Revival Theatre Company presents the Corridor premiere of the musical “Evita” Nov. 17-19 in Coe’s Sinclair Auditorium. Director Brian Glick says there are many great moments in the show besides the well-known torch song “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina.” Although he promises that will be a standout moment.
Tickets and information at www.revivaltheatrecompany.com.
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.
The world-renowned
Richie Cole began his career as lead alto in the Buddy Rich Big Band, then started his own quintet and toured worldwide, popularizing bebop and his own Alto Madness style. He spends much of his time now with the Pittsburgh Alto Madness Orchestra. During a recent recording session with the Orchestra, the horn section unexpectedly had to bow out for a session. Producer Mark Perna brought the remaining quartet into the studio anyway, for what was supposed to be a fun blowing date for the archives. Only afterward did Perna notice that the majority of the tracks were ballads. He realized Richie had never, during his extensive career, released a dedicated ballads album. He approached Cole about finishing it off and releasing it as such. The saxophonist agreed and the result is “Richie Cole Plays Ballads & Love Songs.”
Jazz has been declared “dead” numerous times since saxophonist Ken Field formed the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble in 1990. The band obviously didn’t get the memo! Over more than a quarter century, the horn-heavy sextet, inspired by the New Orleans brass band tradition, has been evolving and refining a unique sound that incorporates electric, post-bop and avant jazz influences without ever losing it allegiance to the groove and the party spirit of NOLA. Their 4th album, “I Want That Sound!,” celebrates the band’s collective experience by providing a snapshot of where and what it is today—a tight, funky, fun and heady unit that’s transgenerational in its appeal and whose music resonates with listeners on melodic, harmonic and rhythmic levels.
Also this week, Boston-based guitarist Steven Kirby unveils his third disc as a leader, “Illuminations”.
Space Orphan provides a soulful, funky sound that is heavily based on groove for their debut record, “Shut Up About the Sun”.
Trumpeter 
Wallace Roney is joined by jazz veterans Lenny White, Patrice Rushen and Gary Bartz on his latest, “A Place in Time.”
Arrival, Inferno, Dr. Strange, Dr. Who: Power of the Daleks, Almost Christmas with Hollis Monroe, Denny Lynch and Monica Schmidt
Orchestra Iowa presents “A Night in Prague,” Nov. 12 at the Paramount and Nov. 13 at the Coralville Center. Tim Hankewich tells the story behind the compositions of the three Czech composers, Dvorak, Janacek, and Mozart, whose works are featured. You may not have known that Mozart was Czech and incorporated Moravian and Bohemian folk melodies into his work.
Tickets at www.orchestraiowa.org or 319.366.8203.
This week, KCCK is hosting a trip to New Orleans. A couple of dozen listeners and friends are taking in the sites, food, and of course, music in this historic city. Our own Big Mo, John Heim, and his wife Jackie are on the trip, and John sat in with the house band at the Louisiana Old Mint! Check out the video shot by our buddy Jamie Sharp.
Short List with Bob Naujoks
Monday – Friday at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
The Short List: International Jazz Stars (Hugh Masekela)
Hugh Masekela
One may know of legendary South Africa trumpeter Hugh Masekela from his late 1960s hit record, Grazin’ In the Grass, but may not know of his other work that blended African rhythms with American jazz. He received his first trumpet as a gift when he was in secondary school and his second from Louis Armstrong himself. His interest in music led other to a desire to play and the first Johannesburg youth band was formed. Masekela had to escape from the brutal apartheid in South Africa and he went to England first, then to America, to study music. On the advice of drummer Art Blakey he formed his own group that emphasized his heritage and jazz.
Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson
Monday at 6:00 PM
James Moody: In The Mood 
James Moody 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. This program highlights Moody’s work with Dizzy Gillespie, and his treatment of “I’m in the Mood for Love” – better known as “Moody’s Mood.” Moody also reflects on the life experiences that have shaped his playing style and rich musical legacy. In a career that extended more than 60 years, James Moody developed a personal sound that reflects that warm personality: romantic, witty and earthy.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)
“Birth Date Anniversary of Reedman, Charlie Mariano”
Craig celebrates the life and legacy of jazzman and “world music” pioneer, CARMINE UGO “Charlie” MARIANO. We’ll hear selections from throughout his lengthy career, including work with jazz greats Elvin Jones, Charles Mingus, Stan Kenton, Eberhard Weber, McCoy Tyner, Shelly Manne, Chico Hamilton, and many others. Check out some of the dazzling work from this unheralded jazz great!
New Orleans Calling with George Ingmire
Tuesday at 6:00 PM
Donald Harrison Jr: You Have To Live It
Donald Harrison, Jr. at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
This week on New Orleans Calling host George Ingmire visits saxophonist, student of jazz, and educator, Donald Harrison, Jr. to talk about everything from Miles Davis to Nouveau Swing, personal inspirations to the importance of experiences and collaborations.
Donald grew up in New Orleans in a family of musicians and creative people, studied with the great jazz teacher Alvin Batiste at Southern University, and then at Berklee School of Music in Boston.
Following Charlie Parker’s motto “If you didn’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn,” he set out to meet and play with the greatest jazz musicians he could, and made the experiences a part of himself. In the 1980s he and fellow New Orleanian Terence Blanchard worked with the great Art Blakey, and he also got the opportunity to work with more of his idols, including Miles Davis, and musicians who performed alongside John Coltrane and Charlie Parker.
And it’s now part of his life’s work to share that level of experience with young musicians, including the high school-age players at the Tipitina’s Intern Program in New Orleans.
A special performance was recorded live by New Orleans Calling for this program: Donald performing with bassist Max Moran, drummer Joe Dyson, piano player Shea Pierre, and guitarist Detroit Brooks at the historic Basin St Station.
Jazz Night in America with Christian McBride
Wednesday at 6:00 PM
Cyro Baptista
Cyro Baptista
In the world of Brazilian percussion, few players have share the stage with Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo-Ma, Trey Anastasio (Phish), and Sting. Cyro Baptista transcends borders and style, and with more than three decades of wizardry and ingenuity he brings his craft to Jazz at Lincoln Center. Our concert showcases Cryo’s wild take on traditional Brazilian grooves like forro and samba with jazz, experimental and funk undertones. This episode of Jazz Night in America follows Cyro, to Home Depot as he creates a new percussion instrument for his arsenal.
Wednesday Night Special
7:00 PM (Follows Jazz Night in America)
Iowa City Jazz Festival 2016: Marquis Hill Blacktet
Marquis Hill at the 2016 Iowa City Jazz Festival
Artist Profile by Laura Eckles, KCCK Programming Intern
Marquis Hill, a Windy City native, recently won the 2014 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition. Chicago’s jazz scene is what shaped Hill to be the fine musician that he is today. Hill’s early studies came from the Ravinia Jazz Scholar Program. He did his undergraduate work at Northern Illinois University with the recently retired Ron Carter (another IC Jazz Fest alum), and received his graduate degree from DePaul University.
The Marquis Hill Blacktet takes its name the band of one of Marquis’s friends, who had a group called The Bluestet. Marquis Hill’s latest album, “The Way We Play,” was released June 24, 2016. Hill’s latest album displays a variety of fresh, bop-influenced ideas. This straight-ahead jazz will captivate you with a variety of clever syncopations and driving rhythms.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM and Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
“Jazz In 1976” 
Craig travels back 40 years to explore examples of what was happening in jazz in 1976. We’ll hear a wide variety of tunes from throughout the jazz spectrum, including work from Keith Jarrett, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Albert Mangelsdorff, Jaco Pastorius, Jim Hall, Dexter Gordon, Enrico Rava, and many others. Come along and join in on the fun!!….some great material that you probably haven’t heard for awhile!
Tropical Heat (hosted by Kpoti Senam Accoh)
Sunday, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Featured Album: “Homeless” by Airto Moreira 
http://www.allmusic.com/album/homeless-mw0000609082
Having added his unique talents to Miles Davis’ early electric albums, the first incarnations of jazz fusion bands Weather Report and Return to Forever, and Mickey Hart’s Planet Drum ensembles, Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira has always seemed comfortable with a challenge. Now he’s entered the electronic age of computer beats with Homeless, his first solo outing in seven years.
“I’m always open to experimenting,” Moreira said. The idea for Homeless came from his record label, M.E.L.T. 2000, and offered him the chance to work with his daughter, Diana, and her husband, Krishna Booker, who lead the band Eyedentity. Moreira is pleased with the result, he said, because “it’s done in a way that you don’t know what is electronic and what’s played.
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:
http://www.kcck.org/midnight-cd/
Lindsey Cline and Katie Colette are two of The Wonderettes, a 60s girl group reuniting as the entertainment for the Christmas party at Harper’s Hardware. One of the girls is pregnant, one tends to party just a little too hard, and the audience gets involved, too.
Running Nov. 17-Dec. 18 at the Old Creamery Theatre in Amana. Performances Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets and information at www.oldcreamery.com.
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.
Pianist Eric Lewis grew disheartened by the jazz music industry in the late ‘90s after a promising start in the ensembles of Wynton Marsalis and Elvin Jones. Subsequently, Lewis won the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition only to find he wasn’t connecting to the material any longer. He withdrew from the jazz world and reemerged with a new moniker and style, namely ELEW and rockjazz. After years of distancing himself from the jazz world, ELEW has decided to make a return in a triumvirate featuring bassist Reginald Veal and drummer Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts. His new recording, “And to the Republic,” features the forceful pianist’s fantastic prowess expressed in the genre with which he first caught the attention of the listening public, mainstream jazz.
Like many jazz organists, Mike LeDonne started out on piano. Growing up around the family music store, his path to music was inevitable. After graduating from the New England Conservatory, he moved to New York and became a fixture in jazz circles, with the Art Farmer-Clifford Jordan Quartet, Dizzy Gillespie, Stanley Turrentine and Sonny Rollins. His eleven-year association with Milt Jackson and recording projects with Benny Golson solidified his prominence as a sideman. Now with eight CDs as a leader under his belt, LeDonne has earned himself a place in the elite club of truly great organist-bandleaders. His newest CD with his Groover Quartet, “That Feelin’,” also adds alto saxophonist Vincent Herring to the mix.
Also this week, veteran pianist George Cables’ new disc, “The George Cables Songbook,” illuminates his gifts as a composer as much as his skill at the keyboard.
Saxophonist Cory Weeds features pianist David Hazeltine on his new quintet release, “It’s Easy to Remember”.
Singer/trumpeter/songwriter Bria Skonberg displays a unique fusion of modern-day pop sensibility, combined with sizzling musicianship, on “Bria,” an album of standards plus five original songs.
