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New Music Monday for April 21, 2025

Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify

Born and raised in the vibrant streets of Caracas, Venezuela, Silvano Monasterios is a virtuoso pianist and composer, celebrated for his intricate technique, soulful improvisations, and innovative compositions. Over a career spanning three decades, he’s captivated audiences worldwide, carving a distinctive musical voice that blends harmonic sophistication with fiery Latin rhythms. His new project, “The River,” is a nine-piece ensemble work inspired by the social unrest and protests by the Venezuelan people in 2017 manifested by their desire to live in a free and just place.

For more than twenty years as a recording artist, the pianist and composer Hiromi has shifted seamlessly from one spellbinding project to the next. In the process, she’s earned a reputation as one of the most explosive live performers in jazz history and a global ambassador for the art form. Hiromi’s 13^th studio album, “Out There,” is the second release with her band SonicWonder. It features French-born fusion virtuoso Hadrien Feraud on bass, the soulful Chicago drummer Gene Coye, and Brooklyn-raised trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, who is part of a dynasty that includes his father and grandfather, Latin jazz titans Arturo and Chico O’Farrill.

Also this week, Sean Nelson’s New London Big Band features never-before-recorded Thad Jones charts written for Harry James on “Don’t Stop Now”; Triology, comprised of three award-winning Canadian musicians—Jodi Proznick on bass, Miles Black on piano and Bill Coon on guitar—are joined by tenor sax legend Scott Hamilton for their new album, “The Slow Road”; and singer and songwriter Lorraine Feather unveils her first release in eight years, “The Green World.”

This Week In Jazz April 20 through April 26

Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of trumpeter Shorty Rogers, saxmen Gene Ammons and Leo Parker, bassists Richard Davis, Gene Cherico and Buster Williams, guitarist Jeff Golub, flutist Herbie Mann, pianists Pete Malinverni, drummer Danny Gottlieb and more.

We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Lester Young’s “Blue Lester” (1944), Johnny Griffin’s “Introducing Johnny Griffin” (1956), Stanley Turrentine’s “Joyride” (1965), Jim Hall’s “Concierto” (1975), Bobby Hutcherson’s “Crusin’ the Bird” (1988), Terry Gibbs/Buddy DeFranco/Herb Ellis Sextet’s “Memories of You” (1991), Gabriel Mark Hasselbach “Live On Maui” (2000) and many others Mondays through Fridays at noon on Jazz Masters on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.

This Week’s Shows April 21 thru April 27

Jazz Corner of the World (Encore)

Mondays at 6:00pm

Sunnyside Records, Part 3

Craig continues his exploration of the top-notch Sunnyside record label, founded in 1982 and operated by Francois Zalacain. We’ll hear a variety of diverse selections from premier jazz artists, such as Gerald Cleaver, Vinicius Cantuaria, Denny Zeitlin, Jamie Baum, Eddie Higgins, Aaron Goldberg, Diego Barber, and a host of others.

Wednesday Night Special

Wednesdays at 6:00pm

Corridor Jazz Project, Night One

KCCK’s Corridor Jazz Project brings together the talented high school jazz bands with the area’s best jazz professionals to rehearse a chart, record it in studio, then perform it live. A record 21 bands took the stage at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids, and the Voxman Recital Hall in Iowa City.

Jazz Night In America

Thursdays at 11:00pm

Jazz and Resistance

To celebrate South Africa’s Freedom Day, Christian McBride honors the jazz musicians who stayed and resisted during apartheid — from Winston Mankunku Ngozi to Moses Taiwa Molelekwa — and spotlights pianist Thandi Ntuli, a rising star of the “Born Free” generation.

Jazz Corner of the World

Saturdays from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm

Mose Allison, Part 4

Craig presents his 4th and final chronological spotlight of the superlative artistry of legendary pianist, poet, singer, and composer Mose Allison. In this week’s presentation, we’ll hear selections from his last Blue Note releases, some live dates, and his final recording!

KCCK’s Midnight CD

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

In Jazz We Trust by the Posi-Tone Swingtet on Monday; The Axes Volume II: Summer Solstice by Daggerboard & the Erik Jekabson Orchestra on Tuesday; Chicago to New York by Eric Alexander on Wednesday; Interaction by 3 Cohens with the WDR Big Band on Thursday; The Speed of Life by Dudley Taft on Friday; Grown in Mississippi by John Primer on Saturday; Back to Brazil by Diane Marino on Sunday.

Big Mo Pod show 058 – “Mississippi Saxophone”

After their brief hiatus John and Noah are back with another installment of the pod show! This time around our duo discusses of mix of old timey blues swing and newer releases, emphasizing the importance of appreciating both eras of the blues. Songs featured in the episode:

Kirk Fletcher – “Shine A Light On Love”
Tiny Bradshaw – “Well Oh Well”
The Meters – “Out In The Country”
Joe Bonamassa – “Deep In The Blues”
John Nemeth – “Chain Breaker Blues”

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 1056 “I Remember Quite a Bit”

The Thaler Holocaust Memorial Fund (THMF), established in 1995 by Dr. David and Joan Thaler, provides
support for education about the Holocaust to residents and students at colleges in the Linn Country area. Thaler planning committee chair Amy Belice & Holocaust survivor Rodi Glass meet via zoom with Dennis in this segment of the Culture Crawl.

Rodi will be speaking via video conference at Mount Mercy University on April 22, 7pm & at Cornell College April 23, 6:30pm.

For more information visit holocausteducate.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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Culture Crawl 1055 “A Prurient Librarian”

Riverside Theatre presents “The Lifespan of a Fact” by Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell (based on the book by John D’Agata & Jim Fingal). Director of the show, Adam Knight, and cast member Martin Andrews (John D’Agata) are in the studio ahead of the plays opening night and Iowa City debut.

The show is open April 18 – May 4. Following the Saturday 4/19 evening performance there will be a talkback with Adam Knight and John D’Agata & following the 4/27 matinee there will be a talkback with cast members and Miriam Gilbert.

For tickets and more info visit riversidetheatre.org.

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25 Guest Djs-West

We’ve had a few repeat guest Djs over the years, but this is the first time an entire team has repeated!

Sean Kearney, Oliver Miller, and Genna Ray from Iowa City West returned as KCCK guest Djs after a year that saw them have the chance to work with Justin Stanton from Snarky Puppy and Damani Phillips from the UI as guest artists. The band also competed to the Iowa Jazz Championships.

Sean, Oliver, and Genna’s playlist:

Thad Jones & Mel Lewis, “Us”
Robert Glasper Trio, “Think of One”
Gil Scott-Heron, “Pieces of a Man”
Mingus Big Band 93, “Moanin'”
Iowa City West High Jazz Ensemble featuring Damani Phillips, “Ms. Garvey Ms. Garvey”

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Culture Crawl 1054 “We Still Tell The Story”

Clear Creek Amana High School presents “Newsies” at Clear Creek Amana HS Performing Arts Center April 24-26. In the studio to break things down we have Karley Griffin (Medda Larkin), James Cavanary (Joseph Pulitzer), Makayla Ratliff (Tommy Boy), and behind the scenes with CCA marketing is Hayden Bailey.

Shows will be Thursday 4/24 at 7pm, Friday 4/25 at 7pm, Saturday 4/26 at 2pm & Saturday 4/26 at 7pm.

For tickets and more info visit ccaschools.org.

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