The Morning Show

Trombonist John Fedchock spent the first seven years of his professional career with Woody Herman's band, filling a variety of roles, including section playing, arranging, and eventually music director and coordinator for recording sessions. That experience gave him a solid grounding for the career he has had over the last four decades both leading his own big band and combos. In this conversation with Peter Solomon, he talks about some of the things that impressed him about Woody Herman, as well the influence of Carl Fontana on his playing, and his collaboration with his wife - bass trombonist Jennifer Wharton - in her band Bonegasm. Fedchock plays at Jazz Central Studios October 20th at 8 PM.

Latin jazz legend Paquito D'Rivera is the subject of a documentary premeiring on PBS this month called "Paquito D'Rivera: From Carne Y Frijol to Carnegie Hall." It tells his story from his earliest days as musical progidy growing up in Cuba and follows his first encounter with Dizzy Gillespie, his defection to the United States, and his unparalleled career in Latin, jazz, and classical music in the four and a half decades since. In addition to extensive interviews with Paquito, there are conversations with some of the extraordinary musicians who have collaborated with him, including Chucho Valdes, Yo Yo Ma, Anat Cohen, and Diego Urcola. He speaks with Jazz88's Peter Solomon about the upcoming film, which will be broadcast locally on Minnesota PBS at 9 PM on Monday, October 12.

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.

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.

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.