Hey, Jazz fans. Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of pianists Oscar Peterson, Mal Waldron, Carl Perkins and Bill Evans, drummers Stix Hooper and Ginger Baker, bassist George Duvivier, singer Mary Stallings and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Jo Jones’ “The Essential Jo Jones” (1955), Herbie …
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 …
Jazz Corner of the World Encore Mondays from 6:00pm to 10:00pm The Artistry of Charlie Mariano Craig Kessler surveys the interesting career of this multi-faceted reed master. We’ll hear selections from all corners of his career – the early days of bebop, modern jazz in Boston, his partnership with pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi, his time with Mingus …
Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of saxmen Benny Carter, Russell Procope and Arnett Cobb, singers Patti Austin and Cyrille Aimee, guitarist Pat Metheny, percussionist Jack DeJohnette and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Oscar Peterson “Live at the Stratford Shakespearean Festival” (1956), Jimmy …
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 …
