Hey, Jazz fans, be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of trumpeter Doc Cheatham, pianists Erroll Garner and Jaki Byard, saxman Lucky Thompson and bassists Chuck Rainey, Chuck Berghofer and Marcus Miller and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Charlie Parker & Chet Baker’s “Inglewood Jam” (1952), Jimmy Smith’s “Prayer Meetin’ (1960), Freddie Hubbard & Jimmy Heath “Live at the Left Bank” (1965), Lionel Hampton & the Golden Men of Jazz “Live at the Blue Note” (1991), Paquito D’Rivera’s “Jazz Meets the Classics” (2012) and many others, Mondays thru Fridays at noon on JAZZ MASTERS‘ on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.
This Week In Jazz June 12 thru June 18
Special Programs for June 13 thru June 19
Jazz Corner of the World
Mondays from 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Third Stream Music, Part 3
Don’t miss the Jazz Corner of the World as host Craig Kessler dives deeper into “Third Stream Music” – a relatively new genre that combines characteristics of improvised jazz and European classical music. We’ll hear interesting offerings from Joe Lovano, Jimmy Giuffre, Gunther Schuller, Don Ellis, Charles Mingus, and a host of others.
The Wednesday Night Special
Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
Kneebody at the IC Jazz Fest
We’re taking a listen back to some past Iowa City Jazz Festival favorites as we get ready for the 2022 Festival this July 4th weekend! Kneebody – known for their intense improvisation and explosive rock energy – was a crowd favorite at the 2011 Festival.
Jazz Night in America
Thursday at 11:00 PM
Kurt Elling’s The Big Blind
Vocalist Kurt Elling presents his recent creation, The Big Blind, a loving homage to the golden age of radio drama. We’ll listen in on its 2019 premier at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Tune in for love, suspense, crimes of passion, and incredible music!
Jazz Corner of the World
Saturdays at 12:00 Noon
Milestone Records, Part 2
Host Craig Kessler continues his listen to the Milestone record label, created by Orrin Keepnews following the demise of Riverside Records. Instead of an overview, Craig focuses on the extraordinary pianist McCoy Tyner and the exquisite, powerful music he recorded for Milestone.
KCCK’s Midnight CD
Every Night at Midnight
Each night, KCCK gives you the chance to hear a new CD played start-to-finish.
Samba Jazz Odyssey by Hendrik Meurkens with the WDR Big Band on Monday; Bluesthetic by Steve Davis on Tuesday; Ascent to the Blues by Alex Sipiagin on Wednesday; Live In Italy by Peter Erskine on Thursday; Blues for Breakfast by The Phantom Blues Band on Friday; No More Worlds to Conquer by Robin Trower on Saturday; Refuge by George Cotsirilos on Sunday
Culture Crawl 724 “I Was Smelling You”
Nielo “Daniel” Gaglione met the late John Rapson at a jam session at George’s in Iowa City, and before long, the two became close friends as collaborators. John incorporated Nielo’s French and Mediterranean music influences, as well as his mandole (a North African instrument sharing characteristics with the guitar and the oud) into the landmark works, “Hot Tamale Louie” and “Esteban and The Children of the Sun.” Nielo has coined the style Mediterranean Folk Jazz.
John Rapson’s final performances were captured on the album “Elizabeth,” performed by many of the players from Hot Tamale Louie and Esteban, including Ryan Smith, reeds; Tara McGovern, violin; Drew Morton, bass; and Justin LeDuc, drums.
Mektoub performs as part of the premiere June at The James series on June 16 at The James Theater in Iowa City, and June 24 at the Friday Night Concert Series. Tickets at www.thejamesic.com. Order music and find more info about Mektoub at www.facebook.com/mektoubmusic.
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Talking Pictures 6-8-22
Watcher (2022), Prehistoric Planet (Apple TV+) and Professor T. (PBS) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Denny Lynch.
Podcast (talkingpics): Play in new window | Download
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Culture Crawl 722 “Band Director Chops”
The Cedar Rapids Municipal Band begins its season this week, with concerts Wednesday at The History Center and Sunday at Bever Park.
Retired Independence band director David Lang, a world class euphonium player, will be the guest artist this week. He will also play a number on the Alpine Horn, the stretched-out instrument most of us only know from the famous Ricola commercials.
All concerts start at 7:30pm. Come at 6:30 on Sunday and also hear the Metro Youth Wind Ensemble.
More info at www.crmuniband.org.
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Special Programs for June 6 thru June 12
Jazz Corner of the World (June 6)
Mondays from 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Early Works of Oregon
Host Craig Kessler takes a chronological look at this stylish and sophisticated group that was founded in 1970 by Paul McCandless, Ralph Towner, Collin Walcott, and Glen Moore. In this first of several shows, we’ll hear choice works of art (both studio and live recordings) from their earliest days, to works from the mid-1970s.
The Wednesday Night Special
Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
Yellowjackets at the IC Jazz Fest
We’re listening back to some past Iowa City Jazz Festival favorites as we get set for the 2022 Fest on the July 4th weekend! In 2004, the Yellowjackets – Russ Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip, Bob Mintzer, & Marcus Baylor – showed the crowd why they’re some of the best in jazz.
Jazz Night in America
Thursday at 11:00 PM
Anything Mose!
Host Christian McBride spotlights pianist John Chin and vocalist Richard Julian, as the duo pays homage to the everlasting talent of Mose Allison. We’ll hear songs and stories from their Mose Allison tribute project, “Anything Mose!”
Jazz Corner of the World
Saturdays at 12:00 Noon
Third Stream Music, Part 3
Don’t miss the Jazz Corner of the World as host Craig Kessler dives deeper into “Third Stream Music” – a relatively new genre that combines characteristics of improvised jazz and European classical music. We’ll hear interesting offerings from Joe Lovano, Jimmy Giuffre, Gunther Schuller, Don Ellis, Charles Mingus, and a host of others.
KCCK’s Midnight CD
Every Night at Midnight
Each night, KCCK gives you the chance to hear a new CD played start-to-finish.
Aesthetic by Aaron Bazzell on Monday; Tenacity/As We Speak by Caesar Frazier on Tuesday; Play Ray Charles by 3 More Sounds on Wednesday; My City, My Story by Chris Hajian on Thursday; Borrowed Time by Dana Fuchs on Friday; Just Gettin’ Good by Mighty Mike Schermer on Saturday; Origin by Joey Alexander on Sunday
This Week In Jazz June 5 thru June 11
Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of composer Cole Porter, bandleader Jimmie Lunceford, trombonists Dicky Wells, Al Grey and Bill Watrous, guitarists Tal Farlow and Grant Green and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie’s “Bird & Diz” (1950), John Coltrane’s “Africa/Brass” (1961), “A Buck Clayton Jam Session” (1975), Zoot Sims & Al Cohn’s “Zoot Case” (1982), Charles Earland Tribute Band’s “Keepers of the Flame” (2000) and many others, Mondays thru Fridays at noon on JAZZ MASTERS‘ on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.
New Music Monday for June 6, 2022
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Born in Yaroslavl, Russia, trumpeter Alex Sipiagin won top honors at the 1990 International Louis Armstrong Competition. After relocating to New York City, he’s been a favored player for various bands including the Gil Evans Orchestra, the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, the Mingus Big Band, Dynasty and Orchestra and the Dave Holland Big Band, Sextet and Octet groups. He’s worked with everyone from Eric Clapton and Dr. John to David Sanborn and Mulgrew Miller. Alex has recorded almost twenty albums as a leader, his latest being “Ascent to the Blues,” featuring stellar performances from Art Hirahara, Boris Kozlov, Rudy Royston and Diego Rivera.
Vintage Guitar Magazine has called him “one of today’s finest jazz guitarists and composers…” A central figure on the San Francisco jazz scene for decades, Chicago-bred guitarist George Cotsirilos follows up his 2018 release with a solidly swinging collection of new originals on “Refuge.” With the many years spent performing together and backing Cal Tjader, Tommy Flanagan, Art Pepper or Carmen McRae, Cotsirilos and his bandmates pianist Keith Saunders, bassist Robb Fisher and drummer Ron Marabuto share an effortless, sophisticated rapport.
Also this week, master trombonist Steve Davis assembles a remarkable sextet with a three-decade shared history on his latest album, “Bluesthetic,” including vibraphonist Steve Nelson, guitarist Peter Bernstein and bassist Christian McBride;
harmonica ace and composer Hendrik Meurkens pairs up with the brilliant WDR Big Band from Cologne, Germany for a vivid voyage through samba jazz in its many forms on “Samba Jazz Odyssey”;
and drummer Peter Erskine and his trio with pianist Alan Pasqua and bassist Darek Oles are recorded “Live in Italy” on their first tour since the lockdown.