KCCK’s Bob Stewart chats with pianist Amina Figerova and her husband and band flutist Bart Platteau, when they passed through Iowa recently. They talked about Amina’s latest project, “Suite for Africa,” featuring the Matsiko World Orphan Choir, including the coincidental airport meeting that kicked off the collaboration.
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The Beaker Brothers perform their annual concert at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City Nov. 16, paying tribute to the pioneering Latin-Rock guitarist Carlos Santana, with a show full of some of Santana’s earlier work. Guest-starring with the Beakers is percussionist and singer Ed East, Orquesta Alto Maiz bandmate of Jim Dreier.
The Brothers promise a night-full of familiar favorites and a few surprises. Visit the Beakers online at www.beakerbrothersband.com. Tickets for the concert at www.englert.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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Willow Creek Theatre in Iowa City offers many opportunities to watch and to learn improv comedy, with their own improv team performing weekly along with classes for all ages. Nov. 15 and 16 “Dumb John,” one of the top improv teams from Chicago comes to town for a Friday Show and Saturday clinic.
Tickets and more information at www.willowcreektheatre.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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Mondays at 6:00pm
Steeplechase Records, Show 5
Craig presents another of jazz from the remarkable Steeplechase label from Copenhagen. Founder Nils Winther, has created over a thousand top-notch releases from great jazz artists like Dexter Gordon, Stanley Cowell, Eddie Henderson, George Cables, Tete Montoliu, John Abercrombie, and many others.
Wednesday Night Special
Wednesdays at 6:00pm
Kid Logic at First Friday Jazz
Inspired by the music of Steely Dan, Kid Logic gave the Opus Concert Café audience a healthy helping of Becker and Fagen, plus great fusion from Weather Report, the Crusaders, Lee Ritenour, the Rippingtons, and much more.
Jazz Night In America
Thursdays at 11:00pm
Abdullah Ibrahim’s Freedom Song
The pianist, composer, and 2019 NEA Jazz Master Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand) reflects on his experiences growing up under apartheid in South Africa and shares what freedom means to him today. Listen to a 2017 performance with his band, Ekaya, recorded at Town Hall in New York City on South Africa Freedom Day.
Jazz Corner of the World
Saturdays from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm
George Cables at 80
Craig celebrates George Cables’s 80th birthday by presenting an array of great jazz selections from his lengthy career, beginning in 1970 right up to the present. Some 50 years ago, Art Pepper dubbed Cables “Mr. Beautiful.” (He still is!)
KCCK’s Midnight CD
Every Night at Midnight Each night, KCCK lets you hear a new CD played start-to-finish.
Golden City by Miguel Zenon on Monday; Time Takes Odd Turns by the Tom Johnson Jazz Orchestra on Tuesday; Among Giants by Sarah Hanahan on Wednesday; Reverence by the Carn Davidson 9 on Thursday; Revival by Kat Riggins & Her Blues Revival on Friday; Live in Europe by the Scott Weis Band on Saturday; Awakening by Andrew Vogt on Sunday.
Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of pianists Benny Moten, Art Hodes, Hampton Hawes, George Cables and Ellis Marsalis, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Willie Cook, trombonist Helen Jones Woods, singers Jo Stafford, Ernestine Anderson and Mose Allison, bassists Sam Jones and Neil Swainsson and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of The Red Garland Quintet’s “Soul Junction” (1957), Donald Byrd “At the Half Note Café” (1960), Tommy Flanagan’s “Confirmation” (1977), Joe Henderson’s “The State of the Tenor” (1985), Karrin Allyson’s “Azure-Te” (1994), Bebo Valdes & Javier Colina “Live at the Village Vanguard” (2005) and many others Mondays thru Fridays and at noon on JAZZ MASTERS on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.
On this week’s episode of the Big Mo Pod Show John and Noah discuss some dulcet blues tones from this Friday’s blues show! As always the selection of tracks features a garden variety of blues genres across different eras, tune in to hear them all! Songs featured in the episode:
Listen to ‘da Friday Blues with Big Mo each week at 6pm, and catch the podcast for a behind the scenes look at the show!
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“In the Garden of Hope” is the title of the Nov. 10 concert by Family Folk Machine, Iowa City’s multi-generational choir. The program will consist of a variety of songs, several written by members of the Family Folk Machine, on an environmental theme.
3pm Nov. 10 at the Englert Theatre. Free admission, donations accepted. Learn more at www.familyfolkmachine.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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Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Trombonist Steve Davis was still in his late teens when he first shared the stage with trumpet master Eddie Henderson. At the end of the set, Henderson encouraged Davis, telling him “Man, you’re going to be a star one day.” Indeed, Davis is now revered as one of the leading trombone voices in modern jazz, featured on more than 100 recordings with such legends as Freddie Hubbard, Chick Corea, Horace Silver and Art Blakey. For his new live album, “We See,” he’s assembled an all-star sextet including Henderson, Ralph Moore, Renee Rosnes and Lewis Nash.
Saxophonist Diego Rivera expands the diaspora of jazz through his musical celebration of the multi-cultural traditions and observances of Dia de los Muertos with his creation of the “Ofrenda.” This thoughtful program of new compositions, enhanced by the inclusion of special guest trumpet virtuoso Terell Stafford, showcase Rivera’s passionate and joyful saxophone playing. The session is further enriched by the solid groove and harmonic synergy of pianist Art Hirahara, bassist Boris Kozlov, and drummer Rudy Royston.
Also this week, Israeli-born bassist and composer Avishai Cohen showcases his multifaceted talents alongside a stellar ensemble of some of the brightest young talents from the new jazz scene on “Brightlight”; Ryan Keberle & Catharsis are joined by special guest reedman Scott Robinson on “Music is Connection”; and singer Jane Monheit brings new energy to the Songbook and far beyond with her thirteenth album and first self-titled release.
