This year, Jazz Under the Stars doubles the music and fun by presenting two bands each week! A Young Artist ensemble at 6:30, followed by the headliner at 7:00.

Here is the 2022 Jazz Under the Stars Lineup:

• Aug. 4 – Dandelion Stompers w/  Vivian Shanley & Friends
• Aug. 11 – Betsy Hickok/Ron Roberts Quintet w/ YesterNite
  • • • • KCCK Album and CD Sale
• Aug. 18 – Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra w/ The 5K Quintet
• Aug. 25 – Blake Shaw Big(ish) Band w/ Kirkwood Jazz Combo

All concerts will begin at 6:30pm at Noelridge Park, and broadcast live on KCCK. 

In case of inclement weather, listen to KCCK for cancellation information at 88.3 FM or kcck.org, or follow us on Twitter or Facebook.

The Dandelion Stompers

Tasty New Orleans Jazz with all the trimmings! This 8-piece ensemble has been together since 2014. They’ve headlined their own Fat Tuesday parties, and have performed at the Iowa City Jazz Festival, New Bo’s Rock The Block, the Friday Night Concert series, and live in the studios of KCCK and IPR.

The Betsy Hickok/Ron Roberts Quintet

Betsy and Ron have recently moved (moved back, in Betsy’s case) to Eastern Iowa after being a part of the Central Iowa music scene for the last several years. Betsy has performed in the Des Moines Metro Arts Jazz in July series, the Iowa City Jazz Festival, and many other venues with some of Iowa’s top musicians. A review for her 2006 album, Body and Soul, said “Betsy Hickok boasts a cool, clearwater delivery, impeccable timing, and the knowing gift for phrasing that can only come from a long, loving immersion in classic jazz.” By day, she is a senior writer at the Iowa State University Foundation, and she holds an M.F.A. in poetry from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop.

Guitarist Ron Roberts is a Chicago area native who worked extensively in the Chicago Jazz scene before moving to Ames to pursue his “day job” as a research scientist in aerospace engineering. He has played regularly with artists throughout central Iowa, including Max Wellman, the Jazz Page, the ISU faculty Jazz ensembles as well as Jazz in July, the Des Moines Arts Festival, and the Ames Summer Jazz series.

The Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra

The Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra was founded by trumpeter Toni LeFebvre when she was a grad student at the University of Iowa. The band’s purpose is to showcase the artistry of women jazz performers, and to provide role models for girls in Iowa Jazz programs, to let them know their voices are valid and meaningful. The IWJO has performed at the Dorian Music Camp at Luther College, the Iowa Jazz Championships, and the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference.

The Blake Shaw Big(ish) Band

Blake Shaw is a Lisbon native who began his college music career at Kirkwood before moving on to the University of Iowa, where he received his BA and Masters in Music. He leads his own trio and quintet, as well as the Big (ish) Band, and also performs with Thrio,  Goose Town, River Glen, PSA, and dup. He is also the leader of KCCK’s Schoolhouse Jazz band and a faculty member at our Middle School Jazz Band Camp. He’s released four albums as a leader.

Vivian Shanley & Friends

Vivian Shanley is one of the most celebrated student musicians to come along in the state of Iowa in recent memory, and not just in jazz. She’s a four-year member the All-State Orchestra, where she was principal bassist for each concert, and a 3-year member of the All-State Jazz Band. This year, she received Outstanding Soloist awards at the Iowa Jazz Championships and several regional competitions. She received the prestigious Mary Ann Fischer Scholarship from the Jazz Education Network and received Young Arts prizes in jazz bass from that organization. She also received a 2021 Downbeat Student Music Award for her original composition, Ideal Realism. She also operates her own bass teaching studio, and performs in several groups in addition to this one, including the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra & Sextet, and duo/trio settings.

YesterNite

YesterNite is a quintet of recent grads from Liberty High School. The group features Killian Ritland, trombone; Sam Ross; sax; David Donald, piano; Christian Montover, bass; and Milo Savage-Webster, drums.

The 5K Quintet

The 5K Quintet is comprised of recent graduates from area high school jazz programs, mainly City High. The group features Kolbe Schnoebelen on trombone, Marvin Truong on alto sax, Ana Koch on guitar, Peter Stoltz on drums, and Vivian Shanley on bass.

The Kirkwood Jazz Combo

The Kirkwood Jazz Combo features students in Kirkwood’s award-winning music program, directed by Joe Perea, Director of Bands.

Major support for Jazz Under The Stars comes from

Additional support provided by Kirkwood Community College, Brian and Marty Stoll, and West Music.