Tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of pianists Dave Brubeck, Wynton Kelly, Ronnie Matthews and Amina Figarova, bassists Jay Leonhart, Miroslave Vitous and Harvie Schwartz, singers Lou Rawls and Cassandra Wilson, guitarist Jim Hall and more!!! We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Anita O’Day’s “This Is Anita O’Day” (1955), Gerry Mulligan & the Sax Section’s “The Gerry Mulligan Songbook” (1957), John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps/Coltrane Jazz” (1959), The Art Farmer Quartet feat. Jim Hall’s “Live at the Half Note” (1963), Kenny Burrell’s “Guitar Forms” (1964), Betty Carter’s “Round Midnight” (1969), Jim Hall’s “Panorama: Live at the Village Vanguard” (1996) and many others through and out the week and Mondays thru Fridays at noon on our “JAZZ MASTERS” program on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.

Short List with host Bob Naujoks    

Monday – Friday at 8:35 AM and Saturdays at 7 AM

Basses Loaded: Ray Brown

After taking inspiration from Jimmy Blanton, Ray Brown grew to become a major influence on bass in his own right. He began with the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, then moved on to become the go-to man for countless musicians. His work with Oscar Peterson are some of the standout performances in jazz.

Jazz Corner of the World with Host Craig Kessler

Mondays at 6:00 PM

John Coltrane in 1959    

Craig takes a loving look at ‘Trane’s first recordings away from the Prestige label, beginning with his first session for Atlantic Records (January 15th, 1959), and continues to an Atlantic session that took place December 2nd, 1959.  Here are great examples of the continued development of Coltrane’s stunning sound on the tenor and soprano saxophones!

The Wednesday Night Special

Wednesdays at 6:00 PM

KCCK’s Christmas Channel

Stoke the yule log and pour yourself a mug of hot chocolate! This month, the Wednesday Night Special features KCCK’s Christmas Channel. It’s a commercial-free playlist of the greatest holiday jazz ever recorded. You can also find it all season long at kcck.org/jazz2.

Jazz Night In America with Host Christian McBride

Thursdays at 11:00 PM

Fred Hersch’s “Leaves of Grass”

The “Pianist Poet,” Fred Hersch, converses with host Christian McBride about his landmark album, “Leaves of Grass,” and the impact it has had on the lives of listeners. We’ll hear cuts from “Leaves of Grass.” The album incorporates themes and passages from Walt Whitman’s classic work.

Jazz Corner of the World with Host Craig Kessler

Saturdays at 12:00 Noon

Jazz Scene in 1949, Part 2    

Craig recently looked back at jazz in 1949, and with so many more interesting recordings waiting to be heard, he decided to give you an additional 1949 show with oh-so-many more goodies!  We’ll hear from more of the greats … Art Tatum, Anita O’Day, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Lennie Tristano, and many more! Exciting material, to be sure!

KCCK’s Midnight CD

Every Night at Midnight

Each night, KCCK gives you the chance to hear a new CD played start-to-finish. Tune in at Midnight for: 

Play on Words by Andy Ballantyne on Monday; Vinyl Tap by Spyro Gyra on Tuesday; Baritone Madness by Baritone Madness on Wednesday; Relaxin’ With Nick (Disc 1) by Nicholas Payton Trio on Thursday; Yours Truly, Me … by Alex Lopez on Friday; Heart of Memphis by Michele D’Amour & the Love Dealers on Saturday; Shoulder to Shoulder: Centennial Tribute to Women’s Suffrage by Karrin Allyson on Sunday.