Category: News

Top 88 for 2021

Gerry Gibbs’ Thrasher Dream Trios “Songs From My Father” was the Number-1 album in KCCK’s Top 88 jazz releases of 2021.  Rahsaan Barber’s “Mosaic”  was Number-88.  Following is the list of everything else in between.    Click here for printable list.  Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trios “Songs From My Father” (Whaling City Sound) Veronica Swift “This …

Continue reading

Culture Crawl 682 “Fixing The World”

Craig Campbell and Priscilla Steele have collaborated throughout their life together. On Campbell Steele Gallery, Liars Theatre, not to mention three children. Now they have published a book inspired by an art installation they created for their orthodontist friend, Dr. William Olin. “The History of Orthodontics Through Time and Space follows the adventures of Buddy …

Continue reading

Special Programs for December 13 thru December 19

Jazz Corner of the World Encore   Mondays at 6:00 PM Muse Records, Part Two  Don’t miss out as host Craig Kessler takes a second look at the substantial jazz label, Muse Records, that made a huge impact on jazz between 1972 and 1995. We’ll hear more excellent material from a variety of jazz greats …

Continue reading

This Week In Jazz December 12 thru December 18

Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of drummer Sonny Greer, bandleaders Spike Jones and Stan Kenton, horn man Clark Terry, pianists Phineas Newborn, Jr. and Barry Harris, trombonist Curtis Fuller and more! We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Horace Silver & the Jazz Messengers (1954), …

Continue reading

Culture Crawl 681 “It’s a Fruitcake, Not a Brownie!”

Singer-songwriter Carol Montag brings “A Carol Christmas” to CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids Dec. 16, 17, & 18. It’s an all-new show of traditional holiday music, plus some new compositions, including a unique tune inspired by the 2020 Derecho. Information and tickets at www.carolmontag.com.

Culture Crawl 680 “Coming Home”

In their 25th anniversary season, Chorale Midwest returns to the first venue the choir ever performed, First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids for their Christmas Concert, Dec. 11 at 7:30 and Dec. 12 at 3:00. The program will include the premiere of a new commission by Matthew Culloton. Tickets and more information at www.choralemidwest.org.

This Week In Jazz December 5 thru December 11

Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of lyricist Ira Gershwin, trumpeter/singer Louie Prima, pianist Dave Brubeck, organist Jimmy Smith, bassist Jay Leonhart, pianist/singer/composer Tom Waits and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Louis Armstrong & His Friends’ “All Stars In Concert, 1951” (1951), Louis …

Continue reading

Special Programs for December 6 thru December 12

Jazz Corner of the World Encore   Mondays at 6:00 PM Tribute to Pat Martino, Part One Host Craig Kessler pays tribute to the life and legacy of jazz giant Pat Martino by spinning some remarkable offerings from a variety of important jazz records. We’ll revisit his earliest recordings from the early 1960s, all the way …

Continue reading