The regular meeting of the Kirkwood Board of Trustees will take place May 11, 2017.
Time, place, and meeting agenda can be found at this link.
Special Programs: Week of May 1 – 7
Short List with Bob Naujoks
Monday – Friday at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
Short List: Jazz Women – The Instrumentalists (Vi Redd) 
This week The Short List presents an overlooked and under-recorded jazz lady, Vi Redd. Though she only made two recordings under her own name, and a handful with the likes of Count Basie and Marian McPartland, Redd was an accomplished and exciting alto saxophonists. She grew up in Los Angeles and became a part of the historic Central Avenue jazz scene. She would earn a teaching degree from USC and spend a lot of time in the classroom mentoring young musicians.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
“Horace Parlan Tribute”
Craig pays a loving tribute to the recently departed, superior pianist Horace Parlan (1/19/31 to 2/23/2017). We’ll hear from Parlan’s 2 dozen + releases as a leader, as well as performances as a sideman with greats like Charles Mingus, ‘Lockjaw’ Davis, Booker Ervin, Lou Donaldson, Stanley Turrentine, and others. Once again, some amazing material that is not to be missed!!
Night Lights (Classic Jazz) with David Brent Johnson
Duke Ellington
Monday, 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Corner the World)
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: “Ellington Ending: Duke’s Twilight Years”. www.indianapublicmedia.org/nightlights/archives/2017
Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson
Monday at 11:00 PM (follows Nightlights)
Carmen McRae: ‘Painter of Song’ 
Carmen McRae was an outstanding song stylist whose great strength was in her phrasing and interpretation of lyrics. She was also an excellent pianist, whose personal approach and musicianship developed during her occasional performances at Minton’s Playhouse during the early years of bebop.
Wednesday Night Special
6:00 PM
Highlights from the 2016 Iowa City Jazz Festival Mainstage: Akiko Tsuruga Trio featuring Jeff Hamilton & Graham Dechter
Akiko Tsuruga Trio with Jeff Hamilton (drums) & Graham Dechter (guitar) at the 2016 Iowa City Jazz Festival
In anticipation of the 2017 Iowa City Jazz Festival June 30 – July 2, we revisit the wonderful mainstage performances from last year’s festival.
Akiko Tsuruga has been a mainstay on the New York jazz scene since 2001. This talented Japanese musician began playing the organ at age three, and launched her career in jazz immediately after graduating from the Osaka College of Music. While living in Osaka, she had opportunities to play with world-renowned jazz musicians from the United States. Grady Tate, in particular, had the strongest influence on her professional career and convinced her to move to the U.S., and performed on her Japanese debut album. Dr. Lonnie Smith is one of Akiko’s greatest mentors, and she considers him as her biggest influence. Her talent also drew Lou Donaldson’s attention, and soon he chose her (2007) as his quartet’s organist.
Akiko has released five albums in Japan and four in the U.S. Her first two U.S. releases, “Sweet and Funky” and “Oriental Express” ranked within top 20 on the national jazz radio charts. Akiko has been regular on the DownBeat magazine critics poll since 2008. In 2012, she placed sixth in the Rising Star category and ranked in the readers poll. Her latest album, “Commencement”, released in 2014 ranked fourth in the Jazz Week Chart.
Jazz Night in America with Christian McBride
Thursday at 11:00 PM
Dee Dee Bridgewater: Jazz Master
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Jazz Night in America spotlights Grammy and Tony Award-winning and superstar Dee Dee Bridgewater on a program featuring “Songs of Freedom” from Jazz at Lincoln Center. Dee Dee shares her memories of Abby Lincoln and Nina Simone.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM and Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
“Prestige Records In 1967” 
Craig travels back 50 years to look in on the 45+ recording sessions that took place for PRESTIGE RECORDS in 1967. We’ll hear great selections from the likes of Pat Martino, Jaki Byard, Sonny Criss, Eric Kloss, Teddy Edwards, Don Patterson, and many more! This is a great opportunity to experience some fabulous material that is definitely not heard very often!
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:
New Music Monday for May 1, 2017
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.
Steve Nelson made a big splash as a newcomer in the jazz polls at the end of the ‘80s just as the vibraphone began to reemerge as one of jazz’s favorite instruments. The cool, drifty, slight detached sound of the vibes will forever be associated with jazz greats like Lionel Hampton, Gary Burton and others, but Nelson has firmly established himself as a leader of top-notch small ensembles that showcase his own personal voice on the instrument. On his new disc, “Brothers Under the Sun,” Nelson leads a blue-chip quartet of pianist Danny Grissett, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Lewis Nash on an imaginative set list that serves as a tribute to the late pianist Mulgrew Miller with whom Nelson enjoyed a long and fruitful musical collaboration and friendship.
Every February, Black History Month provides an annual reminder of the momentous contributions that African-Americans have made to the nation’s history. On his latest album, “Made in America,” saxophonist and composer Bobby Watson does his part to call attention to some vital but largely unappreciated black pioneers in a variety of fields, from politics to pop culture, science to sports. It offers a musical portrait gallery of nine influential African-Americans, including guitarist Grant Green, actress Butterfly McQueen, Tuskegee Airman Wendell O. Pruitt, and entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr. To shed light on these overlooked giants of American history, Watson enlisted a few collaborators with whom he shares some significant history of his own. Watson, bassist Curtis Lundy, pianist Stephen Scott and drummer Lewis Nash all had tenures with the influential singer Betty Carter.
Also this week, the SFJazz Collective sets its sights on the “Music of Miles Davis & Original Compositions,” recorded live last October at the SFJazz Center.
Pianist and sing
er Eliane Elias is joined by trumpeter Randy Brecker, vibraphonist Mike Mainieri, and singer Mark Kibble of Take 6 on her latest, “Dance of Time”.
Luke Sellick, a compelling newcomer on the jazz scene and bassist-of-choice for top-tier artists like Russell Malone and Jimmy Greene, is joined by some of the most prominent instrumentalists of New York’s next generation on “Alchemist.”
Culture Crawl 248 “Part Romeo & Juliet, Part Ocean’s 11. And Oh Yeah, at a Sci Fi Convention
Combined Efforts Theatre in Iowa City is theatre troupe whose mission is to get people of all ages and abilities involved in theatre, with a focus on providing opportunities for those with disabilities.
Their latest production is also an original script, written by the troupe’s writers group. Mary Vasey and Jess Wilson talk about this original comedy “The 37th Annual StarCon of Eastern Iowa (a play),” which will have something for everyone who has ever enjoyed Star Wars, Star Trek, or The Big Bang Theory.
Performed May 5 & 6 at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. Tickets and info at www.combinedefforts.org.
Clean Up Your Act 5-24-17
The Compost Ninja turns food waste into a useful produce for gardeners.
Culture Crawl 247 “Big Production, Small, Sweet Moments”
It’s a twofer with Theatre Cedar Rapids, as we welcome the directors of two upcoming productions. Amanda Mayfield directs “The Bully Plays,” a collection of short plays on the subject of bullying; and Leslie Charipar is in charge of wrangling “Peter Pan,” always a big undertaking. But Leslie says that amidst the flying and swordfights, it’s the smaller moments between characters that she thinks are most memorable.
“Peter Pan” opens May 5, The Bully Plays takes the stage beginning May 26.
Tickets and info at www.theatrecr.org.
Talking Pictures 4-27-17
Born in China, I Am Not Your Negro, Phoenix Forgotten, The Lost City of Z, The Promise with Hollis Monroe, Denny Lynch and Phil Brown.
Special Programs: Week of April 24 – 30
Short List with Bob Naujoks
Monday – Friday at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
Jazz Women – The Instrumentalists (Mary Osborne)
Mary Osborne
Guitarist Mary Osborne grew up in North Dakota, but was mentored by the great Charlie Christian as he was on the road with a territory band. The meeting cemented the determination of Osborne to be a jazz player. She worked with violinist Joe Venuiti and played with many greats – tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, pianist Marian McPartland, guitarist Tal Farlow among them. She only got to record occasionally, but what she did is priceless.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
“Prestige Records In 1957 – Part One”
Craig travels back 60 years to look in on the output of PRESTIGE RECORDS during 1957…some of the finest modern jazz records ever made! We’ll hear classic material from the likes of Gene Ammons, Kenny Burrell, Jackie McLean, John Coltrane, Red Garland, and many more jazz greats!
Night Lights (Classic Jazz) with David Brent Johnson
Monday, 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Corner the World) 
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: “Ella Fitzgerald ‘57: Ella Flies High”. www.indianapublicmedia.org/nightlights/archives/2017
Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson
Monday at 11:00 PM (follows Nightlights)
Duke Ellington, The Overview Part 2
Duke Ellington
Host Nancy Wilson picks up the Ellington story in the early 1930s. As America struggled through the depths of the Depression, Ellington’s star continued to rise. But his manager Irving Mills’s move to book Ellington and his band on a tour of the racially-segregated Deep South brought Duke to a career crossroads. Commentary includes biographer John Edward Hasse, former Ellington bandmates, and Ellington himself.
Wednesday Night Special
6:00 PM
Corridor Jazz Project Volume X CD art, by Lauren Stangl, Kennedy High School.
Jazz Appreciation Month: 2017 Corridor Jazz Project Concert
Preparing the Paramount Theatre for the Corridor Jazz Project X Concert. Rubicon Photo
The Corridor Jazz Project, showcases the outstanding high school jazz programs in the Cultural Corridor and provides the opportunity for high school musicians to interact with and learn from college jazz directors and other professional players. Each school that chooses to participate is matched with a professional musician/educator, who performs as a guest soloist with the school’s top jazz ensemble. The group rehearses the tune in 1-2 sessions. The band and guest artist record the track, under the direction of professional producers. All the tracks are included on a compilation CD. High school-age artists can also submit a design for the cover art, which is chosen by a committee of artists/art educators. A CD Release party and concert, featuring the bands and guest artists, is then held at an area venue. Schools are given blocks of tickets that they can sell and keep the proceeds. The CD is made available to each school, below cost, to sell and keep the profit. The CD airs periodically on KCCK, particularly during April Jazz Appreciation Month, and is also available at local retailers.
For the tenth year running, Iowa’s Jazz Station, brings nearly every high school in the Creative Corridor together for a joint concert to celebrate a CD that features their outstanding talent and jazz chops. This year’s concert was given on March 6th at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids featuring the following student bands (in order of performance) and their guest artist:
Marion High School Jazz Band featuring Dan Cassady
Iowa City High School Jazz Band featuring Derek Dreier
Kennedy High School Jazz Band One featuring John Hall
Prairie High School Jazz One featuring Lynne Hart
Jefferson High School Jazz Ensemble featuring Jen Tiede
Lisbon High School Jazz Band featuring Steve Shanley
Mt. Vernon High School Swingin’ STANGS, featuring Jon Wilson
Solon High School Jazz Orchestra featuring Mike Compton
Xavier High School Jazz Band One featuring Nolan Schroeder
Linn Mar Colton Center Jazz Ensemble featuring Dr. Alex Pershounin
Washington High School Revolutionists featuring Rod Pierson
You can order the Corridor Jazz Project Volume X CD here: https://www.kcck.org/kcck-store/
Jazz Night in America with Christian McBride
Thursday at 11:00 PM
NEA Jazz Masters
NEA Jazz Master Dr. Lonnie Smith at the 2013 Iowa City Jazz Festival. Photo by Dave Maley
For more than 30 years, the NEA has been horning some of the most significant living well established, seasoned jazz veterans. The folks who’ve earned their stripes, paid their dues. The first crop was in 1982 with Roy Eldridge, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sun Ra … the following year, Sonny Rollins, Count Basie, and Kenny Clarke. This year, it’s writer Ira Gitler, vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, bassist Dave Holland, organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Pianist Dick Hyman Jazz Night in America salute this year’s recipients with interviews with the artists and unearthed rare live recordings.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM and Monday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
“Horace Parlan Tribute” 
Craig pays a loving tribute to the recently departed, superior pianist Horace Parlan (1/19/31 to 2/23/2017). We’ll hear from Parlan’s 2 dozen + releases as a leader, as well as performances as a sideman with greats like Charles Mingus, ‘Lockjaw’ Davis, Booker Ervin, Lou Donaldson, Stanley Turrentine, and others. Once again, some amazing material that is not to be missed!!
Tropical Heat (hosted by Kpoti Senam Accoh)
Sunday, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Featured Album: TBA
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at: