A call from a storage unit manager led guitar icon George Benson down the path to releasing one of the most majestic and compelling albums of his entire career. Hear George Benson in conversation with Jazz88’s Sean McPherson, as he reflects on the recording sessions that led up to this new release, Dreams Do Come...Read More
Moore by Four is getting ready for a show this Friday, August 9, over at Crooners. Members Ginger and Ashley Commodore stopped by to talk about the group’s thirty-plus year history and what gives them their staying power. Full interview: This interview aired on The Afternoon Cruise 08/06/24 More Posts for Show: The...Read More
Twin Cities-based guitarist Pavel Jany and his Global Jazz Collegium are back with their latest disc, Labyrinth. Jany and many of the other members of the Collegium also work in the group Ticket to Brasil, but for this group, they follow their interests beyond Brazil and explore many of the international sounds that have become...Read More
Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with vocalist Carmen Bradford about her musical career with Count Basie and her participation in the program “Uptown Nights,” with trumpeter Byron Stripling and the Minnesota Orchestra on Saturday, August 3rd. Bradford is the daughter of trumpeter Bobby Bradford–a renowned educator and former sideman with Ornette Coleman–and singer Melba Joyce. Listen...Read More
Local mainstay and friend of the station, Ginger Commodore, came to visit Sean McPherson on The Afternoon Cruise to discuss her new four-show series, “And the Melodies Still Linger On”. The series launches on Thursday, August 1 at Crooners. Ms. Commodore discussed how she picks songs, accompanists, and why she has been so focused on...Read More
Jazz88’s Peter Solomon spoke with trumpeter/conductor Byron Stripling about “Uptown Nights,” a program taking place Saturday, August 3rd, that he will perform with the Minnesota Orchestra. The program will feature Stripling in multiple roles–conducting, playing trumpet, and singing–along with vocalist Carmen Bradford and tap dancer Leo Manzari. More Posts for Show: The Morning ShowRead More
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
