Celebrated Minnesota musician Peter Ostroushko dies at age 67
Ostroushko, who learned his craft in the Ukrainian community of Northeast Minneapolis, had a versatile career including performances with popular artists and orchestras
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Peter Ostroushko
Peter Ostroushko, whose mandolin and fiddle are woven into some of Minnesota’s most iconic recordings, has died. He was 67.
He died of heart failure Wednesday, his daughter, Anna Ostroushko, said on Facebook.
“We have never known a better guy,” Anna Ostroushko said in her post. “Please listen to or play some music tonight in his honor.”
Raised in Northeast Minneapolis, where many Ukrainian families settled in the 1940s and ‘50s, Ostroushko was introduced to string instruments such as the mandolin, balalaika and bandura at a young age. He was also influenced by the Minneapolis West Bank folk scene, taking notes from musicians Spider” John Koerner, Dave “Snaker” Ray and Tony “Little Sun” Glover.
A collage of some of the holiday albums featured in this article. (via Amazon)
Holiday music can feel like well-trod ground, but as in any category of music, there are always things to be discovered, old or new. Here s a list of holiday albums you may have missed in your collection or playlist.
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings,
It s a Holiday Soul Party
The late Sharon Jones just had a way of lifting spirits, and this album proves she could do it during the holidays as easily as during a club show or summertime music festival slot. This album opens with the original song, 8 Days (of Hanukkah), a solid groove anchored by the chorus, Eight days of Hanukkah / Every one of them glows with love.
Orchestra aims to reflect Minnesota s diversity in its virtual Midwinter Gathering The Minnesota Orchestra embraces a wider circle for its first-ever virtual holiday celebration.
By Rob Hubbard Special to the Star Tribune December 15, 2020 10:11am Text size Copy shortlink:
Gathering: It s a need many of us feel between Thanksgiving and New Year s, to reunite with family and old friends, share laughs and stories, and catch up on changes in our lives.
The past three Decembers, Twin Cities storyteller Kevin Kling mined memories of childhood gatherings for the Minnesota Orchestra s holiday show a nostalgic amalgam of stories, scenes, songs and orchestral interludes created under the guidance o