Hey, Jazz fans, be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of singers Ivie Anderson, Billy Eckstine, Francine Reed and Mavis Staples, saxmen Hank Mobley, George Young and Kirk Whalum, trumpeters Lee Morgan and Carol Morgan and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Duke Ellington at New Port (1956), Count Basie at New Port (1957), Buddy Rich Big Band’s “Mercy, Mercy” (1968), Shirley Horn’s “A Lazy Afternoon” (1978), Miles Davis & Quincy Jones Live at Montreux (1991), Steve Kuhn Trio – Live at Birdland (2006) and many others Mondays thru Fridays and at noon on JAZZ MASTERS on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.
This Week In Jazz July 6 thru July 12
Culture Crawl 1090 “Jazz-Centered Things”
Jazz musicians Matt Landon and Emma Reynolds have been busy at work organizing the return of the Burlington Jazz Festival. It’s July 25 & 26 nestled across a handful of downtown venues (within walking distance). A Trivia Night Fundraiser will be hosted Monday, July 19, 7-9pm at the Art Center of Burlington.
All festival performances are free to the public. The Trivia Night Fundraiser is free (with donations accepted) but requires reservations be made in advance due to limited seating.
Reservations for Trivia Night and additional festival info can be found at btownjazzfest.com.
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 7-2-25
“Becoming Led Zeppelin” (2025 Netflix) and “Earnhardt” (2025 Amazon Prime) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Scott Chrisman.
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Kirkwood Board of Trustees to meet July 17, 2025
The regular meeting of the Kirkwood Board of Trustees will take place July 17, 2025. Time, place, and meeting agenda can be found at this link.
KCCK’s Featured Album for July 2025
The KCCK Featured Album for July is “Talk to Me About Mulgrew” from John Clayton and Mulgrew Miller. Planned as a tribute to pianist James Williams, original collaborator Hank Jones fell ill prior to recording, so the bassist turned to his friend Mulgrew Miller and the disc was recorded in 2007. It remained unissued in the archives and finally, twelve years after Mr. Miller’s passing, it now serves as a tribute to the late pianist. “Talk to Me About Mulgrew” is from Artist Share Records. Purchase
Culture Crawl 1089 “My Morse is a Little Rusty”
Steve Shanley, director of the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band, is back with the patriotic lineup for week five of the band’s season. Pieces being performed include the world premiere of a long lost Cedar Rapids march, a sweet Neil Diamond tune, and a new military services medley including the Space Force Theme.
Join the Muni Band at Guthridge Park in Hiawatha on Wednesday, July 2, and at the McGrath Amphitheatre on Sunday, July 6.
For more info visit crmuniband.org.
Watch the livestreams at facebook.com/CRMuniBand/.
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.
Podcast (culturecrawl): Play in new window | Download
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Big Mo Pod Show 074 – “Crescendo”
Welcome back to another installment of the pod show! This week we take a look at an eclectic mixture of blues tracks and artists, as well as discuss how John decides to structure his shows. Tune in to learn more! Songs featured in the episode:
- Reverend Shawn Amos – Bootleg
- Marcus King Band – “Ain’t nothing wrong with that”
- Jonny Lang – “Before you hit the ground”
- Greyboy Allstars – “Turn it on”
- Fiona Boyes – “Ramblified”
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!
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.