Short List with host Bob Naujoks    

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

Cats On The Keys 4: John Hicks

Pianist John Hicks is The Short List subject this week. His resume includes stints with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, singer Betty Carter and the 1970s Woody Herman Herd. His versatility was renowned, playing with jazz people old and new, contemporary and avant-garde. As one writer noted,“ Hicks was a pianist who helped define the mainstream jazz aesthetic of his instrument.”

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler

Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

HighNote Records     

As part of Craig’s tribute to the recently departed record producer and label owner, Joe Fields, we survey another jazz record label founded and operated by Joe Fields and his son Barney – HighNote Records.  Craig spins a tasty variety of jazz gems from this classy label that was founded in 1996.  Artists include the likes of Pat Martino, Etta Jones, Russell Malone, Tom Harrell, Larry Coryell, and a host of other present-day jazz greats!

Jazz Profiles with host Nancy Wilson    

Monday at 11:00 PM 

Melba Liston: Bones of an Arranger

Melba Liston (1926-1999) made her mark as one of the few women to succeed as a jazz instrumentalist, composer, and arranger. A trombonist in the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s, she played in big bands and led her own group in the ’70s and ’80s. As an accomplished arranger, she brought musical life to the songs of artists as diverse as Billie Holiday, Gloria Lynne, Art Blakey, Milt Jackson, and even Marvin Gaye. And her musical collaboration with pianist Randy Weston for more than thirty years produced such critically acclaimed albums as The Spirits of Our Ancestors and Volcano Blues.

Wednesday Night Special             

6:00 PM   

Al Naylor Quartet at Jazz Under The Stars

As we wrap up the 30^th year of Jazz Under the Stars, we’re playing back some of our favorite shows. Al Naylor has more Jazz Under the Stars appearances than anyone else, 16. He’s appeared with Orquesta Alto Maiz, the Moe Band, the Blue Band, and several all-star big bands, including his own I-380 Express. But he never led his own small group. That changed in 2009, with the release of “Legacy,” Al’s first CD as a leader, backed by a group of musicians who began their careers as his students. He brought that group to Jazz Under the Stars, and played to a pumped up crowd at Noelridge Park!

Jazz Night in America with host Christian McBride

Thursday at 11:00 PM

Samora Pinderhughes says that jazz has the power to reflect “radical imagination.” To this Bay Area-native, that means challenging the status quo with his multi-movement “Transformations Suite.” The suite combines theater, music and poetry to examine and explore the history of African American protest movements.  Jazz Night in America travels to Berkeley, CA to showcase the “Transformations Suite” and explore Samora’s journey into forming his musical life around activism from his parents to his peers, pupils and mentors.

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler     

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

Contemporary Records in 1957

Craig journeys back 60 years to look in on one of the classiest “west coast jazz” record labels – Contemporary Records.  We’ll hear some terrific examples from the 35 + sessions recorded by Lester Koenig for his label during 1957, a year which featured many of the “west coast” greats – Art Pepper, Shelly Manne, Leroy Vinnegar, Buddy Collette, Howard Rumsey, and many others.  Don’t miss this perfect blast of California sunshine!!

KCCK’s Midnight CD

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

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