New Music Monday for January 13, 2014

     Any recording made by the legendary pianist Randy Weston is cause for celebration. His legacy with jazz music has spanned over six decades and has put him in contact with the lion’s share of progenitors and innovators of the music. Tenor sax great Billy Harper comes from an equally diverse musical background with a musical journey spanning from his Texas blues background to the avant-garde sounds of New York of the 1970s, where the Brooklyn born Weston had already been innovating and exploring African inspirations of jazz for nearly twenty years. Originally having met in 1972, Weston and Harper have collaborated on and off for over four decades. The pair’s new recording, “The Roots of the Blues,” brings these two giants of jazz together to create moving renditions of ten compositions from Weston’s incredible anthology along with three standards and a Harper original.

 
    Saxophonist and flutist Mitch Frohman, known for his 25-year stint with the Tito Puente Orchestra; Latin Jazz Ensemble, as well as his membership in the Mongo Santamaria band, is finally set to release his debut album. Leader and co-leader of three of the most in-demand Latin and Latin jazz groups (the Bronx Horns, The Mambo Legends Orchestra, and the Eddie Torres Mambo Kings), Frohman is long overdue to present his own music to the faithful Latin jazz audience. His new two-disc set, “From Daddy, With Love,” features a young and experienced cast of players: Zaccai Curtis of Donald Harrison’s Quartet, Luques Curtis of Eddie Palmieri’s band, and drummer Joel Mateo from the Miguel Zenon Quartet. For this project, Frohman showcases himself as a multi-reed instrumentalist, playing tenor, baritone and soprano saxophones and flute.

     Also this week, the singular guitarist John Stowell and saxophone legend Dave Liebman present an intimate set of duets on “Blue Rose”; Israeli natives Avishai Cohen on bass and Nitai Hershkovits on piano pair up for “Duende”; and 7 On 7 brings a modern mainstream spin to the great small band sound of the hard bop era on “Back When It Was Fun,” featuring trumpeter Clay Jenkins and trombonist Paul McKee.

 

Jon Batiste Jazz Workshop for Adults!

Every now and then, sometimes associated with the jazz education work KCCK does in middle and high schools, we’ll get asked “How about some jazz education for adults who want to return to playing or play better?”

Well, here is an opportunity! Pianist Jon Batiste is offering a special workshop, targeted at 50+ musicians, prior to his January 16 concert at the Englert.

Batiste, just 25 himself, is a recipient of the “Movado Future Legend” award and is a Steinway Artist. At the forefront of the exciting new generation of musicians coming out of New Orleans, Batiste’s unique take on the American Songbook is attracting critical acclaim as well as bringing new fans to jazz, across all demographics.

Batiste and his band, Stay Human will present the workshop at the Englert Theatre, 5pm January 16, prior to their concert. You’re encouraged to bring your instrument and participate with the musicians, or just sit and listen.

Admission to the workshop is free, but the Englert would like to know how many people intend to be there. RSVP to katie@englert.org. A limited number of free and discounted tickets to the concert are available as well. Ask when you sign up for the workshop.

More details at www.englert.org

New Music Monday for January 6, 2014

     A saxophonist, composer and educator from Toronto, Canada, Shirantha Beddage is emerging as a fresh and powerful voice on the baritone saxophone. Drawing inspiration from  John Coltrane, Pepper Adams, Thelonious Monk and other jazz masters, Beddage won the Galaxie Rising Star Award at the 2013 Montreal Jazz Festival for his work as a composer. He studied with Bill Dobbins and Harold Danko at the Eastman School in Rochester and is currently on staff at Humber College in Toronto. “Identity” is his second release as a leader.

     New York drummer Tim Horner’s 2nd adventure as a composer and band leader, “The Head of the Circle,” is certainly a labor of love. Already well-represented musically on over 200 recordings with many of the world’s finest over the last thirty years, he’s combined here his wide-ranging experiences and deep musical friendships to create a very personal recording. Featuring vibraphonist Joe Locke and saxophonist Ted Nash, Horner created an environment where all the musicians shine, bringing to vibrant life his ten masterful originals.

     Also this week, versatile West Coast drummer Dick Weller leads a trio with organist Joe Bagg and saxophonist John Tendy on “Tunes Remembered”; tenor saxophonist Doug Webbis in a quartet setting for his latest release, “Another Scene,” featuring drummer Rudy Royston and bassist Dwayne  Burno, who passed away on December 28 at age 43; and pianist Jon Davis and his trio offer up “One Up Front.”


Special Programs for the Week of January 6 – 12

Short List with Bob Naujoks                                           
Mon. – Thurs. at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
Vocal Short List 13: John Pizzarelli                               
Guitarist-singer John Pizzarelli has been on the scene for three decades with his swing-influenced jazz. He is well recorded and a mainstream mainstay. His vocalizing reflects his early influence by Nat King Cole, but as he says, “We are a 21st century version of what that group was.” Pizzarelli will also delve into contemporary music as he did with his Beatles album and the mid-90s “New Standards” recording.
Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson    
Monday at 6:00 PM
Max Roach, Rhythmic Innovator  
An innovative drummer, bandleader, composer, and educator, Max Roach is a musical renaissance man. He was Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie’s drummer of choice as they developed bebop in the ’40s, and his innovations forever changed the way drums are played. In the ’50s he co-led (with trumpeter Clifford Brown) one of the seminal groups of jazz, bringing bebop to new levels of sophistication. In the ’60s, he created a range of compositions reflecting the struggle for civil rights.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)
“The 75th Anniversary Celebration of Blue Note Records”
In this detailed series of shows, Craig will give us a close look at the evolution of the greatest of all 20th century jazz labels — Blue Note Records. We’ll hear at least one selection from each and every recording session beginning with the January 6th, 1939 piano recordings of Albert Ammons and Meade ‘Lux’ Lewis. Also, in this inaugural show, we’ll hear from the Port of Harlem Jazzmen, J.C.Higginbotham, Sidney Bechet, Earl Hines, Teddy Bunn, Josh White, Edmond Hall, and a number of other infrequently heard ‘traditional jazz’ masters. Don’t miss this first episode spotlighting the story of the fascinating development of the history of Blue Note Records!   
Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wendell Pierce  
Tuesday at 6:00 PM
Re-Imagined: The Music of Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock’s timeless innovations are brought to life in the voices of a big band.  Bobby Hutcherson guests with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in this brilliant outing from the House of Swing.
JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater
Wednesday at 6:00 PM
Ryan Truesdell and the Gil Evans Project at Newport
The young orchestra leader found a treasure trove of Gil Evans arrangements, learned them phrase by phrase, and made a CD (Grammy-nominated in 2012) for the Evans Centennial. Performances are rare. Truesdell brings a big band to play them at Newport. 
Wednesday Night Special     
7:00 PM (Follows JazzSet)
Sachal Vasandi and The Iowa Jazz Orchestra at the 2013 Iowa City Jazz Festival
With his breakthrough 2007 debut, Eyes Wide Open, vocalist/composer/arranger Vasandani established himself as one of the most promising voices in modern jazz. A 2010 Downbeat “Rising Star” poll winner, Vasandani presented his distinctive blend of jazz and pop with the critically acclaimed release, We Move in 2009. Vasandani’s third Mack Avenue release, Hi-Fly, confirms the high praise showered on its two predecessors and proves the singer is one of the freshest, most versatile artists to emerge onto the scene in recent memory.
The Iowa Jazz Orchestra is comprised of some of the top jazz professionals from around the state and is led by long-time area sax and flute player/jazz educator Lynne Hart, who also wrote several original arrangements specifically for the festival performance. 
Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland    
Thursday at 6:00 PM
Marian McPartland with Elvis Costello (Part 2)
Join us as we continue with part two of our program featuring Elvis Costello as host and Marian McPartland as guest. McPartland was the host of Piano Jazz from the beginning, and on this special edition she shares her favorite moments from more than 700 episodes. Guest host Costello provides vocal harmony to McPartland on “Threnody” and performs his song “You Hung Moon.” 
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM
“The 65th Anniversary Celebration of Prestige Records”     
In this detailed series of shows, Craig will give us a closer look at the evolution of another of the “big 3” 20th century jazz labels — PRESTIGE RECORDS. We’ll hear at least one selection from each and every jazz recording session done by the label, beginning with the JANUARY 11, 1949 Lennie Tristano/Lee Konitz date. Also, in this inaugural show, we’ll hear from Terry Gibbs, Stan Getz, J.J. Johnson, Wardell Gray, Sonny Stitt, and many others. Don’t miss this first episode spotlighting the story of the fascinating development of the history of Prestige Records!
Riverwalk Jazz
Sunday at 5:00 PM
Lester Leaps In: The President of Tenor Sax
The Jim Cullum Jazz Band — along with Harry “Sweets” Edison, Topsy Chapman and more — perform tunes made famous by the President of Tenor Sax: Lester Young. And Vernel Bagneris adds accounts of this remarkable player whose career took him from the tent show circuit to stardom on the bandstands of Kansas City.             
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:

http://www.kcck.org/onair/midnight_cd.php

Special Programs for the Week of December 30 – January 5

Toast of the Nation: Ring in the New Year in style with KCCK and NPR – Live!                                             
Tuesday at 8:00 PM – Wednesday at 4:15 AM                  
Toast of the Nation 2013-14 will make New Year’s Eve stops in Boston, Washington DC, New York, Chicago, Denver and the Monterey Jazz Festival! An NPR tradition every New Year’s Eve, Toast of the Nation is perfect for the occasion. It’s jazz that you can party to all night, with musical fireworks from coast to coast, with countdowns to midnight in all four continental time zones. Spirited, improvised, grooving and swinging, each segment is a stop in a sequence of celebrations and contributing something new to the musical feast. Hosted by Rhonda Hamilton of WBGO, Boston.

THE COAST-TO-COAST LINE-UP FOR TOAST OF THE NATION 2013-14 

  • Donald Harrison Quintet LIVE at Berklee College of Music.
  • Cecile McLorin Salvant with the Aaron Diehl Trio from the Kennedy Center’s Mary Lou Williams Festival.
  • The Wynton Marsalis Septet LIVE at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola.
  • Paquito D’Rivera with Strings and More at Mayne Stage in Chicago
  • Convergence with Special Guest Larry Goldings at DazzleJazz in Denver.
  • Bobby McFerrin and the Spirityouall Band from the 56th Monterey Jazz Festival

KCCK’s Annual Top 88 Countdown New Year’s Day Special

Wednesday 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM (repeated 3:00 pm -Midnight)

Listen for your favorite artists and CDs of 2013 during our Top 88 Countdown with many of today’s top players and singers making our list including; Hiromi, Terence Blanchard, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Christian McBride, Jacky Terrasson, Poncho Sanchez, Kenny Garrett, Patricia Barber, Oregon, Kevin Mahogany, Bill Frisell, Gary Burton, Paquito D’Rivera and many, many more. 
Short List with Bob Naujoks                                           
Mon. – Thurs. at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
Vocal Short List 13: Jennifer Barnes                              
Jennifer Barnes is a new discovery for host Bob Naujoks. The listing of her accomplishments and associations is enough to tell one that she is a singer of the highest caliber. Her alto voice is fresh, flexible, warm and resonant; and she can scat with the best of them. She teaches at the renowned jazz incubator, the University of North Texas, and is also a member of two jazz oriented acapella groups.   
Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson    
Monday at 6:00 PM
Mel Tormé: The ‘Velvet’ Voice of Jazz
Like Ella Fitzgerald, Torme’s tender treatment of a ballad was offset with a powerful sense of swing. An accomplished drummer and pianist, he also sang songs much like jazz instrumentalists would play them. With help from friends and colleagues, we’ll examine one of the most fascinating careers in jazz. 
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)
“Birth Date Anniversary Celebration For Pianist, Earl “Fatha” Hines”
Craig celebrates this occasion with a grand tour of the lengthy career of one of the all-time greats — Earl Kenneth Hines, known universally as “the Fatha”….born December 28 in 1903, and brightening our souls up until April 22, 1983. We’ll hear Mr. Hines from his early days with Louis Armstrong in the late 1920s, up through his final recordings in the late 1970s. Don’t miss this celebration of the “father of modern jazz piano”!  
Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wendell Pierce  
Tuesday at 6:00 PM
Kansas City: K.C. and The Count feat. Frank Wess
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis romp through the Kansas City songbook of the Count Basie Band. Basie alum and saxophonist Frank Wess joins pianist Eldar Djangirov to perform “One O’Clock Jump,” “The Golden Bullet” and “Moten Swing.” The passing of reedman Frank Wess on October 30 led us to recall “K.C. and the Count” from our 2008 Jazz at Lincoln Center season, in which we featured Wess as part of a spotlight on the Basie Band. A Kansas City native who grew up in DC, Frank Wess joined Basie in 1953 as a tenor saxophonist, but with the Count’s encouragement, Wess redefined the role of the flute in jazz. He was honored as an NEA Jazz Master in 2007. Frank Wess would have celebrated his 92nd birthday on January 4th. 
Toast of a Nation (NPR) Live! 
Tuesday at 8:00 PM – Wednesday at 4:15 AM
(see above)
JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater
Wednesday at 6:00 PM  
(Pre-empted this week for KCCK’s Annual New Year’s Day Top 88 Countdown Special)  
Wednesday Night Special     
7:00 PM (Follows JazzSet)
(Pre-empted this week for KCCK’s Annual New Year’s Day Top 88 Countdown Special)
Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland    
Thursday at 6:00 PM
Marian McPartland with Elvis Costello (Part 1)
The tables are turned as McPartland sits at the guest bench to discuss her life as a performer and as host of Piano Jazz. Elvis Costello guest hosts as McPartland reminisces about moments from the program’s early days— such as her interviews with debut guest, Mary Lou Williams, and with Bill Evans, who gave McPartland a lesson in the structure of his playing on air. Costello sings and McPartland plays “Our Love Is Here to Stay” and “Dancing on the Ceiling.” 
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM
“The 75th Anniversary Celebration of Blue Note Records”
In this detailed series of shows, Craig will give us a close look at the evolution of the greatest of all 20th century jazz labels — Blue Note Records.  We’ll hear at least one selection from each and every recording session beginning with the January 6th, 1939 piano recordings of Albert Ammons and Meade ‘Lux’ Lewis. Also, in this inaugural show, we’ll hear from the Port of Harlem Jazzmen, J.C.Higginbotham, Sidney Bechet, Earl Hines, Teddy Bunn, Josh White, Edmond Hall, and a number of other infrequently heard ‘traditional jazz’ masters. Don’t miss this first episode spotlighting the story of the fascinating development of the history of Blue Note Records! 
Riverwalk Jazz
Sunday at 5:00 PM
Jim Cullum’s Jazz Cabaret — Live at Pearl Stable
Classic American jazz is a gold mine of great music. The Jim Cullum Jazz Band and their guests dig up some personal favorites and flex their creative muscle on tunes never before performed on Riverwalk Jazz. It’s “the best of what you’ve never heard” in a rollicking concert performance.             
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:

http://www.kcck.org/onair/midnight_cd.php

New Music Monday for December 30, 2013

     Guitarist John Abercrombie and pianist Marc Copland are old allies, with an association stretching back forty years when both were members of Chico Hamilton’s quartet. At the dawn of fusion, both played with the pioneering jazz-rock band Dreams. Since the late ‘90s, they’ve revived their partnership in diverse contexts and have toured in formations ranging from piano-guitar duo to a trio with Kenny Wheeler to the cooperative group Contact with Dave Liebman and Billy Hart. Abercrombie hasn’t featured a piano in his ECM recording groups since his late ‘70s-early ‘80s quartet with Richie Beirach. His new CD, “39 Steps,” is a quartet recording including Copland, Drew Gress on bass and Joey Baron on drums.

 

     Pianist and composer James Weidman celebrated his 60th birthday with the release of “Truth and Actuality,” a disc credited to the Aperturistic Trio. While this is his first trio release since 1997, he never left the format entirely as each of his previous recordings featured some tunes in that setting. He attributes his passion for the trio to his years spent accompanying vocalists, something his band mates share, as bassist Harvie S is well known for his partnership with Sheila Jordan and drummer Steve Williams was at the core of Shirley Horn’s trio for decades. “Through working with vocalists,” Weidman observes, “we all have a passion for the lyrical side of this music.”

     Also this week, the duo of Scott Amendola and Charlie Hunter follow up their duo release from earlier in the year with “Pucker,” this time focusing on Amendola’s compositions; Brooklyn-based drummer and composer Scott Neuman debuts his Neu3 Trio with saxophonist Michael Blake and bassist Mark Helias on “Blessed”; and the Jitterbug Vipers, who specialize in a beloved jazz offshoot called ‘viper jazz’ which evokes the rollicking spirit of the Swing Era’s halcyon days, unveil “Phoebe’s Dream.”

 

New Music Monday for December 23, 2013

     It is amazing how hearing a song can bring you back to another time and place. A refrain or a melody sparks an image of the past as well as emotions from that particular moment. Legendary trombonist Roswell Rudd has put together a recording of pieces that have this effect on him. The musical pieces chosen have become standards of American song, most of the selections stemming from Rudd’s recollections of childhood when he would sing the songs in school or in church. “Trombone for Lovers” brings together not only a collection of fantastic music but also a tremendous assortment of musical talent, including John Medeski, Bob Dorough, and Steven Bernstein.

     The Howard Alden/Andy Brown Quartet brings together two distinct voices in jazz guitar. One the top guitarists in jazz for decades, Alden has performed on countless recordings and in a wide array of settings all around the globe.  Jazz Times magazine says, “He may be the best of his generation.” Brown has been one of the busiest guitarists in Chicago over the last decade. He has led his own bands and backed visiting jazz stars all over the city, as well as traveled nationally and internationally with a variety of groups.  Backed by a swinging rhythm section of bass and drums, the pair combine their shared musical influences and inspirations, along with their varied performing experiences, on the new CD, “Heavy Artillery.”

     Also this week, Grammy winner and co-founder of the legendary A and M Records label Herb Alpert is back with a new CD, “Steppin’ Out”; trombonist/composer Alan Ferberpresents his own take on the big band tradition with “March Sublime”; and “Odd Man Out” is the third album from Australian-born saxophonist Nick Hempton, a quintet outing also featuring trombonist Michael Dease.

Special Programs for the Week of December 23 – 29

KCCK’s Annual Christmas Celebration    
Tuesday, December 24th at 10 am through Wednesday, December 25th at Midnight

The best holiday music on radio is on KCCK during 38 hours of continuous songs and carols for the season with everyone from Louis Armstrong to the Yellowjackets, plus brand new Christmas classics from Karrin Allyson, New York Voices, Nnenna Freelon & John Brown Big Band, Ted Rosenthal, Laura Caviani and the Rob Parton Big Band. Let KCCK be part of your holiday celebrations beginning at 10 am Christmas Eve and all-day and night on Christmas.


KCCK’s Top 88 Countdown for 2013 Preview

Thursday, December 26th 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (#88-#70)
Friday, December 27th 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (#69-#50)
Monday, December 30th 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (#49-#30)
Tuesday, December 31st 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (#29-#1)

Listen for your favorite artists and CDs during our Top 88 Countdown preview with many of today’s top players and singers making our list including; Hiromi, Terence Blanchard, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Christian McBride, Jacky Terrasson, Poncho Sanchez, Kenny Garrett, Patricia Barber, Oregon, Kevin Mahogany, Bill Frisell, Gary Burton, Paquito D’Rivera and many, many more. Enjoy KCCK’s Annual Top 88 Countdown in it’s entirety on New Year’s Day from 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM (repeated 3:00 pm -Midnight)


Short List with Bob Naujoks                                           
Mon. – Thurs. at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
Vocal Short List 13: Dr. John (new)                              
A new Vocal Short List series continues with the New Orleans influenced singer, Dr. John. His mix of blues and jazz, boogie and rock put him on the musical map in the late 1960s. His voodoo influenced performances made him a cult favorite. Now in his 70s he’s more mainstream now, but still has an individualistic vocal style and a strong hand on the piano. He’s a winner of six Grammy’s and a couple of dozen recordings so Dr. John is almost a household name.  
Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson    
Monday at 6:00 PM
Louis Armstrong: “The Singer”
After establishing himself as an innovative jazz instrumentalist, Louis Armstrong was given a chance to sing — and turned the jazz world upside down. His singing voice would become one of the world’s most recognized and enjoyed in jazz and popular music.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)
“The Jazz Corner of the World’s 2013 Holiday Show”
Craig will play a relaxing but stimulating program of contemplative jazz, mellow ballads, and a tasteful mix of holiday favorites.  We’ll hear from Ben Webster, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy McGriff, Keely Smith, Duke Ellington, Dave McKenna, Horace Silver, Dave Holland, Lee Morgan, and many, many others.
Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wendell Pierce  
Tuesday at 6:00 PM
(Pre-empted this week for KCCK’s Special Holiday programming)    
JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater
Wednesday at 6:00 PM
(Pre-empted this week for KCCK’s Special Holiday programming)  
Wednesday Night Special    
7:00 PM (Follows JazzSet)
(Pre-empted this week for KCCK’s Special Holiday programming)
Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland    
Thursday at 6:00 PM
Gerald Wilson  
Composer/arranger Gerald Wilson has charted the course for some of the legends of jazz, including Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie. Wilson got his start as a trumpet player with Jimmie Lunceford’s big band, but was soon recognized as a composer, arranger, and big band leader with a wealth of sophisticated   musical ideas and total dedication to the infinite possibilities of jazz. Host McPartland improvises a musical portrait in honor of Wilson.

Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM
“Birth Date Anniversary Celebration For Pianist, Earl “Fatha” Hines”
Craig celebrates this occasion with a grand tour of the lengthy career of one of the all-time greats — Earl Kenneth Hines, known universally as “the Fatha”….born December 28 in 1903, and brightening our souls up until April 22, 1983.  We’ll hear Mr. Hines from his early days with Louis Armstrong in the late 1920s, up through his final recordings in the late 1970s.  Don’t miss this celebration of the “father of modern jazz piano”! 

Riverwalk Jazz
Sunday at 5:00 PM
NYC All-Stars and a New Year’s Jam
Dipping into the archive of Riverwalk Jazz, an all-star cast joins The Jim Cullum Jazz Band in a concert recorded live at Manhattan’s Red Blazer Too jazz club in 1993. Trumpeter Doc Cheatham, vocalist Carol Woods, bassist Milt Hinton, guitarist Marty Grosz, and pianist Dick Hyman share the bill.            
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:

http://www.kcck.org/onair/midnight_cd.php