This Week’s Shows December 8 thru December 14

Jackie McLean: Lights Out (1956) Prestige | LondonJazzCollectorJazz Corner of the World (Encore)

Mondays at 6:00pm

Jackie McLean’s Prestige Records

Craig presents a variety of jazz jewels from the 19 Prestige sessions featuring the great alto saxophonist, band leader, composer, and educator Jackie McLean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Night SpecialNo photo description available.

Wednesdays at 6:00pm

Betsy & Ron’s Christmas Party

The Opus Concert Café’s audience got an early holiday treat as singer Betsy Hickok and guitarist Ron Roberts returned to First Friday Jazz last December. Their song list was filled with holiday classics, some new favorites, and loads of good cheer. 6:00 on KCCK’s Wednesday Night Special.

 

 

 

Pat Martino: El HombreJazz Corner of the World

Saturdays at 12:00 noon

Pat Martino’s Prestige Career

Craig presents a variety of astonishing jazz guitar recordings from the 23 Prestige sessions that from award-winning guitarist and educator Pat Martino.

 

 

 

 

 

 

KCCK’s Midnight CD   (December 8 – December 14)

 Every Night at Midnight

 KCCK features a new album every night, played from start-to-finish.

Holly Tunes by Wayne Wilkinson on Monday; The Nutcracker Remix by the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra on Tuesday; Christmas Interlude by Jeremy Pelt on Wednesday; Holiday Fun! by Wycliffe Gordon (Featured Album) on Thursday; Blues for Christmas by Mike Dangeroux on Friday; Know You from Old by Steve Howell & Fats Kaplan on Saturday; Swinging in the Holiday by Various Artists on Sunday.

Big Mo Pod Show 085 – “California Bluesin”

After a short break during the Thanksgiving holiday your hosts are back at it again with another episode! This week features the usual mix of blues eras you’ve come to expect along with a few Californian artists, tune in to see which ones! Songs featured in the episode:

  1. Solomon Hicks – “Further On Up The Road”
  2. John Lee Hooker & Robert Cray – “Mr. Lucky”
  3. Norton Buffalo & Roy Rogers – “Mercury Blues”
  4. Danny Bryant – “Tougher Now”
  5. Ana Popovic – “California Chase”

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Culture Crawl 1152 “Combination of Elvis & a Cha-Cha”

Heavy Metal! “Tuba Christmas” comes to the Cedar Rapids Public Library Dec. 13. It’s an ad hoc ensemble that will feature nearly 100 instruments. Rehearsal takes place immediately prior to the show, and all players are welcome, regardless of age or experience level.

Admission and participation are free, but audience members are encouraged to bring their own seating, since the band takes up just about every chair the Library owns! More into at crtubachristmas.com.

Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or search “Culture Crawl” in your favorite podcast player. Listen Live at 10:30am most weekdays on Iowa’s Jazz station. 88.3 FM or kcck.org/listen.

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Vote for the The Best of 2025 Live

On New Year’s Eve, we’re looking back at the standout performances that Iowa’s Jazz Station brought to you during our KCCK’s 50th anniversary year, and we need your help to choose! Pick your favorite four shows from 2025. We’ll play back the top vote-getters as we ring in 2026!

Please cast your vote by 5pm Dec. 17.

Talking Pictures 12-3-25

“Blue Moon” (2025 musical/drama) and “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” (2025 mystery/comedy)  with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Monica Schmidt.

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Culture Crawl 1151 “You’re Jake From State Farm!”

TKM Theatrical Productions premieres a new play from Jonesy McElroy Dec. 5-14. “Fruitcakes” tells the story of a failing call center whose operator begins inviting clients who have nowhere to go for the holidays to join him.

Tickets and more info at tkmtheatricalproductions.com.

Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or search “Culture Crawl” in your favorite podcast player. Listen Live at 10:30am most weekdays on Iowa’s Jazz station. 88.3 FM or kcck.org/listen.

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KCCK’s Featured Album for December 2025

The KCCK Featured Album for December is “Holiday Fun!” from Wycliffe Gordon. The acclaimed trombonist, composer and arranger captures the joy and fun of the holiday season, brought to life with some of the close friends he’s worked with throughout his career and those from his hometown of Augusta, Georgia. The pieces were primarily selected and arranged for a holiday  show in 2009 and have now been recorded and made available for the first time. “Holiday Fun” is from Arbors Records. Purchase

Culture Crawl 1150 “Barn-Blind”

Chorale Midwest presents two opportunities to see their holiday concert, Dec. 7 at 2:30 and Dec. 9 at 7:30, both at Christ Episcopal Church in Cedar Rapids. You’ll hear some classic favorites as well as some unique arrangements director Brad Barrett has turned up. Tickets and info at choralemidwest.org.

Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or search “Culture Crawl” in your favorite podcast player. Listen Live at 10:30am most weekdays on Iowa’s Jazz station. 88.3 FM or kcck.org/listen.

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