KCCK’s Jazz Under the Stars Brings Back The Stars
Legendary Iowa Jazz, Blues, and Funk Bands Reunite for KCCK 50th Anniversary
Iowa’s Jazz Station reunites some of Eastern Iowa’s best-known musicians to celebrate KCCK’s 50th anniversary at Jazz Under the Stars. Music fans who remember names like Daugherty, Davis & McPartland, Blues Instigators, Mean Street & The Hell Horns, Flock of Funk, and The I-380 Express won’t want to miss this historic series.
“We’ve planned for some time that during KCCK’s 50th Anniversary year, we wanted to bring back some of the musicians and bands that laid the groundwork for our corner of Iowa to be such a hotbed of live music,” says KCCK General Manager Dennis Green.
“These musicians pioneered our music scene in the 70s, 80s, and 90s and have influenced two generations of music artists. Many still form the backbone of our scene today, others are coming from as far away as California and Florida to be a part of this historic series. This is a unique chance to see our legendary favorites together again.”
But it’s not all oldsters. KCCK’s Young Artist series is back as well, featuring high school and college musicians to open each concert.
Most concerts begin at 6:30pm (6pm start on Aug. 14) at Noelridge Park, and are broadcast live on 88.3 KCCK.
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August 7
- Daugherty, Davis, & McPartland
- Young Artists: Griffin Bieber Quartet
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August 14 (Early Start: 6pm!)
- Funk Legends, featuring Funk Stop & FunkDaddies
- Young Artists: David Donald Trio
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August 21
- Kings of ‘daBlues
- Young Artists: 10th Street Rapids
- KCCK Album and CD Sale
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August 28
- Al Naylor’s I-380 Express
- Young Artists: Go Benesh Quartet
Meet The Artists
Daugherty, Davis, McPartland
Leading off on is a reunion forty years in the making, as Daugherty, Davis, and McPartland perform together for the first time since the early 90s. The trio began performing together while attending Cedar Rapids Washington and went on to release many albums and tour the Soviet Union in an Iowa Arts Council exchange program.
Funk Legends, featuring Funk Stop & FunkDaddies
Bands like Tower of Power, The Brothers Johnson, and James Brown had a huge impact on Eastern Iowa musicians growing up in the 80s and 90s. This led to the formation of groups like Mean Street and The Hell Horns, Funk 101, Thick as Thieves, 10 of Soul, and Brass Transit Authority. The legacy of these bands live on in Funk Stop and FunkDaddies, who will each perform and feature past members of these popular ensembles.
Kings of ‘daBlues
Kings of ‘da Blues is a massive jam session that will involve nearly every Blues musician in the Corridor, including Dennis McMurrin, Dan Johnson, Eric Douglas, BillyLee and Bryce Janey, with special guest, International Blues Challenge winner Kevin “BF” Burt.
Al Naylor’s I-380 Express
Al Naylor’s I-380 Express served as the “house band” for the Variety Club telethon, a marathon TV broadcast that took place in Cedar Rapids in the 80s and 90s. The band was organized and led for many years by Al Naylor, trumpeter, bandleader, educator, and member of the Jazz Educators of Iowa Hall of Fame. This edition of the band is organized by Al’s former student, Dr. Steve Shanley in tribute to his mentor, and is composed of I-380 Express alumni as well as Al’s former students and friends, many of whom, like Steve, have gone on to become well-known teachers and performers.
Young Artists
Griffin Bieber Quartet
- Griffin Bieber – Bass
- David Donald – Piano
- Carter Buske – Guitar
- James Kardos – Drums
Griffin Bieber is a Cedar Rapids Kennedy graduate currently studying at the University of Northern Iowa. He’ll be joined by fellow UNI student David Donald, Linn-Mar junior and 2025 All-State Jazz Band member Carter Buske, and DePaul University student James Kardos.
David Donald Trio
- David Donald: piano
- Vincent Valdez: bass
- Jack Deahl: drums
The David Donald Trio is an exciting jazz ensemble made up of students from the University of Northern Iowa. Led by pianist David Donald, the trio plays original compositions as well as classic jazz standards.
10th Street Rapids
- Griffin Shroyer: piano
- Aben Lynxwiler: sax
- Mason Zenner: guitar
- August Merschbrok: drums
Griffin Shroyer is a junior at Cedar Rapids Washington whose parents have been taking him to music events since he was a toddler. He began his own performing career as a middle schooler at KCCK’s Jazz Band Camp and is very excited to perform at Jazz Under the Stars, an event he’s been attending as long as he can remember.
Go Benesh Quartet
- Go Benesh: Sax
- Jakub Markut: Guitar
- Jacob Sivils: Bass
- Rick Hyperion: Drums
Go Benesh is another musician who began at KCCK’s Jazz Band Camp. He is a Cedar Rapids Prairie graduate just finishing his studies at Kirkwood. While at Kirkwood, he performed with Karrin Allyson, Kenyon Brenner, Blake Shaw and KCCK’s Schoolhouse Jazz Band. He is transferring to the University of Northern Iowa this fall.
In case of inclement weather, listen to KCCK for cancellation or rain/heat location info. At 88.3 FM, online at www.kcck.org or follow @jazz883kcck on Instagram or Facebook.
Food and refreshments will be available for purchase at the concerts. Attendees are also invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets and their own picnic if they wish.
Major support for Jazz Under The Stars comes from
Additional support provided by Kirkwood Community College and West Music.
Since 1987, Iowa’s Jazz Station has presented four free, family-friendly jazz concerts in August in Cedar Rapids’ Noelridge Park.