KCCK’s Featured CD for October is “Quiet Revolution” from bassist Ben Allison, guitarist Steve Cardenas and saxophonist Ted Nash. The trio honors jazz legends Jim Hall and Jimmy Giuffre and the quieter music they embraced in the 1950s and ’60s that merged elements of free playing with blues-based folk qualities. As Mr. Allison describes it, …
The KCCK Featured CD for September is “Heaven and Earth” from Kamasi Washington, the follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2015 set “The Epic.” Once again, the saxophonist utilizes a choir and orchestra to augment his 10-piece band for what the All Music Guide calls “a major dose of Afro-Futurism, establishing Washington as a composer and …
The KCCK Featured CD for August is “Nightconcert” by Erroll Garner. Never before released in the U.S., this midnight performance by the pianist and his classic trio took place in Amsterdam in November of 1964 at one of the premiere concert halls in the world. The packed house witnessed a blistering set featuring the group’s …
The KCCK Featured CD for July is “Both Directions at Once: the Lost Album” from John Coltrane. On March 6th, 1963, Coltrane and his Classic Quartet recorded an entire studio album at the legendary Van Gelder studio. At the end of the day, he took the reference tapes home with him where they sat untouched …
The KCCK Featured CD for June is “Concentric Circles” from the Kenny Barron Quintet. Eight years after being named an NEA Jazz Master, the esteemed pianist, bandleader, composer and educator reaches a couple of milestones. This year marks the 50th year of a remarkable recording career, while Mr. Barron notes his 75th birthday this month. …
KCCK’s Featured CD for May is “You’re Driving Me Crazy” from Van Morrison and Joey DeFrancesco. A new milestone in Morrison’s ever-expanding catalog of essential recordings, the disc finds the iconic Irish singer-songwriter exploring a variety of jazz and blues standards and classics alongside fresh interpretations of his own compositions. He’s aided in this endeavor …
The KCCK Featured CD for April is “After the Fall” by Keith Jarrett and his Standards Trio with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette. This previously unreleased live set from 1998 documents the first concert Keith played after a two year hiatus from the stage as he battled what was then called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It …
The KCCK Featured CD for March is “25th Anniversary Project” by the DIVA Jazz Orchestra. The inspiration for the all-female ensemble came from Stanley Kay, one time manager and relief drummer for Buddy Rich. He was leading a band in which Sherrie Maricle was playing drums and wondered if there were other women players who …
