Latest Posts – Page 21 – Jazz 88.3 KCCK

Culture Crawl 1105 “What A Strange Ballet”

Today on the Culture Crawl two longtime friends of the station are in the studio ahead of the upcoming album release of Carol Montag’s “Strange Ballet.” Carol and Dan Towey, the studio engineer for the album, share insights into this multi-year project inspired by the events of the devastating Derecho that struck the Cedar Rapids area five years ago.

The album release concert for “Strange Ballet” is Sat, Aug 23, 7:30pm at the CSPS Hall Main Theater with doors opening at 6:30pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at cspshall.org.

For more info visit carolmontag.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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Talking Pictures 8-13-25

“F1: The Movie” (2025) and “Weapons” (2025) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Scott Chrisman.

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Culture Crawl 1104 “And Then I Saw Him In A Marvel Movie”

Josh Sazon returns to the station as the Iowa City Community Theatre gets ready for opening night of Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park.” The play’s two leads, Melissa Kaska (Corie) and Ethan Rogers (Paul) join Josh to talk about this classic, witty production.

Performances at The James Theater, August 22-23 and 29-30 at 7:30pm, August 24 and 31 at 2:00pm.

Tickets can be purchased at icct.ludus.com or thejamesic.com.

More information at iowacitycommunitytheatre.org.

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New Music Monday for August 11, 2025

Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Drummer Snorre Kirk, originally from Norway but long based in Demark, has earned a strong reputation for his elegant percussion work, original compositions, and deep connection to tradition. When he first heard reedman Giacomo Smith in London, he knew he’d found a kindred spirit. Their collaboration started in 2019 and by 2023, their quartet with pianist Joe Webb and Danish bassist Anders Fjeldsted took shape—and is now Kirk’s primary project. “What a Day!” is their first release together, and Kirk’s eighth album as a leader.

Clarinetist Giacomo Smith was born in Italy and raised in upstate New York, where his mother’s love of Dave Brubeck sparked a lifelong passion for jazz. His love for Jazz Manouche was ignited in college after hearing a Django Reinhardt album featuring clarinetist Hubert Rostaing, leading to years of exploration of the genre. This journey eventually brought him to guitarist Mozes Rosenberg, who is a direct heir of Reinhardt. Together, they form a group that celebrates Django’s spirit without imitation. Their debut release, “Manouche,” is a vibrant tribute that channels tradition while speaking in a fresh new voice.

Also this week, pianist and composer Bob Schlesinger unveils his highly anticipated debut as a leader, “Falling from Earth,” featuring an all-star lineup including Mike Stern, Billy Drummond and Eddie Gomez, among others; “Nolasia” is the self-titled album from the New Orleans duo of Dj Smith on the bansuri and Idak on guitar, creating a unique combination of jazz and Eastern influences; and Cellar Records boss Cory Weeds returns with another fine recording, backed up by the dependently swinging rhythm section of frequent Cellar players alongside the famously big horn of Jerry Weldon on “Cory Weeds Meets Jerry Weldon.”

This Week’s Shows August 11 thru August 17

Jazz Corner of the World (Encore)

Mondays at 6:00pm

Jack DeJohnette’s 83^rd Birthday

Craig helps celebrate Jack’s birthday – born in 1942 – by presenting an array of music from the celebrated DeJohnette whose recordings date back to 1965. We’ll hear his drum and percussion work with Jackie McLean, Miroslav Vitous, Keith Jarrett, John Abercrombie, Dave Holland, Charles Lloyd, Miles Davis, and many others.

Wednesday Night Special

Wednesdays at 6:00pm

Vandello at First Friday Jazz

It’s always a party when Vandello takes the stage. Merging jazz, funk, soul, blues, and a good sense of irreverent fun, Vandello played the Opus Concert Café’s First Friday Jazz for a March show that had the audience dancing.

Jazz Night In America

Thursdays at 11:00pm

Modern Era Newport

More from Newport as host Christian McBride brings you a power hour of all-stars, featuring some of the best sets from the modern era of the Newport Jazz Festival: Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Cécile McLorin Salvant, and more.

Jazz Corner of the World

Saturdays from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm

Mal Waldron’s Birthday Anniversary

Craig presents an exciting range of material from pianist Mal Waldron’s stunning career. We’ll hear Mal as a leader of his own groups, as well as a side man with a long list of well-known artists like John Coltrane, Gene Ammons, Teddy Charles, Kenny Burrell, Jackie McLean, Eric Dolphy, and more.

KCCK’s Midnight CD

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

My Ideal by Sam Dillon on Monday; Circles in a Yellow Room by the Mike Freeman ZonaVibe on Tuesday; As We are Now by Jimmy Greene on Wednesday; The Big Room by Joe Farnsworth on Thursday; Blues, Vol. 1 by Jay Lang on Friday; Keep Living ‘Til I Die by Monster Mike Welch on Saturday; Abide in Love by Gregory Tardy on Sunday.

This Week In Jazz August 10 thru August 16

Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of pianists Jess Stacy, George Shearing, Oscar Peterson and Mulgrew Miller, vibists Johnny Rae, Eddie Costa and Steve Nelson, saxophonists Joe Garland and Lynne Hart, organist Tony Monaco and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Jo Jones Septet’s “The Jo Jones Special” (1955), Lee Morgan’s “Tom Cat” (1964), Grant Green “Alive!” (1970), “Art Farmer, Lee Konitz w/the Joe Carter Quartet” (1983), Jae Sinnett’s “Listen” (1996), Behn Gillece’s “Still Doing Our Thing” (2020) and many others Mondays thru Fridays and at noon on JAZZ MASTERS on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.

Culture Crawl 1102 “Salsafied”

The next installment of Natural Talent Music’s “One World Fest” concert series featuring Paa Kow (Afro-Fusion) and Parranderos Latin Combo is coming up Sat, Aug 9, 7:30pm at The James Theater. Calling in over zoom is Natural Talent Music’s Creighton Gaynor and Parranderos percussionist, Ryan Mullin.

For tickets visit thejamesic.com.

For more info visit naturaltalentmusic.com or Natural Talent Music Facebook & Instagram.

Check out the performers at parranderosmusic.com and paakowmusic.com.