Shannon Ramsay is stepping down as CEO of Trees Forever but will still be involved with the organization.
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New Music Monday for October 26, 2020
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
A true keeper of the flame, tenor saxophonist and former Jazz Messenger Javon Jackson continues to champion the tradition with his spirited interpretations of some well-known standards on “Déjà Vu.” Recorded during an incredibly productive stretch in 2017, it stands as a sequel of sorts to 2018’s acclaimed “For You.” Fronting the same band of pianist Jeremy Manasia, drummer McClenty Hunter and bassist David Williams, Jackson delivers in the same self-assured manner that has marked his playing with icons like Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Cedar Walton, Charlie Haden and Elvin Jones. Jackson and his accomplished crew deliver fresh takes on tunes by Wayne Shorter, Cedar Walton, Thelonious Monk and Jimmy Heath along with several standards.
Isaiah J. Thompson is a jazz pianist, bandleader and composer from West Orange, New Jersey, who was admitted to The Julliard School at the age of 18 and earned his Masters in Music there earlier this year. He’s performed with major artists including Christian McBride, John Pizzarelli, Steve Turre, Joe Farnsworth and Buster Williams. His recording debut came with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and their disc, “Handful of Keys.” For his debut CD as a leader, Thompson offers up magnificent new arrangements of some of the best known compositions of vibraphonist and pianist Buddy Montgomery on “Isaiah J. Thompson Plays the Music of Buddy Montgomery.”
Also this week, Cuban-born guitarist Jorge Garcia creates jazz arrangements of classic rock tunes from the Beatles, ELP, Jimi Hendrix, the Moody Blues and others on “Crossover”;
saxophonist Doug Webb features a program of originals and a few familiar melodies on “Apples & Oranges,” with organist Brian Charette and drummer Andy Sanesi;
and the Uptown Jazz Tentet, co-led by trumpeter Brandon Lee and trombonists Willie Applewhite and James Burton III, unveil their second release, “What’s Next.”
Culture Crawl 597 “Makes the Flood Look Simple”
Hancher Auditorium has scored the world premiere of the brand-new Wynton Marsalis suite “The Sound of Democracy,” streaming at 7:30pm on October 27. Just $20 for the whole household.
Hancher Executive Director Chuck Swanson also talks about how the facility is being used while performances are paused during the pandemic, and also how the staff is planning to deal with upcoming funding funding cuts from the UI.
Reserve your virtual seat for the Wynton Marsalis Septet at www.hancher.uiowa.edu.
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Culture Crawl 596 “Endless Planes”
The current exhibit at Gilded Pear Gallery is “Endless Planes,” a two-person exhibition of new works by Julia Kottal of cedar Rapids and David Kupferman from Fairfield. Lauren Tucci reminds us that the gallery is open for private or small-group viewings, and you can also view the works at www.gildedpeargallery.com.
Watch the Gilded Pear website for details on an upcoming artists’ discussion online, too!
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Talking Pictures 10-21-20
Tremors: Shrieker Island (2020) and Judy (2019) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Scott Chrisman.
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Clean Up Your Act 11-16-20
Enforcement of the Clean Water Act is lagging in some Midwestern states.
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Special Programs for October 19 thru October 25
Short List with host Bob Naujoks
Monday – Friday at 8:35 AM and Saturdays at 7 AM
Licorice Stick 2: Frank Teschemacher
Frank Teschemacher’s intense solo stylings laid the groundwork for a rich sound and creative approach during the early days of jazz. Influenced by the energy of Bix Beiderbeck, Teschemacher himself was a major influence on Benny Goodman and Pee Wee Russell.
Jazz Corner of the World with Host Craig Kessler
Mondays at 6:00 PM
Herbie Hancock’s “Mwandishi” Years, Part 4
In this fourth and final presentation of Herbie’s music from 1969 to 1973, we’ll hear more stunning material that features Bennie Maupin, Eddie Henderson, Julian Priester, Buster Williams, Patrick Gleeson, and Billy Hart. This is some of the most overlooked and underrated music of the latter half of the 20th century.
The Wednesday Night Special
Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
Fareed Haque at Kirkwood 2008
Guitarist Fareed Haque has worked with such notables as Sting, Joe Henderson, and Cassandra Wilson. In 2008, the founder of Garaj Mahal took Kirkwood’s Ballantyne Auditorium stage with the Kirkwood Jazz Ensemble, for a spirited and innovative set.
Jazz Night In America with Host Christian McBride
Thursdays at 11:00 PM
Camille Thurman: “The Horn is a Voice”
Saxophonist and vocalist CamilleThurman grew up minutes from the former homes of jazz royalty like Count Basie and Fats Waller. On this episode of Jazz Night, we explore the neighborhood and hear music from Camille’s band, plus her work with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
Jazz Corner of the World with Host Craig Kessler
Saturdays at 12:00 Noon
Steve Grossman Tribute, Part 2: the Miles Davis Years
Craig spins more music from recently departed saxophonist Steve Grossman. Following the departure of Wayne Shorter (who left to form Weather Report), 18-year-old Grossman played with Miles Davis from late3 1969 to 1971. Some righteous sax work (mostly on soprano) from a remarkable player!
KCCK’s Midnight CD
Every Night at Midnight
Each night, KCCK gives you the chance to hear a new CD played start-to-finish.
The Path by Chien Chien Lu on Monday; El Duelo by Diego Urcola Quartet featuring Paquito D’Rivera on Tuesday; Spirit Science by Tom Guarna on Wednesday; Jazz Dance Suites by Charles McPherson on Thursday; Palmetto & Pine by Ray Cashman on Friday; Uncivil War by Shemekia Copeland on Saturday; When Lights Are Low by Kenny Kotwitz & the LA Jazz Quintet on Sunday
This Week In Jazz October 18 thru October 24
Hey, Jazz fans!!! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of vocalists Anita O’Day, Bobby Troup, Dianne Reeves and Esperanza Spalding, trumpeter/composer/bandleader Dizzy Gillespie, flutist Ali Ryerson, bassist Hans Glawischnig and more!!! We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of “Stan Getz & J.J. Johnson at the Opera House” (1957), “Sonny Rollins & the Contemporary Leaders” (1958), Sonny Criss’ “This Is Criss” (1966), Ron Carter’s “All Blues” (1973), The Ray Brown Trio “Live at Scullers” (1996), Mose Allison’s “American Legend: Live in California” (2006) and many others throughout the week and Mondays thru Fridays at noon on our ‘JAZZ MASTERS’ program on Jazz 88.3 KCCK!!!