The KCCK Featured CD for May is “While We Wait” from Christopher’s Very Happy Band. Saxophonist and composer Chris Merz, who heads the jazz department at the University of Northern Iowa, offers up another batch of his catchy tunes on the quartet’s second release. It features Mike Conrad on piano and Dave Tiede on drums, …
The KCCK Featured CD for April is the Corridor Jazz Project Volume Thirteen from Iowa’s Jazz Station. We celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month by highlighting the talented students from the area’s high school jazz programs. The bands are joined by special guest soloists who work with and mentor the ensembles during the recording process. This year …
The KCCK Featured CD for March is “Air Power” from the Airmen of Note. The premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force, the Airmen of Note have been delivering high-powered musical performances since 1950. Over those seven decades, they have performed for millions around the world, sharing the Air Force story through the …
The KCCK Featured CD for February is “Jazz Party” from Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra. For the better part of a decade, the acclaimed trombonist and composer has spent most Wednesday nights at the helm of this dynamic band’s residency at Snug Harbor in New Orleans. The ensemble features some of the Crescent …
The KCCK Featured CD for January is “Iowa Friends Cuban Music” from James Dreier and Ritmocano. Since hearing his first Santana record in 1968, the drummer has had a passion for Latin music. James was a member of the Iowa-based Latin jazz group Orquesta Alto Maiz for 26 years and has been on the jazz …
The KCCK Featured CD for December is “Have Yourself an Alto Madness Christmas” by Richie Cole. The veteran saxophonist developed his Alto Madness concept back in the Seventies with the idea that any tune, no matter how unlikely its source, could be turned into exuberant bop. The source in this instance is the standard Christmas …
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify. Singer-songwriter Rachael Price and composer, singer, and guitarist Vilray first met in 2003 as students at the New England Conservatory of Music. Vilray formed a couple of bands with Price’s soon-to-be bandmates in Lake Street Dive. Even then, Price remembers, he had a nimble mind and quick …
The KCCK Featured CD for November is “Blue World”, a previously unreleased album from John Coltrane and his classic quartet. Early in 1964, Coltrane was approached to record a soundtrack for a French Canadian film whose director was a die-hard fan. Amazingly, Coltrane agreed, revisiting and recording some of his earlier works. Only about ten …
