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 …
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 …
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 …
