For several years now, a group of writers have been meeting at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids on a collection of memoirs. “Kaleidoscope” has just been released. It is a collection of seventeen pieces, that range from the late Carol Wohlleben’s story of how she founded Kirkwood’s Culinary Arts program (completed and edited by her friend and co-worker Mary Rhiner), to Sally Stejskal’s memories of her youth in Cedar Rapids.
The book is available at the Museum Store and at Amazon.com.
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Though she originally studied and performed in the classical field, the past few years have found bass trombonist Jennifer Wharton in many more diverse situations, especially in the world of jazz. She is a regular in the Broadway pit orchestras of New York City and is also a regular in two of the best large ensembles in jazz, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society and the Alan Ferber Big Band. Playing in these ensembles, Wharton discovered how brilliantly her favorite composers could write for bass trombone. These developments led to her decision to create a project, “Bonegasm,” that would commission composers to write and arrange music for the often-overlooked trombone. It’s the first ensemble that she had ever led and includes fellow trombonists John Fedchock, Nate Mayland and Mr. Ferber.
Pianist/composer Carlos Franzetti has made a career of approaching jazz from his own perspective, creatively adding music elements from his Argentine heritage, most notably tango, and classical music for his own unique sound. His interest and work in scoring films has also led to a cinematic quality in his work overall. Franzetti’s new recording, “Ricordare,” takes all of these elements, namely his original compositions, film music and jazz standards, and throws them together with the aid of a new trio. The music made with bassist David Finck and drummer Eliot Zigmund is fresh and inspired, and marks the first time the trio has played together.
