Chorale Midwest was formed 20 years ago by a group of choir alums who wanted to keep performing post-school. KCCK’s Bob Stewart is a charter member.
Today, the Chorale has grown to include a main ensemble, a women’s chorus, a vocal jazz group, and also features a soloist spotlight series.
Upcoming events include:
- March 13 – Spotlight Concert Series: The Mezzos
- April 2 – Spring Concert “Voices from Heaven and Earth”
- May 6 – Spotlight Concert: Jazz Singers
- June 2-4 – Bach Mass in B Minor (with Orchestra Iowa)
Details at www.ChoraleMidwest.org.
The sound of Thelonious Monk is one of the most recognizable in modern jazz. By the “plunk” or “thunk” of a single chord, his piano and compositions are unmistakable. An original on and off the bandstand, he was the launch pad of bebop, and also created a body of work in its own orbit. This show celebrates Monk’s lasting contributions, with help from his collaborators and admirers including drummer Max Roach, producer Orrin Keepnews, and writer Stanley Crouch. 
Craig presents another tasty program featuring a wide variety of jazz artists from France, as well as visiting artists in France. We’ll hear French mainstays Michel de Villers, Blossom Dearie (both as a pianist, and as a vocalist with Les Blue Stars), Jean-Claude Fohrenbach, Rene Thomas, Toots Thielemans, and many others. We’ll also hear recordings from American ex-patriots and visitors….like Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Clarke, Chet Baker, Max Roach, and several others. Magnifique!! 
Heads of State made their debut recording in 2015, just months after they played together for the first time as a quartet at Smoke in New York. Now, with another year of playing together under their collective belts (on top of the nearly five decades of relationships shared by the various members), they return with the aptly-titled “Four in One.” The quartet of living legends, featuring saxophonist Gary Bartz, pianist Larry Willis, drummer Al Foster, and their latest addition, bassist David Williams, offer a jubilant, tremendously swinging sophomore release that pairs original compositions by all four members with pieces by some of the icons that have mentored them.
Award-winning trumpeter Al Muirhead has long been an iconic figure on the Canadian jazz scene. He was playing in the Regina Symphony and dance bands by age 12 and has since played with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Rosemary Clooney and Diana Krall. Al recently came to wider prominence in North America with his debut album. Now at the age of 81, he’s making up for lost time with his third release in just two years, “Northern Adventures.” Featuring five different small ensembles of both old and new friends, the disc brings together a veritable who’s who of Canadian jazz, including pianist Don Thompson, guitarist Reg Schwager, trumpeter Guido Basso and saxophonist Mike Murley.
Also this week, Seattle-based guitarist Frank Kohl unveils his fourth album as leader, “Rising Tide,” joined by his New York City quartet featuring bassist Steve LaSpina and his brother Tom Kohl on piano. 
to feature his compositions and his arrangements of some classic jazz tunes on “Where & When.”