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Jazz88

KBEM Minneapolis St. Paul

Interviews, performances, and special programming from Jazz88. Hear us live at 88.5 FM in the Twin Cities!

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  • 21 episodes
  • a few times a week
  • Avg 10 min
  • English

Episodes 21

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  • Sunday · 19 min

    This Very Moment: Singer and Composer Chenxi Pan

    Jazz88 Morning Host Peter Solomon speaks with vocalist and composer Chenxi Pan, who changed her life path in her early twenties when she left her native country of China and came to the US to study jazz. She talks about her unique musical path, the artists that influenced her singing and writing, and talks through some of the music on her debut recording, "This Very Moment," wheich was released in the Spring of 2026 on Origin Records.

  • September 13 · 8 min

    Bluesman Paul Barry with First CD in Years

    It’s been about 8 years since Paul Barry has put out a recording of his blues. Well, there was a little thing known as the Covid pandemic that slowed things down. Paul’s new project is called Pure Blues. On it, he pays homage to the blues masters who influenced him, and he presents some of his own work, too. The new Paul Barry CD is called Pure Blues. When Paul got together with Phil Nusbaum, Phil asked, why the title, Pure Blues.

  • September 12 · 7 min

    Eliza and Lukaz Wheaton in a Tribute Show to João and Astrud Gilberto

    Over half a century ago, Bossa Nova came to the United States, and has stayed in the consciousness of music fans. Our local singer, Eliza Wheaton, with her brother, pianist Lukaz, perform some of the great Bossa Nova hits. The act is named after one of those hits, Corcovado at Midnight, composed by Carlos Antonio Jobim. Catch the performance Sunday September 20 at Icehouse in Minneapolis at 5pm. Doors open at 3. When Eliza and Lukaz talked to Phil Nusbaum about the show, they first talked about the family’s special connection with Bossa Nova and Brazil.

  • September 11 · 12 min

    Adam O'Farrill and The Elephant in the Room

    In this case, the Elephant is Adam O'Farrill's recently formed quartet, and the room is the Minneapolis jazz venue Berlin. The trumpeter and composer speaks with Jazz88's Peter Solomon about the literary, cinematic, and musical influences that inform his compositions. Adam O'Farrill and Elephant will play at Berlin on Tuesday, September 15th.

  • September 8 · 8 min

    Erin Livingston and the Wolverines Trio Evoke the Mood of a Bygone Era September 20 at Crooners

    The signature songs of the 1920, ‘30s’ and ‘40s have never gone away because musicians and music fans recognize they are worth preserving. On Sunday September 20 at Crooners, Erin Livingston sings a show called Straight No Chaser, with the Wolverines Trio onstage with Erin. Rick Carlson of the Wolverines and Erin Livingston talked to Phil Nusbaum about performing these songs. But first, Erin addresses the mood of the era the songs evoke.

  • September 6 · 8 min

    Selby Ave Jazz Fest Celebrates 25th Anniversary Saturday September 12

    Sunday, September 12 is the day for this year’s Selby Ave Jazz Fest in St Paul. There will be master classes, a parade, vendors, and of course live music. The fest is curated by Walker West Music Academy. When Ernest Bisong of Walker West talked to Phil Nusbaum about this year’s Selby Ave Jazz Fest, Ernest first addressed what’s different this year.

  • September 3 · 9 min

    Wozniak (Not Wozniak)

    Jazz88's Peter Solomon speaks with Twin Cities based saxophonist Brandon Wozniak, who has been selected as September Artist in Residence at Minneapolis jazz venue Berlin. Wozniak will perform in a series of Sunday night concerts, including collaborations with musicians such as drummer Dave King, cellist Michell kinney, guitarist Zacc Harris, among others. Information at www.berlinmpls.com.

  • September 1 · 8 min

    Kevin Gamble Leads Quartet into Icehouse in Minneapolis Next Friday Night

    Kevin Gamble was introduced to music in church. Originally a drummer, he became a jazz composer on the piano. Kevin leads his quartet into Icehouse in Minneapolis, Friday, September 4. Kevin’s group shares the bill with Radio Church. Doors open at 6, with the show beginning at 8pm. During a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Kevin addressed how his composition, I Still Believe, reflected what was going on with him at the time of composition.

  • August 30 · 8 min

    Dust of Suns Ensemble with New Chamber Music Album

    The Dust of Suns Ensemble plays what is loosely called chamber music. But all the compositions are recent and unabashedly blend in many styles of music. Chris Lynch composed all the pieces on the Dust of Suns new album entitled Alyosha, and Chris talked to Phil Nusbaum about the release. To get the conversation started, Phil asked Chris for his definition of chamber music.

  • August 28 · 23 min

    What I Was Always Meant To Do: Trumpeter Charles Tolliver On His 60+ Year Career In Music

    Charles Tolliver's professional career began in earnest in 1964, when he recorded as a sideman with alto saxophonist Jackie McLean. In subsequent years, Tolliver worked with Max Roach, Horace Silver, Andrew Hill, Sonny Rollins, Gerald Wilson, and others. Recently, Mack Avenue records reissued his first session as a leader, under the title "Right Now... And Then." In this conversation with Jazz88's Peter Solomon, Tolliver talks about his formative influences, discusses what it was like making records for the famed Blue Note Record label, reminisces about the making of his debut album, and delves into the story of the renowned artist-owned label he co-founded with pianist Stanley Cowell, caled Strata-East Records.

  • August 25 · 8 min

    Flamenco and Hot Club Jazz Connections Staged at Crooners, August 29

    Over time, Key figures in flamenco music and Hot Club Jazz have learned from each other. Saturday night August 29 at Crooners, at 7:30pm, The Ryan Picone Quartet with Ben Abrahamson; and the Twin Cities Flamenco Collective display some of the connections. In a moment, Ryan will talk to Phil Nusbaum about the flamenco – hot club connections, but first, Fería del Caballo, played by Ross Fellrath of the Twin Cities Flamenco Collective.

  • August 23 · 8 min

    Local Somali and Jewish Musical Traditions Staged in Minneapolis Aug 28 and 30

    Mixed Blood Theater in Minneapolis stages Somali band Ardaa and Jewish songs by Red Thread, Friday August 28 and Sunday August 30. The performance called “Across the Water,” explores commonalities and differences of the two traditional music cultures, and how music helps the transition into a new country. The evening wraps up with a social period with refreshments catered by Oasis Mediterranean Grill. Our program opens with Ahmed Yusef telling about Aarda.

  • August 16 · 8 min

    Maura Dunst Releases Recording Project with Voice and Multi-Tracked Violin

    Maura Dunst combines musical ideas from disparate worlds, including pop, classical and old-time fiddle dance music. Her new project includes thoughtful interpretations to five songs, and it is called Violin songs. When Maura talked with Phil Nusbaum about the project, she first described her unusual format of nothing but violin and voice.

  • August 12 · 9 min

    Society of Chemists Releases Long Awaited New Album

    Jazz88 Morning Host Peter Solomon speaks with composer and saxophonist Stephanie Wieseler and bassist Charlie Bruber about the long awaited new recording by Society of Chemists. The Twin Cities-based ensemble has a unique musical approach with they describe as "chamber jazz fusion." They discuss what that means, and Wieseler talks about the ways she sometimes finds inspiration for her compositions in nature. Society of Chemists will play an album release party at Berlin in Minneapolis on Saturday, August 15th at 7:30 PM. Find information on their new recording on bandcamp.

  • August 11 · 8 min

    John C.S. Keston Creates New Electro-Acoustic Album

    John C.S. Keston creates electro-acoustic music. John’s work combines playing on the keyboard of a conventional piano, but modifies the sounds produced by using electronic devices, as he is playing. The project is called Consonant Dissonance. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, John described his creative process.

  • August 10 · 8 min

    Pianist Larry McDonough and Guitarist Joel Shapira Interpret Bill Evans and Jim Hall Sunday August 9

    Pianist Larry McDonough and guitarist Joel Shapira are interpreters of Bill Evans and Jim Hall. Larry and Joel have recorded two CDs of Evans and Hall material, and have played their interpretations in venues around the Twin Cities. Larry and Joel are doing it again, Sunday August 9, at the Arts on Lafond series, 1697 Lafond Avenue in Saint Paul. When Phil Nusbaum talked to Joel and Larry, Larry first explained how the slow, melancholic character of much of the Evans and Hall repertoire reflected their characters.

  • August 2 · 8 min

    Moonlight Serenaders Plays Free Concert in Rice Park, Wednesday August 5

    The Moonlight Serenaders 14-lice big band has been around for decades. The group plays a free concert in Rice Park in Saint Paul, next Wednesday, August 5, 7 to 9pm. The group’s current director, percussionist Dan Marrs, and former director and current trumpeter, Linda Ness, talked to Phil Nusbaum about the group. To a greater degree than much contemporary jazz, a big band relies on all the players reading what’s been composed and arranged. So Phil asked Dan and Linda about keeping everybody focused on the arrangement.

Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes