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 …
Jazz Corner of the World Encore Mondays from 6:00pm to 10:00pm A Look at IAI Records Craig Kessler looks at the short-lived IAI (Improvising Artists Incorporated) jazz label, owned and operated by pianist and composer Paul Bley. It was founded in 1974 to record improvised music and video art. We’ll hear true obscurities culled from …
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 …
