Blake Shaw is one of Iowa’s first-call bassists, as well as a singer, arranger and composer. He fell in love with the bass when his jazz band director asked him to switch from trombone. He went on to study at Kirkwood, finally receiving his Masters at the University of Iowa. Pretty good for a musician …
We’ve been trying to present the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra since 2020, and fingers crossed, the third time will be the charm on Aug. 18. After years of being the only, or one of very few women in college and professional jazz bands, IWJO Directors Toni LeFebvre and Kelli Swehla formed this group to provide …
For decades, the Linn County Blues Society has presented a big summer Blues concert, spotlighting the best local and national talent. Beginning this year, the celebration becomes “Bourbon & Blues,” August 20 at McGrath Amphitheatre. The party begins with Iowa legends Molly Nova & The Hawk, featuring Bryce Janey, and also features Danielle Nicole from …
Some years ago, Iowa City singer Betsy Hickok was looking for a guitarist to collaborate with. Some friends connected her with Central Iowa musician Ron Roberts (an acoustical researcher at ISU by day). To say the two hit it off is a bit of an understatement, since soon thereafter they were married! The two lived …
Jill Van Brussel is a costume designer and Theatre professor, currently teaching at Colorado Mesa University, whose cabaret show “Why Do I Own A Thong? (And Other Existential Questions),” examines her life (and all of our lives) through our clothing choices. Jill is a longtime friend of long-time Eastern Iowa performers and producers Patrick Du …
Cedar Rapids has a rich history in Drum Corps. The Emerald Knights competed and performed for decades, and Slayton Thompson’s Grant Wood Drum & Bugle Corps marched in two presidential Inauguration parades. The tradition continues today with the Tournament of Drums festival, Aug. 5 at Kingston Stadium, when drum corps from around the country and …
The final week of Cedar Rapids Municipal Band concerts is jam-packed, says director Steve Shanley. Including Leonard Bernstein’s famous Overture to “Candide,” a solo from Young Artist Isabella Anderson, a tribute to Muni Band member and legendary Cedar Rapids music teacher Luman Colton, conducted by his daughter Christie, and another guest conductor, UI doctoral student …
The Dandelion Stompers open the 2022 season of Jazz Under the Stars, Aug. 4 at Noelridge Park in Cedar Rapids. Opening will be the first of four student ensembles we’ll feature this year, Vivian Shanley and Friends. The Iowa City-based band plays in the traditional New Orleans style of jazz, popular when the lines between …
