Category: CD of the Month

KCCK’s Featured CD for January 2021

The KCCK Featured CD for January is “Cachai” from Anibal Rojas. The Chilean-born saxophonist and composer attended West High in Iowa City before studying at the University of Iowa. While in Eastern Iowa he worked in several bands including Mean Street and the Hell Horns, Funkfarm, Orquesta Alto Maiz and the Demolition Band. Now based …

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KCCK’s Featured CD for November 2020

The KCCK Featured CD for November is “Jazz Dance Suites” from Charles McPherson. The genius of the 80-year-old master saxophonist, composer and bebop luminary has been chronicled in recordings spanning the past six decades. The new CD is a departure from the traditional bop sensibilities of most of his previous work. It captures his groundbreaking …

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KCCK’s Featured CD for December 2020

The KCCK Featured CD for December is “Christmas Vibes” from Warren Wolf. His work with Christian McBride, Bobby Watson, and the SFJazz Collective has established Warren as the foremost straight-ahead vibraphonist of his generation. His new release is brimming with jazz yuletide cheer sure to provide the ideal soundtrack to the season. Wolf takes an …

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KCCK’s Featured CD for October 2020

The KCCK Featured CD for October is the self-titled debut release “Artemis.” This all-female supergroup features pianist and musical director Renee Rosnes, clarinetist Anat Cohen, tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana, trumpeter Ingrid Jensin, bassist Noriko Ueda, drummer Alison Miller, and featured vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant. It’s distinctive for its multigenerational and globe-spanning lineup with members hailing …

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KCCK’s Featured CD for September 2020

The KCCK Featured CD for September is “All Rise” from Gregory Porter. The Grammy Award-winning singer has become the world’s best-selling soul/jazz artist with over three million world-wide album sales. After focusing on the Nat King Cole songbook on his last studio recording, Gregory returns to his beloved original songwriting, featuring heart-on-sleeve lyrics set to …

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KCCK’s Featured CD for August 2020

The KCCK Featured CD for August is “Just Coolin’” from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. In the fall of 1958, saxophonist Hank Mobley had returned to the band after the departure of Benny Golson. He would join trumpeter Lee Morgan on the front line, with bassist Jymiie Merritt and pianist Bobby Timmons rounding out …

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KCCK’s Featured CD for July 2020

KCCK’s Featured CD for July is “Swallow Tales” from guitarist John Scofield. Steve Swallow is one of the most versatile and satisfying bassists around, and his quirky and thoroughly appreciated compositions have been played by the likes of Gary Burton, Chick Corea, Bill Evans and Art Farmer. John Scofield celebrates the music of his friend …

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KCCK’s Featured CD for June 2020

The KCCK Featured CD for June is “One for 25” from the Posi-Tone Swingtet. Founded in 1995 by producer Marc Free and engineer Nick O’Toole, the Posi-Tone jazz label has built an impressive roster of young players and composers over that twenty five years, including Behn Gillece, Michael Dease, Steve Davis, Ed Cherry, Wil Bernard, …

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