Jamecia Bennett took time out of her busy schedule to chat with Jazz88 in advance of her headlining show at the Art and All That Jazz Festival this weekend in Burnsville. Ms. Bennett, well-known for her long tenure with Sounds of Blackness, is bringing her critically acclaimed solo show to Nicollet Commons Park, and is...Read More

“Deedles,” AKA Diane Schuur, is making her way back to the Twin Cities for two shows on Saturday, August 12 with the JazzMN Orchestra. She’ll be exploring the Count Basie songbook–something she’s been doing since the mid 1980s. Diane was joined for this interview by her feline partner, Puss Puss. Listen here: This interview originally...Read More

Celebrated pianist and MacPhail instructor, Michael Cain, spent about a decade working with Jack DeJohnette from 1990-99. It was a joy having him in the Jazz88 studios to reflect on his love for DeJohnette and the larger importance he had on the music world at large. Listen here: This interview originally aired on The Afternoon...Read More

Award-winning pianist Isaiah J. Thompson is navigating life as a rising star in the jazz world, an in-demand sideman touring the world with John Pizzarelli, and a newlywed! It’s a lot to balance, but Thompson finds a way to do it, while still finding time to serenade his mother’s old Volvo. Take a listen here:...Read More

Minneapolis-based drummer/producer JT Bates is preparing for a show on Monday, August 14 with Todd Clouser (guitar) and John Medeski (keys). Bates connected with The Afternoon Cruise to talk about what it’s like to play with such heavyweights and what they plan to bring to the Icehouse stage. Listen here: This interview originally aired on...Read More

Versatile pianist Ted Godbout is a consummate sideman, supplying the needed support on keys for many of the greats in the Twin Cities and beyond; but on Wednesday, August 9, Godbout will be stepping out as leader to bring his musical vision to the Capri Theater plaza as part of the JazzAccess Series. Check out...Read More

Adam Meckler isn’t just a trumpet player. He’s a writer, an arranger, a curator, a podcaster, an educator, and more. He came down from Michigan’s upper peninsula to get his Twin Cities-based orchestra back together for a show at Crooners on Friday (Aug. 4). In the conversation, Meckler and Jazz88’s Sean McPherson discuss Meckler’s approach...Read More

Jason Fabus is a Minnesota-educated jazz musician making his way out in Los Angeles. He’s swinging back through town to visit friends and play a couple of shows. He’ll be at Crooners this Friday night (Aug. 4) with Graydon Peterson (bass) and Phil Hey (drums) supporting. Fabus is a bit of an odd bird in...Read More

Twin Cities-based cellist Greg Byers stopped by The Afternoon Cruise to chat about his new album, Dear Zbigniew, how his visit to Poland in 2018 for the Seifert International Jazz Violin Competition changed his life, and where he believes the world of bowed jazz players is heading. Check out a conversation between Greg Byers and...Read More

Composer/pianist/music director/vocalist Billy Stritch connected with Jazz88 ahead of his upcoming Crooners show, “A Musical Night Out with Billy Stritch.” In the interview, Billy talks about what he’s learned from working with greats like Liza Minnelli, Linda Eder, and others. He also shared a memory of playing with the late, great Tony Bennett in Stritch’s...Read More