New Music Monday for June 4, 2018

Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.       

Saxophonist Dave McMurray has cemented his reputation for versatility by playing with a vast array of musicians including B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Herbie Hancock, Nancy Wilson, Geri Allen and Bob James. His Blue Note Records debut, “Music is Life,” is a reunion of sorts, given the long history he shares with the label’s president, and fellow Detroit native, Don Was. McMurray was a member of Was’ genre-defying unit Was (Not Was), first working on the band’s 1981 debut. He’s played on all of the band’s albums and many other Was projects in the years since. When Was signed McMurray, the reedman says that he gave him no imperatives as to which artist paths to take. “It was one of those situations where he just said ‘Do It,’’ McMurray explains.

 

 

For nearly three decades, the New England Jazz Ensemble has been at the forefront of contemporary jazz ensemble performance, collaboration and education in the northeastern U.S. With a book of original compositions and arrangements penned from within its ranks, the NEJE delivers on its mission to promote the jazz ensemble as a uniquely American art form. The ensemble commissions new works, does extensive concertizing collaborates with music educators in public schools and universities to perpetuate the jazz art form. Their new project is a reworking of Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf.”

 

 

 

Also this week, singer and songwriter Kat Edmonson delivers eleven original songs on “Old Fashioned Gal”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drummer Greg Burrows is joined by guitarist Bob DeVos and bassist Harvie S on “Tell Your Story”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pianist Lynne Arriale returns with a new trio and special guest vocalist Kate McGarry for “Give Us These Days.”

 

 

 

Kirkwood Board of Trustees to meet June 14, 2018

The regular meeting of the Kirkwood Board of Trustees will take place June 14,2018. Time, place, and meeting agenda can be found at this link.

Get Well Soon, Big Mo!

We’re sorry to announce that John Heim, KCCK’s Big Mo, will be off the air for a while, after suffering a fall at home. John is in good spirits, and hopes to be back on the air as soon as his health allows.

Craig Kessler is subbing in on the ‘da Friday Blues for the time being, and John’s presence isn’t gone completely, as we’ll continue to air The Beaker Hour, Backstage Blues, and KCCK Jams from his archives while he’s off.

If you’d like to send a card, you can do so care of KCCK at the address at the bottom of the page, and we’ll see that he gets it.

KCCK’s Featured CD for June 2018

The KCCK Featured CD for June is “Concentric Circles” from the Kenny Barron Quintet. Eight years after being named an NEA Jazz Master, the esteemed pianist, bandleader, composer and educator reaches a couple of milestones. This year marks the 50th year of a remarkable recording career, while Mr. Barron notes his 75th birthday this month. Plus he introduces a new edition of his quintet with a sublime set of eight new originals. “Concentric Circles” is on Blue Note Records. Purchase the CD.

Culture Crawl 354 “Why? Was Phil Collins Sick?”

Singer and composer Randy Newman has had one of the music industry’s most varied careers. Baby Boomers know him as the composer of Three Dog Night’s “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” and of course, the novelty hit, “Short People.” Millennials first heard him in the Toy Story movies. Singer Lynne Rothrock teams up with pianist and arranger Steve Shanley for “Sail Way: The Music of Randy Newman,” June 15 & 16 at the Opus Concert Café in Cedar Rapids.

Lynne, Steve, and Dennis all have unique memories of Randy Newman’s music, some of which will surprise you.

Tickets and information at www.artsiowa.com.

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Culture Crawl 353 “Why We Got Into The Biz”

A colleague once told Orchestra Iowa’s Tim Hankewich, “If I had a nickel every time I heard Mahler 3, I’d have 10 cents.”
 
Mahler’s 3rd Symphony is a piece that requires total concentration and expertise from every musician on the stage, and as such, may only come around once in a career. Nearly 100 artists, including orchestra and two choruses will fill the Paramount stage June 2 at the Paramount Theatre for a season finale that will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience.
 
Tickets and information at www.orchestraiowa.org.

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Talking Pictures 5-30-18

Solo: A Star Wars Story with Hollis Monroe, Denny Lynch and Phil Brown.

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Special Programs for the Week of May 28 – June 2

Short List with host Bob Naujoks    

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

Corridor Shortlist: Rod Pierson

Rod Pierson leads the occasional big band with vocalist Craig Boche. Together they cover the jazz-based hits of the near past as well as classic big band material. His resume includes stints with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Woody Herman Thundering Herd.

 

 

 

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler

Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

A Collection of Miles Davis Tribute Recordings      

Since the passing of Miles Davis, there have been many recordings made by a number of great jazz artists who pay tribute to the legacy and continued inspiration of Miles Davis – arguably one of the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of 20th century music. Craig presents some of the highlights of these terrific recordings. It’s a great way to celebrate Miles’s May 26th birthday!

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Profiles with host Nancy Wilson    

Monday at 11:00 PM 

James Moody: In The Mood

He was a virtuoso musician, known for his work on multiple saxophones and flute. He was also a man who radiated love: When you met him, he’d hold you tight and kiss you on both cheeks, as if you were old friends.  In a career that extended more than 60 years, James Moody developed a personal sound that reflects that warm personality: romantic, witty and earthy.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Night Special

6:00 PM   

Bob Dorr and the Blue Band at the 2006 Iowa City Jazz Festival

As we gear up for the 2018 Iowa City Jazz Festival, we look back at some of the memorable performances from past years. This week’s feature is legendary Bob Dorr and the Blue Band. This rotating ensemble of the best Iowa musicians has opened for Robert Cray, B.B. King, and Koko Taylor. Dorr himself was recently honored by the Iowa legislature for his contribution to Iowa music. The Blue Band played to a pumped up crowd in 2006. Hear their set again on the Wednesday Night Special.

 

 

 

 

First Friday Jazz at the Opus Concert CaféThe First Friday of Every Month at 5:00 PM Iowa’s Jazz Station and Orchestra Iowa bring you First Friday Jazz with Christopher’s Very Happy Band, led by UNI’s Chris Merz. Join KCCK for jazz at 5 pm on the first Friday of every month at the Opus Concert Café in downtown Cedar Rapids. The first set is broadcast live on KCCK.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Night in America with host Christian McBride

Thursday at 11:00 PM

Harold Mabern Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center 

Harold Mabern has never had any hang-ups about being the center of attention. “I get joy out of being an accompanist,” the pianist affirms, likening himself to an offensive lineman on a football team. “When you can do something to make the soloist happy and proud,” he says plainly, “you’ve done your job.” Small wonder that Mabern, who recently turned 82, has been one of jazz’s stalwart accompanists over the last 60 years. We’ll explore some of that history, and we’ll also point the spotlight squarely on Mabern as a composer and bandleader.

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler

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

Prestige Records in 1968 – Part One

Craig travels back 50 years to look in on the recording activities at Bob Weinstock’s Prestige Records during the year 1968.  We’ll hear classic “modern jazz” fare from the likes of Pat Martino, Sonny Criss, Don Patterson, Harold Mabern, Willis Jackson, Barry Harris, and many others.  Prepare yourself for a healthy, heaping helping of “Soul Jazz”!

 

 

 

 

KCCK’s Midnight CD

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

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