Black music has been a powerful and influential force in Minnesota. Most know of the Minneapolis sound, but there has been a wealth of creativity coming from Black artists in the state for decades, with a breadth of genres that is impressive. MPR Archive presents a sampling of stories from years past to introduce…or re-introduce to Minnesota music lovers.
March 15, 2004 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Bill Banfield, St. Thomas music professor, about the induction of Prince Rogers Nelson into the Rock Hall of Fame. Banfield breaks down many of the elements that make Prince a musical genius in the composition and performance.
May 13, 2004 - Flyte Tyme, the hit producing Edina-based recording studio run by Jimmy Jam Harris and Terry Lewis, is relocating to Los Angeles. Roberts reports on how the news is being received in the Twin Cities, and the legacy Harris and Lewis are leaving.
January 17, 2005 - MPR’s Dan Olson interviews Minneapolis gospel singers Tonia and Cameron Hughes. After the death of husband/father David Hughes, Tonia and Cameron use singing together as a way to rebuild and provide renewed hope in life.
August 12, 2005 - MPR’s Dan Olson profiles Minneapolis big band saxophonist Charles Beasley. In interview with Olson, 80-year-old Beasley reflects on the change in race relations in this country and his experiences in big band.
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.
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.
September 23, 2005 - MPR’s Karl Gehrke reports on Seattle composer Stehen Newby’s “Rondo Oratorio,” It is a multi-movement work for large chorus, chamber orchestra, rhythm section, soloists and narrators that captures the spirit of the people who lived in St. Paul's long-gone Rondo neighborhood.
December 2, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Crann meets with the Steele family in the Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Music Studio to discuss family and Christmas. The Steeles also perform various Christmas songs.
May 12, 2006 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles Twin Cities rapper Omaur Bliss. Roberts interviews Bliss about the optimism in his music and on growing up in East St. Paul. Segment also includes comments from Steve McPherson, music editor of Pulse.
June 5, 2006 - On this segment of Future Tense, MPR’s Jon Gordon interviews founder Tiffany Shlain about this year’s WEBBY Awards, including a lifetime Internet achievement award to Prince for his visionary use of the web as a music artist.