The KCCK Featured CD for October is “Uptown Downtown” from the Bill Charlap Trio. The disc marks a milestone for the Grammy-winning pianist and his longtime trio mates bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington. They’ve been a New York City staple since 1997, and their chemistry is on full display as they celebrate their 20th anniversary with a collection of essential melodies from composers such as Gerry Mulligan, Richard Rodgers, Jim Hall and Duke Ellington. “Uptown Downtown” is on Impulse! Records. Purchase the CD.
KCCK’s Featured CD for October 2017
Clean Up Your Act 10-25-17
Industry will need to step in when renewable energy incentives disappear.
Culture Crawl 293: “Finding My Tribe”
The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI), Iowa Chapter holds its annual conference, entitled “Storytelling-Unlock Your Superpower!” Oct. 13-15.
It’s an event both for established authors and a nurturing environment for beginners, with speakers, opportunity for critiques, and networking.
Details at www.iowa.scbwi.org.
Culture Crawl 292 “Body Image”
The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art has two new exhibits beginning this month.
“Living Proof” is a curated exhibit of work created as a part of art therapy for cancer patients, through Living Proof Exhibit, a non-profit art therapy organization based in the Quad Cities.
“Figure Study” is a look at the human form in art, with pieces that date from the 1600s through today. Curator Kate Kunau says it’s interesting to look at the different representations of the human form, particularly the female form, through the centuries.
The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Sunday. Hours and more information at www.crma.org.
Clean Up Your Act 10-24-17
Cameras and computers could help farm machinery reduce the amount of chemicals sprayed on fields.
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Talking Pictures 9-27-17
Kingsman: The Golden Circle with Hollis Monroe, Denny Lynch and Monica Schmidt.
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Special Programs: Week of September 25 – September 30
The Short List with host Bob Naujoks
Monday – Friday at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
Jazz In The Pacific Northwest
Featured this week is a survey of clubs in the Pacific Northwest. Portland had an active jazz scene, but the bassist Leroy Vinnegar’s move to that city in the mid-80s, invigorated the jazz community even more. Portland is also home to several other fine jazz artists, including singer Rebecca Kilgore. Seattle is not known as a hot spot of jazz, but they, too, have some fine venues. Seattle was also the place for a significant appearance by John Coltrane. Hear stories and some great jazz from the Pacific Northwest on this week’s Short List.
Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler
Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
John Coltrane’s Atlantic Years
Craig celebrates the birthday of John Coltrane by shining a spotlight on Trane’s “transitional” years — 1959 to 1961 – and his great releases for Atlantic Records. Enjoy some of the finest and most popular jazz of the mid-20th century!
Jazz Profiles with host Nancy Wilson
Monday at 11:00 PM
Charles Mingus: Fables of Bass, Part 2
By the time Charles Mingus’ groundbreaking 1956 composition, “Pithecanthropus Erectus” came out, Charles Mingus had grown out of Watts, out of Los Angeles and the west coast, to establish himself as an innovative bassist and challenging composer. He moved east to “jazz central” – New York – and established his legacy as one of jazz’s finest writers and most provocative bandleaders.
Wednesday Night Special
6:00 PM
Jazz In The Stacks: The Music of the Gershwins & Cole Porter
and
A John Shifflett Documentary
No composers contributed more to the Great American Songbook than George and Ira Gershwin and Cole Porter. The songs they wrote for stage and screen are woven into the fabric of American culture. Their shows are frequently revived and their music has been covered by thousands of artists. Dennis McPartland leads an all-star ensemble – including Peter Hart, Bob Dunn, Craig Dove, and Sheila Wagner – in an exploration of this great music. Join us for this special performance, hosted by KCCK’s Bob Naujoks, and recorded live as part of Jazz In The Stacks series at the Cedar Rapids Public Library.
Then, stay tuned for a special documentary on bassist John Shifflett. Born in Dubuque,
Shifflett studied and taught at the University of Iowa before moving to San Jose, California. There, he became what has been described as a leader of the west coast jazz scene. Sadly, Shifflett passed away in April at the age of 64.
Jazz Night in America with host Christian McBride
Thursday at 11:00 PM
Live From San Jose!
Jazz Night In America continues its mini-series featuring the best performances from festivals across the country. The spotlight shines this week on singers Cyrille Aimee and Dayme Arocena at the San Jose Jazz Festival.
Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM and Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Tribute To Guitarist John Abercrombie
Craig salutes recently departed guitarist and composer John Abercrombie with a special program of choice examples of Abercrombie’s artistry. We’ll hear from his early 1968 sessions with Johnny ‘Hammond’ Smith, through his time as a mainstay of ECM records (beginning in 1974), to his most recent recordings. Craig will spin material from Abercrombie’s records as a leader, as well as his sideman with the likes of Billy Cobham, Jack DeJohnette, Kenny Wheeler, and many others.
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:
New Music Monday for September 25, 2017
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s 2016-2017 season opened with a program entitled “Handful of Keys: A Century of Jazz Piano,” kicking off a year-long celebration of the many artists, styles, and movements encompassed in the century-long jazz continuum. The concert was an “encapsulated history” exploring the many rich traditions and styles that define jazz piano today, featuring the combined forces of the stellar Orchestra with six guest pianists. These guests, along with the Orchestra’s own wonderfully versatile Dan Nimmer, covered a wide age span, from 13-year-old Joey Alexander to 89-year-old Dick Hyman, with Helen Sung, Larry Willis, Myra Melford, and Isaiah J. Thompson filling in the decades. The repertoire included music by some of the 20th century’s outstanding pianist/composers, with new arrangements by some of the evening’s performers.
“The Sky Remains” is native Angeleno Josh Nelson’s love letter to Los Angeles. Each of the ten story-driven tunes on the thematic album tells a tale of hidden gems and little-known stories about the city. Throughout this ambitious outing, Nelson and his talented band of fellow Angelenos musically explore the city’s treasures while uncovering lost history and acknowledging a few L.A. icons along the way. With his Discovery Project, Nelson collaborates with visual artists in live shows to create a multi-disciplinary, immersive experience for audiences. He’s explored a different theme with each project, including early science fiction and the planet Mars, and now with the history of Los Angeles.
Also this week, lauded American singer Lizz Wright reveals the web of deep-running roots of story and song that bind together the diverse traditions that are the soul of the American South with “Grace,” including tunes by Allen Toussaint, Nina Simone, Ray Charles, Mitchell Parish and Bob Dylan.
Indianapolis-based trumpeter, composer and educator Jen Siukola debuts a collection of original pieces on “Lighthouse Reverie”.
Saxophonist Ralph Bowen unveils his P
hylogeny Suite on his new, self-titled CD.