Grammy-nominated drummer, vocalist and producer Kassa Overall is bringing his approach full circle with a performance at The Dakota on Wednesday night. Some of Overall’s earliest professional experiences were traveling with Geri Allen, Wallace Roney and others in very formal jazz bandstand settings. On Wednesday, Overall will bring all the enthusiasm and adventurousness that he’s...Read More

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon spoke with guitarist Martin Taylor about his musical influences and his collaboration “Great Guitars” with Ulf Wakenius and Bireli Lagrene. Taylor and Wakenius perform together at the Dakota Monday evening 4/14. Lagrene cannot make the show because of an injury.Read More

Here are the top ten new releases from Jazz88! Vote for your five favorites below!   Society of Chemists – Transactional Kindness Etienne Charles – Colorado River Song feat. René Marie Okonski – Summer Storm Karrin Allyson – Month of March (Dunas) Abebi Stafford – Kinderglow The Empress – Nica’s Dream Sharel Cassity – Magnetism...Read More

Sometimes it takes an outsider to really appreciate what is happening in a musical scene. Though he’s been here since 2005, Scott Agster still holds the thrill of the new kid as he tells the larger world what makes our Minneapolis music scene so special. There’s plenty to celebrate here in the Twin Cities, but...Read More

Somali blues & American gospel-style sounds have a conversation in a show coming to two venues in Minnesota this month. Bobby Vandell spoke with the principal artists, vocalist/conductor JD Steele and musician/poet Ahmed Yusuf.  Also along for the conversation is event organizer Beck Lee. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20250404102019-Crossroads.mp3   “Meet You at the Crossroads” will be at the...Read More

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon spoke with singer Karrin Allyson about a show at Crooners Thursday April 3rd called “The American Songbook Jazz Party.” The program features the songs from Rodgers and Hart and Rodgers and Hammerstein. It is a collaboration with music journalist Daborah Grace Winer, who will tell stories behind the music. Karrin talks about...Read More

Pianist Abebi Stafford’s new record, Stolen By Lies, was primarily recorded in piano trio format, with Graydon Peterson on bass and Pete James Johnson on drums. Stafford’s original compositions are at their best when they are subtle. The tune “Kinderglow” is a great example of what makes Stafford’s understated writing so powerful. On the A...Read More

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with Riley Helgeson, a trumpeter who handles publicity for Jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis. To celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, Jazz Central Studios is presenting free concerts by four different Twin Cities big bands each Sunday in April, including the Bill Simenson Orchestra on April 6th at the Hook and Ladder Theater,...Read More