KCCK Producers' Top 10's for 2009

Mark Yother Bob Stewart Gordon Paulsen John Heim (jazz) John Heim (blues) Bob De Forest

Bob Naujoks Ron Adkins Craig Kessler Doug "DJ" Jackson Lisa Stark

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Mark Yother: Monday-Friday 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. / Sundays 6 a.m. - 9 a.m. (Sunday Morning Swing)

1) The John Bunch Trio with Guest Frank Wess - Plays the Music of Irving Berlin (Except One) (ECM)

Always on the lookout for good new performances of music from the Great American Songbook, I have chosen as my top CD of 2009 "The John Bunch Trio with Guest Frank Wess Plays the Music of Irving Berlin (Except One)". At this writing, pianist John Bunch is in his late 80s, but plays these timeless songs with thought and conviction, with brain and fingers still in excellent working order. Frank Vignola is the guitarist, John Webber on bass and guest Frank Wess plays flute on six of the disc's dozen songs. It's a winner from Arbors jazz, a leading traditional/mainstream label. My other choices in alphabetical order:

2) Count Basie Orchestra - Swinging, Singing, Playing (Mack Avenue)

3) Blue Note 7 - Mosaic (Blue Note)

4) Amina Figarova - Above the Clouds (Munich)

5) Benny Golson - New Time, New 'Tet (Concord)

6) Keith Jarrett - Yesterdays (ECM)

7) James Moody-Hank Jones Quartet - Our Delight (IPO)

8) Grant Stewart - Music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn (Sharp Nine)

9) Johnny Varro Featuring Ken Peplowski - Two Legends of Jazz (Arbors)

10) Gerald Wilson Orchestra - Detroit (Mack Avenue)

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Bob Stewart: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

1) Christian McBride & Inside Straight - Kind of Brown (Mack Avenue)

Christian McBride noted the 20th anniversary since his arrival on the international jazz scene with this recording featuring his new band, Inside Straight. Veteran saxophonist Steve Wilson, pianist Eric Reed, vibraphonist Warren Wolf, Jr., and drummer Carl Allen mesh seamlessly on a program highlighted by an impressive batch of catchy new compositions by the bassist. McBride is the premiere bass player of his generation and "Kind of Brown" is certainly in the running as his best recording to date.

2) Lynne Arriale - Nuance (Motema)

3) Gary Burton/Pat Metheny/Steve Swallow/Antonio Sanchez - Quartet Live (Concord)

4) Joey DeFrancesco - Finger Poppin' (Doodlin')

5) Dennis McPartland/Emil Viklicky/Steve Charlson - Vitame Vas (DMCP)

6) Joel Vanderheyden - Complete Life (Mize)

7) Equilateral - ...and Another Thing (Equilateral)

8) Curtis Stigers - Lost in Dreams (Concord)

9) Luciana Souza - Tide (Verve)

10) Jan Garbarek - Dresden (ECM)

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Gordon Paulsen: Monday-Friday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

1) Gary Burton/Pat Metheny - Quartet Live (Concord)

This live recording finds one of the great small jazz ensembles of the 1970's reunited (with relative newcomer Sanchez) and at the peak of its artistic powers. All three, Burton, Metheny, and Swallow have never sounded so good, and Sanchez fits like a glove. The musical interplay is simply amazing and the band really knows how to find energy from the crowd. On his website "Music and More," critic Tim Niland remarked "One of the most enjoyable aspects of this music was the easygoing familiarity the musicians have with each other, they know that the support will be there so they can be creative and take chances. This keeps things fresh and the music is able to avoid the pitfalls of other "supergroup" recordings, as the egos are kept in check and the music flows freely." As has been Gary Burton's penchant, there are several compositions by Carla Bley, a beautiful reworking of Chick Corea's "Sea Journey," and Pat's "Midwestern Night's Dream," and "Missouri Uncompromised." It is no wonder, that the disc has recently been nominated for a 2010 Grammy Award for "Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group." The only wonder is why it took Burton 30+ years to record this band LIVE!

2) Mike Stern - Big Neighborhood (Heads Up)

3) Brian Bromberg - It Is What It Is (Artistry )

4) Clayton Brothers - Brother to Brother (Artist Share)

5) John Scofield - Piety Street (EmArcy )

6) Vignola Collective - Gypsy Grass (Dare )

7) Fred Hersch - Live at the Jazz Standard (Sunnyside)

8) Southside Johnny - Grapefruit Moon (Leroy)

9) Gabriel Espinosa - From Yucatan to Rio (Zoho)

10) Kurt Elling - Dedicated to You (Concord)

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John Heim (jazz): Mon-Thurs: 7 p.m. - Midnight.

1)1. Grant Geissman - Cool Man Cool (Futurism)

Guitarist Grant Geissman kicks the quality of his music up a notch this year with Cool Man Cool. With help from Brian Scanlon & guests Chick Corea, Chuck Mangione, Tom Scott, Jerry Hahn, Russ Ferrante, Patrice Rushen & Van Dyke Parks, Geissman serves up some topflight contemporary jazz with some bopish blues and other goodies. Gone is the commercial sounding predictability that has marred some of his earlier efforts. Geissman's flexibility stands out and he is at his best with his guests. Great jazz all the way through and it's a fun listen.

2) Wally Schnalle - Louder Than Your TV (Retlaw)

3) Fareed Haque & The Flat Earth Ensemble Flat Planet (Owl)

4) Chet Baker - Chet In Chicago (Enja)

5) Benny Golson - New Time, New 'Tet (Concord )

6) Eldar - Virtue (Sony Masterworks)

7) Jane Bunnett - Embracing Voices (Sunnyside)

8) Nicole Mitchell - Renegades (Delmark)

9) Joel Vanderheyden - Complete Life (Mize)

10) Matt Wilson - That's Gonna Leave A Mark (Palmetto)

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John Heim (blues): Fridays: 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.

1) Joe Louis Walker - Between A Rock And The Blues (Stony Plain)

Multiple Grammy winner Joe Louis Walker's second release for Stony Plain has great songs (12 tunes 5 originals) and pacing with guest spots from Duke Robillard, Bruce Katz, Kevin Eubanks & Sugar Ray Norcia. He covers the major blues genres with truth, humor and style. Joe Louis Walker's instantly recognizable blues/rock guitar adds grit to the tunes and he sings in tune with lots of energy. It's a great crossover CD for Contemporary Jazz, Rock and Blues fans.

2) Various Artists - A Tribute To The Mississippi Sheiks - Things About Comin' My Way (Black Hen)

3) Robert Cray Band - This Time (Nozzle)

4) Fiona Boys - Blues Woman (Yellow Dog)

5) Tommy Castro - Hard Believer (Alligator)

6) Maria Muldaur & Her Garden of Joy Good Time Music for Hard Times (Plain)

7) Marc Benno - I Got It Bad (Blue Skunk)

8) Mary Flower - Bridges (Yellow Dog)

9) Paul Rishell - A Night In Woodstock (Mojo Rodeo)

10) Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat - Tijuana Bible (Underworld)

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Bob De Forest: Saturdays 6 p.m. - Midnight ('Da Blues / Crawfish Circuit / Melting Pot)

1) The Derek Trucks Band - Already Free (Victor)

2) Ruthie Foster - The Truth According to Ruthie (Blue Corn)

3) Shemekia Copeland - Never Going Back (Telarc)

4) Tommy Castro - Hard Believer (Alligator)

5) Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters- Living in the Light (Stony Plain)

6) Elvin Bishop - The Blues Roll On (Delta Groove)

7) Joe Louis Walker - Between a Rock and the Blues (Stony Plain)

8) Murali Coryell - Sugar Lips (Murali Music)

9) Fiona Boyes - Blues Woman (Yellow Dog)

10) Watermelon Slim - Escape from da Chicken Coop (Northern Blues)

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Bob Naujoks: Sundays: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. (Gentle Jazz)

These selections come in alphabetical order because there was no one album that really blew me away this past year. Each album has surprises and delights that may not be obvious on first listen. I give kudos to Arbors Jazz who continues to present some great traditional artists, some who are seniors, but have young hearts and unfailing technique. The 72-year old Eli Fordyce issued her own excellent vocal album; it's late in coming, but well done. Check out the ageless Gerald Wilson too. I love the old players -- ”they have life experience. Maybe it's because I'm old too.

Lynne Arriale-Randy Brecker - Nuance (Motema)

Chet Baker - Chet In Chicago (Enja)

Kurt Elling - Dedicated To You (Concord)

Elli Fordyce - Songs Spun Of Gold (Fordyce)

Roberta Gambarini - So In Love (EmArcy)

Bill Henderson - Beautiful Memory (Ahuh)

Ron Hockett - Finally Ron (Arbors Jazz)

Jimmy Rushing - The Scene (Live In NY-1965) (HighNote)

Johnny Varro-Ken Peplowski - Two Legends of Jazz (Arbors Jazz )

Gerald Wilson - Detroit (Mack Avenue)

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Ron Adkins: Sundays: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Gentle Jazz)

1) Rudresh Mahanthappa - Apti (Innova)

Apti was one of those rare CD's that, upon first hearing, took my breath away from beginning to end. Mahanthappa is a saxophone talent to watch. He's got great chops and a real sense of swing. His songwriting skills are impressive and destined to be honed even sharper as his career goes on. But on top of all that, what really blew me away was how effortlessly he is able to meld jazz -- that quintessential American art form -- with elements of Indian music. To listen to this CD is to eavesdrop on the artist building a bridge between his two cultural worlds.

2) Anat Cohen - Notes From The Village (Anzic)

3) Mathias Eick - The Door (ECM)

4) Jeff Lorber - Heard That (Concord)

5) Rippingtons - Modern Art (Peak/Concord)

6) Chick & Hiromi - Duet (Concord)

7) Stefon Harris - Urbanus (Concord)

8) Mike Stern - Big Neighborhood (Heads Up)

9) Jan Garbarek - Dresden (ECM)

10) Branford Marsalis - Metamorphosen (Marsalis Music)

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Craig Kessler: Saturday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. (Jazz Corner of The World)

1) Duck Baker - Everything That Rises Must Converge (Mighty Quinn)

Over the past 30+ years, Richard "Duck" Baker has been primarily known as a folk/gospel/country/Irish/blues master finger picker. But in 1996, he released a stunning (now legendary) solo acoustic guitar CD featuring transcriptions and improvisations of 9 compositions of the great pianist and composer, Herbie Nichols. More recently he has been involved with several jazz projects including this latest release (10/20/09). Baker is a brilliant player (some say the best guitar player in the world), and has a most incredible mind when it comes to "jazz conception". (And, by the way, knows as much about recorded jazz as anyone that I have ever met.) This release is subtitled, "Free Jazz Guitar Solos", but is, for the most part, accessible. The disc is filled with many moving moments, but there is a beautiful standout rendition of Ornette Coleman's "Peace". I usually dislike "quantifying" jazz releases, especially in a year when there are so many fine releases, but, for me, this is the one that certainly stands atop the crowded field.

2) Diego Barber - Calima (Sunnyside)

3) Dave Douglas - A Single Sky (Green Leaf Recordso)

4) Ben Allison - Think Free (Palmetto)

5) Vijay Iyer - Historicity (ACT)

6) Joel Vanderheyden - Complete Life (Mize Music)

7) Yaron Herman - Muse (Sunnyside)

8) Denny Zeitlin Trio - In Concert (Sunnyside)

9) Martial Solal - Live At The Village Vanguard (CamJazz)

10) John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble- Eternal Interlude (Sunnyside)

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Doug "DJ" Jackson: Saturdays 8 a.m. - Noon (Smooth Brunch)

1) Wayman Tisdale - Rebound (Rendezvous)

Although sax players dominate my Top Ten (I'll admit I'm partial to some good sax), my pick for the #1 spot goes to Wayman Tisdale's cd "Rebound". Originally released in 2008,his cd received major airplay in 2009, not only because of his untimely death, but also because of the superb material it contains. With guest appearances by Dave Koz, Robert Wilson of The Gap Band, Toby Keith and gospel great Marvin Sapp, this CD will keep Wayman's memory in our hearts, our minds, and yes, our ears, forever.

2) Richard Elliot - Rock Steady (Artistry Music)

3) Brian Bromberg - It Is What It Is (Artistry Music)

4) George Benson - Songs and Stories (Concord)

5) Boney James - Send One Your Love (Concord)

6) Jackiem Joyner - Li'l Man Soul (Artistry Music)

7) Oleta Adams - Let's Stay Here (E1 Music/Koch)

8) Najee - Mind Over Matter (Heads Up)

9) Paul Jackson, Jr. - Lay It Back (Branch Records)

10) The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman - Modern Art (Peak Records)

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Lisa Stark:Mondays 11 p.m. - 2 a.m.

1) Joel Vanderheyden - Complete Life (Mize)

Jazz music reflects the social climate of the current times. Joel Vanderheyden's Complete Life reflects modern day musical communication by giving us a sonic progression of jazz in the digital age. Starting with jazz foundations and incorporating electronic elements, these compositions are beautifully constructed and have a constantly evolving fluidity. Complete Life was orchestrated by saxophonist Joel Vanderheyden and his Iowa City based band, Koplant-No, with Brian Lewis Smith on trumpet and laptop and effects, Drew Morton on bass, and Rob Baner on drums, loops and samples; along with guest artists, guitarist Steve Grismore and keyboardist Tim Daugherty, with Brady Schlue on trombone and James Dreier on percussion for a single track. The creative artistry on this album shows no limits or bounds within the avenues of jazz music. Complete Life is a phenomenal record and I will be looking forward to more of these musical endeavors from Joel and Koplant-No.

2) Ben Allison - Think Free (Palmetto)

3) Bill Frisell - Disfarmer (Nonesuch)

4) Dave Holland - Pass It On (EmArcy)

5) Lake Street Dive - Promises, Promises (Fyo)

6) Will Bernard- Blue Plate Special (Decca)

7) Garaj Mahal - Woot (Owl Studios)

8) Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey One Day In Brooklyn (Kinnara Records)

9) Fareed Haque - Flat Planet (Owl Studios)

10) Four 80 East - Roll On (Native Language Music)