The House passes a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown…an Iowa judge says law enforcement can’t look through your garbage without a warrant.
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News Digest 11-14-23
The World Health Organization calls for a ceasefire in Gaza…Triple-A expects a boost in Thanksgiving travel in the Midwest region that includes Iowa.
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News Digest 11-13-23
Tim Scott drops out of the presidential race…Congress faces a Friday deadline to avert a partial government shutdown.
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New Music Monday for November 13, 2023
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Hays Street Hart, the trio of pianist Kevin Hays, bassist Ben Street and legendary drummer Billy Hart, recorded their acclaimed 2021 debut under less then optimal conditions. The album began as a performance in honor of Hart’s 80th birthday in December of 2020, livestreamed from an empty Smoke Jazz Club in the final weeks of that grueling pandemic year. A few years later, they reconvened in the studio to record the captivating “Bridges,” which brilliantly spotlights the unique chemistry and shared spirit of exploration that emerged fully formed on that initial impromptu session.
Award-winning multi-instrumentalist Michael Dease starts letting his baritone saxophone do the talking as he boldly decides to “Swing Low” on his latest release. Assembled to provide support is the wonderfully solid rhythm section of pianist Art Hirahara, bassist Boris Kozlov and powerhouse drummer Rudy Royston, and the virtuoso trumpet stylings of Ingrid Jensen, who provides stunning highlights to several of the album’s diverse tracks. Serious listeners will definitely notice how Dease’s musical vibrations have shifted considerably onto to another level with this set of stunning performances.
Also this week, first-call Chicago bassist Clark Sommers, perhaps best known for his long tenure with Kurt Elling, composes and arranges for a 12-piece ensemble for the first time on “Feast Ephemera”; “Home Cookin’” is a continuation of saxophonist Cory Weeds’ first little big band record, feature a lineup of all-star Vancouver players; and “Summer Me, Winter Me” is singer Stacey Kent’s fulfillment of some of her fans’ requested tunes from over the years.
Special Programs November 13 thru November 19
Jazz Corner of the World Encore with host Craig Kessler
Mondays from 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Boogie-Woogie & Other Keyboard Stylings, Part 3
Craig shares more curriculum from his senior class in boogie-woogie piano. We’ll hear more stride, some ragtime, a little early Blues piano, and a huge serving of boogie-woogie from Hadda Brooks, Cripple Clarence Lofton, Pinetop Perkins, Ray Charles, Sugar Chile Robinson, and a host of others!
The Wednesday Night Special
Wednesdays at 6:00pm
Invisible Jazz at First Friday Jazz
The Opus Concert Café audience was treated to some of Iowa’s greatest jazz veterans offering their fresh take on a full spectrum of jazz – from the smooth grooves of George Benson and Lee Ritenour, to contemporary masters Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorius, to classic legends Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk.
Jazz Night in America
Thursdays at 11:00pm
A Cedar Walton Crate Dive
Christian McBride goes “crate digging,” and comes up with a fiery recording from the Jazz at Lincoln Center vaults. Tune in for a 2008 Cedar Walton Quintet performance at Dizzy’s Club. While listening to this swinging set, McBride shares some personal stories about the pianist, having recorded with him back in the day.
Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler
Saturdays from 12 noon to 4:00pm
Boogie-Woogie & Other Keyboard Stylings, Part 4
Craig shares more curriculum from his senior class in boogie-woogie piano. We’ll hear more stride, some ragtime, a little early Blues piano, and a huge serving of boogie-woogie from Memphis Slim (a.k.a. Peter Chatman), Charles Edward “Cow Cow” Davenport, Roy Byrd (a.k.a. Professor Longhair), Katie Webster, Lucky Roberts, Willie “The Lion” Smith, Scott Joplin, and many others!
KCCK’s Midnight CD
Every Night at Midnight
Each night, KCCK lets you hear a new CD played start-to-finish.
Relentless Pursuit by the Tony Addison Sextet on Monday; Continuance by Joey Alexander on Tuesday; Grit & Grace by Jennifer Wharton’s Bonegasm on Wednesday; Uncle John’s Band (Disc 1) by John Scofield on Thursday; SoulFunkin’ Blues by the Blackburn Brothers on Friday; Blu Ja Vul by Tom Hambridge on Saturday; Firetet by Constantine Alexander on Sunday.
This Week In Jazz November 12 thru November 18
Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of pianists Art Hodes, Hampton Hawes and George Cables, trombonist George Masso, singer/pianist Diana Krall and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Roy Eldridge’s “After You’ve Gone” (1943), Barney Kessel’s “Easy Like” (1953), Sonny Clark’s “Leapin’ and Lopin'” (1961), Ron Carter’s “Peg Leg” (1977), Joe Henderson’s “The State of the Tenor” (1985), Bebo Valdes & Javier Colina “Live at The Village Vanguard” (2005) and many others 10am to 2pm, Monday thru Friday, with Jazz Masters at noon.
News Digest 11-10-23
West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin says he won’t seek reelection…the conservative Heritage Foundation gives a high ranking to Iowa’s school voucher program.
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News Digest 11-9-23
G-7 nations say they’re united in their pursuit of international peace…lawmakers want more funding for Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.
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