Vocalist Lynne Rothrock hosts the first public event since March 2020 in the Opus Concert Cafe, when she debuts a brand new show, “American Songbook” Aug. 20 and 21.
The program will run the gamut, with standards from Gershwin and Cole Porter, but also more recent classics from Carole King, Jimmy Webb, and Iowa native Susan Werner.
Tickets at www.artsiowa.com.
Podcast (culturecrawl): Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Fear Street: Part One – 1994 (2021), Nurse Ratched (Netflix) and The Good Soldier Schwejk (1956) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Ron Adkins.
Podcast (talkingpics): Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Hey, Jazz fans, be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of pianists Mal Waldron, Carl Perkins and Bill Evans, singer Mary Stallings, saxman Ray Blue, bassist John Clayton and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of “The Essential Jo Jones” (1955), Dave Brubeck Quartet’s “Time Out” (1959), Herbie Mann’s “Memphis Underground” (1969), Joe Henderson’s “Relaxin’ at Camarillo” (1979), Ernestine Anderson “Live at the 1990 Concord and many Jazz Festival” (1990) others Mondays thru Fridays at noon on JAZZ MASTERS ‘program on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.
Jazz Corner of the World Encore
Mondays at 6:00 PM
Tribute to Ira “John” Rapson 2/4/53 to 7/21/21
Host Craig Kessler salutes the life and legacy of the recently departed John Rapson of the University of Iowa’s jazz department. Craig presents a variety of recordings that John was associated with, either as leader, composer, arranger, or as musician (trombone in the earlier days, piano in more recent times). In addition, we’ll hear some of John’s favorite jazz recordings from Duke Ellington, Carla Bley, Zakir Hussain, Jon Balke, Lee Morgan, and others. Join me in paying joyful tribute to this “giant of a gentleman.” He will be deeply missed!
The Wednesday Night Special
Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
The Young Artists Series
2019’s Jazz Under the Stars audiences got double the entertainment, as KCCK debuted its Young Artist Series. Three groups, made up of students from area high schools, took the stage 30 minutes prior to the main concerts. Musicians from Cedar Rapids Washington, Marion, City High, West High, and Cedar Falls got the Noelridge Park crowd swinging early, and showcased the incredible talent in our area schools.
Jazz Night in America with host Christian McBride
Thursdays at 11:00 PM
“Crate Digging” With Joe Zawinul
Host Christian McBride takes us “crate digging” through the archives for a 2006 set of fusion favorites from the Joe Zawinul Syndicate. Plus, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Weather Report, McBride chats with some of the legendary band’s alumni, including co-founder Wayne Shorter.
Jazz Corner of the World 
Saturdays at 12:00 Noon
Tribute to Chick Corea, Show 8
Host Craig Kessler continues his chronological look at Chick Corea’s stellar career. This episode begins with material from late 1984 and goes well into the 1990s. We’ll hear a bit more ECM material, as well as from Chick’s Elektric Band and his Akoustic Band, absolutely top-notch masterful jazz from the GRP and Stretch labels.
KCCK’s Midnight CD
Every Night at Midnight
Each night, KCCK gives you the chance to hear a new CD played start-to-finish.
Five Down Blues by the Kyle Asche Organ Trio on Monday; Mike Drop by Mike Clark & Michael Zilber on Tuesday; Open Sky by Art Hirahara on Wednesday; Take Me Out to the Ball Game by the Tom Kubis Big Band on Thursday; Holler If You Hear Me by the Altered Five Blues Band on Friday; Love On the Rocks by Lauren Anderson on Saturday; The Art of Conversation by Leo Sidran on Sunday
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Antonio Carlos Jobim has been one of the brightest, most influential stars in the jazz firmament since winning multiple Grammy Awards for the 1965 release of “Getz/Gilberto.’ His music has been enjoyed by millions of people around the world and recorded countless times by musicians across many different genres. His songs are so ubiquitous that it is very difficult to find a fresh approach to his music. It takes an artist of the caliber of Antonio Adolfo to layer Jobim’s music with a new sensibility and truly transform it into a personal statement. On “Jobim Forever,” the pianist imbues nine of Jobim’s iconic tunes from the 1960s with his own unique artistry.
“Sophisticated Lady” is the eagerly-awaited new album by New York City staple Hilary Kole. The celebrated lady of song launched her performing career as the youngest singer ever to grace the stage at NYC’s legendary Rainbow Room. For a year-and-a-half, Kole performed six nights a week at the storied venue, cutting her teeth as a working musician alongside a slew of great players. Adorned by her soulful vocal sensibilities and a stellar band, the latest release is a collection of mature, nuanced renditions of eleven archetypal songs from the jazz idiom.
Also this week, guitarist Andre Ferreri gets back to the traditional jazz and swing that shifted his sensibilities early on from ‘70s classic rock to modern and traditional jazz on “Numero Uno”;
Minneapolis-based Jenny Klukken releases her debut album, “Color in Motion,” featuring her virtuosity on the marimba and her creative compositional skills;
and trombonists Wayne Coniglio and Scott Whitfield pay homage to the ‘bone legends of the past on “Faster Friends.”
Iowa leads the nation in the percentage of its electricity that comes from renewable sources.
Podcast (cuya): Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Pig (2021) and The Suicide Squad (2021) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Monica Schmidt.
Podcast (talkingpics): Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Jazz Corner of the World with Host Craig Kessler
Mondays at 6:00 PM
Strata East Records, Show 3
Craig hauls into our KCCK studios another batch of overlooked recordings (mostly vinyl!!) from the Strata East label. We’ll hear a delicious array of wonderful music from a broad spectrum of Black artists from the 1970s, in a variety of jazz styles! Hear Clifford Jordan, Charles Tolliver, Max Roach & M’boom, JuJu, Stanley Cowell, and others (and, of course, no repeats from previous shows). Important music from a very important record label!!
The Wednesday Night Special
Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
2021 All-State Concerts
The annual All-State concerts are the pinnacle of achievement for student jazz musicians from across the state of Iowa. Every spring, high school musicians – from 1A to 4A schools – audition for a coveted spot on the All-State ensemble. Then in June, they gather for a one-day clinic and rehearsal, culminating in a grand concert. KCCK’s Dennis Green emceed this year’s series of shows.
Jazz Night in America with host Christian McBride
Thursdays at 11:00 PM
Jazz On Your Doorstep
Host Christian McBride travels to Portland, Oregon’s Montavilla Jazz Festival for a hot set from trumpeter Charlie Porter. We’ll also hear how a singing drag queen inspired Portland-based non-profit Montavilla Jazz to help bring jazz music to peoples’ doorsteps.
Jazz Corner of the World with Host Craig Kessler
Saturdays at 12:00 Noon
Tribute to Ira “John” Rapson 2/4/53 to 7/21/21
Craig salutes the life and legacy of the recently departed John Rapson of the University of Iowa’s jazz department. Craig presents a variety of recordings that John was associated with, either as leader, composer, arranger, or as musician (trombone in the earlier days, piano in more recent times). In addition, we’ll hear some of John’s favorite jazz recordings from Duke Ellington, Carla Bley, Zakir Hussain, Jon Balke, Lee Morgan, and others. Join me in paying joyful tribute to this “giant of a gentleman.” He will be deeply missed!
KCCK’s Midnight CD
Every Night at Midnight
Each night, KCCK gives you the chance to hear a new CD played start-to-finish.
Frankenstein by Wayne Alpern on Monday; Make Your Move by Ray Gallon on Tuesday; Dedications by Dave Flippo on Wednesday; The Magic of Now by Orrin Evans on Thursday; GA-20 Does Hounddog Taylor by GA-20 on Friday; 75 and Alive by Johnny Tucker on Saturday; Music For the Exploration of Elusive Phenomena by Julian Gerstin on Sunday
