I love Bessie Smith, but there are times where, no matter how much you love the sound, you wish you could hear those songs done faithfully, but recorded with technology that wouldn’t become available until after Smith’s passing in 1937. That’s where this set of performances from Dinah Washington fit in. By 1958, the studios...Read More

The celebrated saxophonist and composer James Brandon Lewis visited with Sean from The Afternoon Cruise to discuss the music and legacy of Ornette Coleman on Coleman’s birthdate, March 9. Lewis’ path in the music world is connected to Coleman not only by Coleman’s musical legacy, but also by players like Charlie Haden and Jamaaladeen Tacuma,...Read More

After a seven year absence from the stages of the Twin Cities, Pippi Ardennia and her partner, Daniel Leahy, are back to grace the Crooners mainstage on Sunday evening (3/12). They were nice enough to hop on a Zoom with Sean from The Afternoon Cruise to chat about their upcoming visit. Listen to the interview...Read More

When an album gets sampled over and over by hip-hop artists, it’s a clear indicator that something incredibly funky was happening on said release. In the case of Bobbi Humphrey’s Blacks and Blues, there’s a reason so many artists gravitate to the sounds. Larry Mizell laid down the compositions for Humphrey to sink into, with...Read More

I live in the seemingly small Venn diagram cross-section of people who enjoy both bluegrass and jazz. That curious nexus where one can appreciate and find merit in Bill Evans and Bill Monroe. John Coltrane and John Hartford. ‘Round Midnight and O Brother, Where Art Thou?. Do I love everything from either genre? No. You’d...Read More

LA Buckner was nice enough to visit The Afternoon Cruise before his headlining show at the Dakota on Monday, March 6. Listen to the interview here: Originally aired March 2, 2023 on The Afternoon Cruise. More Posts for Show: The Afternoon CruiseRead More

Cassandra Wilson could’ve been the “next great” jazz singer, but she chose a vastly more interesting path. By bringing the sounds of blues, R&B, and more into her fold, Wilson tossed a well-deserved middle finger to the gatekeepers who expect jazz musicians to stay in the Real Book and blues musicians to stay in Mississippi....Read More

Cécile McLorin Salvant joined a Zoom with Sean from The Afternoon Cruise in advance of her shows this weekend (2/24-25) at the Walker Art Center. Check out the full conversation right here! More Posts for Show: The Afternoon CruiseRead More

This year, Jazz88 is sharing space with the team from iHeart Media, including KFAN, while our North Minneapolis studios and offices are undergoing renovations. Turns out, these sports people also know their music, and we’ve received a couple of thoughtful jazz gifts from Mr. Paul Allen. His gifts have been welcome, thoughtful, and, most importantly,...Read More

Joan Griffith visited The Afternoon Cruise to discuss her new album, Sambanova 2, and her upcoming show at Crooner’s on February 17. More Posts for Show: The Afternoon CruiseRead More