On the week of the release of MaLLy and Last Word’s new album, The Sweetest of It All, MaLLy took some time to connect with Jazz88 to discuss his love of jazz. MaLLy’s artform is hip-hop, but his sources for inspiration run way deeper. He discussed how jazz can invite him to listen deeply, to...Read More
Chris Botti is renowned trumpeter with lots of crossover appeal and a penchant for recording ballads. In this conversation with Jazz88’s Peter Solomon, Botti discusses his musical inspirations, discusses studying with legendary post-bop trumpeter Woody Shaw, recalls his days touring with the temperamental drum legend and bandleader Buddy Rich, and speaks on the varying approaches...Read More
New-York based singer Richard Cortez is releasing his debut album, Mood Swings, this week. Jazz88’s Peter Solomon caught up with Cortez to discuss how his long history of gay activism plays into his musical career. Remarkably, he only started singing jazz publicly a few years ago. He made a name for himself by organizing jazz...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 spoke with Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter Dylan Hicks about ‘Modern Flora,’ the latest jazz-inspired project featuring his nonet Small Screens. Hicks and his ensemble will play a concert to celebrate the release of the new EP Sunday, September 8th at the Parkway Theater. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20240904191731-DylanHickswithMusicWEB.mp3 More Posts for Show: The Morning ShowRead 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
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
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
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
Jazz88’s Peter Solomon spoke with two members of local indie-jazz group, HEYARLO: drummer Richard Haneman and bassist Megan Mahoney. The band will play as part of the Hopkins Center for the Arts’ Sunset Series of outdoor concerts on Thursday evening, August 15, at 7 p.m. in Hopkins’ Downtown Park. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20240812110952-HeyArlo_forWeb.mp3 More Posts for Show: The...Read More