Good Acoustics–the radio show for musical omnivores on KBEM Jazz88—has decided to start a regular showcase for the local artists we feature on our program. Come gather at MetroNOME Brewing in Lowertown St. Paul on Saturday, May 10th from 730-9pm, to hear some of the artists whose music we love. This month we’ll be...Read More
Keep it simple stupid! It is one of those pieces of advice that is so easy to say and so hard to follow but I feel that Ray Barnard really channels that ethos across his output. The man prioritizes a good groove and when he has something nice to sing into the microphone he does...Read More
Jazz88’s Peter Solomon spoke with guitarist Martin Taylor about his musical influences and his collaboration “Great Guitars” with Ulf Wakenius and Bireli Lagrene. Taylor and Wakenius perform together at the Dakota Monday evening 4/14. Lagrene cannot make the show because of an injury.Read More
Here are the top ten new releases from Jazz88! Vote for your five favorites below! Society of Chemists – Transactional Kindness Etienne Charles – Colorado River Song feat. René Marie Okonski – Summer Storm Karrin Allyson – Month of March (Dunas) Abebi Stafford – Kinderglow The Empress – Nica’s Dream Sharel Cassity – Magnetism...Read More
Sometimes it takes an outsider to really appreciate what is happening in a musical scene. Though he’s been here since 2005, Scott Agster still holds the thrill of the new kid as he tells the larger world what makes our Minneapolis music scene so special. There’s plenty to celebrate here in the Twin Cities, but...Read More
Pianist Abebi Stafford’s new record, Stolen By Lies, was primarily recorded in piano trio format, with Graydon Peterson on bass and Pete James Johnson on drums. Stafford’s original compositions are at their best when they are subtle. The tune “Kinderglow” is a great example of what makes Stafford’s understated writing so powerful. On the A...Read More
Here are the top ten new releases from Jazz88! Vote for your five favorites below! Society of Chemists – Transactional Kindness Zaccai Curtis – Cuban Fantasy James Brandon Lewis – Exactly, Our Music Okonski – Summer Storm Etienne Charles – Colorado River Song feat. René Marie Arturo Sandoval – Stella By Starlight Black Market...Read More
Jazz88’s Peter Solomon spoke with pianist Renee Rosnes, who has been a major player on the New York Jazz Scene since 1985. She discusses her early career, when she worked with iconic artists like Joe Henderson, J.J. Johnson, and Bobby Hutcherson. She also discusses her recent Brazilian album Crossing Paths, and the new Blue Note...Read More
A handful of weeks ago we were highlighting the title track to Hannah Harder’s debut album as a leader The Greatest of These is Love. As I’ve continued to listen to the release, I wanted to write up the tune “I Don’t Know Yet,” another gem. In an interview with Jazz88’s Sam Keenan, Harder explained...Read More
Singer Yazmin Bowers is also a pianist, painter, dancer and teacher. She’s also quite the world traveler spending a lot of her time in Havana, Cuba where she teaches music and culture and eventually incorporating her own experiences into her own music. With her heart and soul ultimately coming from her Midwestern roots, it’s always a...Read More