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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
