The KCCK Featured Album for December is “This Year at Christmas” from the supergroup Band of Other Brothers. In the spring of this year, acclaimed pianist Jeff Babko received a text from veteran bassist Will Lee that simply read “Band of Other Brothers needs to do a holiday record.” Babko immediately wrote a new piece and the rest of the project fell into place. Saxophonist Jeff Coffin contributed multiple ideas to the mix and added in the collective brilliance of bandmates drummer Keith Carlock and guitarist Nir Felder to create an utterly jubilant take on the Christmas tradition. “This Year at Christmas” is on Ear Up Records. Purchase
KCCK’s Featured Album for December 2024
Culture Crawl 1007 “Leonard Bernstein’s Phone Number”
Something on the order of 100 low brass players will descend on the Cedar Rapids Public Library Dec. 14 for “Tuba Christmas,” which is exactly what the title says: many, many tubas playing Christmas music. This year’s guest director is Toni Lefebvre, who teaches at College Community and directs the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra.
Organizers Jim Engelbach and Kyle Patrick say any player is welcome, from kids just learning their instrument to adults who maybe haven’t played for years. Any low brass instrument, including tubas, sousaphones, baritones, euphoniums, etc. is welcome. But leave your trombone at home. As Kyle and Jim put it, “No slidey things.”
Dec. 14, 3pm at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. Performers should arrive at 11:30 to register, pay a small registration fee and rehearse. Jim and Kyle will be at West Music in Cedar Rapids on Dec. 7 with music books if you’d like to get some practice in advance.
Concert admission is free.
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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New Music Monday for December 2, 2024
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Celebrated pianist and composer Donald Vega is getting into the holiday spirit with his new album, “All is Merry and Bright.” Echoing the traditions of holiday albums by Oscar Peterson and Nat King Cole, the 2023 Guggenheim Fellow and Julliard professor presents a vibrant collection of holiday classics and cherished tunes thoughtfully arranged to encapsulate the warmth and joy of the season.
In the Spring of 2024, acclaimed pianist Jeff Babko received a text from friend and fellow Band of Other Brothers member, bassist Will Lee, that simply read, “Band of Other Brothers needs to do a holiday record.” Babko immediately wrote a new piece in about 15 minutes and, from this first seed, the rest of the forest rapidly grew into “This Year at Christmas,” the utterly jubilant take of the Christmas tradition by the jazz supergroup. Saxophonist Jeff Coffin contributed multiple ideas to the mix and added in the collective brilliance of bandmates drummer Keith Carlock and guitarist Nir Felder to create a melting pot of ideas, influences and interpretations that stays blanketed in the familiarity of the holiday season.
Also this week, pianist and arranger George Kahn returns with The Jazz & Blues Revue to light up your celebrations with “Holiday Soiree”; contemporary jazz trumpeter Rick Braun launches into the holiday spirit with “It’s Christmas”; and pianist Ben Paterson’s new album, “Cookin’ in the Couve,” boasts Paterson’s A-team rhythm section of Neal Miner on bass and Aaron Seeber on drums.
This Week In Jazz December 1 thru December 7
Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of lyricist Ira Gershwin, producer Lester Koenig, pianists Dave Brubeck and Wynton Kelly, saxophonist Marshall Royal, bassist Art Davis, guitarist Jim Hall and more.
We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Gerry Mulligan’s “Reunion with Chet Baker” (1957), Art Farmer Quartet feat. Jim Hall “Live at the Half-Note” (1963), Paul Desmond’s “Skylark” (1973), Stanley Jordan’s “Cornucopia” (1988), Tal Farlow/John Abercrombie/Larry Carlton/Larry Coryell/John Scofield’s “All Strings Attached” (1986), Diana Krall “Live In Paris” (2001) and many others Mondays thru Fridays at noon on Jazz Masters on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.
Kirkwood Board of Trustees to meet December 5, 2024
The regular meeting of the Kirkwood Board of Trustees will take place December 5, 2024. Time, place, and meeting agenda can be found at this link.
Special Programs December 2 – December 8
Jazz Corner of the World (Encore)
Mondays at 6:00pm
Happy 84th Birthday Billy Hart
Craig celebrates another November birthday. This week, it’s a party for drummer Billy Hart. Craig spins choice goodies that feature Billy’s work from the early 70s, right up to the present!
Wednesday Night Special
Wednesdays at 6:00pm
Damani Phillips at Voxman Hall
Saxophonist Dr. Damani Phillips, together with renowned drummer Ernie Adams, bassist Steve Charlson, and Jason Danielson on the piano, took the stage at the University of Iowa’s Voxman Recital Hall for a set of originals and some fresh interpretations of classics. They were joined by U of I colleague Dr. Dan Moore on the vibes.
Jazz Night In America
Thursdays at 11:00pm
Honoring Lou Donaldson
The legendary alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson died on November 9 at the age of 98. To honor his incredible legacy, we revisit a 2019 episode featuring an intimate interview between Lou and host Christian McBride, along with music from his quartet recorded in 2009.
Jazz Corner of the World
Saturdays from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm
A Tribute to Benny Golson
Craig salutes the recently departed jazz giant, composer, arranger, and tenor man Benny Golson with a dazzling program of great recordings featuring Benny. We’ll also hear some of his greatest compositions, like “Whisper Not,” “Along Came Betty,” “I Remember Clifford,” “Killer Joe,” “Stablemates,” and many others.
KCCK’s Midnight CD
Every Night at Midnight Each night, KCCK lets you hear a new CD played start-to-finish.
Planet Bluu by T.K. Blue on Monday; Boss Baritones by the Gary Smulyan & Frank Basile Quintet on Tuesday; From Here, From There by Andy Baker on Wednesday; I Hear Echoes by George Cables on Thursday; Hooks & Grooves by Travis Bowlin on Friday; What Are You Waiting For? by the Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Willy Jordan on Saturday; Portrait by Samara Joy on Sunday.
Big Mo Pod Show 040 – “Breeze Through Town”
Dovetailing the Pod Show’s interview comes another regular installment of the series! Just like always Noah and John review a selection of five songs from the most recent Big Mo Blues Show, this time taking a peek at a mixture of new and old, as well as vocals and instrumentals. Songs featured in the episode:
- Mavis Staples – “No Time For Cryin”
- Craig Erickson – “Sunset Moonlight”
- Jontavious Willis – “Too Close to the Finishing Line”
- Colin James – “Leave This House”
- Blues Traveler – “Call Me The Breeze”
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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Big Mo Pod Show 039 – “The Luckiest Blues Man Alive”
This week’s Big Mo Pod Show is a special treat! Noah and John invite local legend Tom T-Bone Giblin to share his stories from when he played with Lonnie Brooks as well as how he approaches playing music as a “sideman” by profession. Tune in to hear his story!
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!
Podcast (bigmopodshow): Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS | Subscribe to the Big Mo Pod Show