Latest Posts – Page 33 – Jazz 88.3 KCCK

This Week In Jazz March 30 through April 5

Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of singers Alberta Hunter and Doris Day, vibist Red Norvo, trumpeters Booker Little, Al Hirt and Al Naylor, guitarists Freddie Green and Larry Coryell, pianist/composer Duke Jordan, saxophonist Harry Carney, bassist Scott Lafaro, drummer Duduka da Fonseca and more.

We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Miles Davis All-Stars’ “Walkin’” (1954), Bud Powell’s “The Complete Essen Jazz Festival Concert” (1960), Maynard Ferguson’s “Chameleon” (1974), Hank Crawford & Jimmy McGriff’s “On the Blues Side” (1989), Mongo Santamaria’s “Mambo Mongo” (1992), Ernest Dawkins ‘s “Afro Straight” (2012) and many others Mondays thru Fridays at noon on Jazz Masters on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.

This Week’s Shows March 31 thru April 6

Jazz Corner of the World (Encore)

Mondays at 6:00pm

Happy Birthday Tete Montoliu

Craig celebrates the birthday anniversary of pianist Vicenc Montoliu I Massana, aka “Tete” Montoliu, born in Catalonia, Spain in 1933 and with us until August of 1997. Craig plays a number of absolutely wonderful solo and group recordings from this master of the piano.

Wednesday Night Special

Wednesdays at 6:00pm

Student Openers at Jazz Under the Stars

We begin our celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month with some of the fantastic student performers who’ve opened for Jazz Under the Stars. The Sam Ross Quartet, Next Gen Jazz Collective, the Murphy Fisher Quartet, and Ship of Fools all feature talented, up-and-coming young jazz performers who had the chance to show off their chops before the Noelridge Park crowd.

Jazz Night In America

Thursdays at 11:00pm

Justin Tyson’s Heroes

Drummer Justin Tyson – who has lit the scene ablaze with his work alongside Robert Glasper and Esperanza Spalding – shares his top five drum heroes and the tracks that got him hooked. Plus, the seasoned sideman shares tracks and stories from The Paper Doors, his debut record as a leader, filled with trippy symbolism and tales of the mystical.

Jazz Corner of the World

Saturdays from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm

Booker Little Birthday Celebration

Craig notes the birth date anniversary of trumpet genius Booker Little, Jr. This seminal figure in jazz history passed on at the very early age of 23. We’ll hear examples of his brilliant artistry with the likes of Eric Dolphy, Max Roach, John Coltrane, Teddy Charles, and others.

KCCK’s Midnight CD

KCCK features a new album every night, played from start-to-finish.

Naptown Sound by the Steve Allee Big Band on Monday; Sliders by The Bigger Badder Bones on Tuesday; Even Keel by Mason Razavi on Wednesday; Heroes by John Ellis on Thursday; Hold On by Shari Puorto on Friday; Live From Daryl’s House Club by Sean Chambers on Saturday; Riofonic by Mafalda Minnozzi on Sunday.

Big Mo Pod Show 056 – “Creatures Of Habit”

On this week’s tour of Friday night blues John and Noah discuss a mixture of new blues tunes and old Chicago classics and discuss the culture around music along the way! Tune in to learn more! Songs featured in the episode:

Bruce Katz – “Take The Green Line”
GA-20 – “Stranger Blues”
Slim Harpo – “I’m a King Bee”
Jimmy Dawkins – “You Just a Baby Child”
Jimmy Rogers – “Ludella”

Listen to ‘da Friday Blues with Big Mo each week at 6pm, and catch the podcast for a behind the scenes look at the show!

Podcast (bigmopodshow): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | Subscribe to the Big Mo Pod Show

Culture Crawl 1046 “Reel Job”

Scott Chrisman & Eric Freesem are in the studio ahead of the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival coming up April 4-6 at the Collins Road Theatres. There’s something for everyone, so head over to their website (crifm.org) and check out the festival schedule and film synopses.

For tickets and more info visit crifm.org.

Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or search “Culture Crawl” in your favorite podcast player. Listen Live at 10:30am most weekdays on Iowa’s Jazz station. 88.3 FM or kcck.org/listen.

Podcast (culturecrawl): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Culture Crawl 1045 “Docking Station in the Brain”

As the grounds of the Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center begin to come to life, Leslie Schwarting and the staff at Prairiewoods prepare for their 24th annual event, “Spirituality in the 21st Century.” This year’s event, “The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality & Our Quest for an Inspired Life,” will focus on mental health and features renowned researcher & author Lisa Miller, PhD.

The event will be held over two days with multiple sessions to accommodate busy schedules. It’s Monday, May 5, & Tuesday, May 6 at First Lutheran Church (1000 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa) & Online.

Tickets and more info can be found at prairiewoods.org.

Podcast (culturecrawl): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Talking Pictures 3-26-25

“Black Bag” (2025) and “Almos’ a Man” (1976 YouTube) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Ron Adkins.

Podcast (talkingpics): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

This Week In Jazz March 23 through March 29

Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of reedmen Ben Webster, James Moody and Lew Tabackin, bassists Ike Issacs, Larry Gales and Steve LaSpina, singers Sarah Vaughan and Stacy Kent, drummers Paul Motian and Steve Fidyk and more.

We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Duke Ellington’s 1952 Seattle Concert (1952), Miles Davis & John Coltrane’s “The Final Tour: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 6” (1960), Dexter Gordon and Ben Webster’s “Tenor Titans” (1972), Steve Kuhn Trio’s “Life’s Magic” (1986), Karrin Allyson’s “From Paris to Rio” (1999), Kait Dunton’s “trioKAIT Casual” (2016) and many others Mondays through Fridays at noon on Jazz Masters on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.

This Week’s Shows March 24 thru March 30

Jazz Corner of the World (Encore)

Mondays at 6:00pm

Happy 85^th Birthday Lew Tabackin

Craig spins from recording dates led by Lewis Barry “Lew” Tabackin, and from many sideman dates with top-notch jazz artists. We’ll also hear big band releases with his 95-year-old wife, pianist and bandleader, Toshiko Akiyoshi.

Wednesday Night Special

Wednesdays at 6:00pm

The IWJO Sextet at First Friday Jazz

Some of the most sought-after musicians in Iowa form this group-within-a-group of the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra. Jen Tiede, Lynne Hart, Toni LeFebvre, Gail Williams, Vivian Shanley, and Farren Johnson jammed to charts from all styles of jazz, with many of the pieces written or arranged by Lynne Hart.

Jazz Night In America

Thursdays at 11:00pm

Myra Melford’s Creative Sparks

Pianist and composer Myra Melford draws inspiration from literature, architecture, and visual art—finding creative sparks in the works of James Joyce, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Joan Miró. Host Christian McBride explores the many facets of her artistry, from the interplay of Trio M (with bassist Mark Dresser and drummer Matt Wilson) to the expression of her Snowy Egret quintet. We’ll also hear Melford in a Big Band setting, joining forces with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Jazz Corner of the World

Saturdays from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm

Happy Birthday Tete Montoliu

KCCK’s Midnight CD

KCCK features a new album every night, played from start-to-finish.

Brighter Days by Jarod Bufe on Monday; It Takes 3 by Harry Allen, Rossano Sportiello, & Bryan Carter on Tuesday; Positive Energy by the Greg Abate Quartet on Wednesday; Bluegrass by the WDR Big Band on Thursday; Tommy Lee’s Jonesin’ by Tommy Lee Cook Friday; I Love Freddie King by Popa Chubby & Friends on Saturday; Mi Hogar II by Rachel Therrien on Sunday.