Special Programs for the Week of May 14 – May 19

Short List with host Bob Naujoks    

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

Corridor Shortlist: Carlis Faurot

Violinist Carlis Faurot began playing at age three. By 16, he was gigging in coffeehouses. He moved to Cedar Rapids as a young man, and struck up a friendship with guitarist Mike Maas. The two of them have been making jazz, blues, and all kinds of music ever since. Hear the Short List this week to learn about this versatile musician. Tune in weekday mornings at 8:35 and Saturday morning at 7:00. Or log on with our free mobile app.

 

 

 

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler

Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Blue Note Records in 1958 – Part Two     

Craig continues his look back 60 years with another visit to Alfred Lion’s BLUE NOTE RECORDS in 1958.  This second of two shows covers the last half of 1958.  We’ll hear classic Blue Note releases from the likes of Jimmy Smith, Bud Powell, Lou Donaldson, Dizzy Reece, Donald Byrd, and others.  Don’t miss this one!

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Profiles with host Nancy Wilson    

Monday at 11:00 PM 

Jackie McLean: Jackie’s Bag

In five decades of jazz, Jackie McLean lived the quintessential jazz survivor’s life. A veteran of bebop, he emerged from the shadow of Charlie Parker and drugs to make a music bristling with passion and a Hemingway-esque direction. McLean debuted on Miles Davis’ 1951 album Dig!, and also led his own groups. These raw edged, taut units included Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams, Billy Higgens, Donald Byrd, Lee Morgan, Roy Haynes, and others.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Night Special

6:00 PM   

The United States Air Force Band “Airmen of Note” with Peter Erskine

KCCK celebrates our armed forces again this week with a concert by the United States Air Force Band. This week, veteran drummer Peter Erskine takes the stage as special guest. Erskine has been a member of Steps Ahead and Weather Report, and has played alongside a who’s-who of legendary artists. He joins the “Airmen of Note” for a celebration of their Jazz Heritage Series.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Night in America with host Christian McBride

Thursday at 11:00 PM

The (New) Bad Plus: The Band That Never Stops   

It isn’t typically news when a jazz group makes a change in personnel. But The Bad Plus isn’t a typical jazz group, and its announcement, this time last year, landed like a bombshell. In short: Ethan Iverson, the band’s pianist, would be leaving to pursue his own projects. Orrin Evans, an esteemed peer, would be stepping in. For a group that has always stood for musical collectivism — and never accepted any substitutions — this was a shakeup of existential proportions. Jazz Night in America kept up with The Bad Plus as it made this momentous transition.

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler

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

Freddie Hubbard’s Blue Note Years      

Craig takes another look at trumpet master Freddie Hubbard, this time through his Blue Note releases. We’ll hear records that feature Freddie as a leader, as well as many side-man appearances with artists like Art Blakey, Eric Dolphy, Kenny Drew, Dexter Gordon, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and others!

 

 

 

 

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 14, 2018

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

Eight years after becoming an NEA Jazz Master, with critics declaring him one of the top jazz pianists in the world, Kenny Barron is still striving to reach new creative heights as he continues to record and tour with many different instrumental configurations. This year, the esteemed bandleader, composer and educator will celebrate his 75th birthday and mark the 50th year of a remarkable recording career that shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, this year will be punctuated with yet another milestone: the release of his Blue Note Records debut, “Concentric Circles.” The sublime set features eight new originals and finds the 11-time Grammy nominee introducing a new edition of his quintet with saxophonist Dayna Stephens, trumpeter Mike Rodriguez, bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa, and drummer Johnathan Blake.

 

 

     Inspired by the experience of adding a string quartet to his trio for several compositions for his “Altered Narrative” recording, pianist Danny Green devoted himself to creating a body of work for his expanded ensemble. With a vivid blend of jazz, classical, and Brazilian elements in his composing already, the added textural possibilities allow Green to further explore orchestration and the blurring of genre and musical influence for surprising and satisfying results on his new CD, “One Day It Will.” WNPR says “Green’s eloquent eclecticism—a gift that includes writing everything from celebratory blues to meditative reflections to composing for a string quartet–illuminates his sparkling new release.”

 

 

Also this week, pianist Benito Gonzalez, drummer Gerry Gibbs and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet tackle the music of McCoy Tyner on “Passion Reverence Transcendence”.

 

 

 

 

 

Pianist Bill O’Connell gathers up friends like Randy Brecker, Craig Handy, Conrad Herwig and Andrea Brachfeld for “Jazz Latin”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trumpeter Eddie Henderson includes Kenny Barron and alto saxophonist Donald Harrison in his quintet for “Be Cool.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Culture Crawl 348 “Not Dead Yet”

The History Center presents the latest in its “Famous Last Words” series, a roast that takes the form of the eulogy at a mock funeral of the roast-ee.

On June 2, Dale Todd, Cedar Rapids City Council member and Linn County’s best-known Springsteen is the subject. History Center director Jason Wright promises a hilarious night, with dinner, drinks, and even an “After-Life Party,” hosted by St. Peter himself!\

Tickets and information at www.historycenter.org.

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Culture Crawl 347 “No Lawn Chairs on the Tower Crane”

Construction in the Ped Mall this summer has forced the Friday Night Concert Series to move to Iowa Avenue, so don’t be alarmed if you are heading to your traditional spot, and there’s a giant earth-moving vehicle in the way. As usual, the series begins with a twin bill featuring the City and West High Jazz bands, with music most Fridays beginning at 6:30
 
Next up for Summer of the Arts is the Iowa Arts Festival, June 1-3. Executive Director Lisa Barnes says construction effects on that festival will be minimal. Joan Osborne and Trampled By Turtles highlight the main stage shows, with dozens of other musicians and over 115 juried artists offering their work for sale.
 
Admission is free. www.summerofthearts.org for more information.

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Talking Pictures 5-9-18

Tully and Bad Samaritan with Hollis Monroe, Denny Lynch and Phil Brown.

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Special Programs for the Week of May 7 – May 12

Short List with host Bob Naujoks    

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

Corridor Shortlist: Chris Merz

The Short List this week spotlights Chris Merz, director of the University of Northern Iowa Jazz Program. Merz is also a gifted saxophonist, composer, and arranger. He has a dozen albums under his own name and with the UNI Jazz Band One. His Christopher’s Very Happy Band performs regularly in the Corridor. Hear Chris Merz each morning at 8:35 and Saturday morning at 7:00 on Jazz 88.3 KCCK, or on demand from kcck.org.

 

 

 

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler

Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Tributes to Cecil Taylor and Buell Neidlinger     

Craig salutes two major jazz masters who have recently left us … pianist and ‘free jazz’ pioneer Cecil Taylor, and bassist and cellist Buell Neidlinger.  Craig will present a tasteful program that will feature both artists together (as part of Cecil’s groups), and individually.  We’ll also hear Buell in other groups, such as with Steve Lacy, Jimmy Giuffre, Jean-Luc Ponty, and others.  Tune in for landmark music from two very important artists of the highest level!

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Profiles with host Nancy Wilson    

Monday at 11:00 PM 

Harry “Sweets” Edison – Simplicity in Swing

Swinging and singing — both describe the unmistakable sound of Harry “Sweets” Edison, one of the most important stylists in the history of jazz trumpet. Sweets plays with a simplicity born of sophisticated artistry. It propelled him to the Count Basie Band, which he joined in 1937, thereafter becoming one of its most frequently featured soloists. This program, produced just before his death, celebrates Edison’s spare style that blends subtle humor, impeccable timing, and the sweetly muted tone that gave him his nickname.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Night Special

6:00 PM   

The United States Air Force Band “Airmen of Note” with Nnenna Freelon

KCCK celebrates our armed forces this May with special concerts by the United States Air Force Band. This week, vocalist and 6-time Grammy-winning composer and arranger Nnenna Freelon joins the Airmen of Note as part of their Jazz Heritage Series.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Night in America with host Christian McBride

Thursday at 11:00 PM

The 2018 NEA Jazz Master Listening Party   

From Washington, DC, pianist and Artistic Director for Jazz for the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Jason Moran, hosts the 2018 Jazz Masters for a listening party at NPR’s Studio One. The featured artists hand-picked their playlist as representing their best work.

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler

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

Blue Note Records in 1958 – Part Two     

Craig continues his look back 60 years with another visit to Alfred Lion’s BLUE NOTE RECORDS in 1958.  This second of two shows covers the last half of 1958.  We’ll hear classic Blue Note releases from the likes of Jimmy Smith, Bud Powell, Lou Donaldson, Dizzy Reece, Donald Byrd, and others.  Don’t miss this one!

 

 

 

 

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 7, 2018

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

As a young man growing up in Louisville in the 1970s, Don Braden discovered the music of both Earth Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder, and it immediately captured his heart, mind and soul. The esteemed saxophonist explains that “the messages within their music—built around core themes such as strength, love and joy–are imbued with African-American spirit, and yet embody a wide variety of human emotions and experience. They are delivered with power, artistry and elegance via memorable and singable melodies, rich harmonies, compelling lyrics, infectious grooves, outstanding arrangements and superb performances.” Don’s new CD, “Earth Wind and Wonder,” explores the wide-ranging catalog of Wonder and EWF.

 

 

     “The Junction, the Manhattan Transfer’s first album in nearly a decade, brings the group’s trademark seamless four-part harmony for the next phase of the 10-time Grammy winning vocal quartet’s storied career. One of the co-writers on the disc is the group’s new member, bass vocalist Trist Curliss. He began subbing on the road for the late band founder Tim Hauser in 2013, officially joining after Hauser’s passing in late 2014. The album, dedicated to the memory of Hauser, was produced by another master vocalist, five-time Grammy winner Mervyn Warren, a renowned film composer, arranger, producer, and one of the founders of gospel/R&B a capella legends Take 6. The songs that the Manhattan Transfer chose to record with cool new twists, and Warren’s sparkling vocal arrangements, perfectly reflect the band’s forward thinking aesthetic.

 

Also this week, the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, led by bassist Chris Brubeck and drummer Dan Brubeck, celebrate the 60th anniversary of Dave Brubeck’s seminal State Department tour as an official jazz ambassador for the United States with fresh takes on their father’s classic tunes on “Timeline”.

 

 

Saxophonist Jim Snidero and trumpeter Jeremy Pelt celebrate the 90th anniversary of the birth of Cannonball Adderly with explorations of his music on “Jubilation”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trombonist Nick Finzer explores the mysteries of unexpected destinations with his new album, “No Arrival.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clean Up Your Act 5-23-18

Solar attracted more investment in 2017 than any other source of energy.

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