Jazz88 is happy to be a part of the thriving Minnesota Jazz scene. Year after year the players from this town deliver the goods with stellar performances and masterful recordings. This year, our Minnesota Jazz Tracks host Sam Keenan compiled the top twenty local tracks as voted on by the listeners of the Jazz88. Thanks...Read More

2024 has been a magical year in the world of new releases. Many long-awaited releases from the most revered names in jazz saw the light of day. We also discovered new artists who took a huge leap forward this calendar year. Jazz88 is proud to celebrate the Top 20 songs of 2024 as voted on...Read More

  In 2024 the world saw the passing of some of the most iconic jazz artists, composers and personalities in the music’s history. Listen below to celebrate these artists and hear some of their most celebrated recordings! Artists Featured:   Les McCann September 23, 1935 – December 29, 2023 Marlena Shaw September 22, 1939 –...Read More

Here are the top ten new releases from Jazz88! Vote for your five favorites below! Laufey – From the Start Happy Apple – Vanity Plate Zacc Harris – This Day Lakecia Benjamin – Phoenix Reimagined The Bad Plus – Grid/Ocean Ebo Taylor – Obi Do Woa Joel Shapira – Sleepless Montage Bilal – All for...Read More

Cody Steinmann had a banner year in 2024. The Twin Cities based guitar player made connections with iconic musicians like JD Allen and cemented his reputation as one of the most prolific guitarists in the Twin Cities jazz scene. On his album Confined Spaces Steinmann uses his long-running trio with Chris Bates on bass and Abinnet...Read More

Before Stanley Jordan was a household name he was getting his career started with Madison, Wisconsin serving as his home base. The young player made routine trips up to the Twin Cities and he credits the Twin Cities as the first major metro area where he built up a fanbase. Even though Jordan can now...Read More

Pianist Bryan Nichols is embarking on a new chapter in his musical life. On Saturday, Dec. 21, he launches a new quintet to navigate his original compositions. The group premieres at Berlin and he’ll be joined by Sophia Kickhofel (sax), Jake Baldwin (trumpet), Dan Carpel (bass), and JT Bates (drums). Nichols was nice enough to...Read More

Jazz88’s Patty Peterson talks to sax man Boney James about his new CD Slow Burn and his tour, which brings him to the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul on Wednesday December 18th, 2024. Full interview: This interview aired on The Playroom 12/8/24     More Posts for Show: The PlayroomRead More

At Jazz88, we have polled you all about your favorite music of 2024, gathered those we would like to remember, and created some great segments to celebrate the year. Here is a schedule of special programming on Jazz88 this holiday season.   Best Local Releases of the Year 2024 will premiere Monday, December 16, 2024...Read More

Here is the top ten new releases from Jazz88! Vote for your five favorites below!   LA Buckner & Big Homie – Fireflies Zacc Harris – This Day Jake Baldwin and Ted Godbout – Cornflower Blue Peter Bernstein – Fitty for Dewey Oscar Peterson – It Ain’t Necessarily So Connie Evingson – Whisper Not ft....Read More