Short List with host Bob Naujoks    

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

Cats on the Keys: Kirk Lightsey 

Pianist Kirk Lightsey opens up the new “Cats On the Keys” Short List series. Lightsey has been scene since the mid-1960s. His first recordings were with Chet Baker and he spent five years touring with saxophonist Dexter Gordon. By the 1980s, Lightsey was a sought-after sideman. He became a fixture at the storied Bradley’s piano bar in New York until he moved to Paris in the mid-1990s. His post-bop style is acclaimed, and he is one of the true old jazz masters.

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler

Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

The Guitar Artistry of John McLaughlin 

Craig takes a look at the diverse career of this amazing artist.  We’ll hear selections from his numerous records as a leader, his sessions as a sideman (with Miles Davis, Tony Williams, Miroslav Vitous, and many more), plus some selections from his groups Shakti and the Mahavishnu Orchestra.  He continues to perform and record regularly, and continues to inspire new generations of guitarists.

Jazz Profiles with host Nancy Wilson

Charlie Parker: Bird Lives! (Part 1)

Charles “Yardbird” Parker was a self-taught innovator who could fly higher and cut deeper than any other musician of his day. Parker pioneered the bebop movement with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. He influenced generations of musicians. He accomplished all of this despite a crippling drug addiction that ended his life at thirty-four. This program focuses on “Bird” the improviser, and traces his instrumental virtuosity from his early days in Kansas City, to his bebop experiments in New York, to his ill-fated trip to Los Angeles in 1945.

Wednesday Night Special

6:00 PM   

Jarrett Purdy Project at the Opus Concert Cafe 

The Jarrett Purdy Project is a collective that unites the talent of current musicians and recent graduates from the undergrad and graduate-level jazz programs at the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. Performing the original compositions of pianist and bandleader Jarrett Purdy, the group creates an energized and original sound that touches on both contemporary and traditional jazz styles. They performed for an enthusiastic crowd at First Friday Jazz.

Jazz Night in America with host Christian McBride

Thursday at 11:00 PM

Nels Cline’s Lovers (For Philadelphia) 

Nels Cline earned his place as a guitar hero as a member of Wilco. But the depth of his talent and scope goes much deeper. His most recent jazz project, “Lovers (For Philadelphia) is a fond nod to of “mood music” albums from midcentury. He collaborates with trumpeter and orchestrator Michael Leonhart. Jazz Night In America captured the only live performance of the entire “Lovers: Philadelphia.

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler

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

The Famous Prestige Jam Session Recordings, Part Two     

Craig takes another look at more of the Prestige recordings from the mid and late 1950s.  We’ll hear stunning music from John Coltrane, Gene Ammons, Mal Waldron, Phil Woods, and others.  And of course, there will be no repeats … an all new program with all new selections!

KCCK’s Midnight CD

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

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

Short List with host Bob Naujoks    

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

Formidable Flutes: Herbie Mann 

Herbie Mann’s reputation as an early force in jazz fusion and world music translated into commercial success in the 1970’s. His emphasis on the groove approach was evident in his albums “Memphis Underground” and “Push Push,” and his single, “Hijack,” topped the Billboard dance charts. His early work with Antonio Carlos Jobim helped popularize bossa nova in the United States, and his subsequent career often carried Brazilian themes and melodies.

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler

Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Blue Note Records in 1968, Part Two

Craig travels back 50 years to look in on the recording activities at Blue Note Records in 1968.  In this second of two presentations, we’ll hear fabulous examples of recordings that were made during the last half of the year … July thru December of 1968 … gems from Bobby Hutcherson, Andrew Hill, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Lee Morgan, among many others!  This is another great show displaying how the “times, they were a-changing!”

Jazz Profiles with host Nancy Wilson

Remembering Max Roach, Rhythmic Innovator

An innovative drummer, bandleader, composer, and educator, Max Roach is a musical renaissance man. He was Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie’s drummer of choice as they developed bebop in the ’40s, and his innovations forever changed the way drums are played. In the ’50s he co-led (with trumpeter Clifford Brown) one of the seminal groups of jazz, bringing bebop to new levels of sophistication. In the ’60s, he created a range of compositions reflecting the struggle for civil rights.

Wednesday Night Special

6:00 PM   

Commons Collective at the Opus Concert Cafe 

The Commons Collective came together in the fall of 2011 as a UNI school ensemble. They were initially coached by renowned jazz educator and musician Dr. Bob Washut, but soon struck out on their own. Each member of the band contributes to their eclectic repertoire of original work, drawing upon blues, rock, classical, and pop – yet firmly roots itself in improvisation and the jazz tradition. The Cedar Rapids Gazette dubbed them, “one of the most popular young, professional groups in Eastern Iowa.”

Jazz Night in America with host Christian McBride

Thursday at 11:00 PM

Randy Weston at 90 (a Loving Tribute) 

Pianist, composer, and NEA Jazz Master, Randy Weston, died at age 92 on September 1. Weston was described as “America’s African Musical Ambassador.” He was a tireless advocate of African music and culture. His recordings featured ground-breaking fusions of African, Caribbean, and Jazz influences. In tribute, Jazz Night in America re-broadcasts their show, “Randy Weston at 90.”

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler

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

The Guitar Artistry of John McLaughlin  

Craig takes a look at the diverse career of this amazing artist.  We’ll hear selections from his numerous records as a leader, his sessions as a sideman (with Miles Davis, Tony Williams, Miroslav Vitous, and many more), plus some selections from his groups Shakti and the Mahavishnu Orchestra.  He continues to perform and record regularly, and continues to inspire new generations of guitarists.

KCCK’s Midnight CD

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

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