Minnesota Music Profiles

Series produced by KBEM

Caption: KBEM logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Image by: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative) 
KBEM logo 

Each item in the series tells how a musicians is inspired, how s/he works, their goals and intents for their work; in general, how each gets motivation and follows through with a creative project.

Each Minnesota Music Profile focuses on a musician or group. Listeners learn some of the behind-the-scenes stuff related to the creative process. Programs in the series are under 10 minutes in length. They can be run anytime because they are not time sensitive. These pieces are especially appropriate when subjects perform in the areas served by given radio stations.


423 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: The Capri Big Band, Credit: Nedahness Geen
If you think that the Capri Big Band has a bigger than average sound, it could be the size of the band. It’s bigger than the average big band. Phil...

  • Added: Mar 01, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Dan Rein, Credit: Bryan Aaker
Iranian Music through Dan Rein

  • Added: Mar 07, 2018
  • Length: 07:59
Caption: Robert Robinson, Credit: Terence Penister
Gospel-based singer Robert Robinson has been gathering accolades for decades. He’s noted for such events as singing at Prince’s Birthday Bash and b...

  • Added: Mar 09, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: JC Sanford, Credit: Andrea Canter
JC Sanford is a trombonist, composer and arranger. And he has three bands. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, JC addressed the stylistic niches o...

  • Added: Mar 13, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Diane Jarvi and Dan Newton, Credit: Nick Lethert
Diane Jarvi and Dan Newton have been part of each other’s musical careers for decades, playing at venues large and small in their home bases in Min...

  • Added: Mar 14, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Chris Lomheim, Credit: Andrea Canter
Chris Lomheim is a Twin Cities pianist who plays solo, with a trio and with a sextet. He likes all the settings. But because he has been getting a ...

  • Added: Mar 16, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Michelle Kinney, Credit: Lee Glasgow
Michelle Kinney is a cellist influenced by all sorts of formal and popular music. She is also a composer who loves improvisation. She spoke with Ph...

  • Added: Mar 21, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Jazz 88 logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Today there is a wave of interest in Ballroom Dance. Chino Latino gives these social dance specialists the music they need to dance to distinctive ...

  • Added: Mar 29, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Bill Simenson Orchestra, Credit: Bill Simenson
Many big bands focus on playing the big band hits of the past 90 years or so. But not so the Bill Simenson Orchestra. This group stresses originali...

  • Added: Mar 29, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Joyann Parker, Credit: Jared Nanasy
Joy Ann Parker’s vocal stylings have always been kind of bluesy and jazzy. But recently Joyann’s Patsy Kline tribute show, the iconic country singe...

  • Added: Apr 04, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Fire Bell, Credit: Adrian Suarez
Bassist Graydon Peterson, drummer Jay Epstein and guitarist Park Evans comprise Fire Bell. The group is a modern jazz trio that shares musical visi...

  • Added: Apr 05, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Julian Manzara, Credit: Jax Ravel
Julian Manzara is a young Minneapolis-based guitarist with deep interests in the histories of jazz and rock, and a mind to innovate. Julian spoke w...

  • Added: Apr 10, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Connie Evingson, Credit: Travis Anderson
Ella Fitzgerald has inspired jazz vocalists for decades, including Minnesota’s Connie Evingson. One of Ella’s triumphs is an 8 volume set of record...

  • Added: Apr 18, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Monroe Crossing, Credit: Jamey Guy
Monroe Crossing is one of the most successful bluegrass bands anywhere. Why? The group does a lot of things well. Group members got together recen...

  • Added: Apr 19, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Jazz 88 logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Uskudar Eclectic is a Turkish-based group that delights in mixing world traditional and pop styles, playing both old and original music. The group ...

  • Added: Apr 26, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Orkestar Bez Ime, Credit: Stefan Iwaskewycz
Orkestar Bez Ime is Bulgarian for Band Without a Name. That is tongue in cheek with of course. OBI is a committed Balkan Band based in Minneapolis-...

  • Added: Apr 26, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Leah Lemm, Credit: Marla Olivia
The singing and songwriting of Leam Lemm of Minneapolis reflect both a modern sensibility and her membership in the Mille Lacs band of Ojibwe. Rece...

  • Added: Apr 30, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Monroe Crossing, Credit: Jamey Guy
Monroe Crossing from Minneapolis has been playing traditional and original bluegrass music for decades. The group’s talent and perseverance led to...

  • Added: May 05, 2018
  • Length: 08:02
Caption: Brian Miller and Randy Gosa, Credit: Natalie Champa-Jennings
In the old days of lumbering, much of the work was done by immigrants who brought old country music with Brian Miller of the group talked with Phil...

  • Added: May 10, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Erica West Band, Credit: Jessica Hegland
Erica West is a Minneapolis singer who comes from a musical family. Her mother is a singer, too. Erica combines jazz, r and b and pop in front of a...

  • Added: May 13, 2018
  • Length: 08:00