New Music Monday for May 28, 2018

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

McClenty Hunter Jr.’s groove has been a big part of the New York scene for the last ten years. He began his career in Maryland playing gospel, attended Howard University studying under Grady Tate, and went on to earn his Masters at Juilliard under Carl Allen. McClenty was a member of Kenny Garrett’s Grammy-nominated quintet for three years, while performing with Lou Donaldson, Eric Reed, Curtis Fuller, and Javon Jackson, among many others. Guitarist Dave Stryker, with whom Hunter has worked for eight years, says, “…no matter what the groove, Mac has always made it feel good, and he’s been rock solid…he’s one of the best drummers on the scene.” With “The Groove Hunter,” McClenty emerges as a leader of his own date, featuring a heavy cast with includes Eddie Henderson, Donald Harrison, Eric Reed, Christian Sands and Mr. Stryker.

 

 

     One of the preeminent performers in Chicago jazz, saxophonist Shawn Maxwell, has released several recordings featuring his quartet or his sonically expanded dectet, Alliance. With his New Tomorrow group, he augments his working quartet with the singular trumpet voices of three of Chicago’s finest—Victor Garcia, Chad McCullough and Corey Wilkes—and the inspired and often dazzling vocalist, Dee Alexander, for a set of ten modern, electric originals on “Music in My Mind.” Focusing on composition as much as improvisation, the quintets reveal stunning melodies hidden with complex time signatures, textures and grooves.

 

 

 

Also this week, flutist Andrea Brachfeld, who boasts what the late New York Times critic John S. Wilson described as a “vigorously dark, gutty quality” unveils her latest work with longtime collaborator Bill O’Connell, “If Not Now, When?

 

 

 

 

 

Pianist/composer Kait Dunton’s trioKAIT brings their collective conscience to the cosmos on “trioKAIT 2,” adding vintage keyboards and effects to expand their eclectic palette.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Maguire Twins, featuring drummer Carl Maguire and bassist Alan Maguire, join up with Memphis legend Donald Brown for their second release, “Seeking Higher Ground.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Friday Jazz June 1

Christopher’s Very Happy.Band will perform at First Friday Jazz at the Opus Concert Cafe Friday, June 1, at 5 p.m. The first set will be broadcast live on KCCK. The First Friday Jazz Series features an eclectic mix of jazz, Latin, contemporary music and more in an intimate, upscale environment. For a $12 cover, enjoy live music and drink specials at the Opus Concert Café bar the first Friday of every month. Purchase tickets.

IC Jazz Fest Memorial Day Broadcast!

KCCK starts the run up to the 2018 Iowa City Jazz Festival by reliving last year’s Fest on Memorial Day. Listen all day Monday for memorable performances from Jeff Coffin, The Cookers, Laura Caviani, and many more, plus our exclusive backstage conversations with all the headliners.

Here’s the schedule (times are approximate):

6:00am – Rhythm Future Quartet

7:20am – Laura Caviani

8:40am – United Jazz Ensemble

10:00am – In Orbit with Jeff Coffin

11:50am – North Corridor All Stars

1:10pm – The Cookers

2:55pm – Christopher’s Very Happy Band

4:25pm – Donny McCaslin Group

6:00pm – John Raymond & Real Feels

9:25pm – Jacob Garchik Ye Olde

10:50pm – Kris Davis Quintet

12 midnight – The broadcast repeats in the above order

NOTE: Stacey Kent requested her performance not be re-broadcast, so it is not included in the program.

 

Clean Up Your Act 6-13-18

Alliant Energy’s appliance recycling program is approaching a milestone.

Culture Crawl 352 “You’ll Never Look at Jingle Bells the Same Again”

Old Creamery Theatre presents “The Savannah Sipping Society” May 31 – June 24. Actors Carrie SaLoutos and Kay Francis say that if you’re a fan of the Golden Girls, or the new movie “The Book Club,” you’ll enjoy this tale of four women dealing with life changes who come together over conversation and cocktails.

Tickets and information at www.oldcreamery.com.

Hannah Marks & Blake Shaw

It’s all about the Bass with Dennis Green, as he interviews Des Moines native Hannah Marks, now a student in the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University about her upcoming show at the Clinton St. Social Club on May 26. Iowa City bassist Blake Shaw sits on on the conversation as well. He and guitarist Dan Padley open for Hannah’s Heartland Trio.

Listen as these two exciting players talk about how they first got interested in jazz, and even ask each other some questions!

Proceeds from theconcert go to support KCCK’s jazz education programs. Details at www.clintonstreetsocial.com.

Talking Pictures 5-23-18

Deadpool 2, Book Club and RBG with Hollis Monroe, Denny Lynch and Scott Chrisman

Special Programs for the Week of May 21 – May 26

Short List with host Bob Naujoks    

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

Corridor Shortlist: Scott Barnum

Bassist Scott Barnum is the focus of this week’s Short List. A graduate of the University of Iowa Music School, he spent a decade in Boston honing his chops and getting his advanced degree. He has played across the country – with gigs in Boston, Chicago, and New York – and with some of Eastern Iowa’s finest musicians, like Eddie Piccard, Steve Grismore, Jim Drier, and Al Naylor.

 

 

 

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler

Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Freddie Hubbard’s Blue Note Years      

Craig takes another look at trumpet master Freddie Hubbard, this time through his Blue Note releases. We’ll hear records that feature Freddie as a leader, as well as many side-man appearances with artists like Art Blakey, Eric Dolphy, Kenny Drew, Dexter Gordon, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and others!

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Profiles with host Nancy Wilson    

Monday at 11:00 PM 

Dave Brubeck: In His Own Sweet Way

Innovative pianist/composer David Brubeck has been a true jazz phenomenon — he and his quartet were the first instrumental group to sell over a million records. This widely popular band had several top ten chart hits, sold out concerts everywhere, and landed Brubeck on the cover of Time magazine. We will explore the career of Dave Brubeck from his Quartet (which made the now legendary “Take Five” recording) through the present day, including his work in classical music.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Night Special

6:00 PM   

The United States Air Force Band “Airmen of Note” with Marshall Gilkes

As Memorial Day approaches, KCCK says Thank You to our armed forces with a third concert with the United States Air Force Band. Trombonist Marshall Gilkes joins the Airmen of Note on stage. Gilkes, a seasoned veteran in jazz circles, is also a true Air Force “brat.” He was born on Andrews Air Force Base, and his father, Colonel Bruce Gilkes, was Airmen of Note’s conductor for many years. Gilkes brings his familiarity of the big band and his innate sense of swing to the show, for this final broadcast of their Jazz Heritage Series.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Night in America with host Christian McBride

Thursday at 11:00 PM

Gary Burton Retires   Gary Burton’s final stop on his farewell tour was at the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis, Indiana — Gary’s home state. The master vibraphonist has retired from music on his own terms and in the comfort of playing duets with his pianist of three decades, Makoto Ozone. This episode Jazz Night in America features music recorded at The Jazz Kitchen, Burton in conversation with WBGO’s Nate Chinen, and words from some his closest friends and colleagues.

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Corner of the World with host Craig Kessler

Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM and 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!

 

 

 

 

KCCK’s Midnight CD

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

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