The Short List with host Bob Naujoks
Monday – Friday at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
Cats On The Keys 4
A new “Cats On The Keys” series begins with week, featuring Fred Hersch. One of the leading influences on young players today, his playing is what one reviewer calls “borderless, individualistic jazz.” Hersch himself says that he is a “rhythmic player and a melodist,” even in his own compositions. But it is his gentle, integrated and ensemble playing that should attract your ear.
Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler
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.
Jazz Profiles with host Nancy Wilson
Monday at 11:00 PM
Bessie Smith: Blues Empress
No blues singer can escape the influence of Bessie Smith, “The Empress of the Blues.” For over 100 years, this legendary, singer has been and continues to be a major influence on singers and instrumentalists. She was larger than life, inexhaustibly creative, and undeniably distinctive. Her legacies of songs speak to everybody. She gave the music its raw, regal poignancy — and marketability.
Wednesday Night Special
6:00 PM
Jazz Under The Stars 2017: Goose Town
Jazz Under the Stars kicked off its 30th season of free summer concerts with Goose Town, a high energy band of recent UI and UNI grads. Their smokin’ horn section and the passionate vocals of Emily Snyder charged up the crowd for one last blast of summer. Spread out a blanket and picnic in your living room. Then, tune in to hear the opening act of the Corridor’s longest-running concert series, recorded live at Noelridge Park in Cedar Rapids.
Jazz Night in America with host Christian McBride
Thursday at 11:00 PM
Our Point of View
Our Point of View – Lionel Loueke, Marcus Strickland, Ambrose Akinmusire, Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, and Kendrick Scott – is a leaderless supergroup of Blue Note artists assembled for the labels 75th anniversary. We’ll hear stories from each artist and Blue Note president Don Was about how Blue Note impacted their lives. This concert is the fourth performance of Our Point of View, and was captured in New York at Le Poisson Rouge.
Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM
Thelonious Monk Centennial Celebration, Part One
Craig celebrates the 100th birth date anniversary of pianist and composer Thelonious Monk with two special shows featuring a variety of live recordings. We’ll hear stunning performances from a number of locations in Europe, as well as dates at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Town Hall in NYC, the Newport Jazz Festival, and many other well-known venues. Tune in for some great live stuff!
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:
For the past 60 years, the 17 members of the SWR Big Band have thrilled audiences throughout Europe with a hugely varied repertoire and consistently excellent quality of music. Since 2002, they have received four Grammy nominations, which is credited to the outstanding soloists of the band, the extraordinary interplay of the musicians and great arrangements of new and classic songs alike. Their success is also supported by the collaborations with international jazz greats like Pat Metheny, Roy Hargrove and Sammy Nestico. For their newest release, “Lights On,” they join forces with nineteen time Grammy nominated and four-time Grammy winner Larry Carlton to perform a collection of songs that have been written or performed by the guitarist over the course of his 50-plus-year career.
Also this week, singer Dee Dee Bridgewater explores the musical roots and influences of her birth city with “Memphis…Yes, I’m Ready”.
Australian-born singer, pianist, composer and arranger Sarah McKenzie offers up her second disc as a leader, “Paris in the Rain.”