndegeocello’s birthday. Born on August 29, 1968, she is a singer-songwriter, poet, and bassist. Her influences are far reaching and include funk, soul, jazz, hip hop, reggae and rock. I am happy to celebrate this avant-garde musician. I was introduced to Meshell Ndegeocello through her album, Bitter. I was a college freshman...Read More
Jazz88’s Peter Solomon spoke with pianist Ethan Iverson, who played piano with The Bad Plus for seventeen years. Iverson discusses his recent Blue Note release ‘Technically Acceptable,’ as well as his passion for crime fiction and his controversial New York Times essay critiquing George Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue.’ Iverson performs with bassist Anthony Cox and...Read More
After a long drought from any studio releases, the internationally celebrated Minnesota-based group Happy Apple has a new album out titled New York CD. The tone of this album is definitely leans to moody side with Michael Lewis’s saxophone frequently taking center stage supported by the interplay between bassist Erik Fratzke and drummer Dave King. Happy Apple...Read More
Like so many jazz performers, Davina from Davina and the Vagabonds discovered jazz music early on in her life through her father and has loved and studied the music ever since. Davina connected with Sean via phone in advance of her upcoming show at the Dakota to discuss some of her favorite songs including Fats...Read More
Fernando Huergo – Panorama Ken Peplowski – Cabin In The Sky George Benson – One Goodbye Etienne Charles – Old School Nduduzo Makhathini – Izinkonjana Conrad Herwig – Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit feat. Eddie Palmieri Pavel Jany – Flying to Rio Jeff Coffin – Only the Horizon Take That Back – Playhouse Bats Hiatus...Read More
When it comes to music, we’re lucky that we don’t have to actually limit ourselves to certain artists and their catalogs. We can have our own favorites, but there is plenty of time in the world to listen to Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and scores of other great artists. But, I must admit, that I...Read More
After having the pleasure of writing about one of the tunes on pianist Kavyesh Kaviraj’s debut album, Fables, I knew I couldn’t stop there. Track seven, titled “Lullaby,” starts out with relaxed percussion, followed by piano and an enchanting melody delivered by Omar Abdulkarim (trumpet) and Pete Whitman (saxophone). It’s all so dreamy! Kaviraj’s piano solo...Read More
Author and journalist Andrea Swensson (above; R), along with Youa Vang, Vice President of the Ramsey County Historical Society (above; L), visited The Afternoon Cruise to discuss an event happening at the RCHS on Thursday, September 12 surrounding Swensson’s latest book, Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs, and Salvation of Cornbread Harris. Co-presented by Jazz88, History...Read More
Preparing for our move back to Minneapolis North High means we won’t be able to hang with you at the State Fair this year, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have hot tips on music happenings at the Great Minnesota Get-Together! Below, read what Jazz88’s Sean McPherson is looking forward to. When I go to...Read More
Society of Chemists is a fusion band based in the Twin Cities headed up by composer and performer Stephanie Wieseler. Hear her, and the other members of the band, as they take a break in their recording studio to discuss their beginning and their musical process with Jazz88’s Sam Keenan in this interview. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20240816134425-SocietyofChemistsInterview_0724_SamKeenan.mp3 BONUS:...Read More
