Short List with host Bob Naujoks
Monday – Friday at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
Cats On The Keys 4: Mulgrew Miller
Pianist Mulgrew Miller is the subject of this week’s Short List. Miller started poking at the piano when he was six, and began formal lessons two years later. As a youth he would play in churches and by his high school years he had his own trio. But recognition came to him when he was part of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. His Oscar Peterson-influenced piano became a mainstay for many great jazz sessions for two decades before his death in 2013.
Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler
Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
70th Anniversary Celebration of The Jazz Showcase
Craig celebrates 70 years of Chicago’s Jazz Showcase by spinning a tasteful mix of fine live recordings from one of the most important jazz venues in the world! We’ll hear from giants Ahmad Jamal, Marian McPartland, Sir Charles Thompson, Hampton Hawes, and others. Craig will also share some quips from Joe Segal’s new book, “Stay On It” – a personalized journal by this NEA Jazz Master during his 70+ years of musical endeavors. Don’t miss it!!!
Jazz Profiles with host Nancy Wilson
Monday at 11:00 PM
John Coltrane: Saxophone Icon, Part 2
John Coltrane’s never-ending quest for musical improvement and self-awareness distinguished his playing and compositions in the ’60s. It was driven by an increasing spirituality, most potently unveiled in his 1964 recording, A Love Supreme. Coltrane later created music of great turbulence and ecstasy, and he remains a powerful inspiration to artists of all disciplines.
Wednesday Night Special
6:00 PM
Trafficjam at the Opus Concert Cafe
Trafficjam – the jazz trio of Devin van Holsteijn on saxophones, Tim Fees on bass and guitar and Mike Crist on percussion – brought their energetic and innovative sound to First Friday Jazz at the Opus Concert Café. Their sound is all their own, and their repertoire explores the great music of the 20’s through today. Bebop can morph into reggae and the Beatles get even jazzier. Listen in as Trafficjam plays to an enthusiastic house on the Wednesday Night Special.
Jazz Night in America with host Christian McBride
Thursday at 11:00 PM
A Tribute to Grover Washington, Jr.
One way or another, you’ve heard Grover Washington Jr.’s saxophone. Perhaps on “Mister Magic” or another of his instrumental hits, like “Winelight.” Or on “Just the Two of Us,” the smash hit featuring BillWithers. What Washington’s sound represents is soul, plain and simple, though it has often been associated with another word, “smooth.” Jazz Night in America recently traveled to Grover’s adopted hometown of Philadelphia, to present a tribute concert at the Temple Performing Arts Center.
Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM and Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Verve Records in 1957
Craig travels back 60 years to look in on some of the 240+ recording sessions that took place during 1957 for Norman Granz’ Verve Record label. We’ll hear choice examples from Billie Holiday, Ben Webster, Stan Getz, Coleman Hawkins, Buddy DeFranco, and many others. One of the top jazz labels in modern jazz!!
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:
A group of UNI graduates, most of whom hail from Cedar Rapids, nabbed the top spot on KCCK’s Best of Jazz Under The Stars poll.
The third in guitarist Corey Christiansen’s trilogy of albums exploring the grounds between jazz, blues and Americana, “Dusk” is focused on his original compositions—tunes written for people in his life, places been, characters imagined, landscapes seen and the captured feelings from these experiences. The rapport with his longtime band is at its most evolved and empathetic, while Corey’s already prodigious guitar work has found the fluidity and emotive qualities only obtained through their continued collective focus and dedication to concept. As JazzIz magazine describes it, “Christiansen and his quintet goose the Americana songbook with plenty of funk and fusion, teasing out dark edges and recontextualizing the music for new generations.”
Also this week, L.A.-based guitarist Jacques Lesure is joined by longtime associates drummer Willie Jones III, pianist Eric Reed and bassist Tony Dumas for his third release as a leader, “For the Love of You”.
rian Hudson debuts with the jazz/fusion disc, “Next Level”.