Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with Chicago-based singer Christy Bennett about her work researching and recording the music of Irene Higginbotham. Higginbotham (1918 – 1988) is best remembered as the co-composer of the ballad  “Good Morning Heartache,” which was one of Billie Holiday’s signature tunes. Higginbotham wrote published more than fifty songs, including “This Will Make You...Read More

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon visited an adult jazz combo in their first rehearsal directed by bassist/educator Chris Bates at Jazz Central. The combo is one of eleven groups that got started in January through the new, adult-focused jazz education series, North Star Jazz Workshops. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20250129124141-FINALNORTHSTARJAZZWORKSHOPINTERVIEW_01079_.mp3Read More

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon spoke with choreographer and master dance instructor Ashi Smythe about the legacy of Katherine Dunham, the woman widely acknowledged as the “Queen Mother and Matriarch of African American Dance.” Smythe is a guest artist and instructor in a two-week Katherine Dunham residency taking place at Lundstrum Performing Arts. Attached photo by Mike...Read More

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon spoke with Dale Alexander, a pianist and drummer based in Los Angeles, but originally from St. Paul, to get his thoughts on Bud Powell. The father of modern jazz piano was born September 27, 1924 and would be 100 years old. The image below was taken of Bud Powell in Europe in...Read More

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with NEA Jazz Master and Grammy award-winning trombonist and composer Delfeayo Marsalis about the inspiration behind his recent recording, Crescent City Jewels. Marsalis will be featured in two sets with the JazzMN Orchestra Sunday afternoon, Sept. 22, at the Dakota. (Attached photo by Eric Waters and Girard Mouton). https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20240918064147-DelfeayoFINALWEB.mp3Read More

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with Brent Von Rensberg, co-founder of Zip Zap Circus of Cape Town, South Africa. They have put together a show for their new touring arm called ‘Moya‘ which they are staging at the Children’s Theatre in Minneapolis from September 12th through October 20th. Watch the trailer for ‘Moya’ here. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20240911194731-BrentVonRensbergFinalmixdown.mp3 More Posts...Read More

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon spoke with Bertrand Weber, Director of Culinary and Wellness Services at MPS. Weber gives a tour of Central Kitchen, where food is prepared and distributed to Minneapolis Public Schools. He talks about the changes that he initiated with the school system’s culinary and wellness department when he came on board in 2012,...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

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

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with singer and songwriter Lizz Wright about her latest release, Shadow. The recording celebrates the memory and lessons learned from her late grandmother. She discusses that, and her collaborations with Angelique Kidjo, Brandee Younger, and Meshell Ndegeocello. Wright performs at the Dakota this Friday night, August 16th. (Photo by Hollis King)...Read More