Hey, Jazz fans. Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of singers Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams and Diane Schuur, organist Jimmy Smith, trumpeter/violinist/singer Ray Nance, trumpeter Donald Byrd, pianists McCoy Tyner and Beegie Adair and composer/pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Anita O’Day’s “This Is Anita O’Day” (1955), John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” (1964), Dexter Gordon’s “Homecoming” (1976), Louie Bellson & His Jazz Orchestra’s “East Side Suite” (1987), Poncho Sanchez’ “A Night At Kimball’s East” (1990), Louis Hayes & the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band “Live at Cory Weed’s Jazz Cellar Club” (2013) and many others, Monday through Friday, and at noon on Jazz Masters on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.
This Week In Jazz December 7 thru December 13
This Week’s Shows December 8 thru December 14
Jazz Corner of the World (Encore)
Mondays at 6:00pm
Jackie McLean’s Prestige Records
Craig presents a variety of jazz jewels from the 19 Prestige sessions featuring the great alto saxophonist, band leader, composer, and educator Jackie McLean.
Wednesday Night Special
Wednesdays at 6:00pm
Betsy & Ron’s Christmas Party
The Opus Concert Café’s audience got an early holiday treat as singer Betsy Hickok and guitarist Ron Roberts returned to First Friday Jazz last December. Their song list was filled with holiday classics, some new favorites, and loads of good cheer. 6:00 on KCCK’s Wednesday Night Special.
Jazz Corner of the World
Saturdays at 12:00 noon
Pat Martino’s Prestige Career
Craig presents a variety of astonishing jazz guitar recordings from the 23 Prestige sessions that from award-winning guitarist and educator Pat Martino.
KCCK’s Midnight CD (December 8 – December 14)
Every Night at Midnight
KCCK features a new album every night, played from start-to-finish.
Holly Tunes by Wayne Wilkinson on Monday; The Nutcracker Remix by the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra on Tuesday; Christmas Interlude by Jeremy Pelt on Wednesday; Holiday Fun! by Wycliffe Gordon (Featured Album) on Thursday; Blues for Christmas by Mike Dangeroux on Friday; Know You from Old by Steve Howell & Fats Kaplan on Saturday; Swinging in the Holiday by Various Artists on Sunday.
Big Mo Pod Show 085 – “California Bluesin”
After a short break during the Thanksgiving holiday your hosts are back at it again with another episode! This week features the usual mix of blues eras you’ve come to expect along with a few Californian artists, tune in to see which ones! Songs featured in the episode:
- Solomon Hicks – “Further On Up The Road”
- John Lee Hooker & Robert Cray – “Mr. Lucky”
- Norton Buffalo & Roy Rogers – “Mercury Blues”
- Danny Bryant – “Tougher Now”
- Ana Popovic – “California Chase”
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Culture Crawl 1152 “Combination of Elvis & a Cha-Cha”
Heavy Metal! “Tuba Christmas” comes to the Cedar Rapids Public Library Dec. 13. It’s an ad hoc ensemble that will feature nearly 100 instruments. Rehearsal takes place immediately prior to the show, and all players are welcome, regardless of age or experience level.
Admission and participation are free, but audience members are encouraged to bring their own seating, since the band takes up just about every chair the Library owns! More into at crtubachristmas.com.
Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or search “Culture Crawl” in your favorite podcast player. Listen Live at 10:30am most weekdays on Iowa’s Jazz station. 88.3 FM or kcck.org/listen.
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Vote for the The Best of 2025 Live
On New Year’s Eve, we’re looking back at the standout performances that Iowa’s Jazz Station brought to you during our KCCK’s 50th anniversary year, and we need your help to choose! Pick your favorite four shows from 2025. We’ll play back the top vote-getters as we ring in 2026!
Please cast your vote by 5pm Dec. 17.
Talking Pictures 12-3-25
“Blue Moon” (2025 musical/drama) and “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” (2025 mystery/comedy) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Monica Schmidt.
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Culture Crawl 1151 “You’re Jake From State Farm!”
TKM Theatrical Productions premieres a new play from Jonesy McElroy Dec. 5-14. “Fruitcakes” tells the story of a failing call center whose operator begins inviting clients who have nowhere to go for the holidays to join him.
Tickets and more info at tkmtheatricalproductions.com.
Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or search “Culture Crawl” in your favorite podcast player. Listen Live at 10:30am most weekdays on Iowa’s Jazz station. 88.3 FM or kcck.org/listen.
Podcast (culturecrawl): Play in new window | Download
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KCCK’s Featured Album for December 2025
The KCCK Featured Album for December is “Holiday Fun!” from Wycliffe Gordon. The acclaimed trombonist, composer and arranger captures the joy and fun of the holiday season, brought to life with some of the close friends he’s worked with throughout his career and those from his hometown of Augusta, Georgia. The pieces were primarily selected and arranged for a holiday show in 2009 and have now been recorded and made available for the first time. “Holiday Fun” is from Arbors Records. Purchase