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Clean Up Your Act 12-22-25

A Pulitzer Prize-winning writer is out with a new book that examines the damage humans have done to Iowa’s rural land and waterways.

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New Music Monday for December 22, 2025

Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Guitarist John Scofield and bassist Dave Holland, two of jazz’s contemporary masters, have played together over the years in contexts including projects with Herbie Hancock and Joe Henderson and a spirited co-led band with Joe Lovano and Al Foster. “Memories of Home” is their first duo album together. It was recorded last year after extensive touring activity and features tunes each composed, some old, some new.

Colin Hancock’s Jazz Hounds team with three-time Grammy-nominated vocalist Catherine Russell on “Cat & the Hounds,” reimagining the sound of early 1920’s Black jazz and blues through historical research and contemporary interpretation. Drawing from rare archival recordings and obscure material alongside canonical pieces, the group approaches these century-old traditions not as re-enactment but as restoration, exploring the complex, cosmopolitan roots of Black popular music in the early recording age.

Also this week, the Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective reflects the musical heritage of Puerto Rico mixed with the sophistication of modern jazz on their fourth album, “Cortadito”; Toronto-based pianist Anthony D’Alessandro’s sophomore album “City Lights” was inspired by the many cities his music has brought him to; and “Speaking of Gravity” melds modern jazz styles, forms and aesthetics to create an aural representation of pianist Andrew Carroll’s compositions.

This Week’s Shows December 22 thru December 28

Jazz Corner of the World (Encore)

Mondays at 6:00pm

John Coltrane’s Prestige Classics

Craig presents a variety of beautiful jazz gems from the 40 Prestige sessions featuring multi award winning saxophonist, bandleader, and composer, John Coltrane, who continues to be among the most influential and acclaimed figures in jazz, and in all of 20th century music! His Prestige work contains primarily straightforward melodies, and lovely ballads from the “Great American Songbook.”

KCCK’s Christmas Channel (December 24)

Beginning at 10:00am

KCCK provides the perfect soundtrack for your Christmas Eve. Tune in to 88.3 beginning at 10:00am for our stream of the coolest holiday jazz and blues, all commercial-free. Or listen on KCCK’s mobile app, or at kcckjazz2.org through Christmas Day. Merry Christmas from the elves at 88.3!

Jazz Corner of the World

Saturdays at 12:00 noon

Eric Dolphy on Prestige

Craig presents a variety of impressive and unique modern jazz gems from the 18 Prestige sessions featuring the award-winning clarinetist, alto saxophonist, flautist, bandleader, and composer Eric Dolphy, who continues to receive tributes from around the world. He’ll always remain an important inspiration in jazz, and in all musical genres!

KCCK’s Midnight CD (December 22 – December 28)

Every Night at Midnight

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

Carmen Sings Carmen: Echoes of Carmen McRae by Carmen Bradford on Monday; Let’s Not Wait: The Music of Ed Bonoff by Greg Burrows on Tuesday; no Midnight CD Wednesday for special Christmas programming; Alternate Route by Kerry Politzer on Thursday; Seven Deadly Sins by Reckless & Blue on Friday; Hammer & Chisel by the Altered Five Blues Band on Saturday; Detour by Boz Scaggs on Sunday.

This Week In Jazz December 21 thru December 27

Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of songwriter Harry Warren, singer/bandleader Cab Calloway, trumpeter/singer Chet Baker, composer/pianist Steve Allen, saxman Frank Morgan, bassists Monty Budwig and John Patitucci, pianist Ray Bryant, trumpeter Woody Shaw, guitarist John Scofield and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Parker/Powell/Roach/Davis/Stitt et al. – Carnegie Hall X-Mas ’49 (1949), Melba Liston & Her ‘Bones (1958), Miles Davis’ “Cookin’ at the Plugged Nickel” (1965), Paul Desmond with the Modern Jazz Quartet (1971), David Newman’s “Fire!” (1988), Lee Konitz, Brad Mehldau & Charlie Haden’s “Alone Together” (1997), Stan Hope’s “Put on a Happy Face” (2004) and many others, Mondays thru Fridays and at noon on JAZZ MASTERS on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.

Culture Crawl 1158 “Going to the Stupid”

The holiday festivities continue with Crooked Path Theatre’s 10th anniversary Holiday Cabaret. Patrick DuLaney and Vicky Shellady are in the studio ahead of this salty-to-your-sweet holiday production. It’s “A Chris-mas Carol” Dec. 18-20, 7:30pm & Dec. 21, 2pm at The James Theater in Iowa City.

For tickets visit thejamesic.com.

For more Crooked Path info visit crookedpaththeatre.com.

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.

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Talking Pictures 12-17-25

“Zootopia 2” (2025 Family/Comedy) and “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” (2025 Comedy/Drama) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Denny Lynch.

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Culture Crawl 1157 “Build It Yourself”

This year’s Orchestra Iowa Holiday Spectacular features the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra with special guest, Lynne Rothrock. In the studio with the details is Tim Hankewich and IWJO’s Toni Lefebvre. It’s Orchestra Iowa’s “Holiday Spectacular,” coming up Sat, Dec. 20, 7:30pm & Sun, Dec. 21, 2pm at Paramount Theatre.

Tickets and more info at orchestraiowa.org & artsiowa.com.

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KCCK and Career Pathways

KCCK General Manager Dennis Green has been presenting to 6th and 7th graders about KCCK and the career of radio, as a part of Career Pathways with the Workplace Learning Connection. As a group activity, students recorded the audio to a TV commercial. Page down to hear and see the work of students from Mt. Vernon or watch on the KCCK YouTube Channel.

Thanks to Summer of the Arts for allowing us to use their video for the project!