In anticipation of the upcoming Zorn @ 70 event at the Walker Art Center this Saturday (Sept. 9), Jazz88’s Sean McPherson sat down with Philip Bither, Senior Curator of Performing Arts at the Walker, to highlight some tracks from John Zorn’s vast catalog, and to talk about Zorn’s significance in the musical world. Listen: Portions...Read More

Celebrated pianist Larry McDonough has been a fixture on the Twin Cities jazz scene for decades and he’s well known for his love of Bill Evans. This Thursday (8/31), Larry and company are gracing the mainstage of Crooners to play Bill Evans’ material. They’ll also share part of a moving documentary about Evans’ life. Listen...Read More

After a chance encounter 22 years ago in the Twin Cities, Tony London went on to become friends with Tony Bennett, receiving support and sage advice from him as he built his career as a modern crooner. Like so many in the music industry, London recognizes Bennett as a “singer’s singer,” and valued his mentorship...Read More

Vocalist Maud Hixson is a mainstay of the jazz scene in the Twin Cities and she has churned out another exemplary disc. On Saturday, Sept. 2, she’s taking the stage of Crooner’s to celebrate the new release, Permanent Moonlight. Listen in to Maud’s conversation with Sean McPherson from The Afternoon Cruise about the new disc,...Read More

  Jack Barrett (piano) and Charlie Bruber (bass) are kindred musical spirits. After the pandemic, they found their way back to creativity by doing brisk, low-pressure sessions with Ben Ehrlich and Jake Baldwin bright and early in the morning. These sessions grew into the record that they are releasing as the Jack Barrett Quartet on...Read More

  On August 21, 1904 Count Basie was born in Red Bank, NJ. In his seventy-nine years on planet earth, he contributed immense amounts to the development of jazz, and the legendary orchestra that he led for the majority of his life continues on to this day under the tutelage of Scotty Barnhart. Rick Carlson,...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