Read about some of the people and events in our jazz family, and also dig in to the nuts and bolts of KCCK (if that’s your thing). Click on the image to read the entire report, or email us if you’d like a printed copy.
Talking Pictures 3-12-25
“Mickey 17” (2025) and “Anora” (2024) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Monica Schmidt.
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Culture Crawl 1038 “The Perspective of the Fence”
Under the direction of Dr. Gerry Kreitzer, the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale has been preparing for their upcoming performance of the Grammy-nominated three-part Oratorio by Craig Hella Johnson, Considering Matthew Shepard. The music celebrates and honors the life and legacy of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man who was brutally attacked and murdered in 1998.
The concert is Saturday, March 15, 7:30pm at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids.
Tickets and more info can be fount at crchorale.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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New Music Monday for March 10, 2025
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
To mark the 40th anniversary of his debut recording as a bandleader in 1984, alto saxophonist Jim Snidero set out to create something special with his 28th album—and his second trio project to date with jazz masters Peter Washington on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Snidero felt the time was right to pay tribute to Charlie Parker, an artist he regards as the “king of the hill.” Ranked among the top five alto saxophonists in Down Beat’s 2024 Critic’s Poll, Snidero is more than qualified to honor one of the bebop pioneers with his new release, “Bird Feathers.”
Fresh off their second consecutive win for Jazz Group of the Year in the Down Beat Readers Poll, Artemis returns with their third release, “Arboresque,” featuring a new quintet lineup of the band helmed by pianist and musical director Renee Rosnes with trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, bassist Noriko Ueda, and drummer Allison Miller. A paean to the sheer joy of collaboration and creativity, the album is a vibrant 8-song set that presents original compositions by each of the band members as well as Rosnes arrangements of pieces by Wayne Shorter, Burt Bacharach, and the unsung pianist Donald Brown.
Also this week, veteran bassist Marcus McLaurine’s new recording, “Tributes,” fulfills a special need to acknowledge specific individuals who have deeply woven into his life as a world-class musician and father; drummer Chacho Ramirez and flautist Carolyn Steinberg Ramirez co-lead their New York-based Latin jazz quintet La Banda Ramirez on “Lizzie’s Lounge”; and saxophonists Nick Hempton and Cory Weeds team up for a live set from the legendary Frankie’s Jazz Club in Vancouver on the quartet date, “Horns Locked.”
This Week In Jazz March 9 thru March 15
Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of cornetist Bix Beiderbeck, composer Astor Piazzolla, trumpeter/composer/arranger Quincy Jones, drummer Roy Haynes, singers Al Jarreau, Bobby McFerrin and Vanessa Rubin, trumpeter Blue Mitchell, organist Shirley Scott and more.
We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Art Blakey & His Jazz Messengers 1957, Second Edition feat. Johnny Griffin (1957), Chick Corea‘s “Now He Sings, Now He Sobs” (1968), George Benson & Joe Farrell’s “Benson & Farrell” (1976), Lionel Hampton & His Orch., feat. Sylvia Bennett’s “Sentimental Journey” (1985), Charles Earland’s “Stomp!” (1999), Holly Cole’s “Holly” (2016) and many others Mondays thru Fridays at noon on Jazz Masters on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.
This Week’s Shows March 10 thru March 16
Jazz Corner of the World (Encore)
Mondays at 6:00pm
Mose Allison, Part 3
Craig continues his 4-part chronological series on the artistry of legendary pianist, poet, singer, and composer Mose Allison. We’ll listen to selections from his final three Atlantic releases, his two albums for Elektra Records, the first few Blue Note releases, and a few other odds and ends.
Wednesday Night Special
Wednesdays at 6:00pm
James Dreier All-Stars at First Friday Jazz
The legendary percussionist James Dreier brought gathered the cream of Iowa musicians to the Opus Concert Café for an incredible First Friday Jazz. Dreier has been a moving force in music for decades, whether as a professor at the University of Iowa, or as a member of Orquesta Alto Maiz, Ritmocano, and the Beaker Brothers.
Jazz Night In America
Thursdays at 11:00pm
The Fearless Terri Lyne Carrington
Drummer, composer, and NEA Jazz Master Terri Lyne Carrington has shaped jazz with her dynamic artistry and fearless innovation. We explore her sound, from collaborations with Wayne Shorter, Esperanza Spalding, Ravi Coltrane, and Geri Allen to insights from her mentors and peers – including Herbie Hancock and Jack DeJohnette. Along the way, we’ll trace her journey as a consummate drummer, visionary producer, and dedicated advocate for gender justice in jazz.
Jazz Corner of the World
Saturdays from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm
Charles Lloyd’s 87th Birthday
Craig plays a wide variety of exciting gems from the lengthy career of reedman Charles Lloyd, which spans from 1959 to the present. We’ll hear from his Columbia releases, as well as many titles from Atlantic, ECM, Blue Note, and other jazz labels.
KCCK’s Midnight CD
KCCK features a new album every night, played from start-to-finish.
Tribute: the Music of Gregg Hill by Rick Roe on Monday; Live at the Blue Llama by Paul Vornhagen on Tuesday; The Vibe by Nanami Haruta on Wednesday; Looking Back by Richard Barata on Thursday; Live in Clarksdale by Rashad the Blues Kid on Friday; Strange Things Happening by Kid Ramos on Saturday; Bluer Than Blue: Celebrating Lil Hardin Armstrong by Caili O’Doherty on Sunday.
Big Mo Pod Show 053 – “Blues Across Generations”
On this week’s broadcast from the Singing Cowboys Studio we had a mix of tunes from different generations of blues artists, each with their own distinctive flair. See what John and his twenty something sidekick producer Noah think of each by listening in! Songs featured in the episode:
- Eugene Hideaway Bridges – “Rise Above It”
- Freeworld – “Outta Sight”
- Marquise Knox – “One More Reason To Have The Blues”
- Dyer Davis – “Dog Bites Back”
- Ry Cooder – “Little Sister”
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 1037 “I Can’t Believe It’s Just Your 2 Instruments!”
Miera Kim & Carey Bostian with Red Cedar Chamber Music have been busy this year with their violin and cello concert program, Cultural Passport. This program highlights folk music representing cultures from around the world and covers a range of compositional styles.
Upcoming performances for the public will be Saturday 3/8, 12pm at Marion Library, Saturday 3/8, 7pm at Marengo Library, and Saturday 3/15, 7pm at The James Theater (thejamesic.com for tickets).
For more info visit redcedar.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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