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Culture Crawl 354 “Why? Was Phil Collins Sick?”

Singer and composer Randy Newman has had one of the music industry’s most varied careers. Baby Boomers know him as the composer of Three Dog Night’s “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” and of course, the novelty hit, “Short People.” Millennials first heard him in the Toy Story movies. Singer Lynne Rothrock teams up with pianist and arranger Steve Shanley for “Sail Way: The Music of Randy Newman,” June 15 & 16 at the Opus Concert Café in Cedar Rapids.

Lynne, Steve, and Dennis all have unique memories of Randy Newman’s music, some of which will surprise you.

Tickets and information at www.artsiowa.com.

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Culture Crawl 353 “Why We Got Into The Biz”

A colleague once told Orchestra Iowa’s Tim Hankewich, “If I had a nickel every time I heard Mahler 3, I’d have 10 cents.”

Mahler’s 3rd Symphony is a piece that requires total concentration and expertise from every musician on the stage, and as such, may only come around once in a career. Nearly 100 artists, including orchestra and two choruses will fill the Paramount stage June 2 at the Paramount Theatre for a season finale that will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience.

Tickets and information at www.orchestraiowa.org.

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Talking Pictures 5-30-18

Solo: A Star Wars Story with Hollis Monroe, Denny Lynch and Phil Brown.

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Special Programs for the Week of May 28 – June 2

Short List with host Bob Naujoks

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

Corridor Shortlist: Rod Pierson

Rod Pierson leads the occasional big band with vocalist Craig Boche. Together they cover the jazz-based hits of the near past as well as classic big band material. His resume includes stints with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Woody Herman Thundering Herd.

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler

Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

A Collection of Miles Davis Tribute Recordings

Since the passing of Miles Davis, there have been many recordings made by a number of great jazz artists who pay tribute to the legacy and continued inspiration of Miles Davis – arguably one of the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of 20th century music. Craig presents some of the highlights of these terrific recordings. It’s a great way to celebrate Miles’s May 26th birthday!

Jazz Profiles with host Nancy Wilson

Monday at 11:00 PM

James Moody: In The Mood

He was a virtuoso musician, known for his work on multiple saxophones and flute. He was also a man who radiated love: When you met him, he’d hold you tight and kiss you on both cheeks, as if you were old friends. In a career that extended more than 60 years, James Moody developed a personal sound that reflects that warm personality: romantic, witty and earthy.

Wednesday Night Special

6:00 PM

Bob Dorr and the Blue Band at the 2006 Iowa City Jazz Festival

As we gear up for the 2018 Iowa City Jazz Festival, we look back at some of the memorable performances from past years. This week’s feature is legendary Bob Dorr and the Blue Band. This rotating ensemble of the best Iowa musicians has opened for Robert Cray, B.B. King, and Koko Taylor. Dorr himself was recently honored by the Iowa legislature for his contribution to Iowa music. The Blue Band played to a pumped up crowd in 2006. Hear their set again on the Wednesday Night Special.

First Friday Jazz at the Opus Concert CaféThe First Friday of Every Month at 5:00 PM Iowa’s Jazz Station and Orchestra Iowa bring you First Friday Jazz with Christopher’s Very Happy Band, led by UNI’s Chris Merz. Join KCCK for jazz at 5 pm on the first Friday of every month at the Opus Concert Café in downtown Cedar Rapids. The first set is broadcast live on KCCK.

Jazz Night in America with host Christian McBride

Thursday at 11:00 PM

Harold Mabern Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center

Harold Mabern has never had any hang-ups about being the center of attention. “I get joy out of being an accompanist,” the pianist affirms, likening himself to an offensive lineman on a football team. “When you can do something to make the soloist happy and proud,” he says plainly, “you’ve done your job.” Small wonder that Mabern, who recently turned 82, has been one of jazz’s stalwart accompanists over the last 60 years. We’ll explore some of that history, and we’ll also point the spotlight squarely on Mabern as a composer and bandleader.

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler

Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM and Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Prestige Records in 1968 – Part One

Craig travels back 50 years to look in on the recording activities at Bob Weinstock’s Prestige Records during the year 1968. We’ll hear classic “modern jazz” fare from the likes of Pat Martino, Sonny Criss, Don Patterson, Harold Mabern, Willis Jackson, Barry Harris, and many others. Prepare yourself for a healthy, heaping helping of “Soul Jazz”!

KCCK’s Midnight CD

The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:

http://www.kcck.org/midnight-cd/

New Music Monday for May 28, 2018

Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.

McClenty Hunter Jr.’s groove has been a big part of the New York scene for the last ten years. He began his career in Maryland playing gospel, attended Howard University studying under Grady Tate, and went on to earn his Masters at Juilliard under Carl Allen. McClenty was a member of Kenny Garrett’s Grammy-nominated quintet for three years, while performing with Lou Donaldson, Eric Reed, Curtis Fuller, and Javon Jackson, among many others. Guitarist Dave Stryker, with whom Hunter has worked for eight years, says, “…no matter what the groove, Mac has always made it feel good, and he’s been rock solid…he’s one of the best drummers on the scene.” With “The Groove Hunter,” McClenty emerges as a leader of his own date, featuring a heavy cast with includes Eddie Henderson, Donald Harrison, Eric Reed, Christian Sands and Mr. Stryker.

One of the preeminent performers in Chicago jazz, saxophonist Shawn Maxwell, has released several recordings featuring his quartet or his sonically expanded dectet, Alliance. With his New Tomorrow group, he augments his working quartet with the singular trumpet voices of three of Chicago’s finest—Victor Garcia, Chad McCullough and Corey Wilkes—and the inspired and often dazzling vocalist, Dee Alexander, for a set of ten modern, electric originals on “Music in My Mind.” Focusing on composition as much as improvisation, the quintets reveal stunning melodies hidden with complex time signatures, textures and grooves.

Also this week, flutist Andrea Brachfeld, who boasts what the late New York Times critic John S. Wilson described as a “vigorously dark, gutty quality” unveils her latest work with longtime collaborator Bill O’Connell, “If Not Now, When?

Pianist/composer Kait Dunton’s trioKAIT brings their collective conscience to the cosmos on “trioKAIT 2,” adding vintage keyboards and effects to expand their eclectic palette.

The Maguire Twins, featuring drummer Carl Maguire and bassist Alan Maguire, join up with Memphis legend Donald Brown for their second release, “Seeking Higher Ground.”

First Friday Jazz June 1

Christopher’s Very Happy.Band will perform at First Friday Jazz at the Opus Concert Cafe Friday, June 1, at 5 p.m. The first set will be broadcast live on KCCK. The First Friday Jazz Series features an eclectic mix of jazz, Latin, contemporary music and more in an intimate, upscale environment. For a $12 cover, enjoy live music and drink specials at the Opus Concert Café bar the first Friday of every month. Purchase tickets.

IC Jazz Fest Memorial Day Broadcast!

KCCK starts the run up to the 2018 Iowa City Jazz Festival by reliving last year’s Fest on Memorial Day. Listen all day Monday for memorable performances from Jeff Coffin, The Cookers, Laura Caviani, and many more, plus our exclusive backstage conversations with all the headliners.

Here’s the schedule (times are approximate):

6:00am – Rhythm Future Quartet

7:20am – Laura Caviani