March 3, 2006 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on Minneapolis-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Douglas Ewart, who places his focus on the creation of sustainable music. Roberts interviews Ewart and others about the sounds and designs behind Ewart’s instruments and performances.
February 10, 2006 - MPR’s Chris Roberts talks with Ryan Pfeiffer, founder of the Minnesota band Captain Yonder, about origin of group’s name and meaning behind dark lyrics. The band’s style has been described as chamber folk music mixed with heavy "Americana" or "roots" influences.
December 21, 2005 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews members of Jack Brass Band, one of the few New Orleans-style brass bands in the Upper Midwest. Erik Jacobson and Mike Olander discuss the band’s CD “You Don’t Know Me” and fellow musician friends in the brass band scene.
December 7, 2005 - First Avenue in Minneapolis has long been viewed as the epicenter of the Twin Cities music scene. Over the decades it's also become a nationally known music destination. To celebrate its 35th anniversary the nightclub has released a compilation of bootleg recordings of some of the more famous and infamous artists who've graced its stage. More from Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts.
October 25, 2005 - MPR’s Chris Roberts talks with Minneapolis trumpeter Charles Lazarus. The 36-year-old plays trumpet for the Minnesota Orchestra, but for Lazarus, the orchestral repertoire isn't the only music that matters. With the CD release of “Solo Settings,” he displays a stylistic range that extends well beyond the classical canon.
October 3, 2005 - Pulitzer Prize winning playwright August Wilson is being remembered today as a literary giant who did more to bring the African American experience to the stage than any other writer. Wilson died yesterday in Seattle from liver cancer. He was 60-years-old. As Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports, Wilson's passing is being deeply felt in the Twin Cities, where he lived and wrote for nearly 12 years.
September 9, 2005 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles West St. Paul jazz saxophonist Irv Williams, who at 86, still plays gigs and has CD releases. Roberts interviews Williams about his music style and longevity, and others in the music industry about Williams’ talent.
August 31, 2005 - Nationally known experimental musician and composer George Cartwright shares his appreciation for Memphis Blues legend Furry Lewis and his rendition of “Casey Jones.” Cartwright lived as a young man Cartwright in the Mississippi Delta.
August 24, 2005 - American musician John Munson has been a key figure in some of the most popular and influential rock bands in Twin Cities music history. Munson shares his immersion into ancient Chinese music, including a folk song titled “Meng Jiang Nü.”
August 18, 2005 - Renowned Twin Cities tenor saxophonist Irv Williams shares his appreciation for the classical composition “Paris, A Night Piece - The Song of a Great City" by Frederick Delius.