Short List with Bob Naujoks
Monday – Friday at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
The Short List: International Jazz Stars (Rolf Ericson) 
Swedish trumpeter Rolf Ericson is a somewhat obscure player to most music fans, but he was a desired sideman, and played in the trumpet sections of major big bands: Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Harry James. He also played in small groups with Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus and Buddy Rich. He was a mainstream bebopper with a warm tone and lyrical bent.
Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson
Monday at 6:00 PM
Oscar Peterson: Piano Master
Oscar Peterson. Photo by Patti Gower/Toronto Star, 1991
Trained in the classical tradition of Franz Liszt, but nurtured on Art Tatum and Nat “King” Cole, Oscar was the standard to which many pianists aspire. This show examines his career from his origins in tough neighborhoods of Montreal, to his work with Norman Granz’s Jazz at The Philharmonic, to his influential trio with bassist Ray Brown and guitarist Herb Ellis, to becoming a solo artist.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)
“The Recordings of Herbie Hancock — 1969 to 1971”
Craig continues his survey of the jazz keyboard master, HERBERT JEFFREY HANCOCK, focusing in on the years 1969 into 1971. We’ll hear Herbie’s work on records by Miles Davis, Josef Zawinul, George Benson, Freddie Hubbard, and others, and of course from several of Herbie’s own recordings of the day.
New Orleans Calling with George Ingmire
Tuesday at 6:00 PM
Portrait of a Drummer
Johnny Vidacovich
There are so many great drummers in New Orleans that it’s hard to stand out — but Johnny Vidacovich does. He’s one of the living greats in New Orleans today, with a unique voice, in many ways. In this episode, he invites us into his living room to talk about the musicality of his playing, being inspired by late Smokey Johnson, and inspiring students to find their own voice. Plus we hear a live performance by Johnny with Chris Severin and Tony Dagradi, recorded at Basin Street Station. And we also talk about Johnny’s favorite way to eat shrimp — and in a special new segment with a guest producer, we take a look at how that shrimp is getting to the table nowadays.
In February 2015, Johnny Vidacovich performed with Tony Dagradi on sax and Chris Severin on bass, in a special set recorded for New Orleans Calling at the historic Basin Street Station.
One of Johnny’s most famous projects is the jazz group Astral Project, featuring Johnny on drums, Steve Masakowski on guitar, James Singleton on bass, and Tony Dagradi on sax.
Stanton Moore was one of Johnny’s students, and is now one of the most respected drummers in America. He is a founder of the band Galactic.
Jazz Night in America with Christian McBride
Wednesday at 6:00 PM
Herbie Hancock Live in Brooklyn
Herbie Hancock performing at the Prospect Park Bandshell as part of BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Credit Michelle V. Agins/The New York Times
Herbie Hancock always seems to be on some kind of voyage. Whether that’s sitting in a eleven-keyboard cockpit or forming new bands of musicians that push his possibilities and the boundaries of jazz. Jazz Night in America host Christian sits down with Herbie to discuss his journey in technology through the years. Our concert features Herbie with Lionel Loueke on guitar, James Genus on bass and Trevor Lawrence Jr. on drums. The most recent member of the group is Flying Lotus/Kendrick Lamar collaborator Terrace Martin on keyboards, and alto saxophone.
Wednesday Night Special
7:00 PM (Follows Jazz Night in America)
Iowa City Jazz Festival 2016: Edmar Castaneda Trio
Edmar Castaneda Trio at the 2016 Iowa City Jazz Festival
Artist Profile by Laura Eckles, KCCK Programming Intern
Edmar Castaneda, the Colombian harp player is arguably one of the most original players hailing from the Big Apple. Castaneda pursued jazz trumpet once moving to New York from Bogota; but, he soon realized that he wanted to apply the jazz techniques he had learned to his original instrument, the harp. The harp has been utilized in jazz improvisation before by players like Dorothy Ashby, Zeena Parkins, and a few others, but is definitely an outlier where jazz instruments are concerned
Edmar Castaneda currently has four albums out, the latest being released in 2015, “Edmar Castaneda World Ensemble: Live at the Jazz Standard.”
In 2012, Castaneda produced an album featuring Miguel Zenon, “Double Portion.” Castaneda uses an assortment of influences like joropo, Latin, tango, Brazilian, and flamenco vibes to create his music. He has comprised a talented trio, but you may be surprised what he accomplishes on his harp alone. He plays lead melodies, harmonizes, lays down bass lines, and even adds rhythmic depth to the trio.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM and Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
“Birth Date Anniversary Celebration for Saxophonist’ ‘Zoot’ Sims”
John Haley “Zoot” Sims
Craig salutes the birthday of John Haley “Zoot” Sims (10/29/25 to 3/23/85) by spinning an interesting array of tasteful recordings from throughout the lengthy and varied career of Zoot’s, going back into the 1940s, right up to his final recording in 1984. As an avid follower of the sounds of Ben Webster and Lester Young, Zoot was one of the finest saxophonists in the history of modern jazz!
Tropical Heat (hosted by Kpoti Senam Accoh)
Sunday, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Featured Album: Nova by Nova et Jordi Batiste 
Nova is a musical project by historic Catalan folk-pop, Jordi Batiste who released his first self – titled album in 2012.
Six years after their previous release, Jordi Batiste returned with this new band “Nova” a power trio which also includes his son, Marcel Batiste on drums and guitar Jesús Molina.
The new album “Nova” (Petit Indie 2012), born from the desire to reformulate Batiste sound, speech and creative process.
Following the publication of his two solo albums, “photophobia” (2001) and “L’arbre blanc” (2006), Batiste felt the need to return to his origins, to use instruments always simmered, composing, building songs in the public rehearsals. It has been a long process, two years in making, and the result is a classic rock / fusion jazz sound that is unmistakably Jordi’s.
https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Jordi_Batiste_Nova?id=Byu5pcngvbwkp6zgxu2hglch6tm
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:
n launched his new band in 1947, its centerpiece was a saxophone section featuring three tenors and a baritone. The unusual configuration was designed to showcase a new cooler, swinging sax sound pioneered by tenor great Lester Young. Though Herman’s sax-centric Second Herd lasted only until 1950, it would help start a West Coast jazz revolution—one that tenor sax great Harry Allen and his All-Star New York Saxophone Band explore brilliantly on the new CD, “The Candy Men.” Harry’s colleagues—tenor saxophonists Grant Stewart and Eric Alexander and baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan—share his passion for the seductive sound of a sax section. Harry is quick to point out that he wasn’t trying to mimic any particular arranging style. He merely wanted to make the charts fun to play and hear.
Also this week, Norah Jones returns to the piano-driven sound she fashioned on earlier releases in her career on her sixth studio release, “Day Breaks”.
s latest outing as a leader, “Unspoken,” featuring special guests Jeff Lorber, Eric Marienthal, Till Bronner and Everette Harp.
