Short List with Bob Naujoks
Monday – Friday at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
The Short List: A Personal History of Jazz – Women in Jazz
Mary Lou Williams
In jazz it seems that women were either to be singers or ignored. In that male domain it was a rare event to see a woman playing an instrument alongside a man or in group of men. Simply said, female musicians who wanted to work in the jazz arena were discriminated against. This week’s Short List features several excellent female artists who prevailed: Mary Lou Williams, Marian McPartland, Marjorie Hyams and Lil Hardin Armstrong. There’s also a small tribute to those all-female orchestras of the 1940s.
Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson
Monday at 6:00 PM
Charles Mingus: ‘Fables of Bass’ Part 1
Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus was a big man and he played an instrument made for him, the bass, and in the process, remade it. Moving the bass down front, he conducted small groups and the occasional big band, playing hundreds of his own tunes — music that expanded jazz and the musicians who played it. On this show, part one of a two-part tribute to triple threat — bassist, composer, and bandleader — Charles Mingus.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)
“State of The Instrument — Part 5: The Bass”
In this, the 5th show from the new series of programs, Craig will spin a variety of discs that will include music from a number of current, powerful artists, that will throw the spotlight on to 4 different hip and happening bassists. We’ll hear tunes that will include bassists, Jon Hebert, Linda Oh, Hans Glawischnig, and Scott Colley. Great music for everyone, but particularly for those who have an interest in what’s happening on today’s jazz scene!
New Orleans Calling with George Ingmire
Tuesday at 6:00 PM
“Remebering Harold Battiste – Part 2”
Harold Battiste
Harold Battiste, who passed last year at the age of 83, was a true New Orleanian: he grew up in the Magnolia Projects, was educated at Dillard, and founded the first record label, All For One (A.K.A. AFO Records) owned by African American musicians. After decades in Los Angeles, he spent many years on the Jazz Studies faculty at the University of New Orleans. His 2010 autobiography Unfinished Blues: Memories of a New Orleans Music Man is required reading for any student of music history.
A composer, teacher, and mentor, Battiste was perhaps best known as a producer and arranger.
Jazz Night in America with Christian McBride
Wednesday at 6:00 PM
Jason Moran: Monk at Town Hall
Jason Moran
Jason Moran defies the constraints of history itself in this celebration of “the first pianist who made me want to be a pianist.” Using archival footage, interviews, and live music, Moran re-imagines the classic Monk at Town Hall concert from 1959 to paint a portrait of one of the unique and influential musicians in jazz history. Backed by The Big Bandwagon, Moran performs his tribute to Thelonius Monk live at the Kennedy Center.
Wednesday Night Special
7:00 PM (Follows Jazz Night in America)
Jazz Masters at the Iowa City Jazz Festival: Charles Lloyd Quartet (2015)
Charles Lloyd at the 2015 Iowa City Jazz Festival
Charles Lloyd was born in Memphis, Tennessee and from an early age, he was immersed in that city’s rich musical life and was exposed to jazz. Beginning in his early teens, he was working as a sideman in the blues bands of B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, Johnnie Ace, Bobbie “Blue” Bland, and others. His closest friend in high-school was trumpeter, Booker Little.
In the intervening sixty years, Lloyd has become a true giant of the jazz world, playing with Billy Higgins, Don Cherry, Bobby Hutcherson, Chico Hamilton, Keith Jarrett, Jack DeJohnette and many more.
In 1970, Lloyd moved to California and entered a state of semi-retirement. He practically disappeared from the jazz scene, but can be heard on recordings with the Doors, Canned Heat, and the Beach Boys. Occasionally during the 1970s Lloyd played with The Beach Boys; both on their studio recordings and as a member of their touring band.
Upon his recovery from a near death experience in 1986, Lloyd decided to rededicate himself to music. He started performing occasionally in 1987 and 88. In 1989, Lloyd reestablished an active touring schedule and began recording for ECM Records. The ECM recordings showcased his sensitivity as a ballad player and composer. In 2014, Lloyd received the 2014 Monterey Jazz Festival Jazz Legend Award.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM and Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
“Booker Little Tribute Show”
Booker Little
Craig celebrates the birth date anniversary of star trumpeter and composer, BOOKER LITTLE, with a carefully chosen presentation of choice material from throughout his “too short” career. Little was destined to emerge as the next great trumpet master after the untimely death of Clifford Brown, but Booker’s own health problems cut his life short, as well. Sad stories, but a rich legacy left behind. Don’t miss it.
Tropical Heat with Kpoti Accoh
Sunday, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Featured Album: “Muzikr” by Carlou D 
http://www.last.fm/music/Carlou+D
Carlou D’s first global release is actually his follow-up to his Senegalese debut. He’s a child of the hip-hop generation having been in Positive Black Soul (arguably Africa’s biggest hip-hop band) before going solo. He’s an accomplished singer (and pretty fair guitar player) with a strong falsetto, with a mastery of several styles, including m’balax on “Il Touba,” and the softer ballad of “Goree,” where he’s given a helping hand by Youssou N’Dour, an imprimatur of greatness. The man’s hip-hop past breaks through in the rhythms of “Senegal” and also “Meun Nako Def.” What’s especially pleasing is the use of Senegalese percussion and kora among the instruments — the kora takes a stunning solo on “Yaaboyo” — keeping it all very rooted, and nowhere more so than on the percussion-heavy “Dieureudieufe Modou,” which even brings in a delicious little rap. Essentially, this is a showcase for Carlou D’s many talents. But as he’s extremely talented, it works exceedingly well.
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at: