Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with vocalist Jane Monheit in advance of her appearance Tuesday, July 30th at the Dakota. Monheit talks about her musical influences, the way she’s learned to manage expectations as a female performer, lessons learned from working with legendary producer Joel Dorn, and her upcoming eponymous release on Club 44 Records. More...Read More
Joyann Parker isn’t one to slow down. Since finding blues and soul music in her mid-thirties, she has been on a campaign to learn, celebrate, and perform Black American music. She’s doing just that on Friday night, July 26, at The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis. She and Lori Dokken from The Woman’s Club stopped by...Read More
Peter Solomon speaks with Twin Cities saxophonist Steve Clarke about the evolution of his band Steve Clarke and the Working Stiffs. They will playing our final JazzClectic concert of the summer on Saturday, July 27th at 2PM. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20240722094601-SteveClarkeinterviewforweb.mp3 More Posts for Show: The Morning ShowRead More
Jazz88’s Peter Solomon spoke with vocalist Jennifer Grimm and 16-year-old saxophonist Grady Cartony about “Next Generation: Jazz,” a show focusing on young jazz artists taking place at Crooners at 5 PM on Sunday, July 21st. Two other showcases at Crooners will feature young artists from the classical scene and the musical theater community. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20240718110950-JenniferGrimmandGradyCartony_01.mp3 More...Read More
Bassist Greg Bryant is one half of the jazz duo Concurrence. On their new album, Indivisible, he and pianist Paul Horton use an entire toolbox of expression to tell the story of the impact of Interstate 40 on Black neighborhoods in Nashville. Bryant, who hails from Nashville, discussed how he and Horton came to tell...Read More
In his interview with Sean McPherson this week, in-demand Twin Cities pianist Kavyesh Kaviraj said he is running on “two batteries.” His debut album as leader, Fables, is a culmination of at least a year of work for Kaviraj and his team. For his visit to Jazz88, Kaviraj focused on how a half decade of...Read More
Manny Hill is the Executive Producer of MPS Voices, and one of his closest colleagues is Olive Norvell, who serves as host and producer on MPS Voices. MPS Voices is a central hub for student and staff audio content for, and from, Minneapolis Public Schools. Learn more about MPS Voices’ triumphant first year in this...Read More
Choreographer Leslie Parker and musician DeCarlo Jackson have been working together in a larger group toward a Black Dance Improvisation concert coming up on Saturday, June 22 at the Cedar Cultural Center. The event is part of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival and represents the culmination of work done with a cast of dancers and...Read More
Jazz88’s Peter Solomon caught up with singer and songwriter Nicole Zuraitis, whose 2023 recording, How Love Begins, received the Grammy award for “Best Jazz Vocal Album.” Zuraitis plays Thursday evening, June 20th, at the Dakota in an appearance billed as a pre-Twin Cities Jazz Festival show. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20240619093839-NicoleZuraoitisforWeb.mp3 More Posts for Show: Judy Carmichael’s Jazz InspiredRead More
Damian Kulash, singer and guitarist for OK Go, is getting ready for a show at First Ave on July 11, and he recently touched base with Jazz88 to discuss how he has connected with jazz throughout his life. During his conversation with Sean McPherson, Kulash discussed how jazz got him to focus on what is...Read More
