Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and SpotifyIn the 1940s, Frances Ballantyne discovered jazz in Harlem and on 52nd Street, befriending and socializing with many creators of the music, including Sidney Bechet and Willy “The Lion” Smith. She became a lifelong jazz fan and is still attending live shows at 98-years-old. Award-winning baritone saxophonist Claire Daly …
Diplomats of Solid Sound have been bringing their unique mix of of old school funk, soul, and Americana has appeared in dozens of hit TV shows and movies throughout their 20+ year career. Their music has been streamed more than 50 million times all over the world. They are KCCK’s featured performers for Jazz Under …
Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler Mondays from 6:00pm to 10:00pm John Abercrombie on ECM Host Craig Kessler presents the creme de la creme, culled from over 50 releases, featuring the incredible guitar of the late John Abercrombie. Over half of these ECM records feature Abercrombie as a leader, while 25 more include Abercrombie …
Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler Mondays from 6:00pm to 10:00pm Wes Mongomery’s Riverside Years Host Craig Kessler takes a look at some of the great recordings that guitarist Wes Montgomery made for Riverside Records during the years 1959 thru 1966. The Wednesday Night Special Wednesdays at …
Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of and Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Charlie Parker, Tony Bennett and Eddie Jefferson, Herb Ellis, and more! We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries ofJohnny Hodges’ “Used to Be Duke” (1954), Leroy Vinnegar’s “Leroy Walks Again!!” (1962), Jim Hall-Ron Carter Duo’s …
For hundreds of Eastern Iowans, Drum Corps was a foundational teenage experience. Cedar Rapids fielded a top-notch ensemble called the Emerald Knights for decades. Emerald Knights alums and other drum corps supporters team up each year to bring some of the world’s top drum corps to Cedar Rapids for the Tournament of Drums. This year, …
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and SpotifyRising star pianist/composer Noah Haidu’s resplendently expressive “Standards” CD celebrates the 40th anniversary of the release that launched Keith Jarrett’s great Standards Trio. With bassists Buster Williams and Peter Washington, drummer Lewis Nash and guest saxophonist Steve Wilson, Haidu felt drawn to the format used by Jarrett, DeJohnette and Peacock …
Chicago guitarist George Freeman has been a part of jazz for nearly a century. Brother of Von and uncle of Chico Freeman, he’s worked with the greats, such as Charlie Parker and Ben Webster. Appearing on his new recording, “The Good Life,” is legendary organist Joey DeFrancesco, going into the studio just a couple of …
