Short List with Bob Naujoks

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

The Short List: A Personal History of Jazz – Ragtime/Early New Orleans

The Original Dixieland Jazz Band

The Short List this week will feature Ragtime and early New Orleans sounds. Producer Bob Naujoks lists his likes in that early pre-jazz and jazz, which include Scott Joplin as interpreted by Joshua Rifkin, the acoustic recording of the Original Dixieland Jazz band from 1917, and trumpeters King Oliver and Jabbo Smith.

Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson  

Monday at 6:00 PM

Zoot Sims: ‘Brother’ of Swing

“Zoot” Sims

No matter the tempo, no matter the rhythm section backing him, it was impossible for tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims (1925-1985) not to swing, even when he played by himself. Sims was one of the most natural of all jazz musicians, whose warmth, creativity and humor earned him the unreserved admiration of musicians and fans alike. Though Sims never sought it, fame came with membership in Woody Herman’s “Four Brothers” saxophone section, and later, in a celebrated partnership with fellow “brother” Al Cohn. Strongly influenced by Lester Young and Ben Webster, he nevertheless had a singular sound and style infused with a simple directness that was irresistibly Zoot Sims.

Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler

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

“The State of the Instrument – The Drums”               

In this 3rd installment of this series, Craig will examine the work of 6 jazz drummers who are currently involved with top-notch artists on today’s Jazz scene. We’ll hear from Antonio Sanchez, Yoron Israel, Mark Ferber, Clarence Penn, Jeff Ballard, and Jorge Rossy.

New Orleans Calling with George Ingmire     

Tuesday at 6:00 PM 

Basin Street Station

Basin Street Station in New Orleans

This week’s episode of New Orleans Calling features live performances recorded especially for NOC listeners at New Orleans’ historic Basin Street Station. Basin St. Station, the Cultural Crossroads of New Orleans, exhibits the fascinating history, rich culture and unique attributes of New Orleans in the only remaining railroad building of the City. Featured are trumpeter Leroy Jones, singer Sharon Martin, Clarinetist Evan Christopher, and other New Orleans notables.

Jazz Night in America with Christian McBride

Wednesday at 6:00 PM

Up And Down The Mississippi With Bill Frisell

Bill Frisell

The story of the music that came out of the Mississippi Delta and traveled up the river to Memphis, St. Louis, Chicago, and way beyond is the story of at least the last century of American music. The versatile guitarist Bill Frisell knows this: At Jazz at Lincoln Center, he leads a set spanning New Orleans to the Delta, Bob Dylan to Bix Beiderbecke. In this episode of Jazz Night in America, he’s joined by saxophonist Greg Osby, pianist Craig Taborn, and drummer Rudy Royston, embarking on a musical journey along the revered Route 61.

Wednesday Night Special                

7:00 PM (Follows Jazz Night in America)   

Jazz Legends at the Iowa City Jazz Festival: Pharoah Sanders (2013)

Pharoah Sanders at the 2013 Iowa City Jazz Festival

Pharoah Sanders is a Grammy Award-winning American jazz saxophonist. Saxophonist Ornette Coleman once described him as “probably the best tenor player in the world.” Emerging from John Coltrane’s groups of the mid-1960s Sanders is known for his overblowing, harmonic, and multiphonic techniques on the saxophone, as well as his use of “sheets of sound.” Sanders is an important figure in the development of free jazz.  Born Ferrell Sanders, the name ‘Pharoah’ was claimed to have been iven to him by fellow band member and legendary pianist and composer Sun Ra. Sanders played with John Coltrane’s band for about a year beginning in late 1964, the same year he recorded his first album as a leader.  Most of his late-1960’s albums were released on the Impulse, his first major label.

In the 1970’s, the tenor saxophonist continued to develop his abilities as bandleader, working with the likes of Alice Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, and Don Cherry and producing highly acclaimed albums for Impulse such as Black Unity (1971) and Thembi  (1971).  In 1994, he travelled to Morocco to record with master Gnawa musician Maleem Mahmoud Ghania, resulting in the Bill Laswell-produced The Trance of Seven Colours. Sanders continued to work with Laswell, Jah Wobble, and others on the albums Message from Home (1996) and Save Our Children (1999). In 2000, Sanders released Spirits — a multi-ethnic live suite with Hamid Drake and Adam Rudolph. In the decades after his first recordings with Coltrane, Sanders developed into a more well-rounded artist, capable of playing convincingly in a variety of contexts, from free to mainstream. Some of his best work is his most accessible.  As a mature artist, Sanders discovered a hard-edged lyricism that has served him well.

Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler    

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

From California with Love Studio album by Andrew Hill (1978)

“Artists House Record Label”                 

Craig examines the short-lived ARTISTS HOUSE jazz label from the late 1970s. We’ll talk about the label founder and producer, John Snyder, as well as hear fine selections from all 14 of the releases – hearing great material from Ornette Coleman, Art Pepper, Jim Hall, Andrew Hill, Paul Desmond, Gil Evans, and others. This classy record label has fallen into the depths of obscurity, but certainly deserves a fresh look.

Tropical Heat with Kpoti 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:

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

Short List with Bob Naujoks

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

Dodo Marmarosa

The Short List: A Personal History of Jazz – Favorite Jazz Pianists     

This week Bob Naujoks concentrates on his favorite pianists, both traditional and modern. His list includes Teddy Wilson and Jess Stacy of Benny Goodman fame; the ill-starred bopper Dodo Marmarosa; the popular George Shearing; and two female players, Lynne Arriale and Marian McPartland. It’ll be a small piano festival with a few stories to match.

Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson  

Monday at 6:00 PM

Louis Jordan

Louis Jordan: ‘Jukebox King’   

Louis Jordan is a part of the NPR Basic Jazz Record Library for many reasons. He was among the first black entertainers to be successful in a wider pop market. Jordan and his Tympany Five influenced bands like Bill Haley and the Comets — his music is often cited as one of the roots of rock and roll. He was also underrated as a jazz musician, both a fine clarinetist and alto saxophonist. But most importantly, Jordan is a part of the Library because his music is guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of all who heard him.

Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler

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

“The Birthdate Anniversary Celebration for Tenor Giant, Wardell Gray”              

Craig celebrates Wardell’s 2/13/21 birthday by spinning some delightful gems with Wardell at the helm, as well as a number of inspiring record dates in the company of other jazz giants, such as Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Dexter Gordon, Earl Hines, Sonny Criss, and many others. This is very important material that seems to be slipping gradually into unwarranted obscurity.

New Orleans Calling with George Ingmire     

Tuesday at 6:00 PM 

“Shallow Waters: Mardi Gras Indians”        

Many New Orleanians get in shape for Carnival by attending weekly Mardi Gras Indian rehearsals  held at several clubs around town. This week New Orleans Calling brings us a rare, behind the scene look inside this unique New Orleans Tradition that celebrates the culture and practices of the legendary Mardi Gras Indians like Big Chief Howard of the Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians and the late Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr. of The Wild Magnolais. Also, Mardi Gras Indian Queens like Mercedes “Queen Mercy” Stevenson and Pauline ‘Ree’ Johnson. There is even a museum devoted to Mardi Gras Indian culture in the Lower Ninth Ward with the mission to preserve this quintessential New Orleans tradition.

Jazz Night in America with Christian McBride

Wednesday at 6:00 PM

Eric Lewis

ELEW Goes Trio    

Eric Lewis’ career has circulated both in and out of jazz circles. Performing under his given name, he was an up-and-coming pianist who performed in the bands of Wynton Marsalis and Elvin Jones. As his career progressed – or didn’t – he found that a lot of contemporary rock music also spoke to what he wanted to do. So performing under the name ELEW, he devised a new theatrical, high-energy style of playing solo piano called rockjazz, and it took him to TED Conferences, national tours, America’s Got Talent and the White House. Now he’s set to translate his vision to the jazz trio format, planning a recording with some major players. Jazz Night In America follows ELEW to the studio, and to Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, where his burning band includes Reginald Veal on bass and Jeff “Tain” Watts on drums.

Wednesday Night Special                

7:00 PM (Follows Jazz Night in America)   

Heath Brothers Quartet with Jimmy Heath (saxophone) and Al “Tootie” Heath (drums) at the 2012 Iowa City Jazz Festival

Jazz Legends at the Iowa City Jazz Festival: Heath Brothers Quartet (2012)           

For over 60 years, the legendary Heath Brothers have been synonymous with great jazz. NEA Jazz Master tenor player, Jimmy Heath and his drummer, brother Tootie Heath, came to Iowa City to promote ‘Endurance’, their first CD since the passing of their beloved brother, legendary bassist Percy Heath.

Jimmy Heath has long been recognized as a brilliant instrumentalist and a magnificent composer and arranger.  Jimmy is the middle brother of the legendary Heath Brothers, and is the father of Mtume.   He has performed with nearly all the jazz greats of the last 50 years, from Howard McGhee, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis to Wynton Marsalis. It is no surprise that over his long and storied career, Jimmy Heath has performed on more than 100 record albums including seven with The Heath Brothers and twelve as a leader. His work as a composer is every bit as impressive, having written more than 125 compositions, many of which have become jazz standards and have been recorded by other artists including Art Farmer, Cannonball Adderley, Clark Terry, Chet Baker, Miles Davis, James Moody, Milt Jackson, Ahmad Jamal, Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie J.J Johnson and Dexter Gordon.

Albert “Tootie” Heath is the youngest of the Heath brothers and drummer for the quartet, Tootie is a recipient of Yale University’s Duke Ellington Fellowship Medal. He was the drummer on John Coltrane’s first recording as a leader and the last drummer for the Modern Jazz Quartet. Tootie has played and recorded with Don Cherry, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Frederic Gulda, Tommy Flanagan, Dexter Gordon, Nina Simone, Herbie Hancock, J.J. Johnson, Yusef Lateef, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Timmons, Lester Young, Cedar Walton and Ben Webster. He was a featured performer in the recent documentary “Between a Smile and a Tear,” by the filmmaker and pianist Niels Lan Doky, which revisited the glory years of Copenhagen’s famed Club Montmartre where Tootie was house drummer. He is also the leader of the Whole Drum Truth ensemble, which performs innovative all-percussion concerts with a rotating roster of the foremost jazz drummers.

Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler    

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

Jeff Ballard

“The State of the Instrument – The Drums”  

In this 3rd installment of this series, Craig will examine the work of 6 jazz drummers who are currently involved with top-notch artists on today’s Jazz scene. We’ll hear from Antonio Sanchez, Yoron Israel, Mark Ferber, Clarence Penn, Jeff Ballard, and Jorge Rossy. Essential listening, to be sure!

Tropical Heat with Kpoti Accoh      

Sunday, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Featured Album: “Sbohem lásko… Zlatá kolekce” by Waldemar Matuska

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/waldemar-matuska/id295878274

One of his nation’s best-known pop singers from the 1960s, Waldemar Matuska was born in Kosice, Czechoslovakia, on July 2, 1932. His peak in the music world would be matched by his work in theater and film during the same time period. Outside of his artistic endeavors, Matuska was perhaps just as well known for his decision to leave Communist-controlled Czechoslovakia in 1986 to be with his wife in Florida. Upon his departure, the powers that be decided to condemn Matuska as a “moral failure,” and deleted his songs and scores from films, in addition to deleting his titles from record stores. Although his work had suddenly become very hard to obtain in Europe, Matuska continued to ply his trade stateside, performing for receptive audiences of Czech and Slovak expats. After the Cold War ended and Czechoslovakia experienced its “Velvet Revolution” in 1989, Matuska’s work was once again made available — much to the pleasure and gratitude of a very receptive home audience. He continued to release works and perform for years afterward, and was still making appearances well into his seventies, in fact singing for the last time in Prague on the occasion of his 75th birthday. Long suffering from asthma, he died as a result of pneumonia and heart failure in Florida on May 30, 2009. Waldemar Matuska was 76 years old.

KCCK’s Midnight CD

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

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