Author Larry Tye calls in from Massachusetts to chat about his new book, “The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America.”
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Meg Düster and Jameson Grimm from the Solon High School Jazz Orchestra joined us to talk about playing in “Mr. C’s” (Desmond Cervantez, Solon band director) mariachi band, how all the microphones in the Corridor Jazz recording studio are kind of intimidating, and working with this year’s guest artists, bassist Drew Morton.
Meg and Jameson’s playlist:
The Manhattan Jazz Quintet – ‘Round Midnight
Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Smith, Keter Betts & Bobby Durham – Willow Weep for Me
Wes Montgomery Trio – Moanin’
Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra – Ko-Ko
Wes Montgomery – Body and Soul
Ella Fitzgerald – Summertime
Solon High School Jazz Orchestra featuring Drew Morton – Come On, Come Over
President Biden approves $95-billion in military aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan…planting season is underway in Iowa except in one area where rainfall has been unpredictable.
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify Nicole Glover has been getting some well-deserved exposure recently in the context of groups like the Artemis sextet and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. But this tenor saxophonist is best appreciated on her own albums, where she fronts a saxophone-bass-drums trio. While not a common jazz format, this instrumentation has sired some classic recordings, beginning with a 1945 recording by Don Byas and Slam Stewart, through classics by Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson and Ornette Coleman, to contemporary trios led by Branford Marsalis and JD Allen. Glover’s own trio on her new disc, “Plays,” features the rich, full-toned bass of Tyrone Allen and the sensitive, yet propulsive drumming of Kayvon Gordon. A special guest on the recording is vibes master Steve Nelson, who appears on four of the tracks.
The Shona word “Ngayibatanei” translates to a call for unity and kinship, emphasizing the interconnectedness of people—a very appropriate sentiment guiding the second album by Idit Shner & Mhondoro. The melding of traditional Zimbabwean music, American jazz, and an unescapable dose of the Pacific Northwest, the disc celebrates the sounds of its diverse roots with tart melodies sailing amongst inspired grooves, creating surprising moments throughout. Along with Ms. Shner, the Israeli saxophonist, Mhondoro is Zimbabwean vocalist & percussionist John Mambira, and the Oregon-bred rhythm section of pianist Torrey Newhart, bassist Garrett Baxter and drummer Ken Mastrogiovanni, who discovered their collective sound during the long days of the pandemic.
Also this week, saxophonist and composer Chris Potter features a modern day supergroup including pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade on the new record “Eagle’s Point”; saxophonist and composer MelissaAldana’s second Blue Note album, “Echoes of the Inner Prophet,” is a musical voyage to explore the depth of the spiritual journey; and Columbus, Ohio-based organist Tony Monaco demonstrates that he is still a stone-cold cooker on “Over and Over.”
A tabloid publisher testifies how he was the “eyes and ears” for the Trump 2016 campaign…Gov. Reynolds’ “Thrive Iowa” program was among her proposals that made it through the 2024 legislature.
Nina Torkelson, Kellen Dykstra, and Olivia Naber from the West Branch Jazz Ensemble join us for a fun show that included not only some great music, but a longer discussion of how Roller Derby is scored than you might expect on KCCK.
Nina, Kellen, and Olivia’s playlist:
Count Basie – Splanky
John Pizzarelli – Zoot Walked In/Morning Fun
Kashmere Stage Band – Kashmere
Arturo Sandoval – Closely Dancing
BYO Brass – Accidentally Agogic
Snarky Puppy – Tio Macaco
West Branch High School Jazz Ensemble featuring Ryan Middleton – True North