Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Alien: Covenant with Hollis Monroe, Denny Lynch and Scott Chrisman.
Special Programs: Week of May 22 – 28
Short List with Bob Naujoks
Monday – Friday at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
Short List: Jazz Women – The Instrumentalists (Valerie Capers)
Valerie Capers
Scott Yanow wrote of Valerie Capers: “Capers is much to obscure and under-recorded to be a legend, and is not old enough to be a pioneer. Yet, in a way, she is both.” She was the first blind graduate of Julliard, and was turned from classical music to jazz by her brother, Bobby. She was non-sighted from birth, and had to learn Bach and Beethoven from Braille scores, memorizing them. She had a long and distinguished career as an educator at the Bronx Community College and the Manhattan School of Music. She wrote a jazz-based opera-oratorio piece honoring Sojourner Truth, the 19th emancipation advocate and feminist.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
“Jazz In Paris – Part Three”
Once again, Craig throws the spotlight on some fine examples of Jazz from Paris. We’ll hear guitarist Henri Crolla, violinist Stephane Grapelli, saxophonist Sonny Criss, clarinetist Hubert Rostaing, organist Eddy Louiss, guitarist Rene Thomas, and a host of others.
Night Lights (Classic Jazz) with David Brent Johnson
Monday, 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Corner the World)
Miles Davis at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, 1986
Night Lights, is a weekly one-hour jazz radio program hosted by David Brent Johnson, focusing on jazz from the 1945-1990 era—covering artists such as Jackie McLean, Charles Mingus, and Nina Simone and themes ranging from jazz recordings of spirituals to avant-garde interpretations of the Great American Songbook. Night Lights also features many lesser-known talents of post-1945 jazz. Every program is archived after broadcast for online listening. This week: “Final Miles: Miles Davis on Warner Bros.” www.indianapublicmedia.org/nightlights/archives/2017
Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson
Monday at 11:00 PM (follows Nightlights)
Cab Calloway: ‘A Hi De Ho Centennial’
Cab Calloway
He was the “Hi De Ho” man, a legendary showman, gifted singer, bandleader, actor, and fashion trendsetter. This larger than life figure, immortalized in cartoons and caricatures, was also the leader of one of the greatest bands of the Swing Era. As an incubator for new talent, Cab’s band launched the careers of Dizzy Gillespie, Ben Webster, Milt Hinton, Cozy Cole, Chu Berry, and Doc Cheatham, among others.
Wednesday Night Special
6:00 PM
Vijay Iyer at the 2016 Iowa City Jazz Festival
Highlights from the 2016 Iowa City Jazz Festival Mainstage: Vijay Iyer Trio
In anticipation of the 2017 Iowa City Jazz Festival June 30 – July 2, we revisit one of the many wonderful Main Stage performances from last year’s festival.
Grammy-nominated composer-pianist Vijay Iyer was described by Pitchfork as “one of the most interesting and vital young pianists in jazz today,” by the Los Angeles Weekly as “a boundless and deeply important young star,” and by Minnesota Public Radio as “an American treasure.” He was named DownBeat Magazine’s 2015 Artist of the Year and 2014 Pianist of the Year, a 2013 MacArthur Fellow, and a 2012 Doris Duke Performing Artist. In 2014 he began a permanent appointment as the Franklin D. and Florence Rosenblatt Professor of the Arts in the Department of Music at Harvard University.
Iyer has released twenty albums covering remarkably diverse terrain, most recently for the ECM label. The latest is “Break Stuff,” with a coveted five-star rating in DownBeat Magazine, featuring the Vijay Iyer Trio, hailed by PopMatters as “the best band in jazz.” Iyer’s trio (Iyer, piano; Marcus Gilmore, drums; Stephan Crump, bass) made its name with two tremendously acclaimed and influential albums, “Accelerando” (2012) and “Historicity” (2009).
Jazz Night in America with Christian McBride
Thursday at 11:00 PM
Buster Williams: Something More
Buster Williams
Buster Williams, once a sideman renowned for his work with Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Jimmy Heath, Betty Carter, and others, now leads his own groups under the name “Something More.” Of this title, Williams says: “Music should be an experience. It shouldn’t be something that’s understood by mathematics or by categories. The objective is to always give the audience something more.” While the members of Something More rotate from project to project, their individual and collective standards of performance – as well as their long, diverse lists of musical accomplishments and collaborations – never falter. For this performance, the revered bassist brings Steve Wilson, George Colligan, and Lenny White to the stage.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM and Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
“The Art of Miles Dewey Davis III — Studio Recordings From 1969 To 1974” 
Every year near the end of May, Craig notes the May 26th birthday of Miles Davis with a look back at a particular time period from the monumental Miles Davis legacy. This year we’ll hear some rarities and obscurities from the studio recordings of what is known as the “fusion era” Miles Davis. This is, arguably, some of the most wondrous and incredible music to come out of the 20th century!! Join me for a truly ear-opening experience!
Tropical Heat (hosted by Kpoti Senam Accoh)
Sunday, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Featured Album: “Residente” by Residente 
Residente (born René Pérez Joglar; February 23, 1978) is a Puerto Rican rapper, writer, producer and founder of the alternative rap group Calle 13. Along with the group, he has won 24 Latin Grammy awards in total; making him the Latin artist who has won the most gold-plated gramophones. He studied art for 8 years and has directed some of his own musical videos. His lyrics have earned him the respect of many music colleagues and critics and have even been studied as part of school and university courses. He has been recognized for his social contributions and serves as the face of campaigns for UNICEF and Amnesty International. He has consistently defended education in Latin America and the rights of the natives. In 2009 he referred to the governor of Puerto Rico as an “SOB” for laying off more than 30,000 public employees.[1] In November 2015, Residente received a recognition award in Barcelona due to his commitment to social awareness and for promoting peace.
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:
Clean Up Your Act 6-19-17
Alliant Energy is building Iowa’s largest solar site near Dubuque.
Culture Crawl 255 “Break All The Rules”
Revival Theatre Company presents “Victor/Victoria,” June 1-4 in Dows Theatre at Coe College.
Director Brian Glick talks about the production, which originated as a movie starring Julie Andrews and James Garner. The show will be staged in the round (almost), and some audience members will be seated at tables onstage to create the atmosphere of a cabaret, where much of the action takes place. This design requires the actors to forget about much of their movement training, such as not turning your back to the audience.
Tickets and information at www.revivaltheatrecompany.com.
Iowa City Jazz Fest Profile – “In Orbit” with Jeff Coffin & Michael Occhipinti & Felix Pastorius
By Jordan Maldonado, KCCK Programming Intern
In Orbit (from left): Tom Reynolds, Michael Occhipinti, Davide Direnzo, Jeff Coffin, Felix Pastorius
In Orbit is a collective of musicians from both sides of the Canada-USA border, centered on the original compositions of saxophonist Jeff Coffin, and guitarist Michael Occhipinti, joined by Felix Pastorius, Nashville/Toronto pianist Tom Reynolds, and drummer Davide Direnzo.
These artists have a broad spectrum of influence that ranges from R&B, funk, jazz, rock, and most modern day guitar styles along with artist influences such as John Lennon or the Dave Matthews Band. This spectrum creates an innovative, energetic, and ever-flowing new genre of jazz in the modern age.
In Orbit performs at the Iowa City Jazz Festival on Friday, June 30th at 9 p.m on the Main Stage.
Iowa City Jazz Fest Profile – Jacob Garchik’s Ye Olde
By Jordan Maldonado, KCCK Programming Intern
Trombonist/Composer/Arranger Jacob Garchik comes to the Iowa City Jazz Festival this year with Ye Olde featuring a collective of Brooklyn Avant Guitarists, Mary Halvorson, Brandon Seabrook, and Jonathan Goldberger, Plus Drummer Vinnie Sperrazza.
Named a “Rising Star” in the 2013 Downbeat Jazz Critic’s Poll, Garchik provides a vital role in the music scene of Brooklyn and downtown NYC. Ye Olde explores the progressive rock influences and the arts that Brooklyn has not seen.
Ye Olde performs on the main stage on Saturday, July 1st at 5pm.
Iowa City Jazz Fest Profile – North Corridor Jazz All Stars
By Jordan Maldonado, KCCK Programming Intern
The North Corridor Jazz All Stars return for their fourth performance at the Iowa City Jazz Festival. Much like the United Jazz Ensemble, this band features the most talented and well-versed jazz students in the North Corridor.
Under the direction of professor Steve Shanley, these musicians present and preserve a diverse and thorough big band show and will guarantee a romping and swinging live jam.
The North Corridor Jazz All Stars will open the main stage for Saturday, July 1st at 1 p.m.
Iowa City Jazz Fest Profile – Rhythm Future Quartet
By Jordan Maldonado, KCCK Programming Intern
Led by violinist Jason Anick and guitarist Olli Soikkeli, this quartet performs dynamic and lyrical arrangements of both Gypsy jazz standards and original compositions that draw upon diverse international rhythms and musical idioms.
Featuring Max O’Rourke on second guitar and Greg Loughman on bass, these artists dedicate their skills to broadening the dynamics of Gypsy jazz and contemporary music. Jason Anick is a composer and professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston while Olli Soikkeli moved from Scandavia to New York City, quickly becoming a top call guitarist. Max O’Rourke was the winner of the 2015 Saga Award from DjangoFest Northwest and Greg Loughman is a top call bassist in Boston.
Their recent album, “Travels” was selected as one of the top jazz albums of 2016 by Huffington Post and All About Jazz.
Rhythm Future Quartet plays Friday, June 30th at 7 p.m on the Main Stage.