Legendary Ethiopian guitarist Selam “Selamino” Seyoum Woldemariam will perform two sets of instrumental ‘70s and ‘80s Ethiopian pop and funk hits alongside Ethiopian bassist Yohannes Tona, Ethiopian American drummer Abinnet Berhanu, and Minnesota’s own Steven Hobert on keyboards. Don’t miss this very rare, unforgettable show, which is copresented with Erta Ale Ethiopian. Selam “Selamino” Seyoum...Read More
After completing the long drive from the Upper Peninsula back to the Twin Cities, trumpet player and composer Adam Meckler was happy to pop in the booth at Jazz88 and discuss his upcoming gigs at Berlin on Friday, August 15. Meckler also talked about his upcoming record “Sampled” which drops in November. Meckler also shared...Read More
Trombonist Ryan Keberle is making his way back through town for a performance at Berlin on April 11 with his group Reverso. Keberle was nice enough to catch up with Jazz88 and talk about Reverso as well as his other projects, Colectivo De Brasil and Catharsis. Keberle also shared his thoughts about writing memorable melodies...Read More
Drummer and composer Emma Garau is performing on Monday, March 3 at Berlin in Minneapolis with Bryan Nichols (piano) and Chris Bates (bass). Garau recently moved to town from North Carolina and she discussed how she’s enjoying the Twin Cities so far. She also explained her approach to making music and connecting her love of...Read More
Lucia Sarmiento is a stellar leader, saxophonist, and vocalist who has toured with the likes of Pitbull and Karol G., and has collaborated with many of the biggest names in music. This weekend, Sarmiento is celebrating the release of her debut album as a leader, Escape. She will play shows on Friday,February 21 and Saturday,...Read More
Jazz88’s Peter Solomon recently had a chance to speak with guitarist and composer Scott Burton. Burton lives in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, but formerly resided in Richmond, Virginia, where he and Solomon would cross paths on occasion. An artist inspired by collaboration and pushing musical boundaries, Burton brings a newly formed trio, dubbed Mantis, to Berlin...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
Guitarist Zacc Harris is back with Chasing Shadows, the follow-up to his well-received 2021 effort Small Wonders. In the summer of 2022 Harris took an opportunity to get away to a cabin for five days sans family and with nothing specific on the agenda. During the retreat Harris found his way into about twenty new...Read More
Bassist Liz Draper has been running a residency at Berlin for October and she’s wrapping it up on Sunday, October 27 with her friend Ava Mendoza. Mendoza is a celebrated guitarist and composer based in Brooklyn and her friendship with Draper goes back almost 25 years. Liz spoke about her approach to improvising on the bass, her recent experience with...Read More
Joel Shapira is always out there playing. He’s out playing in town four or five times a week. But behind the scenes Shapira is always working on his own material. Joel came through the Jazz88 studios to discuss his new record Sleepless Montage and the release party coming up on Thursday, October 3 at Berlin...Read More
