As bassist for Cream, Jack Bruce was part of the group—along with guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker—who helped to define the concept of a “power trio.” On Saturday morning, Bruce’s family confirmed that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee had died, at his home in Suffolk, at the age of 71. A cause of death…

This week on the Lizzo Five Friday Five, we have not just one but THREE new offerings from the Twin Cities’ busiest bee, Lizzo, plus a pair of heart-rending new offerings from singer-songwriters living near and far, one of the most delightfully strange public television clips you’ll ever see, and a video from an exciting new group that’s playing…

Adi Yeshaya, arranger for the Minnesota group STRINGenius, worked hard to create an arrangement to complement “WAY BACK HOME,” a track on Prince’s new album ART OFFICIAL AGE. At Prince’s request, Yeshaya and STRINGenius wrote and recorded a string track designed to accompany the track, then sent it in to Paisley Park. The album came out, and…

Taking a break from his anti-War-on-Drugs campaign, Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon) is readying a holiday album: Sings Christmas Carols will be released on Nov. 4. Pitchfork has premiered Kozelek’s cover of Vince Guraldi‘s “Christmas Time is Here,” famously featured in A Charlie Brown Christmas. Towards the end of the track, Kozelek recites a few lines of Charlie Brown’s dialogue…

At 7:45 pm last night, a well-fed crowd lined the patio of Hard Rock Cafe’s new Mall of America location for a party in celebration of the official grand opening—complete with red carpet pizzazz, hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment by Morris Day and the Time. There was no ribbon cutting, though: instead, there was a guitar-smashing…

Portions of Franklin Avenue in St. Paul will be renamed “Dave Ray Avenue” in honor of the late Minnesota folk-blues legend. Yesterday, the St. Paul City Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Councilmember Russ Stark, that “that Franklin Avenue between Berry and Eustis Streets is hereby co-named Dave Ray Avenue and that appropriate street signage…

Plenty of people have made statements against Kenny G, but it’s not his smooth jazz that’s upsetting the Chinese government—in fact, the saxophonist is a huge star in China. That’s why his participation in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong inspired a reprimand by China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman. “Kenny G’s musical works are widely popular in China,” said Hua…

Three past members of Minneapolis’s most notorious raucous live band of recent years, the Goondas, have recently reunited in a new band, Flasher. It seems Jackson Atkins (guitar), Andy Meuwissen (bass), and Josh Miller (drums) are looking to get back to what they do best: playing rock and roll.  The Goondas were known not only for their…

Raphael Ravenscroft, the saxophone player responsible for one of the most iconic sax lines in pop music history, has died of a heart attack at age 60. Though he worked with artists including Pink Floyd, Daft Punk, and Robert Plant, it was the 1978 solo hit “Bakers Street” by Stealers Wheel‘s Gerry Rafferty that made Ravenscroft a saxophone legend. (Billboard)…

Southside Desire: Southside Desire Neo-soul stars Southside Desire are dropping their self-titled LP this week. The CD release show is Wednesday at the 7th Street Entry. Marvel Devitt’s lush-solid lead vocals are supported by beautiful harmonies from Gloria Iacono and Joy Spika. The band blends funky bass lines with upbeat guitar riffs on tracks like…