Betty Bryant is a Los Angeles treasure. The singer, pianist and composer has been a regular on the Southern California jazz scene since 1955 when she moved from her hometown of Kansas City, where she was mentored by the late, great Jay McShann. Her blues-based piano and vocal stylings have garnered her a legion of …
It’s 1937, and June Richmond steps to the microphone for Jimmy Dorsey’s big band. Doing so, she makes history as the first Black singer in an all-white orchestra. Richman caught the attention of Dorsey and Bing Crosby during a set at the Los Angeles Cotton Club. They invited her to their table, made Richmond an …
The 2026 Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival is almost here. Founder & president, Scott Chrisman, and Festival director, Eric Freese, are in the studio with the details. Its April 9-12 at three Cedar Rapids locations: Collins Road Theatres, Olympic South Side Theater, and Ideal Theater & Bar. For more information and a full schedule visit …
Sherrie Maricle with The DIVA Jazz Orchestra is in the studio ahead of a concert at Coe College as apart of the Marquis Series. It’s Wednesday, April 8, 7pm at Coe’s Sinclair Auditorium. For more info and to keep up with the band visit divajazz.com. For tickets visit coe.edu. Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at …
Jazz Corner of the World (Encore) Saturdays at 6:00pm A First Look at Criss Cross Jazz Founded by professional jazz drummer Gerry Teekens in the Netherlands, there have been well over 400 albums produced so far by the Criss Cross Jazz label. Craig will spin wonderful jazz records by major artists Kirk Lightsey, Doug Raney, …
Red Cedar Chamber Orchestra returns to the Culture Crawl ahead of “Reunion Redux,” a program for violin, viola, and cello. In the studio is the trio playing the program (and family members!) Miera Kim, Carey Bostian, and Oliver Bostian. The formal concerts will be Wednesday, April 15, 7:30pm at Opus Concert Café in Cedar Rapids …
Tim Hankewich is back on the podium as Orchestra Iowa presents Masterworks IV featuring a collection of unfinished compositions. It’s Saturday, Mar 21, 7:30 at Paramount Theatre & Sunday, Mar 22, 2pm at IMU Main Lounge, University of Iowa. Insights will be held at 6:45pm Saturday evening and a pre-concert at 1pm on Sunday. For …
