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