Annihilation with Hollis Monroe, Denny Lynch and Phil Brown.
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Culture Crawl 331 “Beyond The Stage”
Theatre Cedar Rapids presents two plays that both deal with Holocaust themes. The well-known play “Diary of Anne Frank” is paired with the Pulitzer-prize winning work “Bent,” which tells the story of a homosexual man in the early days of the Nazi regime.
Along with the plays, the Theatre will present some educational events in their new “Beyond the Stage” initiative.
Tickets and information about the shows and associated events at www.theatrecr.org.
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Culture Crawl 330 “SEQUINS!”
Audio-only listeners to the Culture Crawl will miss Alisabeth Von Presley’s sartorial tribute to 37 years of The Follies—A blindingly-sequined jacket taken from the actual wardrobe stores of the Cedar Rapids performing institution.
Alisabeth, who danced in her first Follies at 13, is now co-directing the show with Damon Cole, as well as choreographing what she says will be a high-energy extravaganza with someone for the whole family.
Follies 2018 “Dancin’ Through Life,” comes to The Paramount for three performances, March 24 & 25. Tickets and information at www.crfollies.com or www.artsiowa.com.
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Denny’s Oscar Picks
“Talking Pictures” host Denny Lynch was on Channel 9 this week, making his Oscars predictions, and showing off some of his collection of movie memorabilia. Click on the photo to hear his picks.
Special Programs: Week of March 5 – March 10
Short List with host Bob Naujoks
Monday – Friday at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
Vocal Short List: Ian Shaw
The Vocal Short List this week features Welsh jazz singer Ian Shaw. He’s been a fixture on the European jazz scene for three decades and his reputation is growing in the United States. Shaw started his show biz career back in the early 1980’s on an “Alternative Cabaret Circuit.” His repertoire includes the Great American Songbook, but also music of the 1960’s and 1970’s. He is especially fond of the songs of Joni Mitchell and Fran Landesman. Listen each weekday morning at 8:35 for the story and music of Ian Shaw on 88.3 KCCK, and with our free mobile app.
Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler
Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Contemporary Records in 1958
Craig journeys back 60 years to look in on the various recording sessions that took place at Lester Koenig’s Contemporary Records label in 1958. We’ll hear wonderful examples of “West Coast”-style jazz from great artists like Hampton Hawes, Shelly Manne, Harold Land, Andre Previn, Sonny Rollins, and others. Don’t miss it!!
Jazz Profiles with host Nancy Wilson
Monday at 11:00 PM
Artie Shaw: The Reluctant Jazz Star
Artie Shaw was one of the most admired instrumentalists of the twentieth century, matching an immaculate technique to a clarinet sound that was indescribably beautiful. His big bands were among the best of the swing era and his small group, known as the Gramercy Five, was trend setting. Shaw will always be remembered as one of the most important musicians of the swing period.
Wednesday Night Special
6:00 PM
Colossus Big Band at the 2015 Iowa City Jazz Festival
The Colossus Big Band brought their hard-hitting mix of swing, funk, Latin, and everything in between to the 2015 Iowa City Jazz Festival. The group’s founder, Miles Hancock, an accomplished composer and arranger, used his passion for jazz and large ensemble repertoire to offer up unique arrangements of classic big band hits, original compositions, and contemporary tunes. They were a crowd favorite. Find out why on the Wednesday Night Special.
Jazz Night in America with host Christian McBride
Thursday at 11:00 PM
On The Road With Lizz Wright
Lizz Wright is well acquainted with the storytelling power of a journey. Her music, rooted in the gospel truths and rustic byways of this country, could be seen as a sustained meditation on movement: not just the flow of bodies in rapturous rhythm, but also the trajectories that mark a life story. For this episode of Jazz Night in America, she takes us on the road via an audio diary in an exploration of her own roots, from Appalachia, to Atlanta, to Southern Georgia. She also digs into some of the songs from her recent album, Grace, in concert at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta.
Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM and Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Woody Shaw, Part Four: The Columbia Years
Craig brings to a close the 4-part series spotlighting the legacy of one of the all-time great jazz trumpet masters, composer, and band leader, Woody Shaw. We’ll hear from his spectacular Columbia releases, and Craig will tie up a few loose ends with some of his work with Chick Corea, Eric Dolphy, and others. Join us for some exceptional music!
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:
New Music Monday for March 5, 2018
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.
Originally from the Minneapolis area, flugelhornist John Raymond moved to New York City after spending some time studying music in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He was able to establish himself on the New York scene playing alongside well-known musicians like Billy Hart, Orrin Evans and Kurt Rosenwinkel. But Raymond was increasingly drawn to creating and leading a band of his own in a flugelhorn-led trio with guitar and drums a la Jim Hall and Art Farmer. By the time he moved to the City, he had already been drawn to guitarist Gilad Hekselman, whose lyrical style was perfect for Raymond’s musical direction. Drummer Colin Stranahan would cement himself as the bedrock of the trio, now known as Real Feels. The majority of the music on their new CD, “Joy Ride,” was written during a self-imposed summer retreat in which Raymond spent hours composing each day.
Jemal Ramirez is a San Francisco-based drummer and bandleader who is called “Mr. Ramirez” by 200 public school music students daily, keeping him busy as a band director and percussion teacher in San Jose, California. His resume includes performances with Eric Reed, Joshua Redman, Marcus Shelby, Dayna Stephens and other notable jazz musicians. His own high-powered ensemble features the acclaimed vibraphonist Warren Wolf, saxophonist Howard Wiley and trumpeter Mike Olmos. Jemal’s new disc, “African Skies,” also includes one of the final performances of bassist and Iowa native John Shifflett, who passed away just a few months after the recording sessions.
Also this week, four-time Grammy Award winning producer and keyboardist Charlie Peacock unveils his fourth jazz album, “When Light Flashes Help is On the Way,” featuring bassist Felix Pastorius drummer Ben Perowsky and reedman Jeff Coffin, among others.
Trumpeter Craig Frae
drich, now retired after 31 years with the elite U.S. Army Blues, is joined by current or former ‘Blues’ brothers in his Jazz Trumpet Ensemble on “Out of the Blues”.
Saxophonist Ken Fowser dishes up another batch of original compositions for his seventh release as a leader, “Don’t Look Down.”
Kirkwood Board of Trustees to meet March 8, 2018
The regular meeting of the Kirkwood Board of Trustees will take place March 8, 2018. Time, place, and meeting agenda can be found at this link.
KCCK’s Featured CD for March 2018
The KCCK Featured CD for March is “25th Anniversary Project” by the DIVA Jazz Orchestra. The inspiration for the all-female ensemble came from Stanley Kay, one time manager and relief drummer for Buddy Rich. He was leading a band in which Sherrie Maricle was playing drums and wondered if there were other women players who could perform at the same level. The foundation for DIVA was poured in 1992, and what emerged is the dynamic musical force that holds forth to the present day, with Ms. Maricle still at the helm. The “25th Anniversary Project” is on Artist Share Records. Purchase the CD.