News Digest 12-20-2023

The Colorado Supreme Court bars Donald Trump from the state’s primary ballot…Republicans in the Iowa legislature look to eliminate gender balance for state boards and commissions. 

News Digest 12-19-23

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meets with Israeli leaders concerning the fighting in Gaza…Republicans in the Iowa legislature talk about speeding up income tax cuts.

News Digest 12-18-23

No agreement yet on additional military aid for Ukraine…Iowa is approaching a deadline for deciding whether to provide food assistance for low-income kids during the summer. 

This Week In Jazz December 17 thru December 23

Hey, Jazz fans! Tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of bandleader Erskine Tate, drummer Panama Francis, New Orleans legend Professor Longhair, trombonist/pianist/composer Bob Brookmeyer, pianist/composer Bobby Timmons, saxophonist/composer/educator Chris Merz and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of “Melba Liston & Her ‘Bones” (1958), Charlie Rouse’s “Unsung Hero” (1960), Woody Shaw’s “Moontrane” (1974), Pat Metheny/Dave Holland/Roy Haynes’ “Question and Answer” (1989), Loren Schonberg & His Jazz Orchestra’s “Out of This World” (1997), Patricia Barber’s “The Cole Porter Mix” (2007) and many others, Mondays thru Fridays at noon on Jazz Masters on Jazz 88.3 KCCK. 

New Music Monday for December 18, 2023

Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Individually leading busy and varied artistic lives in Chicago and throughout the Midwest, trumpeter Eric Jacobson, pianist Pamela York and bassist Clay Schaub have gathered weekly for the Monday night residency at Milwaukee’s Mason Street Grill since 2021. There they allow their ideas and inspirations gleaned through the week to take musical form in an intimate setting, unfurling their arrangements on standards from the American Songbook, Latin jazz, bebop or through their own compositions. As the Affinity Trio, their debut recording, “Hindsight,” captures their comfortable simpatico.

Sarah McKenzie grew up in Australia, taking classical piano lessons from the age of five. A teacher introduced her to rock, the blues, ,and boogie woogie when she was nine. “By the age of 15 I heard Oscar Peterson’s ‘Night Train’ record and that was the turning point for me. It was such happy music that I knew that I wanted to do that with my life.” The pianist, singer and composer is releasing her sixth album, “Without You.” A project that conveys her love for Brazilian music and culture, the disc includes a generous amount of Antonio Carlos Jobim songs along with four of McKenzie’s originals and a few other selections, all performed in her own inventive way.

                                                                    

Also this week, “Upswing” is a celebration of the post-bop sound that trombonist Robert Edwards’ band has been forging for the past six years at their West Village residency in New York’s City’s iconic Small’s Jazz Club; “Radiance” is a classic jazz trio album from keyboardist and composer Bennett Paster; and New York City-born, Portland-based pianist and composer Gordon Lee unveils his new quartet disc, “How Can It Be?”

 

 

Special Programs for December 18 thru December 24

Lou Donaldson - Blue Note RecordsJazz Corner of the World Encore with host Craig Kessler

Mondays from 6:00pm to 10:00pm

Lou Donaldson on Blue Note

Craig’s celebration of 85 years of Blue Note Records continues with a spotlight on alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson. Now 97 years old and retired, Sweet Lou’s career at Blue Note began in 1952, when producer Alfred Lion was king. We’ll hear fine material from over 30 dates as a leader, and 15-plus sets as a sideman.

 

 

 

 

 


The Wednesday Night Special

Wednesdays at 6:00pm

Christmas at Luther College

KCCK is pleased to offer a special Holiday gift. The annual Christmas concert from Luther College in Decorah is an Iowa tradition, and features all of Luther’s outstanding ensembles. Enjoy a night of wonderful music of the season!

 

 

 

Home — Christian SandsJazz Night in America

Thursdays at 11:00pm

Christian Sands’s Christmas Stories

Pianist Christian Sands shares music and memories from his new holiday record, Christmas Stories. We’ll hear tales of his childhood in snowy New England, the ultimate Christmas party music, and a Jazz Night exclusive track.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig KesslerVarious Artists - Jazz for Joy: A Verve Christmas Album ...

Saturdays from 12 noon to 4:00pm

Mellow Moods for the Holiday Season

Craig spins relaxing jazz titles to ease your troubled mind and body. Best wishes to you all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

KCCK’s Midnight CD

Every Night at Midnight

Each night, KCCK lets you hear a new CD played start-to-finish.

On Bass … by Michael Hawkins on Monday; Zig Zag by Willie Weeks on Tuesday; The 2023 Jazz Heritage Series by The Airmen of Note on Wednesday; A Message From the Flying Horse Big Band by The Flying Horse Big Band on Thursday; It’s Time to Shine by Dave Keller on Friday; Shout Sister Shout by Ghalia Volt on Saturday; Enjoy KCCK’s Christmas Channel on Sunday.

News Digest 12-15-23

Congress has yet to approve additional aid for Israel and Ukraine as House members head home until the new year…Iowa Senate Democrats call for a committee meeting to look into the state’s nursing homes.

News Digest 12-14-23

The House approves an impeachment inquiry into President Biden…state tax revenues are expected to dip next fiscal year.