Mark Yother, long-time KCCK air personality and program host, died January 28^th after a sudden illness.

A native of Cheyenne, Wyoming,in 1941, Mark received his BA from Colorado State College, now the University of Northern Colorado, and a Masters in Music from Indiana University.

Mark planned to be an elementary school music teacher, but the U.S. Air Force sent to Korea and made him a newscaster for American Forces Network, and broadcasting became his lifelong career and passion for more than forty years..

Mark came to Cedar Rapids in 1970 as an anchor and reporter for KCRG. He began his career at KCCK in 1977 as news director, and also worked for a while in the Kirkwood Community Education department. For most of his radio career, he hosted a daily music show on KCCK, as well as the movie review program Talking Pictures. He also did a daily humorous commentary, “Got A Minute,” which recently surpassed 5,700 episodes.

He had a sharp and wicked sense of humor and knew more jokes than anyone could possibly imagine.

He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Helen Yother of Bloomfield, Connecticut. A memorial service will be held at Tommy’s West Restaurant at a later date.

Mark’s KCCK family and the family of listeners who tuned in each day for companionship and fine music will miss him greatly. Dennis Green will host a special tribute to Mark during Sunday Morning Swing at 7am Sunday, January 31, featuring Mark’s favorite songs and even some of his humorous poetry.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

A memorial fund has been established at KCCK to remember Mark. Visit www.kcck.org/donate for more information.

Short List with Bob Naujoks

Monday – Friday at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM

The Short List: A Personal History of Jazz – Hard Bop    

Bob Naujoks’ skewed history of jazz continues on The Short List this week with a listen to Hard Bop. It may seem a jump from Gentle Jazz to the strong statements from Hard Bop, but the Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet turned his head. Not only them, but Cannonball Adderley, Art Blakey and Sonny Rollins appear on Bob’s list of valued jazzmen.

Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson  

Monday at 6:00 PM

Gene Ammons: ‘The Jug’

Gene “Jug” Ammons

The son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons, Gene Ammons came roaring out of the bluesy sound of Chicago at a time when bebop was just getting its legs. Sitting in the horn section of Billy Eckstine’s band in the mid-’40s, Ammons shared the stage with Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Stitt, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and Art Blakey. Although Ammons had a big, bold tenor sound, he could also compress that energy into lush, romantic ballads.

Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler

Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)

“Birth Date Anniversary of British Jazz Giant, Tubby Hayes”           

Craig celebrates the life and legacy of multi-instrumentalist Edward Brian “Tubby” Hayes (1/30/35 to 6/8/73). Known primarily for his work on the tenor sax, Hayes was also quite proficient on the flute and the vibraphone! We’ll hear some fabulous examples of British modern jazz from throughout Tubby’s distinguished career.

New Orleans Calling with George Ingmire    

Tuesday at 6:00 PM 

“Carnival Time”      

In New Orleans in the weeks before Mardi Gras, there are preparations and celebrations already under way. Costumes are being sewn, king cakes are being baked, parades are going down the street, and there’s all kinds of music. This isn’t just Fat Tuesday — it’s a whole season. And it isn’t just something you watch — it’s Carnival Time, and in New Orleans you become a part of it.

One of our guests this week is the great documentary filmmaker Royce Osborn.  His “All On A  Mardi Gras Day” is a milestone in documenting Back Mardi Gras traditions in New Orleans.

Guitarist and banjoist Seva Venet spoke to us about his experiences playing in Jackson Square and in a Mardi Gras parade with the legendary Anthony “Tuba Fats” Lacen.  Tuba Fats and his rotating group of musicians the Chosen Few performed in Jackson Square for years, and many of today’s most important musicians in New Orleans came up under his mentorship.

Jazz Night in America with Christian McBride

Wednesday at 6:00 PM

Capitalbop: Washington, D.C. Jazz Loft Trios 

Jazz has its capital cities: major gathering places like New York, Chicago and New Orleans. But the music manages to live plenty well in many other places too. What goes into those smaller ecosystems to enable jazz to thrive? How do talented musicians make it happen? In search of some answers, we sought out the DIY concert producers of Capitalbop in Washington, D.C. as they presented three musicians from the Baltimore-Washington metropolis. Jazz Night In America presents highlights from CapitalBop’s warehouse loft stage at the 2015 DC Jazz Festival, featuring three trios led by vibraphonist Warren Wolf, bassist Kris Funn, and alto saxophonist Gary Thomas.

Wednesday Night Special                

7:00 PM (Follows Jazz Night in America)   

We Remember Mark

Longtime KCCK personality Mark Yother died January 28. In a special re-broadcast of this week’s “Sunday Morning Swing,” Dennis Green remembers Mark through music and his “Got A Minute” commentaries.

Jazz Legends at the Iowa City Jazz Festival: Dr. Lonnie Smith (follows the “We Remember Mark” special) 

Dr. Lonnie Smith with KCCK Program Director Bob Stewart backstage at the 2013 Iowa City Jazz Festival

 Hammond B-3 organist, Dr. Lonnie Smith, started with guitarist, George Benson in 1967, followed by recording with alto saxophonist, David Fathead Newman, alto sax legend Lou Donaldson and his own solo Blue Note LPs. The Doctor is right up there with Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, and Charles Earland as one of THE all-time best Hammond organ players in jazz! Dr. Smith wears his trademark turban when he plays. Jazz Times magazine recently described Lonnie as “a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a turban!”

Dr. Smith insists that the organ is a tough instrument to play, but a listener wouldn’t know it based on the complete effortlessness with which he plays. “Right from the beginning I was able to play and I didn’t even know how. I learned how to work the stops and that was it; everything else came naturally.

Lonnie’s trio features guitarist and composer Jonathan Kreisberg, who at age 16, started at the New World School of the Arts, following by winning a scholarship to the University of Miami, where he held the guitar chair in the acclaimed Concert Jazz Band, touring Brazil. In addition to his performing with Lonnie, Jonathan has worked with Lee Konitz, Greg Tardy, Lenny White, Jane Monheit, Bill Stewart and Larry Grenadier. Kreisberg is known for his extraordinarily clean articulation, remarkable sax-like fluency, harmonic daring and rhythmically assured burn.

Drummer, Jamire Williams completes the Trio. Williams is a fiery drummer, who says, “I am not a jazz drummer! I’m a drummer that plays jazz really really really really good!” He also has performed with the Robert Glasper Trio and Kenny Garrett’s quartet, among other contemporary groups.

Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler    

Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM and Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

“The State of The Instrument – The Piano” 

Aaron Goldberg

In this 2nd installment of this series, Craig will look at 4 current pianists…their art and their careers.  We’ll hear selections from unique pianists, Craig Taborn, Diedre Rodman, Aaron Goldberg, and Kenny Werner.

 Tropical Heat with Kpoti Accoh      

Sunday, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Featured Album: “4” by Timeless Fusion Party

http://www.musicnow.co/en/events/cmj/timeless_fusion_party

Wonderfully combining the creativity of jazz and affinities of pop music, the Timeless Fusion Party, which is formed by 5 experienced jazz band members, has earned the love and support from their fans.

It is said about Timeless Fusion Party that “If dreams and goals are too easily achieved, then that means they’re not big enough. A dream must be something that will take all of my being to fight for; that’s what makes it worthwhile!”

KCCK’s Midnight CD

The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:

http://www.kcck.org/midnight-cd/