Jazz88

01/28/2025

On this week's Ronnie Scott's Radio Show at 8pm on jazz88.fm, you can hear part two of Ian Shaw's fascinating conversation with Melody Gardot, whose new album "Essential" is out now.

There's music from former guest Alfredo Rodriguez with Quincy Jones and Mary J Blige, plus tracks from Eliane Elias, Natalie Duncan and Judi Jackson.
Photo of Natalie Duncan
Melody Gardot Eliane Elias Music Alfredo Rodriguez Natalie Duncan Judi Jackson

01/28/2025

What is your favorite hot beverage to drink in the winter?
Is there a song you love to listen to while you sip?

01/27/2025

Eric Roper of Curious MN has a new podcast about learning the history of his home. Learn more about the story of race in MN and Roper's home here: https://www.jazz88.fm/2025/01/20/ghost-of-a-chance-using-one-couples-history-to-tell-a-bigger-story-about-race-in-minnesota/

Star Tribune

01/26/2025

After years of sessions and casual collaborations, trumpet player Omar Abdul-Karim and pianist Kavyesh Kaviraj have forged a collaborative project. The quartet, which also features Ted Olsen on bass and Kevin Washington on drums, will perform on Tuesday, January 28 at the Dakota. Sean McPherson from the Afternoon Cruise caught up with the duo to get a sense of how this collaboration came about and how they’re enjoying it!
https://www.jazz88.fm/2025/01/24/omar-abdul-karim-and-kavyesh-kaviraj-have-a-vision-for-their-music/

Kavyesh Kaviraj Omar Abdulkarim

01/26/2025

SCENE REPORT: Peter Solomon and Paige got to enjoy & the Urban Hillbilly Quartet AND ran into that fresh Jazz88 gear!

Congrats to Erik on 30 years of performing music and Jazz88 supporters, was seen getting fresh stickers on their gear!

Fun night at Celtic Junction!

01/25/2025

Celebrate 30 years of music that much like Good Acoustics the show Erik Brandt hosts on Jazz88 is eclectic and folksy. Maybe you are not a night person. Maybe a little music in the afternoon is more your speed. Join Erik Brandt and the Urban Hillbilly Quartet, tomorrow, Sunday, Jan 26 at 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. More information here: https://celticjunction.org/event/urban-hillbilly-quartet-30/

Erik Brandt and The Urban Hillbilly Quartet

01/25/2025

Today is the first heavenly birthday of Benny Golson. He past away this last September and we want to honor his musical legacy. He visited the North studios a couple years back. Pictured here with former music director, Kevin O'Connor. A saxophonist and composer, we hope you enjoy some Golson tunes this weekend.

01/24/2025

Social Motion bring something fresh around town that Jazz88 wants you to know about. Paige brings you the NUR-D concert at the Dakota. NUR-D will get you smiling with his witty lyrics and his wicked beats. Social Motion gets you out of the house or in this case or bopping around the house to The Jazz Impulse streaming of the concert.

NUR-D Dakota

01/24/2025

Sean is bringing you what is fresh in jazz music! Tune in today at jazz88.fm at Noon to hear all of what he is bringing to the airwaves. Here is a teaser from Sean himself:

https://youtu.be/Y6_-cFBMYqE

The January 24th show highlights Boney James with Marcus Miller, Dave Potter, and Renee Rosnes

01/24/2025

A reminder that there is no school today. Children eat free at sites across the city. Info included in MPS's original post.

01/23/2025

Lizz Wright tops our chart this week with "Sweet Feeling." Listeners vote on their favorite new tunes on Jazz88. What are you enjoying hearing on KBEM?

Join us with your votes here: https://www.jazz88.fm/2025/01/22/the-jazz88-chart-vote-for-your-favorites-26/

01/22/2025

SCENE REPORT: From Sean McPherson: "Great to catch the Headhunters at Dakota last tonight. Due to travel issues they used Yohannes Tona as a sub on bass and he was amazing! After the show Sean snapped a pic of drummer Mike Clark reconnecting with his old touring partner, bassist Anthony Cox. The band sounded great and Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr. leading the crowd through the New Orleans classic 'Hey Pocky Way' was a highlight."

The Headhunters Drummer Mike Clark Dakota

01/22/2025

The Hot New Local single this week comes from new talent coming out of the Twin Cities Scene. Roof Access is their name. The tune is called "I Can't Name Songs Like Monk Does" and the quintet sounds stellar on the recording. The tune opens with some angular jabs from Karpowitz and moves into a strong swing ably provided by Ataa Mensah on drums and Callum Schultz on bass. The rumble and the subsequent breakdowns provide a great canvas for the soloists including Will Aldrich on alto and Gabe Hartnett on tenor sax. As this young group navigates music education at institutions all over the country, I hope they'll find time to collaborate here back in the Twin Cities because the chemistry on these recordings is palpable.

You can hear the tune on air today and here: https://www.jazz88.fm/2025/01/22/hot-new-local-single-roof-access/

01/21/2025

In honor of the upcoming Baritones 101 show at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres we are celebrating jazz vocalists during today's happy hour (4-5p). Tap in with your favorite jazz vocalists (extra points if they are in the baritone range). We'll also be giving away a pair of tickets to the show during the Happy Hour!

pictured: Music icon Fred Steele who is leading the show at Chanhassen!

01/21/2025

Get those applications in

📢 This is your final friendly reminder that submissions for local/regional professional artists are due in 10 DAYS to be considered for the 27th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival, June 20-21, 2025! www.twincitiesjazzfestival.com

Twin Cities Jazz Festival is booked by a committee comprised of musicians, board members and jazz aficionados. We book a wide range of jazz styles for both our outdoor stages and stages at venues around the Twin Cities and follow the artistic and diversity goals set by the festival Board of Directors. Artist submissions are open currently to those professional artists/bands who are based within driving distance of the Twin Cities. Artists are responsible for their own travel and lodging, if applicable. If you have applied in the past, you should re-apply for 2025.
🎵🎶🎻🎷🥁🎺🎙🎶🎵

All submissions should be e-mailed to [email protected] by January 31, 2025 and include the following:
🎵Links to your website, social media, YouTube video(s) or other platform for audio samples.
🎵List of recent performances and venues at which you performed.
🎵Brief biography – one or two paragraphs
🎵Number of musicians in band and instrumentation
🎵Contact information including name, telephone number, email address.