Short List with Bob Naujoks
Monday – Friday at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
The Short List: A Personal History of Jazz – Hard Bop
Bob Naujoks’ skewed history of jazz continues on The Short List this week with a listen to Hard Bop. It may seem a jump from Gentle Jazz to the strong statements from Hard Bop, but the Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet turned his head. Not only them, but Cannonball Adderley, Art Blakey and Sonny Rollins appear on Bob’s list of valued jazzmen.
Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson
Monday at 6:00 PM
Gene Ammons: ‘The Jug’
The son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons, Gene Ammons came roaring out of the bluesy sound of Chicago at a time when bebop was just getting its legs. Sitting in the horn section of Billy Eckstine’s band in the mid-’40s, Ammons shared the stage with Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Stitt, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and Art Blakey. Although Ammons had a big, bold tenor sound, he could also compress that energy into lush, romantic ballads.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)
“Birth Date Anniversary of British Jazz Giant, Tubby Hayes”
Craig celebrates the life and legacy of multi-instrumentalist Edward Brian “Tubby” Hayes (1/30/35 to 6/8/73). Known primarily for his work on the tenor sax, Hayes was also quite proficient on the flute and the vibraphone! We’ll hear some fabulous examples of British modern jazz from throughout Tubby’s distinguished career.
New Orleans Calling with George Ingmire
Tuesday at 6:00 PM
In New Orleans in the weeks before Mardi Gras, there are preparations and celebrations already under way. Costumes are being sewn, king cakes are being baked, parades are going down the street, and there’s all kinds of music. This isn’t just Fat Tuesday — it’s a whole season. And it isn’t just something you watch — it’s Carnival Time, and in New Orleans you become a part of it.
One of our guests this week is the great documentary filmmaker Royce Osborn. His “All On A Mardi Gras Day” is a milestone in documenting Back Mardi Gras traditions in New Orleans.
Guitarist and banjoist Seva Venet spoke to us about his experiences playing in Jackson Square and in a Mardi Gras parade with the legendary Anthony “Tuba Fats” Lacen. Tuba Fats and his rotating group of musicians the Chosen Few performed in Jackson Square for years, and many of today’s most important musicians in New Orleans came up under his mentorship.
Jazz Night in America with Christian McBride
Wednesday at 6:00 PM
Capitalbop: Washington, D.C. Jazz Loft Trios
Jazz has its capital cities: major gathering places like New York, Chicago and New Orleans. But the music manages to live plenty well in many other places too. What goes into those smaller ecosystems to enable jazz to thrive? How do talented musicians make it happen? In search of some answers, we sought out the DIY concert producers of Capitalbop in Washington, D.C. as they presented three musicians from the Baltimore-Washington metropolis. Jazz Night In America presents highlights from CapitalBop’s warehouse loft stage at the 2015 DC Jazz Festival, featuring three trios led by vibraphonist Warren Wolf, bassist Kris Funn, and alto saxophonist Gary Thomas.
Wednesday Night Special
7:00 PM (Follows Jazz Night in America)
We Remember Mark
Longtime KCCK personality Mark Yother died January 28. In a special re-broadcast of this week’s “Sunday Morning Swing,” Dennis Green remembers Mark through music and his “Got A Minute” commentaries.
Jazz Legends at the Iowa City Jazz Festival: Dr. Lonnie Smith (follows the “We Remember Mark” special)

Dr. Lonnie Smith with KCCK Program Director Bob Stewart backstage at the 2013 Iowa City Jazz Festival
Hammond B-3 organist, Dr. Lonnie Smith, started with guitarist, George Benson in 1967, followed by recording with alto saxophonist, David Fathead Newman, alto sax legend Lou Donaldson and his own solo Blue Note LPs. The Doctor is right up there with Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, and Charles Earland as one of THE all-time best Hammond organ players in jazz! Dr. Smith wears his trademark turban when he plays. Jazz Times magazine recently described Lonnie as “a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a turban!”
Dr. Smith insists that the organ is a tough instrument to play, but a listener wouldn’t know it based on the complete effortlessness with which he plays. “Right from the beginning I was able to play and I didn’t even know how. I learned how to work the stops and that was it; everything else came naturally.
Lonnie’s trio features guitarist and composer Jonathan Kreisberg, who at age 16, started at the New World School of the Arts, following by winning a scholarship to the University of Miami, where he held the guitar chair in the acclaimed Concert Jazz Band, touring Brazil. In addition to his performing with Lonnie, Jonathan has worked with Lee Konitz, Greg Tardy, Lenny White, Jane Monheit, Bill Stewart and Larry Grenadier. Kreisberg is known for his extraordinarily clean articulation, remarkable sax-like fluency, harmonic daring and rhythmically assured burn.
Drummer, Jamire Williams completes the Trio. Williams is a fiery drummer, who says, “I am not a jazz drummer! I’m a drummer that plays jazz really really really really good!” He also has performed with the Robert Glasper Trio and Kenny Garrett’s quartet, among other contemporary groups.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM and Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
“The State of The Instrument – The Piano”
In this 2nd installment of this series, Craig will look at 4 current pianists…their art and their careers. We’ll hear selections from unique pianists, Craig Taborn, Diedre Rodman, Aaron Goldberg, and Kenny Werner.
Tropical Heat with Kpoti Accoh
Sunday, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Featured Album: “4” by Timeless Fusion Party
http://www.musicnow.co/en/events/cmj/timeless_fusion_party
Wonderfully combining the creativity of jazz and affinities of pop music, the Timeless Fusion Party, which is formed by 5 experienced jazz band members, has earned the love and support from their fans.
It is said about Timeless Fusion Party that “If dreams and goals are too easily achieved, then that means they’re not big enough. A dream must be something that will take all of my being to fight for; that’s what makes it worthwhile!”
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at: