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This Week’s Shows – June 30 thru July 6

Jazz Corner of the World (Encore) (June 30)

Mondays at 6:00pm

Farewell Tribute to Al Foster

Craig spins a wide variety of recordings featuring Aloysius Tyrone “Al” Foster. We’ll hear Foster leading his own groups, as well as fabulous recordings with Joe Henderson, David Liebman, Duke Jordan, Art Pepper, Blue Mitchell, and most particularly, Miles Davis.

Wednesday Night Special

Wednesdays at 6:00pm

Trombone Shorty at the Iowa City Jazz Festival

The Iowa City Jazz Festival is just days away, so for this week’s Wednesday Night Special, we listen back to one of the greatest party-makers in jazz. 2009’s headliner, Trombone Shorty, took the stage with unstoppable jazz, funk, and groove

Jazz Night In America

Thursdays at 11:00pm

Honoring Elmo Hope

We honor the legacy of Elmo Hope, a giant of jazz piano who never got the recognition he deserved. A close friend and influence on both Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, Hope played a pivotal role in shaping modern jazz and inspiring innovation among his peers.

Jazz Corner of the World

Saturdays from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm

Iowa City Jazz Festival Live

The Jazz Corner of the World is pre-empted this week as KCCK presents live coverage of the 2025 Iowa City Jazz Festival. Tune in to 88.3 to hear all the Main Stage performances, plus exclusive backstage interviews and more!

KCCK’s Midnight CD

KCCK features a new album every night, played from start-to-finish.

Impact by Steve Holt Jazz Impact Quintet on Monday; Samba of Sorts by Unity Quartet on Tuesday; The Best of Berlin by Peter & Will Anderson on Wednesday; La Fleur de Cayenne by Paquito D”Rivera on Thursday; Trial By Fire by Fran Drew and the Lucky Strikes on Friday; Heartbreak City by Larry McCray on Saturday; Elemental by Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap on Sunday.

New Music Monday for June 30, 2025

Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Drummer Alyn Cosker has long been one of the most in-demand musicians on the Scottish jazz scene. A regular with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and top U.K. artists such as saxophonist Tommy Smith, he is also frequently called to back up international touring acts like Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Dave Liebman and Branford Marsalis. He can just as readily be found alongside progressive Celtic artists exploring a blend of tradition, rock and other genre-smashing combinations. His love for his Scottish roots is evident throughout his lyrical melodies and playful, dancing rhythmic concepts on his new release, “Onta.”

Vocalist and pianist Dena DeRose is back with a new recording that solidifies her place among the most communicative and sophisticated artists in jazz today. DeRose has captivated audiences with her acclaimed albums, and with “Mellow Tones,” she unveils her latest project with bassist Martin Wind and drummer Matt Wilson. The new disc showcases her signature blend of swing and heartfelt balladry, underlining her reputation as “a supremely elegant pianist and singer who exudes an effortless sense of swing” (Downbeat).

Also this week, “Transverse” documents a remarkable international collaboration between Chicago-based trumpeter Chad McCullough and three pillars of the Macedonian jazz scene: pianist Gordan Spasovski, bassist Kiril Tufekcievski, and drummer Viktor Filipovski; trombonist Michael Dease continues his exploration of the music of composer Gregg Hill with “City Life”; and guitarist Albare brings together two distinct ensembles from the Melbourne, Australia jazz scene, the Jazz Alchemists and The Harmonix Experience, on his new disc, “Eclecticity.”

This Week In Jazz June 29 thru July 5

Hey, Jazz fans, be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of singers Lena Horne, Johnny Hartman, and Melissa Walker, pianists Richard Wyands, Ahmad Jamal and Andrew Hill, organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, bassist Stanley Clarke and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Miles Davis & Thelonious Monk at Newport 1958 (1958), Lionel Hampton & His All-Star Alumni Big Band – Newport Uproar (1967), Mary Osborne/Marian McPartland/Vi Redd/Dottie Dodgion’s “Now’s The Time” (1977), Ahmad Jamal “Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival 1985” (1985), Ray Barretto + New World Spirit’s “My Summertime” (1995), John Vanore’s “Stolen Moments: Celebrating Oliver Nelson” (2016) and many others Monday thru Friday and at noon on Jazz Masters on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.

Big Mo Pod Show 068 – “Smokestack Howlin”

Welcome to another show! This week we have a selection of tracks from blue’s past with classic artists as well as one new recording from an old favorite. Tune in to see who it is! Songs featured in the episode:

Champion Jack Dupree – “Evil Woman”
Warren Haynes – “These Changes”
Howlin Wolf – “Smokestack Lightnin”
James Booker – “Junco Partner”
Little Junior Parker – “Look on Yonders Wall”

Listen to ‘da Friday Blues with Big Mo each week at 6pm, and catch the podcast for a behind the scenes look at the show!

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Culture Crawl 1088 “Becoming The Elder Tree”

Summer is a great time to visit Prairiewoods Retreat Center in Hiawatha. The Center offers a variety of programs that range from yoga to cooking to a Day of Self-Renewal. Or leave your phone in the car and just explore their trails. Find out more at www.prairiewoods.org.

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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Talking Pictures 6-25-25

“28 Years Later” (2025) and another look at “A Minecraft Movie” (2025) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Monica Schmidt.

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Culture Crawl 1087 “Because of Tax Evasion”

Week 4 of the Cedar Rapids Municipal Season features guest vocalist Kelsey Madsen, a tribute to past director Morgan Jones, and a John Phillips Sousa march that is rarely played for a unique reason. 7:30pm June 25 at Johnson School and June 29 at Ellis Park. If you can’t attend in person, watch the livestream at facebook.com/CRMuniBand/. More Muni Band info at crmuniband.org.

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This Week’s Shows June 23 thru June 28

Jazz Corner of the World (Encore) (June 2)

Mondays at 6:00pm

Birthday Salute to Eric Dolphy

Although multi-reed instrumentalist Eric Dolphy’s career was relatively short, only spanning late 1958 to mid-1964, he left behind a rich cornucopia of essential, cutting edge jazz. Craig samples Eric’s brilliant career with material from Dolphy’s own recordings, as well as his time performing with John Coltrane, Chico Hamilton, Charles Mingus, Andrew Hill, George Russell, and many others.

Wednesday Night Special

Wednesdays at 6:00pm

Ritmo Quinto, Sam Ross on the Side Stage

Our listen back to last year’s incredible side stage performances at the Iowa City Jazz Festival continues with James Dreier & Ritmo Quinto and tenor saxophonist Sam Ross and his Quintet.

Jazz Night In America

Thursdays at 11:00pm

Jazz House Kids

Guest host Michel Martin tells the story of Jazz House Kids. It’s a powerhouse for jazz education, based in Montclair, New Jersey. Founded by vocalist Melissa Walker, the program has launched rising stars like Matthew Whitaker, Isaiah J. Thompson, and Julian Lee. It’s a place where music builds community, confidence, and opportunity.

Jazz Corner of the World

Saturdays from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm

Farewell Tribute to Al Foster

KCCK’s Midnight CD

KCCK features a new album every night, played from start-to-finish.

Standards III by Noah Haidu on Monday; First Dance by the Freedom Art Quartet on Tuesday; Ali Bello & the Charanga Syndicate by Ari Bello & the Charanga Syndicate on Wednesday; Travelogue by Danny Grissett on Thursday; Holy Sinners & Sinful Saints by David M’ore on Friday; The Californian by Brad “Guitar” Wilson on Saturday; Are We There Yet by Ben Sidran on Sunday.