The Messthetics started as a kind of post-punk instrumental trio including former Fugazi bandmates Brendan Canty on drums and Joe Lally on bass with guitarist and composer Anthony Pirog. In 2023, they brought saxophonist James Brandon Lewis into the ensemble, and the result is a fascinating quartet in which musicians from widely divergent backgrounds find...Read More

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with Ricky Riccardi, the Head of Research Collections at the Louis Armstrong House Museum, and the author of three books on Armstrong. Riccardi’s newest book is called “Stomp Off, Let’s Go: The Early Years of Louis Armstrong.” It draws on previously unavailable sources to provide new details and insights about Armstrong’s...Read More

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with guitarist Ryan Picone about how he finds inspiration in the music of gypsy guitar legend Django Reinhardt. Picone shares some insider’s knowledge about Django’s life and music and  stories about his mentors, Howard Alden and Stephane Wrembel. Picone spoke from his apartment in Uptown Minneapolis, where he performed a couple...Read More

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon sat down for a conversation with L.A. Buckner, who talks about why he celebrates his home turf of North Side Minneapolis, the influences that inform his music, and the evolution of his band Big Homie. L.A. Buckner and Big Homie are a headliner at this year’s Twin Cities Jazz Festival. You can...Read More

Doreen Ketchens reflects on growing up in New Orleans historic Treme neighborhood, her development as a jazz clarinetist, and playing music with her family on the streets of New Orleans and in concerts and festivals around the world. Ketchens plays the Twin Cities Jazz Festival Friday June 20th at 6 PM on the Jazz88 Main...Read More

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with trumpeter Frank London about the history of klezmer music in America and 40 years of genre bending klezmer interpretations and collaborations by the Klezmatics. London was a founding member of the Grammy-award winning ensemble. The Klezmatics play the Dakota Tuesday night (May 27th) with Minneapolis-based ensemble Red Thread. Find details...Read More

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with three of the musical directors involved in an event commemorating George Floyd called “Weather: Stand the Storm.” Participants include Dr. G. Philip Shoultz, conductor of Singers of This Age; Waigwa, director of One Voice Mixed Chorus and Elevate Vocal Arts and Elevation Ensemble; and Dr. Rollo Dilworth, director of Singing...Read More

Saxophonist Charles McPherson’s legendary jazz career began in earnest in the late fities and he continues to be vital and productive at the age of 85 . He’s a product of Detroit’s fertile music scene, where as a teenager he came under the influence of pianist Barry Harris. At 19, McPherson moved to New York...Read More

In the days of silent film – the period from the late 1890s until the late twenties –  women had prominent and important creative roles. Not just as actors, but as directors, writers, and producers.  Many of the films that these pioneering film makers created explored provocative feminist themes that might seem surprising today. Peter...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