The Afternoon Cruise

Show Info

Hosted by: Jazz88

Show Times

Timezone: CST [UTC-6]

Mon:	3:00 pm - 7:00 pm [ - ]
Tue:	3:00 pm - 7:00 pm [ - ]
Wed:	3:00 pm - 7:00 pm [ - ]
Thu:	3:00 pm - 7:00 pm [ - ]
Fri:	3:00 pm - 7:00 pm [ - ]

About the Show

The Afternoon Cruise with Sean McPherson

Join Sean McPherson on Jazz88’s Afternoon Cruise! He’s your guide to the full spectrum of jazz, great interviews, live performances with local and global talent, and special features! You’ll also hear BBC World News, and regional news headlines. Plus, MnDOT First Alert Traffic on the 10’s.

Includes Twin Cities Weekend on Thursdays at 6:20 p.m.

Playlist Archive Monday-Thursday

Playlist Archive Friday

Listen On-Demand

Posts

Deep Dive: Charles Mingus' Mingus Ah Um

You’re on a jazz radio station’s website right now. Chances are, I’m preaching to the choir here, but in case you’re new to jazz, Mingus Ah Um is the cream of the crop. If you thought jazz was stuffy background music for academics who are afraid to feel anything, every note of this record will change […] […]

a photo of Ezra Collective outdoors near a car

Vote for Your Favorite Songs of the Week on Jazz88 (January 23 -January 29)

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The Importance of Black Leadership with Jeremy Pelt and Cory Weeds

In my job, I’m lucky to receive mountains of world-class music in my inboxes–both digital and physical–day in and day out. It’s beautiful, receiving all this music, but it becomes important to use shorthand to seek out the truly high quality stuff as a matter of efficiency. Jeremy Pelt, a celebrated trumpeter based out of […] […]

Rachael Price Loves A Love Song

Rachael Price hosted Sean McPherson from The Afternoon Cruise at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul ahead of her concert with her group Lake Street Dive. The subject: her other project with guitarist/composer Vilray, and their new release I Love A Love Song! Listen to the interview here: Originally aired Jan. 27, 2023 on The Afternoon […] […]

Lakecia Benjamin's new CD Phoenix pictured next to a window

This Just In: Lakecia Benjamin's Phoenix

This Just In is Jazz88’s weekly celebration of new releases. It hits the airwaves every Friday at noon and this week, we are diving into Lakecia Benjamin‘s latest release, Phoenix. It is worth mentioning that the producer of this new release is none other than Terri Lyne Carrington, whose own album was featured last week on […] […]

Deep Dive: The Robert Glasper Experiment's Black Radio

Happy Robert Glasper week, Twin Cities. This weekend, Robert Glasper sets up camp at The Dakota for a run of shows starting on Friday night. Today, on The Afternoon Cruise, we are taking a Deep Dive into one of my favorite records from Glasper’s catalog, 2012’s Black Radio. If you’re making world class music, […] […]

A picture of the Terri Lynn Carrington record "New Standards Volume 1"

This Just In Fridays at Noon: Terri Lyne Carrington's New Standards Volume 1

This Just In is Jazz88’s weekly celebration of new releases. It hits the airwaves every Friday at Noon and this week we are diving into Terri Lynn Carrington’s latest release, New Standards Volume 1. For her latest effort Carrington worked with purpose at every turn, working up material exclusively from women composers and drawing in an […] […]

The album cover for Chris Potter's 2006 effort "Underground"

Deep Dive: Chris Potter's Underground

It’s a Deep Dive Wednesday on The Afternoon Cruise and we are going to check out Chris Potter‘s 2006 effort Underground. Ten albums deep into his solo career, Underground has been critically acclaimed as an album where many of the most promising pieces of Potter’s previous releases came together in one package. Chris Potter has a […] […]

Drummer Kevin Washington and radio host Sean McPherson in front of a Jazz88 banner.

Kevin Washington Visits the Afternoon Cruise

Drummer and composer extraordinaire Kevin Washington visited the Jazz88 studios to discuss his upcoming concert on January 19 at The Hopkins Arts Center. […]

This Just In Fridays at Noon: Jason Marshall's New Beginnings

This Just In is Jazz88’s weekly celebration of new releases. It hits the airwaves every Friday at Noon and this week we are diving into Jason Marshall‘s latest release, New Beginnings. It’s not a coup to see a baritone sax player leading a band by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s still certainly not […] […]

Gary Hines from Sounds of Blackness Visits Jazz88 to discuss the group's upcoming performance "Music for Martin"

Gary Hines, the longtime leader of Sounds of Blackness, stopped by Jazz88 to visit and discuss the group’s upcoming show, “Music for Martin” which takes place at the Ordway on Friday, January 13. […]

a picture of the cover of Abbey Lincoln's You Gotta Pay the Band

Deep Dive: Abbey Lincoln's You Gotta Pay The Band featuring Stan Getz

On today’s Afternoon Cruise we’ll be doing a deep dive into Abbey Lincoln’s 1991 album You Gotta Pay The Band. The featured guest on the album is the esteemed legend Stan Getz in one of his last recording sessions before his passing in June of 1991. Throughout the album I am reminded of three primary […] […]

This Just In: Lauren Falls' A Little Louder Now

This Just In is Jazz88’s weekly celebration of new releases. It hits the airwaves every Friday at Noon and this week we are diving into Lauren Falls‘ new album A Little Louder Now. Lauren is a bass player/composer who spent some time out in New York before returning to her hometown of Toronto. The release features […] […]

The cover of Bill Frisell's latest record Four.

Vote for Your Favorite Songs of the Week on Jazz88

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Joe Henderson holds a saxophone bag for an album cover

Deep Dive: Joe Henderson's Page One

On today’s Afternoon Cruise we’ll be doing a deep dive into Joe Henderson’s debut album as a leader, the 1963 release “Page One”. This album marks the second time that Kenny Dorham and Joe Henderson got into the studio together, though it was the first session to be released to the public. There’s a Ghostface […] […]

Keyez Williams' Symphonic Funk at The Granada

Minnesota musician Keyez Williams paid a visit to The Afternoon Cruise to discuss his run of shows at the Granada in uptown Minneapolis and to play a bit of his music. His remaining shows are on December 22, 27, and 29! […]

Jazz88's Top 10 Songs of '22

Greetings! Sean here, Music Director and Afternoon Host at Jazz88. I’m honored to share the Top Ten Songs of 2022 on Jazz88. A quick note about the methodology: I gathered the fifty most played songs on Jazz88 that were released in the year 2022 and then put up a poll for listeners to pick their […] […]

Vote for Your Favorite Songs of 2022 from Jazz88

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Rhythm Changes: New Music, December Edition

We’ve got some new releases, including some holiday fun, to welcome into the rotation here at Jazz88. As always, if there is some new jazz you are loving that you aren’t hearing, I’d love to know about it! I can be reached at sean@jazz88.fm. ST4TA– “Lazy Days feat. Emma-Jean Thackray” from their album ST4TASFEAR Listen Here […] […]

Jazz Artists Nominated for 2023 Grammys

Congratulations to all the great jazz musicians who received Grammy nominations for the upcoming 2023 awards. Here is a complete list of the jazz category nominations: Best Improvised Jazz Solo Ambrose Akinmusire – Rounds (Live) Gerald Albright – Keep Holding On John Beasley – Cherokee/Koko Marcus Baylor – Call of the Drum Melissa Aldana – […] […]

Marc Ribot Joins The Afternoon Cruise in Advance of His Sunday Show at the Cedar

The guitarist Marc Ribot was nice enough to catch up with The Afternoon Cruise in advance of his upcoming show at the Cedar. Ribot discussed his love of solo performance, his short-lived tenure in Brother Jack McDuff’s band, and his close associations with the no-wave scene in New York City. […]

Vijay Iyer Joins The Afternoon Cruise in Anticipation of His Performance at the Dakota (NOTE: This show has been postponed)

NOTE: This show has been postponed. When there is a new date we will announce it here. Award-winning music icon Vijay Iyer was nice enough to join Sean McPherson from The Afternoon Cruise in anticipation of his Thursday (11/3) show at the Dakota. In this interview, Iyer discusses his new record, Uneasy, his love […] […]

Rhythm Changes: New Music in Rotation on Jazz88! October Edition

The great music just keeps on coming in and we haven’t even tapped into the pile of holiday releases that have come in in the last couple weeks. As always, if there is some new jazz you are loving that you aren’t hearing, I’d love to know about it! I can be reached at sean@jazz88.fm. […] […]

Dennis Mitcheltree Stops by The Afternoon Cruise

In anticipation of his Saturday show at Jazz Central (10/22), saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree hopped on a Zoom with Sean from The Afternoon Cruise to talk about new album, Golden Rule. […]

Kendra Morris Visits With Christian Fritz

The celebrated vocalist Kendra Morris, who is currently on tour with labelmates, Monophonics, hopped on a ZOOM to chat with Jazz88 host, Christian Fritz, in advance of her upcoming show at the Fine Line. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20220929162343-KendraMorrisPodcastInterview.mp3 […]

Kelly Finnigan of Monophonics Visits With Jazz Futures Host Christian Fritz

Kelly Finnigan, the leader of psych soul/funk group, Monophonics, connected via ZOOM with Jazz88 host, Christian Fritz, in advance of their show on October 3 at the Fine Line in Minneapolis. Listen below. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20220929154643-MonophonicsPodcastInterview.mp3 […]

Jellybean Johnson Visits The Afternoon Cruise

The musical icon Jellybean Johnson swung through Jazz88 to talk blues, museums, and the greatness of the Twin Cities music scene. […]

Nachito Herrera Phones into the Afternoon Cruise

The Minnesota-based music icon, Nachito Herrera, hopped on the phone with Jazz88’s Sean McPherson to discuss his upcoming performance at The Ordway. He’ll be playing with a 7-piece band featuring the cream of the crop from the Cuban music scene. Enjoy the conversation about what concert-goers can expect from the show. […]

Conductor William Eddins Joins The Afternoon Cruise

William Eddins, the accomplished pianist, conductor, and proprietor of Jazz88 business sponsor, MetroNOME Brewery, was nice enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to talk about his gig this weekend. Mr. Eddins will be conducting both the Minnesota Orchestra and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for their performances at Orchestra Hall. […] […]

The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio Bring Fun and Soul to the Hopkins Center for the Arts

If you’re looking to see a show from dour musicians who seem to take themselves much too seriously, the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio is not for you. Saturday’s show (9/17/22) at the Hopkins Center for the Arts demonstrated that this is a brotherhood of musical jokesters, with the three members–Delvon Lamarr (Hammond B3), Jimmy James […] […]

Rhythm Changes: New Music in Rotation on Jazz88

We are in a golden age for new jazz releases, and figuring out the right tunes to get into our playlists has been a true joy. Check out a couple of these highlights and be sure to let us know what you think of the new music. I can be reached at sean@jazz88.fm. Samara Joy […] […]

John Scofield Joins The Afternoon Cruise Ahead of His Shows at the Dakota

Guitarist/composer John Scofield is out on the road with his band to support his new, self-titled release, and they’re taking the stage of the Dakota on Thursday evening, September 8th. He was nice enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to visit with Sean McPherson on The Afternoon Cruise. […]

Lizz Wright Visits with Jazz88 Before Her Performance at The Dakota

Acclaimed vocalist Lizz Wright was nice enough to connect with Jazz88’s Sean McPherson in advance of her show on Thursday, September 1 at The Dakota. Check out the whole conversation here. […]

Something Jazz-Related To Do Every Day at the Minnesota State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair is here and we couldn’t be more excited about how much jazz there is to offer this year. No matter what day you go, you should be able to take in a great jazz experience. We sincerely encourage you to come through on Friday, August 26 and/or Saturday, August 27 when […] […]

Zacc Harris Visits the Afternoon Cruise to Discuss Pat Martino

Local guitar maven and friend of the station, Zacc Harris, is celebrating the legacy of Pat Martino on Thursday, August 25 at Crooners. He hopped on The Afternoon Cruise to discuss Martino’s influence in the jazz world. […]

Ben Sidran Swings Through the Afternoon Cruise In Anticipation of His 2 Night Stand at Crooners

Keyboardist/producer, Ben Sidran, is rolling through town for a two night stand on Friday, August 19 and Saturday, August 20 at Crooners. He was nice enough to hop on a Zoom and chat with Sean McPherson about his new album and his upcoming shows. […]

Andrew Walesch Connects with Patty Peterson in Advance of his CD Release Show

Vocalist and pianist Andrew Walesch connected with Patty Peterson to discuss his upcoming CD and CD release show exploring the catalog of Cole Porter. […]

A photo of a photo of Butch Thompson atop a Jazz88 Microphone

Remembering Butch Thompson with Tony Balluff

The Minnesota jazz legend and Jazz88 broadcaster, Butch Thompson, passed away on Sunday, 8/14/22. Below, is audio of a tribute to Butch from the 8/16/22 Afternoon Cruise with Tony Balluff (Southside Aces) and Sean McPherson (Jazz88). […]

PaviElle Visits The Afternoon Cruise in Advance of Her Documentary Premiere

PaviElle is releasing a new documentary that tracks the making of her newest album, Sovereign. Check out the extended conversation between PaviElle and Jazz88’s Sean McPherson. […]

Ann Hampton Callaway Visits with Sean McPherson on the Afternoon Cruise

Songwriter and vocalist, Ann Hampton Callaway, is visiting the Twin Cities for a two-show stand over at Crooners this weekend. She was kind enough to talk about her love of the Linda Rondstadt songbook, and her love of performing in general. […]

Scotty Barnhart of the Count Basie Orchestra Visits with Sean McPherson on The Afternoon Cruise

Hear trumpeter and director of the Count Basie Orchestra, Scotty Barnhart, talk about the upcoming show at Crooners, alongside a discussion about the role of the trumpet in jazz and Scotty’s take on the most important jazz musician of all time. […]

Michael Cain Joins The Afternoon Cruise

Michael Cain joins The Afternoon Cruise to talk about his upcoming show as part of MacPhail’s Water Works concert on July 9! […]

Nachito Herrera Joins The Afternoon Cruise

Nachito Herrera joins The Afternoon Cruise to talk about his upcoming show as part of MacPhail’s Water Works concert on July 9! […]

Emmet Cohen in Conversation with Jazz88 at the Twin Cities Jazz Fest

Emmet took a minute between soundcheck and his performance on Friday June 24 to touch base with Sean McPherson from Jazz88. […]

a photo of two drummers from the Treme Brass Band

Benny Jones Sr. of the Treme Brass Band Visits with Jazz88

Benny Jones Sr., bass drum player and bandleader for the Treme Brass Band took the time to catch up with Sean McPherson from Jazz88 via phone from his home in New Orleans. […]

Guitarist Zacc Harris Visits Jazz88 to discuss his upcoming show at The Twin Cities Jazz Fest

Zacc Harris was nice enough to swing by and chat about his upcoming concert at the Twin Cities Jazz Fest. The show is happening on Saturday June 25th at 2pm on the Jazz88 Mainstage. […]

Gary Hines from Sounds of Blackness Visits Jazz88 to discuss the group's new single "Juneteenth Celebration"

Gary Hines, the longtime leader of Sounds of Blackness, stopped by Jazz88 to visit and discuss the group’s new anthem, “Juneteenth Celebration.” […]

Julius Collins from Dr. Mambo's Combo Visits the Cruise

Julius Collins, the vocalist for Dr. Mambo’s Combo and a fixture in the Twin Cities music scene, stopped by The Afternoon Cruise to talk about the shows that the Combo will be a part of this weekend over at the Capri. Check out the conversation in advance of their shows on Saturday and Sunday at […] […]

Makaya McCraven Joins the Afternoon Cruise in Advance of His Wednesday Gig at The Fine Line

The celebrated Chicago-based drummer Makaya McCraven is coming through town for a show at The Fine Line on Wednesday. Makaya was nice to hop on a ZOOM call with Sean from The Afternoon Cruise in advance of Wednesdays show! Listen to the interview: final Makaya Audio – Sean McPherson […]

Erik Fratzke From Happy Apple Stops By to Talk about Their Gig on Sunday

Throughout the week, I’ll be connecting with artists who are set to take the stage of Indeed Brewing for the Whirlygig event happening in Northeast Minneapolis this weekend, May 20-22, as part of Art-A-Whirl. Erik Fratzke, the bassist for Happy Apple, stopped by to talk about the gig and what we can expect from their […] […]

L.A. Buckner Docks at The Afternoon Cruise to Talk About His Gig this Weekend

Throughout the week, I’ll be connecting with artists who are set to take the stage of Indeed Brewing for the Whirlygig event happening in Northeast Minneapolis this weekend, May 20-22, as part of Art-A-Whirl. L.A. Buckner, drummer extraordinaire and leader of Big Homie, stopped by to talk about the gig and what we can expect […] […]

Andy & Andrew of Purple Funk Metropolis Stop By To Talk New Music & Whirlygig

Throughout the week, I’ll be connecting with artists who are set to take the stage of Indeed Brewing for the Whirlygig event happening in Northeast Minneapolis this weekend, May 20-22, as part of Art-A-Whirl. Andrew Tomten (saxophone; L) and Andy Schupp (bass; R) stopped by to talk about the gig and everything that is happening […] […]

Whirlygig is Back!

As part of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association’s Art-A-Whirl weekend, Whirlygig is back (for the first time since 2019) at Indeed Brewing’s Minneapolis taproom! May 20-22 Jazz88 is proud to be sponsoring a full weekend of great local music, including artists Purple Funk Metropolis, MMYYKK, L.A. Buckner & Big Homie, Arlo, Happy Apple, and many […] […]

Nate Smith Interviews with Sean McPherson in Advance of a Two-Night Stand at the Dakota

Nate Smith’s Kinfolk project is coming to town for a two-night stand at the Dakota on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. I had the chance to catch up with him as he was wrapping up another tour down in Chicago to talk about his most recent recordings and the differences in creating in real […] […]

John Pizzarelli of Radio Deluxe Stops by For a Visit

John Pizzarelli’s schedule permitted him to stop by our studios before his visit to the Dakota tonight. It’s no surprise that John was an absolute natural doing radio, I mean he has his own radio show. We even broadcast it on Jazz88 on Saturdays at 5pm. John was more than happy to talk about his […] […]

Cyrille Aimée visits with Sean

I had the honor of catching up with Cyrille Aimée in advance of her performance on Friday night, April 1st, at the Dakota. In the interview, you’ll hear about Cyrille’s fascination with the Dakota, Minneapolis in general, and her adopted hometown of New Orleans. We touch on her impressive 14 disc discography and the band […] […]

New Music: Sprig Of That, Vincent Herring

If you are a regular listener to KBEM, hopefully you’ve heard Phil Nusbaum’s informative and entertaining feature Twin Cities This Week/Twin Cities Weekend. On a recent playback, I was intrigued by a new band, Sprig Of That, who discussed in-depth a new recording, Eight Threads. Like Phil’s featurette, the group had received an endowment […] […]

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The Afternoon Cruise with Sean McPherson

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